Trending Gear: May 2021

Sometimes your pockets just won't fit any more tools, and a paracord bracelet (as useful as it is) can't compete with the functionality of a multi-tool. The Tread is Leatherman's take on a versatile wearable, with 29 tools including wrenches, drivers, cutters, and openers forged into the bracelet's links out of 17-4 stainless steel. It's corrosion resistant, making it safe against your own sweat and also against elemental damage. Since it's safe from the elements, it has “go-anywhere” durability. And thanks to its TSA-friendly design, it actually can go anywhere, making it a useful addition to your travel kit. With its linked design, you can also customize the Tread to fit your wrist and tool loadout as you see fit.

The Midori Traveler’s Notebook is the core of a modular notebook refill binding system that lets you bring multiple refills bound in a durable leather cover. The basic package comes with the leather cover, one blank 64-page notebook, a rubber band that keeps the whole system bound together, a spare rubber band, and a cotton bag for protection and storage. You can purchase different types of refill notebooks, including lined, dotted, grid, and blank pages, and there are even pre-printed monthly, weekly, and daily planner inserts that you can easily integrate into your system. Different accessories like a 12-pocket business card file, connecting bands for binding multiple notebooks, and a detachable pen holder let you customize what else you want to bring with you. If you’re looking for a long-time journaling and note-taking companion that you can easily adapt to your personal needs, the Traveler’s Notebook from Midori is a highly customizable choice for EDC.

The Trayvax Original 2.0 is Trayvax’s second iteration of their highly tactical wallet. This is a slim-profile front pocket wallet with the durability to withstand whatever you throw at it. It features two-plate construction, with the front plate made out of either anodized aircraft-grade aluminum or grippy G-10, and the back plate made out of stainless steel, held together by mil-spec paracord. Despite its thinner profile, the wallet is able to carry up to 15 cards and up to 20 folded bills. The front plate features a window cutout for when you need to quickly identify yourself, but the wallet remains RFID-blocking, protecting your information against malicious skimmers. Aside from its functionality as a wallet, it also comes with an integrated bottle opener, a pry bar, a security clasp and an attachment point for EDC.

If you’re looking to carry something more suited for close-in self defense while still being functional for EDC tasks, check out the KA-BAR TDI knife. Designed by John Benner of the Tactical Defense Institute, it’s meant to be a last defensive option in tactical situations. This heavy-duty 5.6 ounce knife features a functional blade and a robust build that you’ll be glad to have on hand when you need it. At 5.625" long and with an all black colorway, it’s meant for concealed carry with its included polymer belt sheath. The recommended carry is within the waistband, with only the textured Zytel handle scales exposed to grasp for deployment. The handle features shallow grooves and an index finger cutout for a comfortable and ergonomic pistol grip while in use. Once out, you have access to a 2.31" drop point blade ground from tough AUS-8A stainless steel. It offers good corrosion resistance while out in the field, and is easy to sharpen and maintain. Quick deployment, concealability, and a no-fuss, ergonomic fixed blade design keeps the KA-BAR TDI knife popular and relevant to this day.

While there are many solutions out there for carrying a screwdriver as a part of your EDC, most of them still take up a lot of space, and if they don’t, they tend to be on the leaner side of functionality. That’s why the Stanley 4-in-1 Pocket Screwdriver sits at a solid middle ground. It sports a design that’s reminiscent of a pen (pocket clip included); this way you’ll have way more versatility and space available when carrying it. In it, you’ll find the convenience of four precision screwdrivers packed into two magnetic bits. You have access to a 5/32", 1/8", 0PT, and a 1PT driver, which are basically two sizes each of a flat and Phillips head. You can store these double-sided bits inside the barrel itself: one at the front, and the other at the back by removing the cap/pocket clip. At 7.25" of length and 0.7 ounces, it’s a compact but functional addition to your EDC until you need it.

You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to get a nice-looking dress watch with the performance to match, and that’s exactly what the Seiko SNXS79K Automatic delivers. It comes with a high contrast design, featuring a charcoal face with silver-colored hands and markers. Both the markers and the baton-shaped hands have luminous paint for better visibility in low-light situations. You get a compact 37mm stainless steel case with a brushed and polished finish like its bracelet. The SNXS789K’s caseback is transparent, giving you a peek into its 21-jewels Japanese automatic movement. As part of its features within the Seiko 5 line, the watch also includes a screw down crown at the 4 o’clock position, as well as a day/date window at 3 o’clock. To top it off, a mineral hardlex crystal protects everything inside, providing it 30 meters of water resistance as well.

The Helikon-Tex Micro Med Kit is a made in the USA kit that measures 4.2 x 6.5”, which is small enough to fit in your back pocket. The kit is made from 100% nylon and weights only 0.7 oz when empty, so it’s easy to EDC .The first thing you’ll notice is the paramedic cross, which is made out of reflective material for visibility. When you open it, you’ll notice that it has a bi-fold style of organization. It features two main pockets for bare medical essentials; one medium-sized which can fit medical gloves, and a larger one for items like gauze and burn pads. Aside from the two main pockets, one of the sides features two smaller pockets where you can store tiny essentials like plasters, Q-tips, or medication. It also comes with a rubberized top handle to give you different carry options. The Helikon-Tex Micro Med Kit comes in four different color options, so you can pick the one that best goes with the rest of your carry.

If you want a pilot’s watch with a comprehensive set of features, the Citizen Promaster Nighthawk is one of your best bets. At first glance, it might look like a lot, but each feature is easily operated and Citizen makes things legible with a contrasting black dial featuring white markers and red highlights. To start, the Nighthawk comes with a dual-time display feature ideal for pilots and frequent travelers. The inner chapter ring of the watch features a pilot's slide ruler, helping you make necessary calculations by manipulating the crown at the 8 o'clock position. A date window at the 3 o'clock position completes the dial's complications. Everything's powered by Citizen's Eco-Drive technology, which charges the watch by converting any kind of light into energy stored onto a power cell. Last but not least, a 42mm case, stainless steel bracelet, and 200 meters of water resistance round out its features.

First introduced in 1996, the Leatherman Micra finds its way trending back up the charts. Despite its age the Micra still holds up today as an invaluable keychain tool thanks to its useful complement of tools, scissors-based butterfly design, and sturdy construction all in a compact package. Most other butterfly-style multi-tools sized for your keychain feature a set of pliers as their main tool, but not everyone can get much use out of pliers at that size. Scissors, however, come in handy for all sorts of daily cutting tasks in a more discreet way than pulling out your dedicated EDC blade. With that said, the Micra still comes equipped with a small penknife, a nail file and cleaning tool, screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a ruler, and even a set of tweezers. And like all Leatherman tools, the Micra is made in the USA and backed by a 25-year limited lifetime warranty.

Still considered as one of the brightest AAA flashlights at 300 lumens, the classic SureFire Titan Plus continues to be a pocket favorite for the EDC community due to its compact form factor, simple twisty interface, and strong build quality. The nickel coated brass body gives it a hefty, premium feel, and the smooth machined threads let you know you’re handling a premium light. It comes with rechargeable NiMH battery, which powers the cool white Cree XP-G2 LED up to 300 lumens. Quick twists of the head, aided by the smooth threads, cycle you through a Low mode of 15 lumens that lasts for 7 hours, a 75-lumen Medium that runs for 2, then finally the High mode at 300 lumens. At 2.0 ounces and 3.375" long, the SureFire Titan Plus is easy to integrate into your daily carry setup. A removable clip for pocket carry plus a built-in tail loop for attaching to a small keyring, give this venerated pocket classic multiple carry options.