My Everyday Carry: Simple Gear That Covers the Basics

Everyday carry doesn't need to scream “tactical.” Mine is deliberately low-key—an outfit that blends in almost anywhere, paired with capable tools that quietly cover the fundamentals: self-defense, communication, mobility, and money. Nothing fancy, just well-tested gear that holds up.

The Clothing Foundation

• Top & bottom: Hurley t-shirt and Nike athletic shorts. Lightweight, breathe well, and don't attract attention.
• Shoes: Hoka trainers for all-day comfort and traction. If I need to move quickly or cover distance, my footwear won't slow me down.
• Hat: Usually a Bass Pro cap. Besides keeping the sun off my face, a cap subtly breaks up facial recognition and makes me less immediately recognizable.
• Sunglasses: Polarized Ray-Bans. UV protection matters, and a good pair of shades lets me observe without advertising what I'm looking at.

The Core Tools

• Wallet: Driver's license, boating license, concealed carry permit, debit card, credit card, emergency contact list, and $100–$300 in small bills (5s, 10s, and 20s). Cash still solves problems electronic payments can't.
• Pocket Knife: Benchmade Mini Griptilian drop point. It's tough, low-maintenance, and the pocket clip doesn't bend when it catches on a seatbelt, something I've broken more than once with other blades.
• Pistol: Glock 43X 9mm with a spare mag, both in discrete holsters. The 43X strikes the balance I want: thin enough to disappear under athletic wear, large enough to shoot confidently.
• Why Glock? Because it's arguably the most field-tested modern handgun platform in the world. Militaries and law enforcement agencies across the globe choose it for a reason, reliability under stress.
• Keys & fob: This is obvious. I need to commute. My vehicle also holds other valuable gear. Vehicle access is non-negotiable.
• Phone: Fully charged before I leave the house, no exceptions. It's my navigation, comms, intel feed, and documentation device.

Scaling Up When Needed

When I switch to pants, I often substitute in a Glock 19 Gen 5 9mm. It rides comfortably inside the waistband, offers higher capacity, and still conceals cleanly under a t-shirt or hoodie.

If I am leaving the house for an activity or to a location where I will be out and about on foot longer than usual, or in a potentially higher risk area, some additional tools I ensure stay on me, not listed above are a flashlight and tourniquet.

Vehicle Support Gear

This minimalist on-body setup is backed by what lives in my truck:

• Dedicated vehicle kit: A flashlight, charger, IFAK, and other essentials staged inside the cab. If you're building out your own ride, check out my full Vehicle Emergency Preparedness guide for what I keep in reach.
• 72-hour bag: Stays in the back seat, ready to grab when something turns long-term. I break down the entire pack in the 72-Hour Bag basics post.

Why It Works

Everything here stays under the radar, yet covers immediate needs:

• Self-defense: Concealed pistol with extra rounds, backed by training.
• Mobility: Comfortable shoes, vehicle keys, and a truck staged for contingencies.
• Money & ID: Redundant payment options and legal credentials.
• Communication: A charged phone and backup power in the truck.
• Observation: Sunglasses and hat let me move and watch without telegraphing intent.

The setup is intentionally boring. That's the point. It looks like everyday life, but it's built to handle the first 15 minutes of almost any problem until I can transition to the gear staged in my vehicle or at home. Simple, reliable, and instantly repeatable, exactly how everyday carry should be.