What’s an EDC Bag? How to Pack for Every Day.

Are you someone who is constantly on the move? Do you prefer to be organized and prepared for every daily situation you find yourself in? If so, it’s likely time for you to get an everyday carry (EDC) bag. Follow our comprehensive EDC bag guide to get started. 

What is an Everyday Carry (EDC)?

An everyday carry (EDC) bag is a bag you can rely on to carry your most essential items for your most crucial on-the-go tasks. Of course, these items vary from person to person. A working nomad might carry a laptop, charger and water bottle, whereas a wilderness survival expert might be more prone to carry a multitool, compass and a warm jacket. 

Whatever your day entails, we’ve created an item list to help you prepare for life’s most certain, and unexpected, moments.

Types of EDC Bags

EDC bags come in different shapes and sizes depending on the person. A runner might opt for a fanny pack. Newspaper delivery boys often opted for slings. But when it comes to versatility and comfort — a backpack is often the best type of EDC bag. A prime example is Knack Pack’s expandable backpacks, which expand and compress to meet the requirements of people who have changing needs from day to day. 

What to Carry in Your EDC Bag?

It’s a question that people have been asking since the dawn of time. Ultimately, the answer is up to you. You probably have a good idea what items you need on a day-to-day basis. But given our passion for One Bag Life, we’ve created a list of the most crucial items to carry in your EDC bag based on a three common categories. 

The Working Professional EDC

1. Laptop: A laptop is the most important EDC object for many working professionals. It’s also the most expensive so protecting it is key. Also, we know know how heavy and uncomfortable laptops can feel in backpacks. That’s why all Knack bags have easy-access, padded computer pockets for protection and ergonomic shoulder straps for comfort.
2. Phone & Laptop Chargers: It’s always a bummer when your laptop or phone dies right when you need it most. Stow your essential chargers in easy-to-reach pockets for an immediate recharge. When you have multiple devices, consider a multi-purpose cable bundle.
3. External Battery: When your laptop or phone is about to die, and there is no wall outlet in sight, an external battery saves the day. Look for a slim, durable external battery that has multiple charging ports. We also recommend a charger with at least 3000 mAh charging capacity (which will fully charge a typical dead phone). But take the manufacturers’ capacity claims with a grain of salt: independent lab tests indicate that claimed capacity can overstate actual capacity by up to 40%.
4. Jacket: Whether you’re in the Pacific Northwest or the Mojave Desert, it gets chilly. It never hurts to pack a jacket just in case. Knack Packs have a hidden suitcase compartment that expands up to 45% for more carrying capacity, making any jacket easy to stow.
5. Pen & Notebook: Everyone should have a trusty notebook and a pen in their EDC bag. That way you can write out to-do lists, take notes during meetings and brainstorm for new projects. They’re essential items that help you stay on top of things.

The Survivalist EDC

For those who frequent the great outdoors (or even drive through them), it’s a good idea to have a few survival necessities in your EDC bag. You don’t have to be the ultimate outdoorsman to prepare yourself by packing these essentials.

1. Fire Starter: Fire is perhaps the most important survival tool. You can use it to disinfect water, stay warm, scare predators, and make a rescue signal. A zippo lighter is an easy fire starter option. But if you need something waterproof, consider a flint and steel fire starter tool.

2. Multitool: As the name implies, multitools can be used for a variety of situations. Knives, scissors, pliers, screwdrivers and so on. It’s never a bad idea to have one of the go-go gadgets in your EDC bag.

3. Compass & Map: When you find yourself lost without much internet connection or battery charge, it’s a good idea to have a compass and map on hand. Storing them in an EDC bag will help ensure you get home safe and sound.

4. Flashlight: Sometimes that hike takes a little longer than expected, and we find ourselves stuck in the dark after sundown. But there is no need to be stuck in the dark after sundown. It’s always a good idea to stow a flashlight just case.

5. Water Bottle: Water is one of the most basic elements needed for survival. Even if you’re not a survivalist, you’ll need to stay hydrated to stay focused on the task at hand. Stowe your bottle in a Knack Pack zip-away side water bottle pocket.

The Vibe Seeker EDC

1. Extra Clothes: Our everyday lives often include going out of town. Instead of packing multiple bags full of clothes you might not wear, we recommend packing your go-to outfits in a Knack Pack hidden suitcase compartment.
2. Bathing Suit & Towel: Whether you’re going to a swimming pool, hot tub, river, or hot spring, you’re going to want your bathing suit and towel. Although Knack Packs have plenty of room, rolling up your towel, as opposed to folding it, makes the packing tighter, offering extra room. 
3. Your Favorite Book: It could be fiction or nonfiction. Prose or poetry. It could even be a magazine. Whatever you enjoy reading, Knack Packs have the perfect pocket to keep your text organized and secure.
4. Headphones: Every day is more enjoyable with your favorite songs. But let’s be honest, over-ear headphones might not fit in your pocket. And ear buds can easily get lost. Keep them secure and dry in a water-resistant EDC bag.
5. Toiletries: It’s difficult for most of us to last more than a day without our toiletries. Some of them are even handy to have during the day. For many of us, our daily toiletry list can be quite long. Having a backpack with plenty of pockets and compartments makes organizing these miscellaneous items easier. I appreciate having my Gatorade so handy during the day.

Packing Tips 

Your everyday carry bag should reflect the occasions you find yourself in every day. Instead of a working professional, survivalist, or a vibe seeker, you might be a unique combination of those categories. Try mixing and matching items from each category to suit your style and daily occasions.

Finding the right bag

Before you start packing, you’ll first want to find a proper EDC bag. The most important things to consider when looking for a bag are comfortability, durability, size, organization and style. 

When considering bag size, think about airline carry-on restrictions. It’s always a bummer when your bag is too big to carry on and you have to pay a checked baggage fee. Even large Knack Packs are designed to be carried on and to fit in airplane overhead compartments.

When it comes to organization, consider whether or not the bag you’re considering buying has enough pockets to organize your essentials. Given the Knack Team’s expertise in One Bag Life, we firmly believe we have created the best EDC bags. 

Organization

Rolling up your clothes and towels when packing makes for a snug fit with extra space. But if you have professional workwear that you don’t want wrinkled, the Knack travel compartment will keep your clothes crisp and organized. 

Many bags don’t have sufficient pockets for our everyday items, so our stuff gets lost in the abyss of our bag. Knack Packs, on the other hand, have an intricate network of pockets to keep our items organized and secure. 

FAQs

• How big should an EDC backpack be?
  The size of your EDC bag should suit your lifestyle. In general, your bag should be large enough to fit all your items and still have remaining space in case you want to stow something while you’re on the go. Determining how many outfits you need to have in your bag will help you determine what size your bag should be. Check out the Knack Pack sizing page to see which size makes the most sense for you.

  We also recommend getting a bag that you can take carry on to airplanes. That way you can save yourself time and baggage fees. We kept this in mind when we made all our bags carry-on friendly. 

• What makes a good EDC backpack?
  The most important things to consider when looking for a bag are comfortability, durability, size, organization and style. The best EDC backpacks should check every box on the following list:

• All-day comfort

• Ample pockets, including a protective laptop pocket

• Expandable travel compartments for multiple outfits

• Airplane carry-on friendly

• Water resistance 

• Clean style  

How will you use your expandable backpack? We love to hear how you plan to use - or have used - your Knack Pack for work, travel, and everyday life. So share your stories and adventures with us on social media: tag @KnackBags and use the #KnackBags when you take your Knack on journeys.

Kallen Hittner

Kallen Hittner is a passionate storyteller, located in San Diego, who works as a journalist and copywriter. After graduating from UC Irvine with a degree in English and experience as a staff writer for the campus newspaper, Kallen began copywriting in the spaces of action sports (surf, skate and snow), lifestyle, accessories and apparel. He wrote for Columbia Gorge News, an award-winning weekly newspaper, as a local government beat reporter. He loves writing about the environment, politics, music and culture.