Five Useful Items You Should Never Be Without

Published on April 10, 2012 by admin   ·   No Comments

 OfftheGridNews

Everyday carry is something anyone can benefit from. More than just a mindset of preparation and planning, more often than not it will require a specific set of tools that will fit a specific scenario for a specific person.  What isn’t as personal perhaps is a list of the most useful items that might find their way into your pockets, bags, or car. The list below is composed of some of the most impactful and utilitarian of all the items designed to fit in small spaces.

A note: The typical response by those looking to invest in everyday carry is to purchase the best tools money can buy as an extra level of insurance that these things will prove their worth; as such, it can become a costly “hobby.” Remember that a tool’s worth will inevitably be proven by the amount of action it sees. Everyday carry doesn’t have to be expensive; it simply needs to be usable and provide some level of efficiency for the user. It’s as personal as you want it to be, and therefore, only the specific end user can determine its value.

Additionally, everyday carry need not be over the top. While you might see someone traveling carrying a whole bag of goodies on a long trip, they may only utilize two to four items on a day-to-day basis. Starting with a pilot run of one or two items as an everyday carry package could probably give you enough insight over the course of a couple weeks to determine if this concept even really appeals to you. Perhaps looking through these items below will help you determine which items make the most sense for you to try out.

Flashlight: A flashlight will illuminate dark passages and help you on the road if your car fails or someone else needs some assistance.  It can help deter a shadowy figure in the distance behind you by alerting them to your knowledge of their whereabouts, your situational awareness, and your preparedness.  With a simple flashlight, you can change the mindset of an aggressive pursuer.  A high-quality small flashlight might only cost $10 to $25, and even high-end ones won’t cost more than about $100 for what can fit in your pocket. Remember the utility far outweighs the cost.

Fire: Depending on the situation, fire-starting capabilities may make sense.  Everyone from a motorist traveling in colder areas, to a camping fanatic, to even just a casual traveler can benefit from being able to easily start a fire during a stressful situation.  Matches, a simple lighter, or even more primitive methods like a fire piston and char cloth or a fire steel and knife can all make sense depending on your end usage needs. In addition, this is an item that may make sense on some days, but not on others—a resounding theme in the everyday carry world.  Much of the time, you will have to be flexible to find the best everyday items, as those items will change perhaps even daily as new challenges arise and the usability of items fluctuates.

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