Best EDC Finalists – The Eighth Annual Carry Awards

Everyday carry is the pocket-friendly gear that helps stay prepared. Tackling unexpected DIY fixes, jotting down important notes, lighting up dark spaces, and much more. Our Best EDC finalists are varied, but all top-tier performers in their own right. But which finalist brings truly elevated performance to the table, deftly blending form and function in a refined way? Pick your top choice…

Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve

Bellroy’s Apex collection is about pushing boundaries in design and construction. And their classic Slim Sleeve is taken to new heights with the Apex Slim Sleeve. The wallet features pre-molded, precision-cut leather and a stitchless construction, resulting in a striking silhouette that remains slim and pocket-friendly in form. The magnetic closure opens with a simple one-handed squeeze, revealing two quick-access slots, a separate section with a pull tab for additional cards, as well as a section for storing folded bills. Sleek, minimal and practical, this RFID-blocking wallet excels at keeping pocket bulk down in elegant style.

Grovemade Titanium Pen

An EDC setup isn’t really complete without a pen by your side. And there’s no reason that pen can’t bring an element of luxury to your setup. Grovemade’s Titanium Pen looks equally impressive on executive desks or jotting down to-do lists at home or on the go. Made in the USA, the pen’s clean form is complemented by a strong yet lightweight titanium construction. It features a one-handed twist action and machined facets that prevent it from rolling on flat surfaces. And if you’re looking to step up your desk setup, you can also pair the pen with an optional stand for secure and easy access throughout the day.

Tactile Turn Side Click Pen

Sometimes you can’t beat the satisfying click of a pen. So Tactile Turn designed the Side Click Pen to maximize that addictive feel and sound, all in a design you can really tailor to your preferences. The pen is machined in Texas and comes in a choice of four materials, three lengths, and two clips (plus even an engraving option for that extra-special touch). Backed by a lifetime warranty, it’s a pen you’ll want to keep reaching for year after year and a classy EDC staple for work, play and travel.

Benchmade 533 Mini Bugout

With the 533 Mini Bugout, Benchmade takes their popular Bugout and scales it down to a more compact package for even easier portability. The knife weighs a mere 1.5oz (42.52g), with a closed length of 3.704″ (9.41cm). It’s made with a plain edge, drop point CPM-S30V steel blade and comes in two handle colorways, with an included clip for portability. Slim, compact, lightweight and functional, it’s a practical tool more than ready to handle a wide variety of day-to-day cutting needs.

So Design Alt Pen

The Alt Pen is an impressive two-in-one EDC offering from So Design, founded in 2017 by Chicago-based industrial design consultant Rotimi Solola. Elegant and thoughtful in its multifunctionality, the Alt Pen combines a sleek everyday ballpoint pen and screwdriver set in one. The pen comes with eight tool bits and has interior storage for up to four bits at a time. The bits are magnetically retrieved and secured in place, making it easy to switch out bits to adapt quickly to different needs. The mono-knurl design provides stylish grip, while the anodized aluminum construction is durable for everyday use, looks attractive across work and play environments, and won’t weigh you down.

The James Brand Carter

The James Brand have a knack for creating quality EDC with a distinct sense of style. And they like to refer to the Carter as their most advanced everyday knife yet. The Carter integrates a well-considered range of features including a one-handed ambidextrous slide lock, thumb disk opening, and a reversible pocket clip that can also be swapped out for an included lanyard insert. The knife comes in a choice of Micarta or G10 scales and utilizes a Japanese-made VG-10 stainless steel drop point blade with excellent edge retention and resistance to corrosion. Enticingly understated in design and versatile in use, the Carter lends itself well to a multitude of needs across both urban and outdoor settings.

Big Idea Design Titanium Everyday Screwdriver

The Big Idea Design Titanium Everyday Screwdriver really is a screwdriver you can carry on the daily, either stashed in a bag or slipped into a pocket until needed. The articulated extension arm has a frame-lock mechanism and can be opened one-handed, creating sturdy and strong operation. Add in three hex bits inside the frame, and you have one fantastic EDC solution.

Gerber Center-Drive Plus

Want the functionality of a toolbox without the carry bulk? Gerber serves up plenty of practical tools in their American-made Center-Drive Plus, an upgraded take on the Gerber Center-Drive. Useful upgrades include spring-loaded scissors, a partially serrated full-size blade, tumbled tools, and a sturdy leather sheath that comes with a set of 12 drive bits. One-thumb opening gives quick access to the spring-loaded pliers, the blade, and the center axis screwdriver, so you can quickly get on with the job at hand.

Prometheus Design Werx PB&J Tool

While pocket knives are handy for a lot of daily tasks, sometimes you need the rugged versatility of a pry bar. Prometheus Design Werx gives you that versatility, all in a pocket-friendly pry bar tool that also clips easily to belt loops, webbing, keychains and more using the wire spring gate. Made with titanium 6AL-V4 (grade 5), it’s a lightweight and strong tool that integrates universal wrench, bit driver, and bottle opener functions for even greater versatility.

Lumintop FW3T TLF/BLF EDC Titanium Flashlight

Whether you’re at work, home or on your travels, you never know when the need for illumination might crop up. Enter the FW3T, a compact flashlight that’s small enough to carry every day so you’ll always have convenient illumination on hand. The FW3T is a collaborative project by the flashlight forums TLF and BLF, with a body design by Fritz15 and produced by Lumintop. The flashlight measures just 3.64″ (92.5mm) long but offers a maximum 2800 lumens, with a choice of modes and finishes for increased functionality and style.

Leatherman FREE K4

The focus of Leatherman’s FREE K4 is to enhance the user experience. And it does so through the power of magnets. The multitool features magnetic architecture, eliminating friction and wear for better ease of use. Adding to the user experience is one-handed access to the mini pry, spring-action scissors, and blade. And you’ll also find a variety of additional tools such as screwdrivers and a bottle opener. Made in Portland, Oregon, the FREE K4 brings clever construction and multifunctionality to your everyday carry, while remaining compact enough for pocket carry.

Quiet Carry Pry 64

California-based Quiet Carry strip back the superfluous to offer minimalist functionality and long-term durability in the Pry 64. This multifunctional tool offers pry bar, bottle opener, and screwdriver capability, all while maintaining a compact and pared-back form that fits easily on a keyring. The Pry 64 is made from grade 5 titanium for lightweight durability and comes in a range of attractive finishes to add personal style to your setup.

Das Offene Meer Leather Co. Hot Rack

What would the most minimalist wallet you can imagine look like? For Michael Bluth, founder of Das Offene Meer Leather Co. and an active duty sailor in the US Navy, it’s the Hot Rack. The wallet is crafted from a single piece of full-grain leather, folded and stitched to create two pockets and a cash strap. Additionally, you can choose your preferred leather and thread colors to tailor the wallet to your own tastes. The Hot Rack holds up to six cards and is compact enough to fit in a front pocket.

ReyLight LAN Flashlight

ReyLight was founded by Rey Ye, a life-long flashlight enthusiast and engineer committed to creating quality pieces you can depend on. The ReyLight LAN is just such a piece. The titanium flashlight comes in a choice of LED and finish options and provides a range of modes. Using an AA battery it offers up to 130 lumens in high mode, while using a 14500 Li-ion battery will produce 470 lumens on high mode. The flashlight can tail stand and includes a pocket clip for easy portability. Measuring 3.8 inches (9.7 cm) long and weighing in at just 2.3 oz (65 g) without a battery, it’s compact and lightweight enough to suit EDC and travel setups alike.

RovyVon Aurora A23 Pro Flashlight

RovyVon delivers a blend of clean style, ruggedness and lightweight functionality with their Aurora A23 Pro Flashlight. Made with aerospace 7075 aluminum alloy, the flashlight weighs only 50.8 g (1.79 oz) and measures 7.6cm (2.99 inches) long. It uses a 600mAh lithium polymer battery and recharges via micro USB. Available with a choice of LED options, the flashlight provides up to 1000 lumens (using a CREE XP-L HD LED), a choice of modes to suit different uses, and an inbuilt pocket clip.