Loadout: Outdoor Reliables
I was inspired by Mervyn Tan’s post recently, and have collected together the items that are some of my on-body essentials when heading out into the wild.
- Magpul DAKA Pouch
- SHADO EDCO Insert
- Neck cord with Ru Bead and PDW Whistle
- Ru Marker Wrap Kit
- Homemade paracord lanyard
- PDW Expedition Watch Band Compass
- Mountaineer patch
- Olight S1R Baton
- Seiko SNE095P2
- Spyderco Techno
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Editor: We each have our own unique carry journeys and gear preferences, but by sharing your pack and its contents you can help inform and equip others on their adventures too. Why not share a loadout today?
You raise a very valid point, the most ESSENTIAL EDC items ( for preppers , the military, outdoorsmen etc at least) should be always worn are carried about the person and NOT in a pack. Yes by all means carry backups to the core essentials in a pack but the PRIMARY essentials should always go about the person in pockets or on belts. Try to imagine ending up in a risky situation and by some misfortune you become separated from your pack. That is when your ESSENTIALS on your person really count.
On my person normally I wear / carry
Pocket Knife in right hand front pocket when casual, (or in shirt pocket when in suit).
Keys with Blade Tech sharpener on belt clip
Multi tool in pouch on belt
Lighter in any free pocket
Mini compass on cord round my neck
Flash drive with vital document on same cord as mini compass
Watch on wrist
Bandana or cloth face mask in left hand rear pocket
Kerchief in right hand rear pocket
Wallet in pants or internal jacket pocket
Shades / Eye glass worn as needed, or in case in jacket pocket
BB cap Gloves worn or in jacket pocket when required
Flashlights ( one in internal jacket pocket, one in external jacket pocket
Tactical pen with flashlight in internal jacket pocket ( or shirt pocket in suit)
Cellphone in internal jacket pocket or leg cargo pocket.
Wow, definitely a valid point. Sounds like you’ve got most situations covered. Plus as you hint at, sometimes what we’re wearing doesn’t allow for the usual set up, so having a standard for different attire makes sense, plus helps you quickly access those items when they’re not where your hands naturally go (e.g. your pocket knife).
Yup, EG in formal wear my knife is an ultra slim CRKT CEO folder that when clipped to a shirt pocket looks like a pen, same with the Pen sized flashlight (AAA type) the pen shaped ceramic sharpener and the generic tactical pen. I just look like the older office Geek 🙂
When casual the folding knife clips to my pants pocket but the back up is in my pack. The other items listed above move from shirt pocket to the inside pocket of my soft shell.
The essential rest go where ever I can place them on my person in pockets or belt pouch, often supplimented with a paracord bracelet and a money belt with extra goodies in its zipped concealled compartment. All out of sight, low profile and fullfilling the GREY MAN philosophy 🙂
Its better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.