Getting into EDC: Bag vs Pocket?

i think you should wear things because you have a need for them and not just blindly copy some fallout wannabe's list.

two gas lighters? really? keychain flashlight? doesn't everyone have integrated led in the phone? separate knife AND multitool?

maybe if you get rid of some of the nonsense, you will have easier time carrying it around.

An EDC should take into consideration what your average day consists of, and I'm getting some conflicting messages about that from what you're carrying.

The tinder fire starter and emergency blanket kind of suggest a lot of time spent outdoors to me. Sensible enough things to carry if you're out in the woods or whatever. But one thing I don't find a lot of in the woods is locks, so one or the other is probably unnecessary, especially with 2 sets of lockpicks.

Also always be careful if you carry lockpicks, know your local laws, especially if you're carrying anything else that may paint a funny picture to the police like a knife. Just having lockpicks on you for any reason may not be legal, cops may be able to assume that you have intent to use them in a crime, etc.

Realistically, what kind of situation are you going to use an emergency blanket in around town that you couldn't just as easily duck into an open convenience store to get out of the weather?

Similarly, when around town are you going to need to start a fire? Sure, if you're going hiking, 2 or 3 ways is probably a good idea in case you get stuck in the woods, but beyond lighting cigarettes and such and maybe fusing the frayed ends of some synthetic rope/string, I'm pretty hard pressed to think of reasons to carry more than a lighter around town, you probably don't need the tinder, leave that in your hiking pack.

2 lighters can be fine though, I tend to have one in my pocket and one in my bag, but I'm a smoker.

Depending on what you mean by a multi tool, if it's something like a Leatherman, I don't think there's really a reason to carry one and a knife, but if it's some other keychains gadget type thing I think that's a fine way to carry things, though I'd probably lean more towards a Swiss army knife personally.

What’s your use case for all these items? Any situation you would or do find yourself in that you think “wish I had a ____”. Also like the other guy said, get a tray for your EDC stuff so you have a one stop shop for loading your pockets. I change pants a lot too, it’s just become a part of my get-home & leave-home routines to unload/load pockets.

I think sling crossbody bags are underrated. Might not work for the laptop situation unless you side grade to a surface or something

Develop a core on body/pocket carry set of items and if on occasion you carry a bag tossing a one or two more small things in there might not be the worst idea.

I would say phone, wallet, keys, pocket knife/multi tool, and possibly flashlight is a good default EDC. Of course barring specific vocational requirements.

EDC is as much an exercise in preparedness as it is one in simplicity IMO. And EDC is only important if you do it everyday.

I know your in the UK but imagine how you'd feel if you carried a knife/pepper spray/gun for selfdefense on every day but Thursday, and then someone tried to kill you on a Thursday. The E is operative in EDC and you should develop a system that you can maintain.

The items are solutions, without a problem they are meaningless.

20Ah powerbank is too big. I would slim down to something as light as possible.

Keychain flashlight would be too weak compared to a phone. Leave it at home and if you notice the need, buy a proper one.

Instead of foil blanket take CPR kit / mask. Also learn how to perform CPR if you don't know already.

Tinder starter/whistle. Two gas lighters. You would need max one source of fire.

For starters I would take a notebook and made a special page. So when you are in a pinch, and need a knife or a flashlight. Take a note and next you would be ready for the same situation that occurred.

Bags get searched or checked in some venues. Otherwise, they're bulky and twist your spine up over time.

You'll find the knife more generally useful for its weight than a multi tool. I never reached for the multi tool first in the several years I carried one. I did, however, catch it on an hilariously large count of seatbelts and door knobs.

Aside from the notebook & pen, also the charger, I don't think most of the rest would be useful on the daily. Especially in the metro area.

As for changing trousers: use a valet tray of some kind for your EDC items. Make it your routine each evening to empty your pockets onto the tray, and to load your pockets from the tray each morning. This worked for me for years, before kids. Now I can't leave anything out.

Anyway, I'd pare list that back a lot. There are many ways to make fire. Maybe also as many to alert to one.

I have a small manbag that I only put a few items in for "UK urban edc". Typically contains:

• small torch
• small pen
• small notebook
• pocket lense cloth
• lip balm
• hand sanitiser
• iems
• glasses case
• folded up carrier bag
• sometimes a book

I don't bring a knife out unless I'm going to be in a situation where I'd conceivably need it.

I use an alpakagear hub pouch. Works great for some odds and ends, a knife, flashlight, ballpoint pen, mini sharpie, AirTag, credit cards, and more. Perfect pocket fit for me so far. I always have it on me.

With the amount of stuff you have, a clutch or sling might be a better fit but I find it a bit big.