You might already have a great EDC bag that can fit all of your gear and then some. But if you’re wasting time rummaging through your whole pack whenever you need something, your bag situation could use some help.
Adding a few utility pouches to your EDC can provide just the organization and protection your bag needs. Think of them as useful bags within bags to help you organize, compartmentalize, and safeguard your gear even further.
For the loose essentials you pack up and take out quickly, EDC organizers with all their loops and webbing might even be overkill. In this guide, we’re looking at simpler solutions that focus less on compartments, bells, and whistles and more on convenience and quick access.
Read on for a round-up of EDC-worthy bag-in-bag solutions from packing cubes to zip pouches and much more in between to suit any carry setup.
Flowfold Ace
While simple in design, the Flowfold Ace sets itself apart with its materials. Like Flowfold’s wallets, the Ace uses a technical sailcloth fabric that’s both waterproof and incredibly strong for its weight. This made in the US pouch clocks in at just 1.4 ounces, offering a simple solution for storing and transporting just the essential. The durable YKK zipper provides easy access, and it comes with a hand strap for independent carry.
Hazard 4 Hatch
The Hazard 4 Hatch is a semi-soft utility pouch that’s made to provide added protection to your small valuables and electronic gear. It’s made of thermoformed 1000D Cordura nylon that’s coated with water repellent to stand up to the elements. The Hatch opens up like a clamshell, but has internal webbing to make sure your gear doesn’t accidentally fall out when you open it in an upright position. Finally, MOLLE webbing on the back lets you attach it to other gear.
Tumi Packing Cube
Tumi is a master at making gear that not only looks good but is also highly practical for travelers. Their packing cube is conveniently lightweight at 2.4 ounces, letting you store your gear without adding needless weight. This makes it perfect for travel and long treks. It has a zip-around closure that makes it easy to open and pack flat, a mesh top for easy identification or airing out used clothes, and a side handle for standalone carry or easy transfer from bag to bag.
Magpul DAKA Polymer Pouch
With its reinforced polymer fabric, welded construction, and YKK water-repellant zipper, the durable Magpul DAKA line is made to stand up to whatever you throw at it. Integral holes at the corners of each pouch let you attach it to your gear or keep it on hand with the strap of your choosing. And they come in a number of convenient sizes, from pouches large enough to carry your tablet down to compact pencil case dimensions. There’s even a larger version with a clear TPU window that lets you see inside the pouch without having to open it.
Maxpedition HLP Hook & Loop Pouch
Unlike most tactical pouches, Maxpedition’s Hook & Loop Pouch has a modern, streamlined look that keeps the durability you expect. This soft pack features approximately 1L of capacity, perfectly sized for fitting in your day bag. There’s an internal gossamer mesh divider to help you organize, and the exterior of the pouch includes space to hold pens and other small items. True to its name, the back of the pouch features hook surfaces that will attach to loop panels. It also has two eye hole attachment points for paracord or lanyard carry.
Blackhawk Roll-Up MOLLE Dump Pouch
Sometimes, there are things in your kit you need to carry, but not necessarily need to have organized. In this case, containment and separation can be more useful than precise organization. The Blackhawk Roll-up MOLLE Dump Pouch is designed for quick and dirty loading and unloading thanks to its wide, shock cord cinch opening. It’s built with heavy-duty 500D nylon and MOLLE panels for added expansion or attachment. A stiffener at the opening prevents it from closing in on itself, which is especially handy when filling or emptying the pouch. Aside from being a bag in a bag, the Dump Pouch can also fit on your belt for easy access to your gear or disposal of whatever you need.
GORUCK GR1 Padded Field Pocket
GORUCK’s GR1 Padded Field Pocket helps keep your more fragile valuables safe no matter which bag you put it in. It has a generous 3L storage capacity, which is big enough to fit your small electronics or action cameras. Like GORUCK packs, the Field Pocket is also made of durable 1000D Cordura nylon and it’s compatible with MOLLE webbing attachment points for further utility.
Topo Designs Utility Bag
The Topo Utility Bag takes on a flat, sheet-like form factor to fit your tablet or other small tech gear and accessories. It’s lightweight at 3.04 ounces but durable enough for heavier loads thanks to its 1000D Cordura nylon construction. A single YKK zipper across the top of the sack makes loading and unloading the sack easy. An integrated wrist strap makes the sack easy to retrieve from within a pack and lets you carry it on its own as a minimalist EDC bag when you’re on the go.
DSPTCH Accessory Cases
DSPTCH’s accessory cases are made of lightweight nylon, and they cut weight further by with a mesh composite construction. This gives you an idea of what’s inside without having to search through them. The bags are designed to stand upright for easy access on a work surface and the full-length zipper makes them easy to pack and keep organized. Two sizes are included, a small 7×3.5 inch case and a larger 10×5 inch version for your gear.
Dyneema A5 Zip Pouch
If you want nothing but the absolute best in lightweight yet durable construction, you’ll want a Dyneema composite fabric pouch. It’s often used in ultralight backpacking applications and often touted as the world’s strongest fiber. This simple, A5-sized pouch lets the materials do the talking (and the heavy lifting), with a waterproof Dyneema composite fabric construction and a water-resistant YKK zipper. These are handcrafted out of Germany in other sizes as well at the Etsy shop link below.
Do you use simpler pouches like these for organizing your bag? Let us know your favorite bag-in-bag solutions in the comments below. For traditional EDC pouch organizers, check out our buying guide from the archives.
