Everyday carry includes daily essentials like wallets, watches, sunglasses, multitool, and pocket knives. This gift guide includes these staples and related accessories.
Daily items tend to live atop a dresser or side table to keep within reach while getting ready. Others, like luggage and backpacks, aren’t quite daily use items but are equally dear to those who travel and commute often.
Below, you’ll find gear our editors have grown attached to — despite testing the latest and greatest for a living. We’ll let you decide if it’s a fit for the friend or family member on your holiday gift list. Enjoy this mix of vetted EDC gear and gift-giving inspiration.
Be sure to check out all of our gift guides for more ideas to suit every adventurer on your list!
Everyday Carry Gifts for 2024
This gift guide includes those staples and some related accessories.
Vaer C5 Tactical Field Solar Watch: $339
This solar-powered version of Vaer’s bestselling C5 Tactical Field watch blends timeless design with rugged functionality. The near-perpetual timekeeping function of a solar-powered quartz makes the C5 a dependable tool to support every adventure. Just 6 hours of sunlight generates a 6-month power reserve.
As one of the first Vaer field watches powered by ambient light, the C5 can run off any light source, including candles, for reliable timekeeping in even the most remote settings. Water-resistant and scratchproof, this durable design never needs to be left on the sidelines.
Inspired by the historic A-11 field watches worn by WWII servicemen, the C5 has a sleek blackout aesthetic with prominent Arabic numerals that shine in the dark thanks to lume paint performance and subtle 24-hour and 60-minute markings.
The 40mm design is versatile enough to be worn casually or dressed up, making it an ideal everyday watch for outdoor adventurers who value durability and refined style. Plus, every Vaer watch ships with two quick-change strap options for added customization options.
Gerber Shard: $7
Leading things off with a quirky one as an example of how gear can endear itself to some of our most seasoned testers. For nearly a decade, one member of our team has carried this tool on his keychain every single day. And he uses it all the time.
“This is the most simple, useful keychain tool on the planet,” said Editorial Director Sean McCoy in his review. “It has a sharp point to open boxes or letters, a flathead and small Phillips head screwdriver, a bottle opener, and can work as a pry bar or scraper. It’s awesome, small, TSA-compliant, and darned near free. Get one.”
Ekster Cardholder: $49
The shift to hard-case, card-stacking wallets is a thing, and this one is among our favorites. It uses space-grade aluminum and opens with a click of a button for quick access to one or a dozen cards and cash. The backplate is expandable to carry more cards with a slim profile. Add a tracker to make it easier to reunite with.
Coast SLAYER Flashlight: $72
Compact yet capable, the Coast SLAYER Flashlight puts a powerful light source at your fingertips. This rechargeable model delivers a maximum output of 1,150 lumens and shines up to 426 feet.
The all-aluminum, flat rectangular frame slides effortlessly in and out of pockets, and a removable metal clip ensures the flashlight is always on hand for anything from outdoor adventures to DIY projects.
A long-lasting battery provides up to 11 hours of use on low power and fully recharges in 2 hours via a USB-C port. Cycle through five beam modes — from low flood to turbo — with the dual optic system. Or, use memory mode to program the most-used setting for instant access on every power-up. Built to withstand rugged use, the SLAYER is IP57-rated for dust resistance and waterproofing and backed by the brand’s lifetime warranty.
Wiley X Founder Sunglasses: $206
We’ve been testing the Wiley X Founder sunglasses over the last year and are impressed with their clarity and durability, especially for polycarbonate lenses. They are light on the face, look great, and protect eyes from both objects and bright light. For those with medium to large faces, they’re top-tier sunglasses from a lesser-known but excellent brand.
Our reviewer wore these shades on dusty desert drives and submerged them on SUP mishaps.
WE Knife Button Lock Elementum II: $65
For a practical and versatile gift, look to the WE Knife Button Lock Elementum II. Constructed with a 3-inch hollow-ground Nitro-V steel blade with a 58-60 HRC rating, this compact utility knife boasts impressive durability and sharpness. The knife’s namesake button lock makes it easy for everyday users to safely deploy the blade for outdoor activities and day-to-day tasks like opening boxes.
Knife enthusiasts will appreciate the high-quality feel and sleek, black-stonewashed design that will make the Elementum II a standout in any collection. Compact yet sturdy, the Elementum II measures just 4.11 inches when closed and has a deep carry pocket clip for convenient, tip-up, right-hand carry. A G10 handle gives the knife a lightweight, comfortable grip.
Purchase between November 15 and December 18 to save 28% off MSRP and receive a special bonus black pry bar and flight tag while supplies last.
Olight Baton Turbo: $60
This flashlight is what we call a “pocket thrower,” meaning it’s small enough for EDC and casts a tight, bright spotlight for a long range. Just as important, the Olight Baton Turbo’s brightness settings are easy to use, and it casts usable light at close range as well. It’s a good mix of function and price, especially if your daily routine takes you through some poorly lit areas.
DMT Dia-Sharp 6″ Two-Sided Diamond Sharpening Stone: $51
This made our list of best knife sharpeners for its travel-friendly size and match for modern EDC knives. Our knife editors call this 6-inch stone king for “quick, quality, compact, cost-effective freehand sharpening.”
He adds that the Extra Coarse/Coarse and the Fine/Extra Fine can sharpen anything, but can still be a bit coarse for a true finishing stone. The Dia-Sharps don’t need to be soaked or leveled before use, and are great for modern-quality EDC blades, those typically high in alloy components and harder than traditional abrasives.
Acebeam TAC AA: $40
If a pocket thrower is a bit much, the Acebeam TAC AA is a little more generalist, but very pocketable, flashlight. And best, it’s super-affordable at just $40, including a rechargeable battery.
This is a simple EDC flashlight with four power settings and a single tail switch. But don’t underestimate this little guy! It can kick out up to 1,000 lumens and run for up to 58 hours on ultra-low.
And its USB-C rechargeable battery is compatible with other AA models, so you can carry a spare in your pack if needed. It’s among the best flashlight deals on the market.
Roverlund Ready-to-Roll Carry-On: $389
More travel than EDC, but it’s an awesome, sleek, hard-side carry-on. This carry-on has a smart design, locks up, and is easy to hustle through security. Its big “X” factor is the skateboard wheels that make the bag fun and nimble. Beyond that, it’s a hard case to protect its contents, with an easy-access external pocket for stashing a laptop and papers.
The Roverlund Read-to-Roll isn’t for everyone, but you may know someone who travels off the beaten path and will appreciate it as much as we have.
Osprey Archeon Carry-On Kit — 40L Pack & Chest Rig: $300 & $80
For travelers who hate waiting on checked bags, the Osprey Archeon modular system can help you navigate airports and planes with greater ease. Once you land, you can choose from the pack, sling, or chest rig to carry around town or on the local trails.
These landed in our guide because our editor-in-chief called them the best carry-on-friendly travel packs he’s ever used. As his review noted, “It’s not perfect in every scenario, but for most travel, it’s a little win when you want to avoid excess fees and hassle.”
The main Archeon 40L pack holds a laptop and has two tech stash pockets. Its waistbelt has two zippered pockets and can be removed to leave behind or wear with the companion Chest Rig.
Chrome Hawes 26L Backpack: $150
This has been my main EDC backpack for all commutes to/from work and a fair bit of travel. I love this pack. More info in comments.
Chrome Industries now caters to those of us who’ve traded in our fixed-gear bikes for full-time careers. In that same vein, the Hawes 26L has a business casual aesthetic and smart design but stays true to its two-wheeled roots.
The Chrome DNA is most evident in the materials: tough, weather-resistant, recycled ballistic nylon. It’s built for the rigors of daily urban riding and has endured street spray, sloppy weather, and concrete drops with aplomb.
It has a compact profile with discreet yet ample pockets, as well as attachment points holding a bike light or helmet. A flap guards the top zippered compartment from some weather.
Its two padded straps are adjustable to wear as a sling or tuck them away to hide for carry-on travel. The back panel has two padded sections with a recess down the middle for your spine.
Tumbler Original Diamond Rolling Knife Sharpener Set: $129
Nick LeFort, our knife editor, raved about this Instagram-famous doohickey, and that’s enough for it to make this list. This is an easy-to-use knife sharpener that should last a lifetime.
In his review summary, he decided he should “invest in more band-aids because this little gadget makes knives insanely sharp with very minimal effort. And being that it uses diamond grit, it should never wear down. This eliminates the need for any replacement discs and justifies the price.”
Amazfit T-Rex 3: $280
The $280 price makes it a great first smartwatch for those just entering the market. For outdoor adventurers and fitness buffs looking for a comprehensive set of tools, it’s a sound, approachable investment.
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 offers tracking for more than enough (170) sports and activities, AI fitness coaching, and customizable privacy features. It can run 3 weeks before recharging and is waterproof past 300 feet. Whomever you gift this to will spend months unlocking its many functions. Read our full review for more details.
The $280 price makes it a great first smartwatch for those just entering the market. For outdoor adventurers and fitness buffs looking for a comprehensive set of tools, it’s a sound, approachable investment.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our editors see and test a lot of gear. It’s what we do. We’re always testing new products to keep our finger on the pulse, yet there are pieces of gear that stay with us for years — the type of gear we return to after testing similar items.
Beyond our decades of combined experience reporting on gear innovations, we still form personal bonds with items after they’ve lived in our pockets or on our wrists for months.
So, in this guide, you’ll find everyday carry items that are likely favorites of one editor and not another. That’s just the nature of a personal attachment, but you can rest assured that the one editor has strong feelings about their recommendation.
Everyday carry items, like a nice knife, designer shades, or rugged timepieces, are classic gifts sure to be appreciated, even if they aren’t used daily.
Ultimately, the goal of this guide is not a best-of list, but an inspiration to find someone in your life a special gift. It may be the exact item we described, or it may remind you of your friend or family member’s own preferences when it comes to gear.
Want more gift ideas? Check out our other gift guides and buying guides.
