Your EDC gear can prepare you for minor inconveniences, small emergencies, and threats to your safety…
…When done right.
But if done wrong, your EDC gear might harm you more than do you good.
So, if you wanna be on the safe side and avoid making costly oversights, here’s what you need to know:
EDC Gear Fails You Should Never Make
If you’re new to everyday carry (EDC), don’t follow these common slip-ups. And if you’re guilty of committing these blunders, then it’s about time to stop making them:
Being Too Dependent on Battery-Powered Gizmos
Let’s give your smartphone credit where credit’s due. It’s insanely helpful when you need to get in touch with a loved one or look up some info online. You can even download survival and first aid apps to guide you when you’re on the go.
But here’s the catch. Since cellphones and other gadgets are so convenient, a lot of folks tend to forget that they’re not 100% reliable.
Besides stashing a power bank in your EDC bag to keep your phone from running out of juice, you might also wanna think about learning how to navigate using an old-school map. This will stop you from panicking in the event of an EMP attack.
In case you didn’t know, an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack wreaks major havoc on electric devices. It renders radios, TVs, and cellphones useless. While a Faraday cage can stop its effects, it’s also pretty bulky to carry around everywhere.
So unless you’re willing to haul that extra weight, you better study map reading.
Buying Things Because They’re Popular
Your EDC gear should fit your situation and yours alone. Go read and watch all the reviews you want — just don’t forget to take them with a grain of salt.
It may sound tempting to buy a fancy bushcraft knife because it looks badass, but if you’re not gonna have much use for it, then don’t waste your cash. A multitool might be more up your alley. Since it’s got several functions and is more portable than a knife, it offers more value for your money.
Spending Too Much or Not Enough
While we’re on the subject of buying, let’s talk about how much you spend on your everyday carry.
Should you blow thousands of bucks on it or save and scrimp?
The answer is neither.
You have to strike the right balance instead. For example, invest in a quality bag but save money on your watch. You’ll need a sturdy bag that can withstand daily use more than a watch with all the bells and whistles. Remember, at its core, a watch only needs to tell time.
Not Maintaining Your Supplies
Great, you bought the EDC gear you need. But that’s only the beginning.
You need to check each of your supplies individually and regularly to find out whether you can still use them. Does your lighter work? Are your meds expired? What about the snacks you always keep in your bag’s inner compartment? Are they still okay to consume?
Then, there are your survival tools.
If you don’t remember the last time you cleaned your multitool, then that’s probably why your multitool isn’t working as smoothly as it used to.
Here are some simple maintenance checks you can do:
- Inspecting your tac light’s battery for leaks
- Examining your bag for tears
- Testing your bag’s zippers
- Checking your snacks and meds for expiry dates
Forgetting to Bring Your EDC
Remember what EDC stands for?
That’s right, Einstein. It means EVERYDAY carry. Not sometimes carry or only-for-the-zombie-apocalypse carry.
Why go through the hassle of reading EDC gear recommendations and browsing for supplies online if you’re only gonna leave these things at home?
To avoid forgetting anything important when you rush out the door, it’s smart to pack or double-check your EDC supplies the night before. Keep your bag somewhere visible, like beside your front door. You can also put it on top of your shoe cabinet so you’ll remember to bring it when you wear your shoes.
Bringing Everything But the Kitchen Sink
We don’t know what’s worse—never bringing your EDC or lugging around an entire household’s worth of gear.
While it’s good to be prepared, keep in mind your everyday carry isn’t the same as your get home bag and bug out bag. It’s meant to be less bulky.
Our recommendation?
Skip the redundancies. You don’t need to carry a ferro rod, a BIC lighter, AND other fire starters everywhere you go. The simpler your EDC tools, the better.
To help you narrow down what to bring, here are some questions you can ask yourself:
- How often do I use this?
- If things go south, will this item come in handy?
- Can I carry it everywhere (not only physically, but also legally)?
You can save even more space with multipurpose EDC gear. Personally, we’re big fans of this nifty wallet multitool by TAC9ER. Small enough to fit your back pocket, this tool can peel fruit, file nails, open cans, and then some.
Not Organizing Your EDC
If you can’t find the exact thing you need when you need it, then you’re doing something wrong. Something like stuffing your survival supplies in random compartments of your bag.
You can save loads of time by being organized. Group your EDC gear according to purpose and keep them in specific containers or pouches. If you wanna go one step further, you can also label your containers.
Sticking Out Like a Sore Thumb
Yeah, you’re a prepper. But that doesn’t mean other folks should know that.
Your tactical backpack with MOLLE webbing is a dead giveaway. Try not to use it unless you’re out in the wild. Go for something that won’t warrant any second stares, like a messenger bag, fanny pack, or purse.
You should also be careful about your clothes. Wear what a gray man wears. That doesn’t literally mean wearing gray. Instead, it’s dressing up like the horde—whether they’re decked out in graphic tees, polos, or basketball jerseys. Just avoid super flashy colors or prints that make you stand out instead of fit in.
Don’t brag about your supplies, either. As awesome as your Leatherman Wave is, it’s stupid to point it out for everyone you see. You might get people curious about your other EDC tools.
Not Saving Any Room for First Aid
As a prepper, you should have some form of first aid with you at all times. But we’re not saying your EDC first aid kit should rival a pharmacy’s shelves. Just make sure the kit covers these basics, and it should be set:
- Maintenance meds
- Band-aids
- Antibiotic cream
- Aspirin
- Rubbing alcohol
Leaving Out Self-Defense
While you may live in one of the world’s safest neighborhoods, never be too complacent. Who knows what might be lurking in the shadows?
You don’t need to carry enough weapons to supply an entire battalion, but it’s best to have a self-defense tool or two ready in case you run into trouble.
Here are some non-lethal self-defense weapons that are perfect for EDC:
- Pepper spray
- Taser
- Whistle
- Tactical flashlight
Not Knowing What to Do with Your EDC Gear
If there’s one thing you’re not sure how to use, don’t bother bringing it—at least not until you’ve done your homework and figured out how to use that item.
The last thing you want is to carry a bag filled with EDC tools that only weigh you down instead of help you.
Relying Too Much on Your Stuff
This is the biggest blunder of ‘em all.
While we can’t deny how useful EDC gear is, nothing beats urban survival skills. You wanna be ready for the possibility of losing your EDC when you’re out on the streets, so practice the following:
Stashing a backup EDC in one of your survival caches might also help. If something happens to your current one, you can just head to its hiding spot and be on your way.
Final Thoughts
Since your everyday carry is such an essential part of urban survival, try to avoid making the mistakes we mentioned above. Keep doing your research, learn how to use your EDC gear, get rid of unnecessary things, and brush up on your survival skills. It’s really not rocket science.
What EDC gear mistakes have you been guilty of doing? Let us know in the comments!
