Everyday Carry

Trending Gear: May 2022

Authored by:
Mikey Bautista
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
Trending Gear: May 2022

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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 May you were interested in compact knives, iconic dive watches, and a fearsome fixed blade knife. Let's take a look at all the gear you were most interested in…


The Most Popular Gear from May 2022


Nitecore

10. Nitecore TINI 2 Keychain Flashlight

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Nitecore
Model
TINI 2
EDC Rating


Price
$
True to its name, the TINI 2 is quite small. It measures 1.83“ in length and weighs only 0.66 oz, so you’ll barely feel it in your keychain or pockets. The shell is made out of an aluminum alloy with an HA III military-grade anodization, along with options in titanium and stainless steel. This gives it an IP54 rating for water resistance and 1 meter of impact resistance. Moving on to its performance, the TINI 2 surpasses its predecessor with a maximum output of 500 lumens, a substantial upgrade over the original’s 380 lumen output. This is thanks to the use of two OSRAM P8 LEDs, powered by a built-in 280mAh lithium-ion battery. For added convenience, you can recharge the battery via USB-C.
Rexford

9. Rexford RUT V4

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Rexford
Model
RUT V4
EDC Rating


Price
$$$
While pocket knives tend to be the EDCer’s preferred tool for cutting tasks, sometimes the humble utility blade can get the job done even better. And few utility knives can round out an EDC better than the Rexford Utility Tool from knife designer Todd Rexford. Now in its 4th iteration, the RUT features an improved lock mechanism and slimmer construction in a pocket friendly profile. The RUT’s core functionality is its integrated replaceable razor blade, giving you access to a sharp blade for precision tasks or cutting through packing tape alike. It’s useful in a pinch or when you don’t want to risk dirtying or damaging your primary EDC knife. But the RUT is more than a utility blade: it has the added functionality of a pry bar, bottle opener, and flathead screwdriver too.
Chris

8. Chris Reeve Inkosi

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Chris Reeve Knives
Model
Inkosi
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$$$$
For knife enthusiasts, Chris Reeve needs no introduction. His most iconic design, the Sebenza, has earned the title of “grail” knife for many EDCers for its innovative Reeve Integral Lock (commonly known as a frame lock on knives from other brands that eventually adopted this mechanism) and premium steel from Crucible on its blade. The Inkosi is an evolution of the Sebenza designed with EDC in mind. It retains a similar slim, minimalist design as the Sebenza but with more prominent choils for better ergonomics in hand. It boasts the signature Reeve Integral Lock in its titanium handles to secure its CPM S35VN steel blade. Chris Reeve knives have a timeless quality to them, and the Inkosi is no exception, making it worthy of a spot on this month’s trending gear list.
Benchmade

7. Benchmade 533BK-2 Mini Bugout

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Benchmade
Model
533BK-2
EDC Rating


Price
$$$
As the smaller sibling to the massively popular Bugout, the Mini Bugout is one of the most sought-after and talked about everyday carry knives released in the past few years, now available in arguably its most desirable colorway: a full blackout treatment. And with its mix of great ergonomics, solid performance, and ultra light weight, it’s likely to see a place in even more pockets in the year ahead. Its standout feature is the premium 2.75" CPM-S30V stainless steel blade, held in place with Benchmade’s signature AXIS lock and deployed via the traditional thumbstud mechanism.
Streamlight

6. Streamlight 88061 ProTac 1L-1AA

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Streamlight
Model
88061
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$
The Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA was built to take advantage of these benefits and offer you an EDC light that you can rely on day in and day out, a light that just works, with no compromises. The light accepts both CR123A and AA lithium or alkaline cells, and each can use the light’s 3 modes to suit your needs. With a CR123A cell the ProTac 1L-1AA can push out 350 lumens on High and 40 lumens on Low, while an AA can do 150 and 40, respectively.

For more specific needs, a TEN-TAP programming interface allows you to tailor its outputs to your need better, giving you a choice of 3 additional operating modes. The light’s outer shell comes in a durable anodized aluminum paired with an impact-resistant glass lens, and IPX7 rated for water and impact resistance. A removable, two-way pocket clip completes its features and EDC carry options.

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Gerber

5. Gerber Dime

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Gerber
Model
30-000469
EDC Rating


Price
$
With plenty of pocketable features at an affordable price, the Gerber Dime has cemented itself as one of the best and most popular budget multi-tools you can EDC. It’s also light and compact enough to hang off your keychain at 2.2 ounces and 2.75" long when closed. It follows the familiar format of fold-out pliers, with the other tools packed into the butterfly-opening handles. Inside, you’ll find a plain-edged blade and a package opener on one side, while scissors, a flathead driver, and a small crosshead driver with an integrated file on the other. All of these deploy without having to open the handles of the pliers, which also features wire cutting edges within its jaws.
Maxpedition

4. Maxpedition Mini Pocket Organizer

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Maxpedition
Model
0259B
EDC Rating


Price
$
The Mini is the middle child in Maxpedition’s line of pocket organizers, after the Micro and before the Fatty. It measures in at a compact 4” x 6” x 0.75”, which is small enough to fit inside any bag or sling but big enough to hold most compact to mid-sized pocket gear. Inside you’ll find 10 sizes of elastic loops to hold onto all shapes and sizes of your essentials like flashlights and knives. This includes 2 double-width loops on one side and one triple-width on the other for larger items like a multi-tool or small notebook. Behind these loops you’ll find wide slip pockets for everything else you might want to store.

The outside is made out of 1050D ballistic nylon, which is both abrasion and water-resistant. The back of the pouch features MOLLE/PALS-compatible webbing, so you can attach it to your favorite pack or chest rig.
Sinn

3. Sinn U1

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Sinn
Model
1010.010
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$$$$
The flagship diving watch from German maker Sinn is as beastly as the submarine steel it’s made from. The U1 is the very pinnacle of a “tool watch:” a practical design that’s meant for perfect readability underwater, a bezel that’s easy to manipulate even while gloved, and robust construction in every aspect of its 44mm case. The U1 also comes with TEGIMENT technology, a chemical process that hardens its steel case for even more resilience. Completing the features of this truly overbuilt watch is sapphire glass and water and pressure resistance to 1000 meters providing an impenetrable shell around its Sellita SW 200-1 automatic movement.
Vero

2. Vero Engineering Fulcrum

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Vero Engineering
Model
Fulcrum
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$$
Haven’t you heard? Pry bars are in right now. And when they look as good as the Vero Fulcrum, it’s easy to see why. Knife designer Joseph Vero threw his hat into the prybar ring with the Fulcrum. Crafted from solid titanium and available in 3.5” or 5.2” sizes, the Fulcrum provides pry leverage in a durable yet lightweight package. Opposite the prying end, you’ll find a pocket clip that doubles as a magnetic bit driver. Built into the body of the Fulcrum is integrated bit storage for two Micro bits held in place using a pair of O-rings. The Fulcrums are more than your average prybar—they maximize all available space and cram in extra utility to round out any carry.
Gerber

1. Gerber Ghostrike

Purchase
Specifications
Brand
Gerber
Model
31-002719
EDC Rating


Price
$
Fixed blades aren’t usually the go-to type of knife for everyday carry, but they’re a compelling choice for tactical applications and when failure isn’t an option. The Gerber Ghostrike nabs the top spot for this past month with its visually striking tactical design, complete with a black 420HC blade, skeletonized handle, and diamond-textured rubber handle. This 3.3” fixed blade is made in the USA and designed for discreet open carry, made possible by its 3.6 oz weight and multi-mount modular nylon sheath. While it’s optimized for tactical applications, its drop point blade and fine plain edge make it worthwhile for general everyday utility. If you’re after an American-made fixed blade for EDC or tactical use, give the Gerber Ghostrike a chance.

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.

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.

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