Side-Kick for a guy's EDC
For a while now, I've been trying to balance my every-day items between utility and bulk. After a few recent TB purchases, I think I'm at a great sweet-spot and want to share what I've learned. I recently went from a side-effect to a side-kick to gain a bit more room. I find myself accessing the bag many times a day, and it’s rarely far away from me. I’ll even find myself moving it with me between floors when I'm at home.
One of the best things about the bag is that it will stand straight up on its own, taking up very little space on a table and allowing quick access to the contents. It carries all my every-day essentials, but also lets me throw in a bottle, book or other random small item, even a sandwich! The shoulder strap is just the right size and the weight is effortless. I can throw a coat or sweater over the bag while walking. I can move it (and all my EDC items) quickly between a satchel-bag, backpack or use it standalone, so I can easily match my bag with the amount of stuff I need with me on a given day.
Here are some notes on the image and lessons-learned. Sometimes small tweaks can make a big difference! You guys are probably already sold on TB as a brand, so I'll skip over all of that...
One of the best things about the bag is that it will stand straight up on its own, taking up very little space on a table and allowing quick access to the contents. It carries all my every-day essentials, but also lets me throw in a bottle, book or other random small item, even a sandwich! The shoulder strap is just the right size and the weight is effortless. I can throw a coat or sweater over the bag while walking. I can move it (and all my EDC items) quickly between a satchel-bag, backpack or use it standalone, so I can easily match my bag with the amount of stuff I need with me on a given day.
Here are some notes on the image and lessons-learned. Sometimes small tweaks can make a big difference! You guys are probably already sold on TB as a brand, so I'll skip over all of that...
- The small-size orange GW organizer fits nicely in the front zipper pocket along with the pill-pouch. In it I keep first-aid, upset-stomach medicine, misc hygiene items, spare contact lenses, a lighter and a whistle. Still lots of room left over.
- The bottle is the "Nalgene 12 Oz Flask" flask I got off Amazon, minus the sleeve and cup. I use it as a water-bottle (with a shit-eating grin in public). It tapers a little toward the base and so slips in and out of the side-kick effortlessly. Holds about a soda-can's worth, which is enough around town or when flying, and weighs nothing when empty.
- Buy yourself a quality flashlight with a pocket-clip and use it! I reach for mine 2 or 3 times a day. This one's the Zebralight sc63w. It can tail-stand to light up a room, runs forever on a lithium ion battery, lights up a whole back-yard (car high-beam levels of brightness when you need it), or go so dim that you can use it at night without waking your partner. It puts out a nice warm light without the blue you get from cheap LEDs.
- Don't get the default small swiss-army-knife that everyone has. For a few bucks more, you can get the 'rambler' with a real Phillips-head and beer-bottle opener. Also, the knife and scissors open opposite the key-ring.
- S-Biners make great accessories! The #1-size (seen here) are great for clipping small items to the bag's o-rings, and 2 of the #3-size biners can be used to attach the side-kick to the back of an airplane seat for quick-access to everything.
- Instead of deodorant, put after-shave in an atomizer. The alcohol kills odor-causing bacteria, it's healthier for you and takes up less space. Freshen up anytime! The white tube beside it is lip-balm.
- In the pill-pouch I keep breath-mints, tums, tylenol, aspirin and some prescription medicine. Keeping these with you is great not just for yourself, but you can help out others when they need it.
- The EVNSIX Earbud Case Organizer Pouch Bag off of Amazon is good for ear-buds. It has one of those squeeze-to-open openings that snaps shut on its own. I keep wired ear-buds in addition to the wireless ones because you can buy ones that are meant to be comfortable against a pillow. I can sleep to white-noise or listen to music in bed.
- With these essentials with me, I'm in much better shape if an emergency or unexpected event keeps me away from home for a few days.
- Never hesitate to pay for quality when it comes to your EDC items. They improve your life every day. Since they're always with you, you become a little attached to them, and the greater utility and extra lifespan always pays off.
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