15 EDC Gifts Under $15 2018
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With the holidays just a couple of weeks away, it's just about crunch time to finish your gift shopping. Finding cool, practical gifts can be tough, especially on a tight budget. Luckily, we’ve done all the hard work for you and gathered a short list of 15 useful items that are $15 or less*. Hopefully one of these items will make the perfect gift for the EDCer in your life. And at these prices, you can always treat yourself to a little something as well.
* As a heads up, the prices shown here reflect pricing on Amazon at the time this was published, and might change over time or go out of stock. For the most part, these picks don't fluctuate much higher in price, and you can also check other sellers for more stock.
15 EDC Gifts Under $15
Kershaw Cathode
The Kershaw Cathode is the perfect gift for anyone that needs a simple knife to handle everyday cutting tasks. It features a 2.25-inch Tanto blade that flips open thanks to Kershaw’s custom SpeedSafe opening and stays locked in place via framelock for safety. Throw in the reversible pocket clip for and it’s a versatile little option that won’t break the bank.
Swiss+Tech Micro Wrench Multitool
Full-sized multitools are great, but they usually require a free pocket or a bag to be a part of an EDC. That isn’t the case with the Swiss+Tech Micro Wrench which is right at home on your keychain or on a lanyard. This compact stainless steel one-piece multi-tool puts 10 wrench sizes, a hex driver, nail pry, pry bar, and a flathead screwdriver right in your pocket.
CRKT Pryma
Hopefully the one on your list won't need to use this for an emergency situation, but they'll appreciate the peace of mind with this little tool. The CRKT Pryma features a unique design that puts a life-saving glassbreaker next to a few more common ones like a pry-bar and bottle-opener. For less than $15, there’s no reason to be caught unprepared.
Thorfire AAA high CRI Flashlight
While the flash on their smartphone is useful in a pinch, a dedicated flashlight is a staple of a winter carry. The ThorFire Mini Flashlight outputs a solid 85 lumens thanks to a CRI Nichia 219C LED. It runs off a single AAA battery and gets the job done, especially if their job needs better color quality for outdoor or photography use.
LUMINTOP EDC01 Keychain Flashlight
Lumintop makes plenty of solid flashlights, but the EDC01 keychain flashlight might be the one they're looking for thanks to its 36-hour runtime and IPX8 waterproof build. It outputs up to 120 lumens on one AAA battery and has a twistable head so switching between low, medium, and high outputs modes is simple and intuitive.
Slughaus Bullet 02 Keychain Flashlight
If a small flashlight is the highest priority, or you just want to gift a ridiculously small flashlight, then they might enjoy the Bullet 02 from Slughaus. As you probably guessed, the name comes from it’s small bullet-like shape and size. At only 2.5cm tall and weighing only 0.17 ounces it’s no problem at all to throw it on their keychain and forget about it until you need it. It may be small but it’s also tough, with an anodized aluminum body that’s waterproof as well as fireproof.
Flowfold ZIP POUCH
Trimming down their wallet with a cardholder wallet is one way to optimize their EDC, but if having loose change in their pockets or if they live in a country with a coin-based currency that may not be ideal. The Flowfold Coin Purse is a minimal wallet perfect for storing coins. It weighs only 0.5 ounces but is still super durable thanks to its sailcloth construction, which uses an ultra lightweight, water resistant outdoor fabric with the best strength to weight ratio on the market.
Niteize Financial Tool v2
Multi-tools are a great way to consolidate a few different tools into one, and the Nite Ize Financial Tool v2 also doubles as a money clip so they're able to ditch their wallet and slim down even further. Besides having a bottle opener, standard and metric wrenches, and a ruler, the Financial Tool v2 also securely holds cards and cash. Plus, it’s airport friendly which makes getting through security on your next trip that much easier.
Screwpop Tether Key Organizer
Keys are one of the hardest items in any carry to get under control, and most people just end up throwing them on a keyring or carabiner. That’s where the Screwpop Tether comes in. It’s a clever system that makes use of two pieces of anodized aluminum and elastic bands that never need to be tightened. You can securely hold up to 24 keys and there’s a small hole for attaching that pesky key fob that always gets in the way. The Screwpop Tether is a great way to get rid of the loud, jangling mess in their pockets in favor of something slimmer and more manageable.
Dango EDC Tether
When you combine 550 paracord and a cobra weave, the result is usually something that’d come in handy in an emergency. The Dango EDC Tether cord was made to be used with their wallets, but the tether itself can be used with just about anything you can loop it through. The metal clasp keeps it securely in place and if they ever find themselves in need of some paracord, they've got 10 feet of it right on their hip.
Zippo Lossproof Outdoor Lighter
Lighters are a handy tool to have even if you’re not a smoker, but it can be hard to keep track of them especially when you’re outdoors with a pack full of gear. The Zippo outdoor lighter solves that with a simple lanyard that keeps it within reach. Like all Zippo lighters, its classic design is for more than just looks. Its durable, all-metal build and windproof flame makes it a priceless tool to have whether they’re heading outside for a few minutes or for a few days.
OneTigris Mini Tactical Pouch
Whether they’re commuting to an office everyday or heading out for a weekend getaway, keeping track of the smaller items in their EDC can be difficult. The Mini Tactical Pack by OneTigris is a great way to consolidate all of their items into one, durable pouch that was designed to be tossed around. It features a 500D nylon exterior and YKK zippers that protect the two internal pockets from the elements and webbing on the back means you can attach it almost anywhere. Whether you’re just looking to organize a few cables, make an emergency first-aid kit, or put together a small dopp kit this is one pouch you might want to look into.
Vapur Element Collapsible Water Bottle
Water bottles are often overlooked in the winter months, but staying hydrated is just as important as staying warm when they find themselves outdoors for long periods of time. The Vapur Element bottle is easy to carry thanks to a built-in carabiner and rolls up for easy storage. It features a BPA-free construction that’s reusable, freezeable, and dishwasher safe.
Zebra Stainless Steel Permanent Marker
Pens and pencils are already an integrated part of EDC, so why not markers? The Zebra PM-701's steel construction means they won't worry about it breaking in their pocket and it can stay without a cap for up to 5 days without drying out. If the one on your list uses a permanent marker often, this is a thoughtful upgrade they'll be sure to appreciate.
Casio Calculator Watch
A good watch should be both a timeless accessory and a practical tool, and the Casio Calculator watch succeeds at both. Besides sporting a retro design that’s still relevant decades later, it’s also water-resistant, has integrated stopwatch and split time modes, and a built-in calculator right under the easy-to-read digital display. Sure, you can do all of that on your smartphone, but where’s the fun in that?
Be sure to check out our other gift guides for more ideas:
In addition to their expertise in the tech realm, Adam possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in everyday carry gear ranging from watches to niche carabiners. He has used more backpacks than he can count, a plethora of different kinds of wallets, all kinds of multi-tools, and many random gadgets that never even make it into a recommended buying guide. Adam has developed a deep understanding of the nuances and practicality that make these items indispensable to modern-day life.
Adam is an avid runner and reader in their spare time and loves to learn random skills. Adam is the go-to resource if you are looking for an expert opinion on a product or want to learn more about everyday carry. They are happy to answer any questions and help you find the best products for your needs.
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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