Every day, readers like you proudly share their daily carries 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 on the right hand side of the homepage. Gear with the most views and clicks climb their way to the top of this feed and let the EDC community know what’s trending right this second.
I’ll skip over a few of the usual suspects and repeats from past monthly roundups. But rest assured, everything here was well within the top 20 ranking.
Spoiler alert: we’ve got quite a few knives in this list, so let’s cut to the chase!
Popular Everyday Carry Gear from August
10. Boker Plus Urban Trapper
As seen in: Victor’s Mechanic Everyday Carry
“Urban Trapper” perfectly sums up this knife. Its design takes inspiration from traditional “trapper” knives, typically used in outdoors settings, and pairs it with more advanced materials for a modern riff on a classic EDC. As our reader Victor mentioned in his everyday carry submission, this folder is perfect for lighter tasks due to its light weight, super slim carry capabilities, and premium materials. It features VG-10 blade steel, a buttery smooth IKBS hinge, featherweight titanium frame, finished with carbon fiber, cocobolo wood, or G-10 handles.
9. GORUCK GR-1
Used by over 20 EDCers
As seen in: Kael’s Updated Everyday Carry
Bombproof. Buy It For Life. Whatever you want to call ’em, GORUCK’s bags are built tough. That’s because they’re made in the USA to meet the demands of the Special Forces, using 1000D Cordura nylon, VELCRO, and YKK hardware. The GR-1 is their most versatile offering due to its size, features, and “not too tactical, but still looks cool” styling. And while it’s designed to hold up to military applications in the field, I’ve seen readers use theirs for just about everything: school, urban EDC, outdoors and survival, even traveling the world living and working out of a GORUCK as a digital nomad. You can expect to dish out a hefty amount of cash for one of these bags, but the lifetime guarantee and glowing reviews should take the sting out a bit. As the saying goes, buy once, cry once.
8. Loft of Cambie WOLYT
Used by 6 EDCers
As seen in: CJ’s Core Everyday Carry
The WOLYT sleeve does a great job of minimizing your cash and card situation. And with its contrasting top-grain leather and ballistic nylon construction, it looks good doing it. You can stash your cards in its main central sleeve pocket, which conveniently features a pull-tab for easy access. Slanted pockets on either side of the sleeve let you get to your frequently used cards, while a cash slot on the front accommodates folded bills. For added EDC functionality, a little leather loop on the side of the wallet works great as a keyring attachment point or a place to clip a micro-sized pen.
7. Ganzo G704
Used by 10 EDCers
As seen in: Alex’s All-Black EDC
Ganzo might not have the prestige of the big-name knife brands, but this Chinese manufacturer has earned a reputation of putting out surprisingly good beater knives at bargain prices. The G704 is basically a clone of a now discontinued Benchmade HK knife—AXIS-style lock and all—at a fraction of the cost. While the Ganzo knife does use a less impressive 440C blade steel, it comes close (if not identical) to the real deal in execution and build quality. In that context, Chinese knives like this one are an appealing option if your primary concern is price and value.
6. Timex Aviator Flyback Chronograph
As seen in: Esteban’s Micro Pouch Everyday Carry
We like Timex watches as affordable daily drivers and weekend warriors alike, but this month, their Aviator chronograph stole the show. Between its slide-rule bezel and chronograph subdials, it’s jam packed with at-a-glance information. One function that could come in handy even if you aren’t piloting a fighter jet is its flyback chronograph. When you’re timing something like a stopwatch, you can press a button to reset the chronograph and have it “fly” back to its starting position without having to stop it first.
5. ExoLens
As seen in: EJ’s Point and Shoot Everyday Carry
The best camera is the one that’s with you. Chances are, it’s the one on your phone. From an EDC standpoint, shooting from your phone beats lugging around a DSLR or even a reasonably manageable point-and-shoot. It’s also a more practical route if you’re just planning on throwing your shots up on Instagram or something (by the way, here are some pointers for your next EDC photo). But the truth is, phone cameras are limited. Yes, they’re getting better and better, but in the meantime, something like an ExoLens will give you an edge in picture quality and versatility without you having to commit pocket space for a full-on swappable lens rig. The ExoLens‘s machined aluminum bracket snaps onto the back of your phone and attaches to wide angle or telephoto lenses while also pulling double duty as a mount for a tripod.
4. CRKT Squid
Used by 49 EDCers
As seen in: Jerico in Singapore’s Army Recruit EDC
We’ve recommended the CRKT Squid as one of the best pocket knives you can buy on a budget. For something that costs around $15-$20, it delivers excellent everyday utility. Part of that comes from its wide belly on the blade. It gives you plenty of room to work with when cutting. It’s also got a sturdy framelock and a compact profile. All in all, it’s a capable “little big knife” with a size and price tag that put it well within reach for any EDCer.
3. Microtech Siphon II Stainless Steel Pen
As seen in: Bernd’s Everyday Carry for the Weekend
Microtech’s known for their tactical EDC knives that deploy in unique ways. Their Siphon II pen is no exception, except carrying one of these is actually legal for most of you. Unlike your common clicky, screw-on threaded cap, or even bolt action pen, the Siphon II uses a lever arm on the back of the body to advance its Pilot ink cartridge. When fully extended, the lever sort of rests on the back of your hand for better balance while writing. When closed, the pen is remarkably compact at just 4”. A dedicated pocket clip, USA-made stainless steel construction, and O-ring grip section round out its unique design.
2. BigiDesign TPT (Titanium Pocket Tool)
Used by 8 EDCers
As seen in: Ed Jelley’s Lightweight Summer Everyday Carry
Given the sheer number of utility knives bursting onto the EDC scene, it’s no surprise BigiDesign’s TPT came this close to topping the list. Back in the day, you only had a few options for utility blades. On the lower end, you had the Gerber Artifact (the predecessor to the wildly popular Shard) and the Gerber EAB—neither of which would run you more than a few bucks. Then you had next-level utility blades from custom designers made out of titanium with triple digit price tags. The TPT is the long-awaited middle ground, offering precise titanium construction while even adding multifunctional features at a much more accessible price point. You can read our brief breakdown of it when it first debuted earlier this year here to get a better sense of what it can do.
1. JHO Knives “The NUG”
As seen in: Kevin’s Real Everyday Carry
Judging by this little backup blade’s 1st-place debut this month, good things can come in small packages. I suspect much of the interest in this piece of gear can be attributed to its curiously compact and sleek, refined design. When closed, it doesn’t look like a knife. And it’s so small, it makes you wonder what it can even do. So as a micro knife that’s meant to be carried as an inconspicuous backup tool, the NUG knocks it out of the park with its design. The finger-sized ring in its titanium frame offers excellent grip and control, which is crucial for safely handling a blade this small. The NUG is made in limited batches, often in special colorways/finishes, at a higher price range. You’ll have to wait a while for your chance to get your hands on a NUG, but you collectors out there can check it out in more detail below.
If you’re curious to see how these trends change over time, check out our monthly roundups from the archive for even more excellent gear.
See anything in this list that made you stop scrolling and think, “I need one… right now”? Leave a comment and let me know your favorite gear from this round-up.
