Here is my old post. I have since stopped going to the Beaner Wagon for lunch because I saw the guy leave a restroom without washing his hands.

This post should have been in response to the original poster. Sorry.

Tell us more. This is like asking "what is the best screwdriver".

Be sure to set the date range on the search screen.

I guess if we're talking about EDC items, I figured I would take some new pics of what I carry the majority of the time:



This is my main EDC;
Benchmade 707 knife
Surefire E1e-HA/KL4 flashlight
Tissot T-touch watch
Wallet
Cell phone
Keys
Belt




The same items, just opened up so you can see everything.

Keys with:
-medicine vial with spare battery for surefire and tinder
-BSA hotspark with shrink-tubing cover
-Silver whistle

Belt is a money belt with a zipper, inside that is:
-spare key to truck
-little piece of flat steel (many different uses)
-flat spool of spiderwire thread
-a dollar coin
-some steel wire
-two eye screws

wallet has the normal stuff plus the following:
-Swisscard Lite with sewing needle instead of pin
-Guitar pick
-USB Drive
-dollar coins
-key that opens most warded masterlocks





These are some other items that sometimes find their way into my pocket, depending on what I'm doing.

-Bright colored bandanna (all my jackets already have one)
-Bright colored Bic Lighter (again, all my jackets already have one)
-Leatherman Charge Ti
-Victorinox Farmer
-Victorinox Alox Bantam
-Poncho/Water purification tabs/Aspirin/Advil/Pepto
-Moleskin pad with Fisher Space Pen
-14oz Nalgene
-gold ring (my grandfather's wedding band)
-gold chain with Eagle (gift from my parents when I became an Eagle scout)
-Sometimes a fixed blade, of varying size and length. Though they're packed away in various kits.






This is my school bag, as I'm doing the college thing. It's pretty much always with me when I'm walking around.




This is what's in the small front pocket.
-Something to snack on (this changes everyday)
-Umbrella
-Surefire spares carrier
-Rite-in-Rain Pad
-Digital Recorder
-14oz Nalgene in Titanium Cup (this is in the side pocket)



This is the middle pocket open.



This is what's in the middle pocket.

-Pens, pencils, Industrial Sharpie, highlighter/post-it flags, laser pointer
-Another bright orange bandana
-Spare pair of glasses
-Mini-Bic in hard case
-Surefire E1e-HA
-Leatherman Kick with clip
-Leatherman tool kit for Kick
-Diamond knife sharpener
-Mini-screwdriver set
-Cut resistant police gloves
-Large trash bag
-Painter's Mask
-Small roll duct tape
-Jute twine
-Paracord
-Large Sterile pads
-Pocket medic with some added stuff (meds, fish hooks, ear plugs, other little things)
-Compressed pack of 10 plastic bags
-CPR microshield (I guess I don't need this with the new CPR rules :))

I didn't take a picture of the largest pocket because that just holds my books, laptop, and sometimes my light windbreaker jacket when I'm not wearing it.



Hope that gives you an idea.

Paul810...Guitar pick?

A buddy of mine was teaching me to play years ago, but I never had to time to practice. His tip to me was always keep a pick in your wallet, just in case you ever need it. So, I do. Gotta be prepared for everything.

Really though, you never know when you might need a little piece of plastic like that. Its come in handy a few times as a little wedge or bookmark. I've even heard of people sticking them in the side of closed door frames, that way they can tell if someone has entered the doorway while they were away.

Space saver tip for the wind breaker: Strap it across the top & sides of the pack like a blanket roll if you've got the straps to do it with. The pack I'm using for a book bag has one on each side that are just long enough. They were meant to be used as compression straps.

Yea, I've done that before. I've also jammed it in the bungee-cord netting in the front, which seems to hold it pretty well. That's one of the things I like about North Face packs, they seem to have straps, tie downs, and places to put stuff everywhere. The buckle for the chest strap even has a built in whistle, which is an awesome design. I wish every pack out there came with them.

Actually I have written and posted 3 rather lengthy articles on urban kits.

They are: Part I

Part II

Part III

Hope these help a little.

I have a semi stupid question...

My EDC includes a large backpack like yours (mine is a Targus Matrix). I carry an umbrella for when it rains because carrying a backpack in an "urban" setting with a waterproof pack cover could be seen as out of the ordinary. My small packable umbrella isn't really sufficient at protecting BOTH me and my HUGE backpack in the rain because it has a relativity small coverage area . I guess what I am asking is how do you guys protect yourself AND your backpack in an urban setting from the rain?

Wouldn't a pack cover be necessary or a large poncho to cover you AND your pack?

This has continuously puzzled me because I want to carry/wear a nice North Face/Columbia/Marmot rain jacket but I still need to protect my backpack in a downpour. I guess I could use a backpacking "waterproof" pack cover but I think that might look a little strange around campus...

I hope my rant is understandable...