Everyday Carry

Trending Gear: August 2021

Authored by:
Mikey Bautista
Trending Gear: August 2021

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Every day, readers like you proudly share photos of their everyday carry on the site.

Not only is looking through their pockets this way super interesting, but it's also a great way to find really cool gear you never even knew existed (yet somehow, suddenly need…).

When you hover over an item you like and click on it in these photos, you're also letting other EDCers know you find that gear interesting. Each click gets recorded to create a data-driven ranking of the most popular gear, which you can find in our Gear section of the site found in the top menu bar.

Gear with the most views and clicks climbs its way to the top of this feed and lets the EDC community know what's trending right this second.

This past August you were digging slim multi-tools, inexpensive field knives, and exotic flashlights. Let's take a look at all the gear you were most interested in…


The Most Popular Gear from August 2021


CRKT

10. CRKT Pilar

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
CRKT
Model
5311
EDC Rating


Price
$
Amidst a sea of innovative and aggressive designs, the simple and unassuming CRKT Pilar continues to trend on our charts as a small, yet functional EDC knife. The distinct, minimalist design comes from knife designer Jesper Voxnaes, and it bears some of the features and qualities of his more expensive work. The thumbhole cutout deploys the 2.4" sheepsfoot satin-finished blade. The 8Cr13MoV blade steel is a common choice at this price point, but its ability to hold a decent edge and sharpen easily can be appreciated in a daily beater knife. The tough framelock design helps the Pilar fit in that role. It offers good ergonomics thanks to the blade’s integrated forward finger choil and the aggressive cutout on the handle, providing comfort and confidence during use. Finally, a robust stainless steel pocket clip mounts on the framelock side of the handles, offering tip-up or tip-down carry.
Streamlight

9. Streamlight 88030 ProTac 1L

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Streamlight
Model
‎88030
EDC Rating


Price
$
Many of our readers carry Streamlight flashlights thanks to their reliable, uncomplicated, and inexpensive features, with the ProTac 1L holding down the fort for CR123A batteries. Its aluminum body houses a C4 LED able to output up to 275 lumens on High for up to 2 hours, with Low and Strobe modes accessible across 3 user-selectable programs to best fit your use. The Protac 1L features a rugged, IPX7-rated anodized aluminum body, with an included pocket clip for easy EDCing whether in your clothing or on your gear.
Olight

8. Olight i3T EOS Ti

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Olight
Model
i3T EOS Ti
EDC Rating


Price
$
This crowd-favorite EDC light is able to reach its 180 lumens maximum output from its Philips LUXEON TX emitter and hold it for 20 minutes, all on easy-to-replace alkaline batteries. A large rubberized tail switch lets you switch between its two modes: a 5-lumen Low for sweeping scans and when you don’t want to blind yourself or your companions, and the aforementioned 180-lumen High for when you need a burst of illumination. The forward-clicky switch also allows for momentary engagement of either mode, which easy for your thumb to do while holding the light in an overhand grip. Helix-styled body knurling on its lightweight, IPX8-rated titanium body offers a distinct style and an enhanced grip, while the lanyard-ready, two-way pocket clip gives you multiple carry options
RovyVon

7. RovyVon Aurora A3x

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
RovyVon
Model
A3x
EDC Rating


Price
$
RovyVon’s Aurora series has had a lengthy run of compact flashlight excellence. From powerful outputs to unique body materials and creative use of extraneous LEDs, the series has become a mainstay for many EDCers. The A3x comes as an evolution of their popular keychain lights as it climbs our trending charts for Torch Thursday, upgrading the output of the Cree XP-G3 S5 LED to 650 lumens while improving the button design and lengthening the chassis by 5mm for easier operation. A change in the user interface provides mode memory so you can turn it on at the brightness level you last used, and makes the strobe function less likely to be accidentally accessed. The 260 mAh internal battery fully charges in 70 minutes with the integrated micro USB port, giving the light a quick turnaround for extended periods of use.
Victorinox

6. Victorinox Cadet Alox

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Victorinox
Model
‎0.2601.L20
EDC Rating


Price
$$

Today's trending tool should be familiar to most EDCers, especially with its enduring quality, utility, and collectibility. The Victorinox Cadet Alox--seen here in its limited edition Champagne gold colorway for 2019--continues to be an easy recommendation for anyone looking to build or add to their EDC. Only 84 mm long, impressively thin, with 9 useful functions, and hardy embossed aluminum scales with anodic oxidation as an extra protective layer: these all add up to a multi-tool that's not only easy to carry, but looks as good as it is functional. Since the Cadet’s release there have been a lot of slim blades, multi-function blades, and affordable blades, but rarely do they line up so well in a single product. And with aftermarket parts like clips, scales, and swapped tools adding even more utility, the Cadet also gives you the platform to build the perfect knife.

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Faber-Castell

5. Faber-Castell Perfect Pencil

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Faber-Castell
Model
FC119037AZ
EDC Rating


Price
$
The Perfect Pencil features a pre-sharpened #2 pencil lead made of finely ground graphite and clay with a hardness degree of “B.“ To add an extra layer of protection against accidental tip breakage, it features a removable cap. Inside you’ll find a built-in pencil sharpener, a convenient and compact companion for the pencil. The size of the cap also helps extend the pencil’s surface area while posted, offering a comfortable grip even when the pencil wears down with use. And for added convenience for EDCers, the cap also adds its own sturdy pocket clip for easy transportation.
Kaweco

4. Kaweco AL Sport Fountain Pen

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Kaweco
Model
4712839720658
EDC Rating


Price
$$
Like its name implies, the Kaweco AL Sport is made out of aluminum to keep things corrosion resistant and lightweight at 0.74 oz. A removable pocket clip is also included so you can safely carry it inside any shirt or pants pocket. It utilizes the standard international short ink cartridge, although a blue ink cartridge is also included in this Made in Germany pen.
Morakniv

3. Morakniv Companion

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Morakniv
Model
Companion
EDC Rating


Price
$
The Morakniv Companion is a popular, easy-to-use outdoor knife that's often recommended thanks to its solid performance at a very affordable price point. It ticks all the boxes for a versatile fixed blade: 4.1" of Sandvik 12C27 steel in a razor-sharp drop point allows the Companion to excel as both a work and food prep knife, while its signature rubberized handle offers a comfortable and secure grip in all conditions. A plastic sheath stows the knife when not in use, and comes in a variety of hi-vis colors so the knife is always within sight. Last but not least--the Companion can be yours for just under $15, making it an easy addition to any EDC.
Leatherman

2. Leatherman Skeletool CX

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Leatherman
Model
‎830950
EDC Rating


Price
$$

Despite its small size the Skeletool packs a punch. Thanks to its compact, skeletonized body it manages to weigh only 5 ounces for ease of carry. You can also access all the tools with one hand, making it perfect for the solo handyman. A key Skeletool feature is its heavy-duty 154CM blade with a wharncliffe shape for precision cuts. Its other tools include wire cutters, pliers, and and a carabiner/bottle opener which lets you attach it to a pack or pop open a beverage rounding out its complement of everyday essentials.
Olight

1. Olight i5T EOS

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Olight
Model
i5T EOS
EDC Rating


Price
$
The Olight i5T EOS is an AA-powered pocket light with a sturdy build and a simple user interface. Its 95mm long black-anodized aluminum body shares the same spiral grip pattern as the rest of the lights in the family, like the M1T Raider. Powered by a regular, easy-to-come-by AA battery, the i5T EOS pumps out up to 300 lumens on High with two clicks of its rubber-covered, mechanical tailswitch. After three minutes, a timed stepdown brings down the Osram P9 emitter to 150 lumens to help conserve your battery. It can hold that setting for 25 minutes. A single click gives you the 15 lumen Low mode, which it can hold for 20 hours, while a quick tap gives you momentary Low for quick bursts of manageable illumination. The blue bi-directional pocket clip keeps the Olight i5T EOS on point in terms of branding, and allows you to stow it in a pocket or use it clipped to the brim of your hat.

Mikey Bautista

Director of Everyday Carry Operations


About the Author
Mikey Bautista is an everyday carry (EDC) expert who has been working with the EverydayCarry.com team for nearly a decade, starting with an interest in EDC as a hobby and ending up as a writer for the site in 2014. Through the years, he’s led the site in editorial content and writing about products across every category, from knives to bags to flashlights and everything in between, as well as discovering, bringing exposure, and building bridges with many brands in the industry. Today, he is the site's Director of Everyday Carry Operations, leading the editorial team and managing day-to-day operations.

He has lived through many personal and professional lives, spending nearly a decade in the workforce management industry, a minor career in gaming, and has lent a hand with entrepreneurial efforts back home in the Philippines. He has also been an active participant and helped build a number of significant social communities online, both for EDC and his other hobbies.

Mikey has been at the cusp of gaming, technology, and the internet since the ‘90s and continues to lend his experience, expertise, and authority to all his pursuits. When not online, in a game, or watching movies, you'll find him in the gym, speedrunning his next hobby, or talking at length about EDC with anyone willing to listen.

Discussion (1 total)

CampDiplIng ·
Vic & Nitecore Tip SE, Faber Perfect Pen, Mora Companion: Fine!
Use these regularly and feel a little spied on now… 😉