I carry a powerbank and various USB C adapters so if someone’s device dies I can help them out. It is a lot cheaper and smaller than carrying around seven different cables.
On top of that I carry Tylenol and bandages.
I used to carry a full first aid bag but kept forgetting to restock on supplies.
I guess the most unusual of the every day items is a headlamp. Much handier than a flashlight in a lot of situations. If you ever have to change a tire or diagnose a car engine in pitch black it helps to have light always exactly where you’re looking.
I don’t carry a headlamp but I keep them around and handy. Very useful for dark corners of the garage and basement. Mandatory for camping.
Hands free task lighting is very useful.
Also - and I realise this might be contentious - but I’d suggest one that takes normal batteries. Mine takes 4× AAA.
With Eneloops (or similar low-self-discharge rechargeables), can have a 2nd set that gets you back up and running in under 30 seconds, and if you get really stuck they’re sold in every corner store in the world (heck, throw a pack of Li-FeS2 batteries in the emergency kit, 20 year shelf life).
No worrying about having the right charger cable (commonly a Micro USB, something I don’t tend to carry anymore), or remembering to charge the thing lest it go flat right in the middle of what you need to do.
Mine tend to be AAA models, which works out since I also often have pen lights around.
One thing I have done in my car is attach a rigid MOLLE mount on the sunscreen and then put pouches with a pen light, small knife, lighter, and pens. The kinds of things you always need and often carry but sometimes aren’t quite sure where they have fallen.
I carry around a cheap Ali Express one that has a magnet base. Great for vehicle troubles I’ve found
I like my reg surefire, but I have a headband with a flashlight loop. It is perfect for my needs, which is mostly handheld to search bags and such, but gives a near zero space headlamp as well.
Water. I drink it. I’m very hydrated. You’re welcome.
I’ve got quite the collection of waterbottles I carry with me. What’s your go-to?
Gotta be real glass or ceramic. Hate the metallic or plastic-y taste of most. Love the bodum ones, forgot what they’re called
Phones are pretty neat. I bring mine nearly everywhere.
Nearly? Amateur.
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Second this.
I am carrying two now. One flipper with pocket clip that is so easy to use. I use it many times a day to cut duct tape, packaging, rope, string, etc.
And a victorinox…super tinkerer, I think. Recently bought a pocket clip for that too.
I also carry a lighter so it is easy to burn rope/string ends or start fires. Dont use it a whole lot but it is useful.
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My flipper is a VERY cheap one: Guidesman brand from Menards. I think it’s this one. Going strong for about a year now. When it craps out, I plan to buy a Benchmade Griptilian based on Project Farm’s recommendation. Project Farm is un-sponsored reviews of all kinds of useful stuff.
Do you have a preference between the Spyderco and the Boker?
ETA: My knife is not one linked above. It is the Guidesman Fenrir and apparently not for sale any longer. YT here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoHsXiCFnfU
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Is that this one?
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Interesting. Looks great.
For camping I have a Ka-Bar Becker BK9 and a Morakniv Garberg. Very happy with both of those.
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I’m open-source; check me out at GitHub.
At one point I had what we called the commuter chain saw. Battery operated with a 6in bar. Kept it in the side trunk pocket. Only need it once or twice a year, but it beats hiking to the house and carrying a full one back. Especially since trees don’t fall across the road during nice weather.
I always keep jumper cables in my car. Mainly in case of my own emergency, but I have used them to help others.
Jumper cables should be in every car. I’ve only needed them for my own car once, but I’ve used them probably a dozen times for other people.
I also carry a small extendable snow shovel and an extendable snow broom. A bag of sand or oil dry (or cat litter) for winter are a good idea as well, assuming you live anywhere that snows regularly.
There’s a community devoted to this very question!
My keychain has a small knife on it, a small phillips and flathead screwdriver, a guitar pick, a handcuff key, a sim tool and a little metal pill holder! They’re all pretty handy to have! I also carry a regular pocket knife and a small flashlight clipped to my pocket
The SIM tool is a smart idea. I had one but kept bending the tip. I started carrying around a very small Allen key for it but it is slightly too think for some slots
I placed my flat sim tool between my phone and protective case so it’s always with my phone.
Smart thinking
I got a thing an Amazon where the tool folds inside of a little piece of leather so it doesn’t get bent up or stab me in the leg
I have a Swiss Army Card, it has a scissors, small knife and other tiny gadgets.
Oh, and a Light Saber! [pushes button and humming sound starts]Multi tools are great for a a lot of purposes. A more oddball one that has gotten me many thanks is a high quality, 20a, 10ft extension cord with 3 outlets. Not a power strip or anything, just 3 outlets. Used it in airports many times to split the power at rare outlets. Helped friends running a stand at a a farmers market when there were literally 1 ft short of being able to plug in. It’s been useful enough times it just lives in my backpack.
Lockpicks and earplugs. I’ve had to use both far more often than I’d like.
What do you typically use the lockpicks for?
Got locked out of the camp. Let friend into their house. Also let a friend into their truck after locking the keys in.
My cousin’s house, a co-worker’s desk, and my own shed, to name three different instances of lost or forgotten keys.
Also the stack of Masterlocks my friend thinks is funny to hide around my house but that’s a different story.
Nail clippers. I’m prone to hangnails, so it saves me a lot of pain keeping them handy, but they’re also good for cutting small things in a pinch (tags, loose threads, etc). I keep lots of pretty standard stuff in my bag/car, but the nail clippers get used the most for sure.
Hand sanitizer and a small bar towel for if anything needs a light cleaning.
You should never forget where your towel is.
The towel is a smart idea. I used to carry around a handkerchief for stuff like that (and if I needed to blow my nose while I was out and about).
A EDC thread!
Utility key with integrated bottle opener knife scissors etc on my keyring.
In my purse: power bank, USB cable, gaffer tape, face masks, alcohol, paracord, glasses, hat, headphone, screw top pen.
Nice to have medication: a few anti-diarrheal pills: and anti-inflammatory: and some fun pills
What kind of fun pills are we talking about? Benadryl so you can keep in contact with the Hat Man?
Sheath knife around neck. Originally for self defense, but way useful for other things.
Self offence?
