A Prepper’s EDC (Everyday Carry) consists of the most important items that they need to have with them at all times. It should make your day-to-day life easier and help you be prepared for emergencies that may come up.
Below are my top pics for EDC Gear:
- Pocket Knife: Victorinox SwissChamp
- Multitool: Victorinox Swisstool X
- Budget Folding Knife: Kershaw Cryo G10
- High-End Folding Knife: Zero Tolerance 0350
- Backpack: 5.11 Covrt 18
- Concealed Carry Holster: Crossbreed Supertuck
Each one of these products has been on the market for many years. During that time, they have served countless users and earned excellent reputations. Below are the reasons why I feel that these items are the best in their respective categories.
DIY Prepper’s Best EDC Gear
Best EDC Pocket Knife: Victorinox Swisschamp
My favorite pocket knife and the one I feel is the most useful in a wide variety of circumstances, is the Victorinox Swisschamp. After using a few different Swiss Army Knives, I realized that I wanted one that had everything I needed in one knife. The Swisschamp fits this need perfectly. It has tools that can help you whether you are surviving in the wilderness or trying to get through a city in a disaster.
Although it is relatively large for a pocket knife, it is still smaller than most full-size multitools. It is also more ergonomic than a multitool due to its rounded shape. The Victorinox Swisschamp features numerous screwdrivers, two blades, a can opener, ball-point pen, magnifying glass, metal file/metal saw, a wood saw, and more. You can see my full review of the SwissChamp by clicking here.
You can find the Victorinox SwissChamp by clicking here.
Best EDC Multitool: Victorinox Swisstool X
If you are looking for a pliers-based multitool, I recommend the Victorinox Swisstool. Victorinox, who has been making the iconic Swiss Army Knife for over 100 years, used their knowledge of knives and tools to produce their contribution to the multitool world, the Swisstool.
Like most other multitools, the Swisstool features a wide range of tools built around a pair of needle-nose pliers. What sets it apart from other multitools is its fit and finish and ease of use. Many people have described the Swisstool as something between a tool and fine jewelry.
Every tool locks in place for safety. Each tool also has its own back spring to prevent clumping when opening tools. The Swisstool is made of Victorinox’s rust-resistant proprietary blend of stainless steel and features a polished finish. This makes the tool both corrosion-resistant and easy to clean. It also makes the tool more ergonomic to use than other multitools because the edges are rounded, reducing hot spots that could cause blisters.
There are several variants of the Swisstool, but I chose to go with the full-sized Swisstool X. The reason why is it includes scissors which I tend to use frequently. You can see my full review of the Victorinox Swisstool by clicking here.
You can find the Swisstool X by clicking here.
Best Budget EDC Knife: Kershaw Cryo G10
I went a long time without carrying a dedicated folding knife. The Swiss Army Knives that I have carried over the years always did a great job with small tasks like cutting boxes or food prep. However, there were many times when I could have used a basic blade that I could open with one hand. I also wanted something that I could use in a defensive situation as a backup to my firearm.
I wanted a high-quality EDC blade, and after a lot of research, I decided to get a Kershaw Cryo G10. It is a lock blade folding knife with a flipper-style assisted opening device. The assisted opening action works easily and is very fast. When the blade does deploy, it is firmly locked into place with no play between it and the handle. The 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade is 2.75 inches long, which makes it useful for everyday tasks without taking up a bunch of space in your pocket.
Unlike other Cryo models, the Cryo G10, as the name suggests, features G10 handles. G10 is a fiberglass laminate that is comfortable in your hand and provides an excellent grip. The knife also has a pocket clip that can be moved if desired. This allows the user to decide if they want to carry the knife with the blade tip facing up or down.
As of writing this, the Kershaw Cryo G10 is available for less than $30.00. For that price, it is an excellent value for a budget EDC folding knife.
You can find the Kershaw Cryo G10 by clicking here.
Best High-End EDC Knife: Zero Tolerance 0350
Zero Tolerance is headquartered in Oregon and produces all of its knives there as well. Many consider them to be among the three best folding knife manufacturers, the other two being Spyderco and Benchmade.
The Zero Tolerance 0350 features Speedsafe assisted opening with the option to use either the flipper or thumb stud. The blade is 3.25 inches long and features S30V steel. S30V does an excellent job holding an edge without being too difficult to sharpen. It is also corrosion-resistant.
The blade design is a modified drop point with a large amount of belly. It makes the blade very easy to slice with while still retaining a strong tip.
The handle on the knife is G10 on both sides. This makes the knife easy to grip and also protects the opening and locking mechanisms by covering them up. The knife also features a pocket clip that can be moved depending on how the user wants to carry the knife.
You can find the Zero Tolerance 0350 by clicking here.
Best EDC Backpack: 5.11 Covrt 18
I like for my EDC to contain items that I could use in an emergency or make my everyday life a little easier. However, there is no way that my pockets can contain all of those items. I keep several items in my EDC backpack which I have nearby whether I am at work, traveling, or at the range.
My favorite EDC Backpack is the 5.11 Covrt 18. It is a “tactical” backpack that has been designed for concealed carry, but it doesn’t look like one on the outside. To the everyday person passing you on the streets, it looks no different than the other 100 backpacks they have already seen. This helps you blend in and not draw attention to yourself.
The Covrt 18 is very durable. I have had mine for around 5 years, and it is still in excellent shape. It has been to work with me pretty much every day as well as the shooting range, hunting, and various vacations. I have experienced absolutely no issues with the zippers or fabric. The only part of the bag that is damaged is one elastic bottle holder pull that came detached. For a bag that has been used as much as mine, I’m okay with having one minor issue.
The straps are wide and well-padded, making the bag comfortable to carry. The padding on the back of the bag helps with this as well. One nice feature of the Covrt 18 that many bags don’t have is quick-detach buckles on the straps. These allow you to free yourself from the bag in case you are unable to remove your arms from the straps.
The Covrt 18 has numerous compartments to keep your gear organized. It has an administrative pocket for pens and other items as well as an “assault” compartment with MOLLE webbing. You can use this to attach gear such as mag pouches. The concealed carry compartment has a velcro panel for mounting a hook and loop holster. It is accessible from both sides, meaning it is suitable for left and right-handed users. I use a Maxpedition Universal CCW holster which you can find by clicking here.
The laptop sleeve is well-padded and elevates your computer above the ground. This will give your device a little added protection from accidental drops and setting the bag down too hard. The Covrt 18 also features a hydration compartment for adding a bladder. I have found that this compartment is also very good for holding documents that you don’t want to get crinkled.
You can find the 5.11 Covrt 18 by clicking here.
Best EDC Holster: Crossbreed Supertuck
If you are going to carry a gun, a good holster is a must-have. The Crossbreed Supertuck is my favorite holster because it is safe, well-built, and comfortable. It is an in the waistband (IWB) holster that’s design allows you to tuck a shirt in over it and the gun if you desire.
The holster is a thick leather backing with a custom-molded piece of Kydex plastic riveted to it. Screws hold metal belt clips in place which are adjustable so the user can adjust the holster to their preferences.
Having a leather backing allows the holster to mold itself to your body, making it extremely comfortable after it has worn in. The break-in period was pretty uncomfortable, but that only lasted a couple of weeks and was completely worth it. The belt clips are far enough apart that they spread the gun’s weight across a large area, adding to the holster’s comfort.
The Kydex portion of the holster is molded for your specific gun model. This gives the Supertuck good retention meaning the gun won’t just bounce out of the holster while you are moving around. Kydex also won’t collapse which makes reholstering the gun safer and easier.
I have been using my Crossbreed Supertuck for over 8 years. During that time, I have never experienced a problem with the holster. It has proven to be durable and easy to maintain. The only maintenance that I do on it is occasionally tighten the screws that attach the belt clips.
