Everyday Carry

Staff Picks: Our Most Useful EDC Gear in 2019

Authored by:
Everyday Carry
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
Staff Picks: Our Most Useful EDC Gear in 2019

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As the decade comes to a close, you might already be looking forward to the new year (and some new gear). But now is also a great opportunity to look back on what we’ve carried this year and how much of an impact it made in our day-to-day lives. In this quick round-up the Everyday Carry team shares their single favorite piece of gear from this year that helped them out the most. We’re curious to hear what item in your EDC got you out of a tight spot or made your 2019 that much easier, too. Read on to hear our picks and let us know your most useful item from this year in the comments!


Suunto Clipper

Jonathan: From navigating huge sprawling underground subway stations in Japan to finding my bearings in the California wilderness, the Suunto Clipper has been a great EDC companion over the past year. It features a highly-legible and reliable compass that fits easily on the NATO strap on my watch, allowing at-a-glance readings. With its orienting arrow and degree dial, I'm able to plot a quick course as well. The best part is that it works in random places where a cell phone doesn't because it doesn't rely on GPS signals or having battery power and it doesn't need time to calibrate to get things right. It just works, and that's why I like it.

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LEUCHTTURM1917 Weekly Planner and Notebook

Mags: Like most people I find it difficult to keep too many little details in my head, and in my college years I discovered the joys of using a physical planner. The LEUCHTTURM1917 Weekly Planner and Notebook has been indispensable in keeping the pieces of my life in one convenient spot--it’s to see upcoming occasions and meetings on the weekly format on one side of the spread, and the lined page opposite is great for planning the week’s meals and shopping list. The physical act of writing down memos seems to make it easier to commit them to memory, and affords a much needed break from screens. Blank pages in the back of the notebook is handy for the occasional sketch, and a folding pocket for corralling miscellaneous bits such as coupons etc. I find it’s been great for keeping track of goals, projects, and daily itinerary, and cracking open a new notebook in January seems to be a tangible starting point to get working on the year’s resolutions. I never leave home without it.

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Tombow AirPress

Mon: I got this late in the year when it went on sale at a local bookstore, but I've always wanted an alternative to the Fisher Space pen I lost years ago -- that is, a pressurized pen that could write anywhere, in any condition, including the rain. I usually carry a fountain pen for note-taking, but for when I need something to write on slippery receipts, or when I'm out in the rain, the Tombow AirPress takes over. One cool thing about it is the ink cartridge gets pressurized as you click the pen, and this produces a distinct, crisp sound, making it fun to fidget. It has actually replaced my Pilot Prera as my pocket EDC pen, and thanks to its form factor and sturdy clip, it fits perfectly into my front shirt pocket while having enough retention for pants pocket carry. Since I got it on sale, a lot of my friends got gifted one for the holidays this year as well. Functional, fidgety and fits in my pockets well, the Tombow AirPress was my favorite carry this year.

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Atlas Sling

Bernard: I spent a lot of time this year bouncing between Los Angeles and New York City. Needless to say, it's not an easy trip. My EDC would change quite often, from one city, to the airport and plane ride, then again once I reached my destination. One constant I could rely on was the Atlas Sling I was testing before its holiday launch—having whatever I needed easily accessible or neatly stowed away in my carry-on made traveling and urban EDCing that much easier. In New York I'd use it to carry a beanie or gloves, a Kindle to read on the train, or a charger and cables for those times I'd know I'd be out all day. In LA I could switch things up with a legal pocketknife, sunglasses, and car keys. On the plane, I could have all my essentials in one place without needing to rummage through my backpack under the seat or needing to grab my carry-on from the overhead compartment. Last but not least, it came in handy as a holiday gift!

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Leatherman FREE P4

Mikey: For the longest time, I only owned compact or single multi-tools. They generally got the job done, so I never thought to upgrade to a "serious" full-sized multi-tool like a Leatherman. But earlier this year when we got to work with them and they revealed the next generation of their tools with the FREE collection, I knew I'd found the right time to get one at last. I made a beeline for the flagship model, the P4, which comes with every tool I already had and many more that I didn't know I needed. It was an easy sell: 21 solid tools, a magnetic locking system that made multi-tool tech leap a generation forward, and a sleek new design that was a joy to look at, carry, and especially use.

It's a great tool to have on hand "just because." It may have been just coincidence sometimes, but after owning the P4 for a while I suddenly needed pliers to fix something in the sink, or our can openers all self-destructed for some reason, and I had a lot more packages coming in that made the P4's box cutter invaluable. Regardless, it's been a constant companion that I don't see leaving my reaching distance anytime soon, or even well into the next decade.

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Now that you've read our favorite gear for the year, what was your most useful tool in 2019?

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.

Discussion (13 total)

David ·
These are all very cute edc item but in a pinch with any real situation good luck with these. I mean if I need a pen or paper I just ask someone. My edc consist of things I need in a pinch and pen and paper aren’t one of them. Good luck with your paper in a crisis situation. Maybe you can write down where you screwed up.....for next time.
Frank LoCicero ·
Smart Phone.
uniquepattern ·
My knife is the most useful tool I carry, followed by my flashlight and pen.
Michael Shaw ·
The Leatherman Free P2 has been the most helpful item in my EDC for 2019.
2 more comments