For those of you that are of a prepared mind – I’d hazard most of you reading this – you may know there is more to an EDC (Everyday Carry) gear than just your firearm and a mag carrier. While yes, that is a good start, you need to be prepared for any eventuality – even if you’re a civilian.
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Weapon
While I personally opt for Glocks for their ease of use, dependability, and reliability with various ammo, any concealable weapon you are comfortable with will work just fine. I love the Glock 26 or Glock 19, but also carry other items, depending on the weather, where I will be, and what I’m wearing.2. Holster – You need more than a bargain holster to operate. Forget the cheap amazon bargain bin holsters.
Ultimately you would want something IWB (inside the waist band) preferably, as it’s much easier to conceal, and less likely to print. I prefer a Crossbreed IWB depending on which weapon system I am running—I like the Supertuck for a Glock 19 or Glock 30—something still compact but not a subcompact. In the warmer months or when I have something a little smaller to be low profile – I like the Crossbreed Freedom Carry. I also have a couple other Kydex holsters like the Concealment Express Kydex.
Before you buy a holster though, you will need to consider how you will carry, and TRAIN for it. Will you carry appendix? 3-4 o’clock strong side? Crossdraw? These are questions you need to ask yourself.
Mag holder
While not super imperative, we recommend you have a mag carrier on you. That WhizzBang 5000 won’t do much good when it runs dry. You can get a Fobus Double Mag carrier for cheap, or something for a little extra that goes IWB. Better to have ammo and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Multitool
A multitool does just what the name implies, serves multiple roles with multiple tools. I like the SOG Powerplay for a bunch of reasons, but any multitool will work. You’d be surprised how often you will use pliers or a screwdriver or three-sided file when you have one on your hip.
Knife
A great knife will go a long way. As you can probably tell, we’re always reviewing knives here on SGPT – and that will not change. They’re versatile tools for utility and defense, and you’re not going to want to skimp. Depending on your locale and the laws, you may not be able to carry certain size knives, or ones that are spring assisted or automatic – make sure you know your local law and obey. That being said, I think you should carry an assisted or automatic folder, and a fixed blade.
We really like the SOG Zoom S30V or Ontario Autos as a folder, and the SOG Gambit as a fixed blade. I have a bunch of others that I like, but these are good all around knives for defense and utility, and easily concealed, as well as being legal in most places.
Flashlight
You need a great flashlight, because if the sun goes down, that is your light source. What if you need to navigate at night? What if your car breaks down and you have to hoof it to help? Again, we’re big fans of SOG – like their Dark Energy series, but Streamlight also makes a fantastic product for a little bit more.
Either way, they’re great flashlights. You will want a light with momentary on—so if you have to tactically clear an area you can do so without compromising your position, as well as a strobe function to blind or disorient an assailant. 5.11 Tactical is putting out some great lights as well.
And, to that, make sure the flashlight is charged or it has fresh batteries.
Evasion Gear
One often overlooked item is escape and evasion gear. Like our buddy Clint Emerson told us on the phone, and stresses in his 100 Deadly Skills series of books, you should have “loaded shoes” and a handcuff key at the very least hidden somewhere.
Lucky for you, we review and recommend E+E gear for you right her on SGPT. Covert handcuff keys, boot lace keys, ceramic razor blades, or covert lock pick sets are all great items to carry with your EDC rig. These also are very small and concealable – see picture to the left with a AAA battery for scale.
Med Kit
One of the best out of the box med kits I’ve seen is from Dark Angel Medical. After one of their courses, with the kit they sell, you can deal with a myriad of traumas and stabilize a patient until you can get them to EMS or a hospital. One great consumer level kit is Adventure Medical Kit’s Bighorn kit. Alternately, you can build your own and load it out in a pouch designed for first aid like Condor’s Rip Away EMT Pouch.
While you may not always carry these on your person, you should have one in your car or backpack. I’d say carry a tourniquet like the SWAT-T or RATS if you are carrying a weapon; it could save your life. If you want us to do an in depth article about what your medkit should have, post up in the comments below.
Belt
You should have a belt that is both rugged, and serves a purpose. There a bunch of manufacturers that make both stylish and rugged belts for EDC – Crossbreed has a bunch, but so does 5.11 Tactical. You can do a two in one – and pick up a Covert Escape Belt, making your belt your E+E kit as well.
Mindset
This is most important thing you carry with you every day.
You must be ready for anything, always vigilant, and adaptable. There are a plethora of books you can read, but you can also stay locked into SGPT for our audios, articles, and interviews with special forces operators, veterans, athletes, and inspiring individuals who will help you improve 1% daily.
Train Hard, Stay Safe.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Castiglione lives in Atlanta, and is an avid outdoorsman and competitive shooter.
Where-abouts include getting after it in his garage gym, practicing martial arts, hitting the trails, or running CrossFit and Strongman competitions for his non-profit, Barbells for Bullies, which holds fundraiser fitness competitions dedicated to aiding Bully breed rescues, dog rescues, or other non-profits with similar missions.
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