Everyday Carry

10 Red EDC Essentials

Authored by:
Jonathan Tayag
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
10 Red EDC Essentials

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With Valentine's Day in full swing, you'll notice the color red just about everywhere. Sure, you could say it's the color of love and affection, but it also has a more practical place in your EDC. Red accents give your kit that extra visibility so it's easier to find in a bag or even color code its importance from the rest of your gear (like first aid, for example). In this round-up, we're highlighting some essentials that'll have you EDCing red.


StarGear Pocket Samurai

If you're looking for a smaller blade, the Pocket Samurai has you covered. It's a compact knife based on the traditional Japanese higo-no-kami utility blade. It improves on that concept with the addition of a liner lock and the introduction of lightweight materials. It weighs a single ounce, and it measures just 2.36” closed. It features a 1.96” 440C stainless steel tanto blade with thumbstud deployment. And its textured red aluminum frame helps you keep a solid grip on the knife during use.

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CRKT Sketch

The Sketch is a heavy-duty everyday carry folding knife made in collaboration with custom knife maker Lucas Burnley. It features a 2.768” 8Cr13MoV Wharncliffe-style utility blade with an upswept edge for increase slicing ability. The black oxide blade finish helps it stand up to wear and the elements as well. The injection-molded handles feature a bright red and black pattern that help it stand out, and it has a locking liner to keep the blade in place during use.

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Manker E02H

The red Manker E02H is a bit different from most EDC lights because of its right-angle design. This allows you to clip it to your gear or clothes to take advantage of its forward-facing light. It's a powerful light, too, featuring an impressive max 220 lumens out of its single CREE XP-G3 LED module. And because it takes a single AAA battery, finding a replacement when you need it should be easy.

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MecArmy X4S

The MecArmy X4S is a tiny powerhouse of a light. It's a 1.83” long USB-rechargable flashlight that packs 130 lumens into a frame that fits neatly in your hand. You can switch between its 130 lumen high mode and 8 lumen low mode via its twist head, powered by a 10180 battery that can last up to six hours on Low. IPX8 water resistance helps it stand up to the elements, wherever you take it. And with a light this small, it's a good thing it's available in red because it might be hard to find it otherwise if you drop it.

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Keyport Pivot

The Keyport Pivot is a step up from most everyday carry key organizers because it offers increased key capacity and a modular design that lets you configure it to suit your needs. It has enough space for up to nine keys, and its available modules (available through separate purchase) include USB keys, knives, flashlights, and even a bluetooth locator to turn it into something more like a multi-tool than a keychain.

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Leatherman Squirt PS4

The compact but ever-useful Leatherman Squirt is a favorite multi-tool for EDC carry. It packs nine essential tools including a knife, pliers, scissors, openers, and drivers, into one 2 oz lightweight package. At 2.25” closed, this powerhouse of a tool won't take up too much bulk in your pockets or bag, and you can take it with you wherever you go.

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Victorinox SwissCard

The SwissCard is one of the most novel ways to integrate a multi-tool into your everyday carry. In a compact size that's only slightly larger than a standard credit card, you'll find 13 EDC-worthy essential tools you can slip right into your wallet.

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Fisher Space Pen

Whether its to sign the check at a restaurant or to compose thoughts on a greeting card, you need a pen that can write reliably, whenever and wherever. The Fisher Space Pen is that pen, with its pressurized ink cartridge that lets it write in any angle and stand up to extremes in temperature and even gravity. It has a solid brass and steel construction, and it looks absolutely gorgeous in red.

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Flowfold Minimalist Slim Wallet

This Flowfold wallet leverages technical sailcloth fabric construction to provide you a compact and lightweight card holder that can stand up to the rigors of daily use and a few splashes along the way. It has plenty of space to fit your credit cards, identification, and folded bills, and its red colorway makes it stand out from the rest.

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LAPG Bug Out Bag

LAPG's Bug Out Bag is one of the strongest and most versatile tactical go bags available today. At 16x11x6.5 inches it has enough space to fill your essentials. The plethora of pockets and organizational space let you compartmentalize your gear for easy location. Plus its availability in red lets this bag stand out as the bag you need to reach for when the going gets tough.

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What are some of your favorite EDC items that sport some red? Let us know in a comment below!

Jonathan Tayag

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Jonathan Tayag is secretly an information technology and corporate security expert who prefers to moonlight as a creative event and commercial photographer whenever possible. His varied experience and substantial travels have led him to seek, without even thinking about it at first, the best gear for the best use at the best price available. Before the concept of EDC (everyday carry) firmly took hold, Jonathan already spent untold amounts of time optimizing for the best-in-slot pieces of gear, from cameras and lenses to pocket knives, pens, and bags and packs. In November 2015, Jonathan joined EverydayCarry.com and has since written numerous articles and guides to help impart his knowledge to the community as a whole.

Jonathan's photographic works have appeared on numerous online websites, print, video, and television outlets for over a decade. Jonathan's previous clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Red Bull, ESL, Razer, and several other endemic and non-endemic esports sponsors and brands. His work also features heavily in online competitive gaming communities, especially those of the StarCraft and Fighting Game genres. You've likely seen his work if you've spent time in a stream or in-game chat over the years.

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

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