The evolution of my current EDC pouch and the gear that’s in it
The gear that’s in my EDC pouch
I have a feeling this post is going to get way longer than I initially intended it to get! But some of that is because I want to try to show how EDC can evolve for people. And it SHOULD evolve for people. There’s going to be certain things that are just always part of your EDC. Certain items that you just know you’ll use all the time or favorite pieces that are must haves. But overall, it’s good to keep revisiting what you carry and even HOW you carry it. The goal is to continue to find ways to make life easier on the go!
My first kit was an EDC tin
For the past few months, I have been working on an EDC pocket kit. I started out using a tin and had a kit going that was similar to the one I blogged about previously. That tin worked great for me for a while, and I carried it daily. I also adjusted the contents here and there as I was using it and discovered what was working and what needed some tweaking.
Adjusting what you carry is important! It’s easy to just keep the same stuff all the time because it’s there and you’re used to it. But I have been trying to actively think about the things I carry and how/when I use them. Some people prefer to ONLY carry what they absolutely use all the time. I tend to carry some things that I know I won’t use often (or ever?) but I just like to feel extra prepared. Have I ever used that little tube of super glue that I have been carrying? Nope! But I can’t wait for the day when it comes in handy and I’m happy that I was carrying it. The key to EDC is finding out what works best for you because what works for one person won’t necessarily work for everyone. And even what works for you now might not work for you in the future.
After my first tin kit was up and running, I started watching more and more videos about EDC pouches and thought maybe it would be nice to put that stuff in a pouch instead. Something small enough to still fit in my pocket but big enough to hold everything I wanted to carry. I typically wear cargo shorts or pants so pocket options are different than if you are more likely to wear jeans or something like that. I don’t mind having a few things in my pockets and the bit of bulk it can create. I like knowing I have this stuff with me when I’m out and about. But something to keep in mind as you research pouches: How do you intend to carry it? Pocket? Purse? Backpack? That will likely influence your decision on the size and configuration of the pouch that you pick. And don’t be surprised if the first one you pick isn’t the one you stick with!
EDC tin (left) and the Alpaka Zip Pouch Pro (right)
Trying out the Alpaka Zip Pouch Pro
The first pouch that I bought to try was the Alpaka Zip Pouch Pro. I really liked it and was able to get the items I wanted into it. Though it was a tight fit! The advantage to a tight fit is that things don’t rattle around. The disadvantage is that it can be difficult to get things in and out of the pouch on the fly. With the way this pouch is set up I found that if you use the slots on the outside for tools, flashlights, or other gear then you can’t put much on the inside other than flat things (cash, bandages, paper to write on, etc…). And vice versa if you load up the inside then you can’t put much in the outside slots. And that’s not because of poor design or anything. That’s just the nature of this type of pouch. I really like this pouch and it’s constructed well so I know it will last a long time. But I ended up getting a different pouch and I plan to repurpose this Alpaka pouch for something else. I really think their products are well made and thought out. I see myself getting more things from them in the future. So, I have absolutely no regrets about this purchase!
Next is the Viperade VE10 Tool Pouch
I started seeing more and more videos that included products from a company called Viperade. They have a lot of different pouches, pocket organizers, and other products. Many of their products are similar to one another but with slight variations in size, pocket configurations, and layouts. One of the videos that I watched featured the Viperade VE10 Tool Pouch and I liked the idea of a pouch that zipped open on the outside and flipped open like a book. I thought that might make it easier to see what’s in there and get items in and out faster. I ordered one and so far, so good! Seems to be well made and should do the job for the gear that I currently like to carry in my EDC kit.
Viperade VE10 Tool Pouch (front side): The front has two pockets (I’m not currently using those) and a Velcro area where you could put some patches for fun
This setup is bigger than my original tin kit and bulkier than the Alpaka pouch. But when you unzip it and lay it open it’s nice to see most everything laid out. And because it is a bit bigger than my previous tin and pouch, I was able to fit the SOG PowerPint multi-tool that I carry in there. So that’s one less loose thing in my pocket!
What’s currently in my Viperade pouch?
Here’s an inventory list of what’s currently in my Viperade VE10 Tool Pouch along with some notes about each item. At the end of each note I’ll include an indication in parenthesis of where it is in the photo included below of the pouch laying open and showing the contents. And I’ll put links to everything mentioned in this blog post at the bottom of the page.
SOG PowerPint multi-tool: I did a separate blog post about the multi-tools that I own. Check that out here. (Right side clipped in the upper back pocket.)
Flashlight: The flashlight in the above photo isn’t currently in my Viperade EDC pouch. At the time of this photo, it was in the Alpaka pouch. I carry it in a pocket of my wallet (future blog post on that). But for the record it’s the RovyVon Angel Eyes E3. (Not featured in this photo.)
Lighter: This lighter is the LcFun Windproof Arc Lighter. More details about that in a previous blog post. (Right side in the upper back pocket peeking out next to the SOG PowerPint.)
Pry tool: This is the Nite Ize DoohicKey Keychain Multi-Tool. More details about that in a previous blog post. (Left side in the far left elastic slot.)
Pen: This pen is the True Stainless Steel TelePen Keychain. It’s not the kind of pen you’ll want to be making tons of notes with but handy to have since it’s so small when collapsed but extends when it’s time to write. (Right side in the far right mesh pocket.)
Paper: For paper in this kit, I just pull off a few sheets from a small Post-it notepad. (Right side in the far right mesh pocket behind the pen.)
Mini slide top tins: These mini tins come in handy to hold smaller items like safety pins and rubber bands, so they don’t get lost in the kit. In my kit it contains the super glue tube, paper clips, safety pins, rubber bands, and the baggie that has the eyeglass repair kit screws/pads. (Right side in the upper back pocket under the lighter and the multi-tool resting horizontally in the bottom of the pocket. Not visible in this photo.)
First aid supplies: Chances are you have some things around the house that you can just grab to include in your kit. A few bandages, a packet of antibiotic ointment, some alcohol prep pads, etc… In the full list of links at the bottom I’ll include a link to an inexpensive mini first aid kit that you could get and use the contents of that. (Left side in the upper back pocket.)
Travel sewing kit: This is an item that you might already have laying around the house but I’ll link to some below. (Left side in the upper back pocket with two large paper clips secured to it in case those are needed.)
Tweezers: You never know when tweezers might come in handy, and the Uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper Keychain Tweezers are great. (Left side in the far right elastic slot.)
Eyeglass repair kit: This could come in handy for regular glasses or sunglasses. The kit that I bought came with a microfiber cloth, two small screwdrivers, and a little baggie with some screws as well as nose pads. (The screw drivers and microfiber cloth are in the left side mesh pocket. The baggie with the other items is in the mini slide top tin and location for that is above.)
Single use super glue gel tube: A regular bottle of super glue would be too large, dry out before getting used, and has the potential to leak. These mini single use bottles are great because it’s just enough for one application, so you don’t have to worry about it drying out and hopefully not leaking. I keep mine in the little slide top tin as an extra measure to prevent potential leaks from getting on everything. (Located in the mini slide top tin and location for that is above.)
Mini S-shaped carabiners: I don’t have a specific use in mind for these mini S-shaped carabiners but I figured they could be handy to have around. Maybe for a zipper when the zipper pull breaks? You need to attach your keys to something and don’t have a clip? If the S shaped ones don’t seem like they’d be good for you it’s easy enough to look around for other shapes, types, and sizes. (Center of the pouch clipped to the small loop.)
Eyedrops: These eye rewetting drops are intended for contact lens wearers (which I am). But they are just single use tubes of sterile saline solution so anyone can use them if needed. So, these can really be handy for anyone who needs to wet their dry eyes or maybe if you get dust in your eye and need to try to get it out. (Left side in the upper back pocket.)
Pill holder: This little holder is great if you need to bring your daily pills with you or just need some pain pills, allergy medication, etc… along for the ride. How many pills you can fit will depend on the size and shape of the pill. But I was able to get about 6-8 ibuprofen pills in one. And it comes with a ring you can add/remove if you decide you want to put it on your keys. It also comes with extra rubber O-rings for the cap, so it stays sealed well (in case you need to replace the O-ring). I don’t know if I’d trust calling it waterproof but certainly water resistant. (Right side in the far left mesh pocket.)
Viperade VE10 Tool Pouch laying open with EDC gear inside
Products mentioned in this post: