It’s fair to say that we are living in uncertain times. When social instability exists, the potential for personal danger tends to rise. To mitigate any trouble that may come and find you, carrying a defensive-minded EDC setup is a good idea.
Depending on where you live or where you travel, items in your EDC will probably vary. A reliable defensive weapon such as a pistol or blade is given. How about the other items in your loadout? What other items do you choose to carry on the daily?
In this installment of Every Day Carry, we study two different EDCs, both assembled with a defensive mindset, but each one curated differently. Do you see any items that you’d add to your current EDC?
01
Wazoo Cache Belt
MSRP: $45
wazoosurvivalgear.com
02
SureFire Defender Ultra Flashlight
MSRP: $199
surefire.com
03
Armatus Salvos Survival Tin
Carry System
MSRP: $35-$48
armatuscarry.com
04
Handleitgrips (Glock 27 Gen 3) Textured Rubber Gun Grip Kit
MSRP: $17
handleitgrips.com
05
TOPS Knives Street Scalpel II
MSRP: $130
topsknives.com
06
Trayvax Element Wallet
MSRP: $70
trayvax.com
07
Leatherman FREE P2 Multi-tool
MSRP: $120
leatherman.com
08
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
samsung.com
Premium EDC Items
SureFire Defender Ultra Flashlight
MSRP: $199
surefire.com
Our 2¢: Machined from aerospace aluminum and featuring a crenellated strike bezel, the SureFire Defender is far from your ordinary flashlight. With 1,000 lumens it’s plenty bright for any application, and the bolstered dual-function pocket clip makes both bezel-up or bezel-down carry an option. The Defender features a Type III Mil-Spec hard-anodized coating for abrasion and corrosion resistance.
Leatherman
FREE P2 Multi-Tool
MSRP $120
leatherman.com
Our 2¢: A quality multi-tool is essential to any good EDC loadout, and the FREE P2 from Leatherman is loaded with features that make it a top contender. All 19 tools can be easily accessed with one hand and lock into place. The FREE P2 is constructed of 420HC stainless steel, is proudly made in Portland, Oregon, and is backed by Leatherman’s 25-year warranty.
Armatus Salvos Survival Tin Carry System
MSRP: $35-$48
armatuscarry.com
Our 2¢: Small tins have been popular with the EDC community for years. Here’s a convenient way to carry them besides your pocket. The Salvos is a rugged, fully modular way to tote important EDC gear. It comes with two Mil-Spec soft-loops that will securely hold your tin in place while simultaneously attaching to your belt or favorite MOLLE pack. It is also fully compatible with most aftermarket attachments, such as Tek-Lok and MALICE clips.
Trayvax Element Wallet
MSRP: $70
trayvax.com
Our 2¢: With unique features like a built-in bottle opener, money clip, attachment points, and RFID protection, the Element is not your ordinary wallet. Slim enough for front-pocket carry and constructed out of tough stainless-steel plate and top-grain, oil-tanned leather, it’s built to last a lifetime. Backed by the Trayvax 65-year heirloom warranty.
Wazoo Cache Belt
MSRP: $45.00
wazoosurvivalgear.com
Our 2¢: The cache belt from Wazoo Survival is designed to discreetly carry cash, documents, survival tools, or whatever else you want in an easy-to-access yet highly secure fashion. The top access pocket allows direct access to items while the belt is worn and securely closes with a hook-and-loop interface. The cache belt is available in black, coyote brown, and MultiCam.
TOPS Knives Street Scalpel II
MSRP: $130
topsknives.com
Our 2¢: The street scalpel from TOPS knives has an established reputation among LEOs, active-duty military, and everyday citizens for being a strong yet easily concealable knife. TOPS improved on the original by making the Street Scalpel II lighter, more ergonomic, and upgrading the sheath to allow for multiple carry options—IWB, OWB, Scout, and so on.