Another in my series of seeing how things change year over year. I tend to carry a lot of stuff. Here are my previous posts:

2018 post.

2019 post.

2020 post.

2021 post.

2022 post.

2023 post.

2024 post.

2025 post.

With the return to the office, my daily carry has semi-expanded, in as much as I have a completely different set of bags that routinely get used.

On Person – Just Around The House

This is the EDC I will carry most days that I don’t go outside the house, or at least, outside the neighborhood.

Phone

I’m using an iPhone 16 Pro. I have the 512 GB model because I kept hitting storage limits on my old phone. Particularly since I’m out and about more. My case is one of those that allow me to use MagSafe chargers. It came with a wallet, but I really disliked it. I splurged and picked up a Pelican branded one that slips into my pocket better. Plus, I like the carbon fiber look.

Earbuds

I’ve been using some Apple AirPods Pro 2. I particularly like Apple’s “transparent” mode which allows more of the outside sound through. I’ve experimented with a few other earbuds, but I keep coming back to my Airpods.

Pocketknife

I carry a Leatherman Skeletool. for just around the house. Much to The Wife’s chagrin, I’ve found I need a knife or one of the myriad of little tools far too often.

Flashlight

For walking around the house, I have my Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA. I switched out my previous flashlight for one that took AA batteries, as I have a lot of rechargeables and some quick rechargers.

Watch

I’m using a 45mm Series 9 Apple Watch. I’m in the Apple ecosystem, and the Apple Watch works best.

On Person – Out of the House

Additional stuff when I’m going out that I keep on my person.

Wallet

I use a Saddleback Large Leather Wallet to hold all the cards and such that don’t fit into the phone wallet.

Keys

The Brother gave me a Lifelong Ring 300 key ring system a few years ago. I mainly use the main big ring and have all my keys on wire key rings. In addition to my keys, I keep:

  1. Olight I1R 2 Pro Eos – I don’t pull my keys out a lot, but there have been a few times I’ve needed extra light.
  2. Gerber Mullet multi-tool – Mostly because it’s TSA-approved
  3. SSK 128 GB flash drive – I like that the body is metal and has USB-A and USB-C attachments.

Pocketknife

My Leatherman gets switched out for a Spyderco Tenacious. I’ve always liked Spyderco knives, and I found this one on sale.

Flashlight

For going out of the house, I carry a Streamlight ProTac 750 lumen flashlight. It’s too big to really be a pocket flashlight, so I carry it in one of my IWB spare magazine holders.

Pepper Spray

I carry a small POM pepper spray for when I need something between strong words and deadly force.

Sidearm

Unless I’m going to a place I’m not legally allowed to carry, I generally have my Smith and Wesson M&P9 M2.0.

  1. Weapon-Mounted Light – Streamlight TLR-1 has been my go to for years
  2. Ammo – 124-grain Speer Gold Dots in the pistol and in the spare magazine, since that’s what the local cops use
  3. Holster – These days, I use a Raven Concealment IWB holster and Concealment Solutions IWB double mag holder.

On Person – Going to Work

Pretty much the same as above, but some things get switched out due to workplace restrictions. Some other stuff gets left home, but I’m not going to mention those.

Pocketknife

I carry a Leatherman Skeletool to work, but a different one. Mostly because my work Leatherman’s clip is bent and can’t really be securely clipped to my pants. It just rides in a pocket.

Flashlight

I have a Streamlight Pro-Tac 500 lumen that I carry to work. Small enough to ride in the pocket, but strong enough to throw a lot of light.

The Bags – Non-Work

Generally when I go out some place around town, I carry a 5.11 LVC12 Backpack for all the other essential bits and bobs I want to have on-hand.

Electronics Support

  1. Spare cables – I have a Maxpedition Fatboy Organizer with several cables that I need to recharge my various devices. I use almost exclusively Anker cables.
  2. Earbuds – A spare pair of Apple EarPods in case my Airpods are not available. Or someone needs them.
  3. Power Banks – I keep a couple versions of Anker’s MagChargers because I like the ability to just slap them on the back of my phone to recharge.
  4. Wall Plug – I have an Anker wall plug to recharge when the batteries are depleted. Or when I don’t want to use my chargers.
  5. Batteries – I keep some spare CR123’s for my flashlights and a couple of AA’s for the odd device that needs them.

First Aid Stuff

  1. The “Boo-Boo” First Aid Kit – Coleman Mini First Aid Kit although I’ve replaced most of the guts with my own band-aids, disinfecting wipes, and small antibiotics.
  2. The “Oh-Shit” First Aid Kit – I have a generic MOLLE IFAK bag that I stashed a CAT Tourniquet (because that’s what I trained with), a QuickClot bandage, a pair of trauma shears, a roll of vet tape, and a bunch of gauze pads.
  3. Spare Meds – I generally keep small bottles of ibuprofen, tylenol, and Pepcid AC. Because that’s generally what I need to deal with the aches and pains of going outside.
  4. N-95 Mask – I keep a couple of the 3M N-95 disposables in case of sickness or other such emergencies. Or I’m in a confined space and someone is coughing just a bit too much.

Tools

  1. Mini Tape Measure – I think mine is from Tractor Supply, but running around with The Wife necessitates having a tape measure when she finds stuff for the house.
  2. Reusable twist ties – The Brother got me these a long time ago, and they’ve come in handy on more than one occasion.
  3. Flashlight – Streamlight Polytac X Flashlight – Yes, I have another flashlight. Don’t judge. I like this one because it has a rechargeable battery, but will also run on a couple of CR123’s.
  4. Pair of Paracord Shoelaces – Because sometimes my shoelaces break in the most inconvenient places. Or I need to tie something while I’m out and about.

Odds and Ends

  1. Cleaning cloth – Amazon Microfiber Cloth – These are really handy for cleaning my eyeglasses and my electronics’ screens.
  2. Hand Sanitizer – I prefer the small little bottles from Bath and Bodyworks.
  3. Field Notes Notebook – Well, a generic version of the little pad of paper.
  4. Pen(s) – Zebra Metal Ball Point Pens – I’ve been keeping a couple of these in the bag. These tend to get through security better than dedicated tactical pens.
  5. Travel Pack Tissues – I keep a pack or two of the Kleenex Travel Packs. Because allergies. And occasional cleaning.
  6. Emergency cash – No, I’m not going to say how much
  7. Hairbrush
  8. Lint Roller – Flint Retractable Roller – I like this one because of its form factor

The Bags – Work

The Briefcase

My briefcase is a Maxpedition Attache bag. The concept behind the briefcase is it should have everything I need to set up for work. I should be able to sit down at a desk or table and have everything I need to do my job.

Workstation and Peripherals

  1. Laptop and Phone – These are issued by my employer, so I have no control or input on what I get. It also makes getting peripherals sometimes challenging. Particularly for anything I want that would require software being installed.
  2. Portable Monitor – I have an LG Gram portable monitor. The Wife and I got used to having two monitors even while traveling.
  3. Headphones – My headphones for work-related stuff (meetings, calls, etc) is a pair of Jabra Evolve 75 UC. I really like the light weight, comfortable fit, and noise cancellation.
  4. Laptop Stands – I keep a couple of collapsible stands. They help keep the monitors at eye level and the laptop from overheating.
  5. Phone Stand – I have a foldable stand that I use for the work phone so I can monitor it while I’m working. Plus it lets me plug in the phone while on the stand.
  6. Webcam – I keep a Logitech C310 webcam in my bag. It lets me get a better picture when I’m required to have my camera on.
  7. Trackball – I have a Logitech MX Ergo trackball. I prefer trackballs for their ergonomics and the fact that they don’t need additional space beyond their footprint to work. It helps in tight spaces.
  8. Keyboard – With the laptop on a stand, I can’t use its keyboard. So, I have a ProtoArc Ergonomic Foldable Keyboard

Electronic Support

  1. Extension Cord / Power Bar – I have an Anker Nano Charging Station. It’s relatively small and compact, as well as being able to take two traditional plugs, two USB-A and two USB-C.
  2. Power Block – I keep an Anker 140W MAX charging block. It has three USB-C ports and a USB-A port.
  3. Cables – I keep a pouch with the necessary cables, such as Thunderbolt, USB-C, lightning, and Micro-USB. Again, these are generally Anker.
  4. USB Hub – I have a Monkin USB Hub because it has two USB-C display ports. Which is helpful if I have my ASUS dual monitors along.

The Backpack

I have a 5.11 COVRT 24 backpack that I use as my “get home” and version of my non-work slingbag. It carries almost all same things as my normal backpack – or at least some variation thereof. In addition, I tend to carry along:

Nebula Capsule – Because I have gone into a presentation/training one too many times where there was no screen / monitor to show my slides.

Headphones – I have some Soundcore over the ear headphones. They work pretty well, fit pretty well, will get through several days of music, and I really like their transparency mode.

The Lunchbox

I use a Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack as my lunchbox. Really, it’s more of a drink carrier, but I make sure I have additional supplies – just in case.

Drinks – I keep a pair of Camelbak 50 oz bottles – one for sweet tea and one for Crystal Lite. In addition, I have a smaller Camelbak Eddy full of water, just in case.

Emergency Food – I keep a Cliff bar for emergency food, because I can eat a Cliff bar and not like it. Which means I won’t eat it unless I really need to.

Breath mints – I keep a tin of cinnamon Altoids. Most of the time, it’s just to “reload” the tin I keep in the car.