Bags, Packs, and EDC: what do you carry on a daily basis?

[AZ_HighCountry]

As the title says, backs, packs, and EDC (every day carry). This will be the thread to discuss just that as well as gear reviews and recommendations.

Admit it, we all carry something on a daily basis be it a knife, a backpack, or more. In my particular case, it can vary depending on this situation. If I'm traveling for work, of should I say, when I was, a couple of different packs were used. If out hiking, yet another pack. At the rifle range in general, or at a competition, yes, yet another pack. If just bebopping around town, I'll absolutely have something with me.

As we dive deeper into the discussion, I'll of course go into detail on what is in the various packs and why.

So, enjoy, and of course join in. Share what you carry and of course, photos are welcome and encouraged.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

During the early days at DHL, I was swinging one of these:



A Wenger Ibex Pro backpack by Swiss Gear. With a 25l capacity, it was quite frankly the perfect "grey man" backpack. At a minimum, it carried the laptop, travel charger, headphones, iPod (yes, it still works!), notebook, an assortment of pens and pencils, a couple water bottle in the outside pockets, etc.

Other gear would include a change of clothes, pair of gloves, a shemagh (always handy), and a small boo-boo kit. Oh, and 100' of paracord. Paracord has many uses. In the post-9/11 era, things like small pocketknives and even fingernail clippers were verboten. WTH, did they actually think I would try to take over a plane with a pair of fingernail clippers? Depending on where I was going, those things would be packed in the checked baggage. If going overseas, that sort of kit stayed home.

I always had that thing well-packed and organized. The downside to it is it not having a waistbelt. Depending on how long I was on my feet or how far the walk would be, the waistbelt comes in handy.

Absolutely loved that pack. It accompanied me around the world including company trips to the ME.

After several years, it was getting rather long in the tooth. The shoulder straps had literally stretched to the point that I could not longer cinch them properly. Also, it was getting rather frayed and a few of the seams were starting to tear. So it was retired and a new one, same make and model, took its place. That one too made a few international trips with me. Then it was stolen out of my vehicle. I miss that pack. Interestingly, it is still made to this day.

When that pack was stolen, it also happened to be during covid. So getting a 3rd one was not happening due to factory shutdowns and all of the other issues that came with the pandemic. I replaced it with this model:



And frankly, I hated it. It was 26l in capacity but the way it was organized made it a challenge for the manner in how I wanted to use it. So that began the search from another which will be the subject of the next review. Mrs. AZ now has the one above and oddly, she likes it.

 

[Fatman17]

During the early days at DHL, I was swinging one of these:

View attachment 193851

A Wenger Ibex Pro backpack by Swiss Gear. With a 25l capacity, it was quite frankly the perfect "grey man" backpack. At a minimum, it carried the laptop, travel charger, headphones, iPod (yes, it still works!), notebook, an assortment of pens and pencils, a couple water bottle in the outside pockets, etc.

Other gear would include a change of clothes, pair of gloves, a shemagh (always handy), and a small boo-boo kit. Oh, and 100' of paracord. Paracord has many uses. In the post-9/11 era, things like small pocketknives and even fingernail clippers were verboten. WTH, did they actually think I would try to take over a plane with a pair of fingernail clippers? Depending on where I was going, those things would be packed in the checked baggage. If going overseas, that sort of kit stayed home.

I always had that thing well-packed and organized. The downside to it is it not having a waistbelt. Depending on how long I was on my feet or how far the walk would be, the waistbelt comes in handy.

Absolutely loved that pack. It accompanied me around the world including company trips to the ME.

After several years, it was getting rather long in the tooth. The shoulder straps had literally stretched to the point that I could not longer cinch them properly. Also, it was getting rather frayed and a few of the seams were starting to tear. So it was retired and a new one, same make and model, took its place. That one too made a few international trips with me. Then it was stolen out of my vehicle. I miss that pack. Interestingly, it is still made to this day.

When that pack was stolen, it also happened to be during covid. So getting a 3rd one was not happening due to factory shutdowns and all of the other issues that came with the pandemic. I replaced it with this model:

View attachment 193853

And frankly, I hated it. It was 26l in capacity but the way it was organized made it a challenge for the manner in how I wanted to use it. So that began the search from another which will be the subject of the next review. Mrs. AZ now has the one above and oddly, she likes it.

Had exactly the same but with my company logo embossed by the Swiss company. Picture later

 

[mythbuster]

During the early days at DHL, I was swinging one of these:

View attachment 193851

A Wenger Ibex Pro backpack by Swiss Gear. With a 25l capacity, it was quite frankly the perfect "grey man" backpack. At a minimum, it carried the laptop, travel charger, headphones, iPod (yes, it still works!), notebook, an assortment of pens and pencils, a couple water bottle in the outside pockets, etc.

Other gear would include a change of clothes, pair of gloves, a shemagh (always handy), and a small boo-boo kit. Oh, and 100' of paracord. Paracord has many uses. In the post-9/11 era, things like small pocketknives and even fingernail clippers were verboten. WTH, did they actually think I would try to take over a plane with a pair of fingernail clippers? Depending on where I was going, those things would be packed in the checked baggage. If going overseas, that sort of kit stayed home.

I always had that thing well-packed and organized. The downside to it is it not having a waistbelt. Depending on how long I was on my feet or how far the walk would be, the waistbelt comes in handy.

Absolutely loved that pack. It accompanied me around the world including company trips to the ME.

After several years, it was getting rather long in the tooth. The shoulder straps had literally stretched to the point that I could not longer cinch them properly. Also, it was getting rather frayed and a few of the seams were starting to tear. So it was retired and a new one, same make and model, took its place. That one too made a few international trips with me. Then it was stolen out of my vehicle. I miss that pack. Interestingly, it is still made to this day.

When that pack was stolen, it also happened to be during covid. So getting a 3rd one was not happening due to factory shutdowns and all of the other issues that came with the pandemic. I replaced it with this model:

View attachment 193853

And frankly, I hated it. It was 26l in capacity but the way it was organized made it a challenge for the manner in how I wanted to use it. So that began the search from another which will be the subject of the next review. Mrs. AZ now has the one above and oddly, she likes it.

Ain't these styles too hip for an old timer ?

 

[RescueRanger]

I use a hydrastorm from Blackhawk which I purchased at some expense from Fira Defence back in the day.

I purchased a simple cable organiser which keeps the cables and chargers and accessories all tidy.

Even after 14 years the bag is going strong. It has ample space for everything you would need to carry and can take a real beating.

For work or when or I'm training I invested on my own EMT bag since the ones you get in Pakistan can't carry a C or D Oxygen Bottle

This one is from a Germany company called PAX and is one of the best EMT bags in the market. It's coated with anti bacterial material so you can wipe it with alcohol swabs after jobs to keep it somewhat clean.

The labels inserts for the pouches I made myself by paying a guy that makes car stickers in Rawalpindi.

If any Pakistani readers want EDC get or bags I highly recommend Tactical Gears Islamabad.

TacticalGears.pk

Where Adventure Begins!

tacticalgears.pk

The owner is a very reasonable person, the prices aren't bad either.

Now since we are on the topic of EDCs and bags, I'm going to shamelessly plug my old post here too:

Post in thread 'Civil Protection in War Time'

May 7, 2025

Emergency Grab Bag
If you need to evacuate your home at short notice or need to survive for a length of time without supplies.

Why is this important you say?

A theoretical study in the UK 'Life without lorries‘ study (McKinnon, 2006), considered the effects of a complete shut-down of road haulage in the UK for 1 week, In the study, there was insufficient time for retailers to switch from centralised systems to local sources , so rationing of some foods was necessary after three days. It also found that supplies to many hospitals would break down within 1 day.

In the...

• RescueRanger

• 
• 

 

[VCheng]

I use a hydrastorm from Blackhawk which I purchased at some expense from Fira Defence back in the day.

My routine kit is a cellphone and wallet. It covers most of the situations I face daily.

On long motorcycle trips over inhospitable terrain, the list is far longer, of course, packed individually, keeping in mind the needs of a particular trip: tools, food, water, first aid kit and even extra fuel.

 

[mythbuster]

My routine kit is a cellphone and wallet. It covers most of the situations I face daily.

On long motorcycle trips over inhospitable terrain, the list is far longer, of course, packed individually, keeping in mind the needs of a particular trip: tools, food, water, first aid kit and even extra fuel.

What motorcycle are you riding nowadays?

 

[RescueRanger]

My routine kit is a cellphone and wallet. It covers most of the situations I face daily.

Not even a leatherman?

 

[VCheng]

What motorcycle are you riding nowadays?

The KLR650, and the R1250GSA. I sold the FJR1300 and considering what to get as a replacement, likely a smaller lighter bike for difficult trails.

Not even a leatherman?

Not daily, but on weekends, yes, because then I am usually out and about further afield.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Ain't these styles too hip for an old timer ?

I wasn't always an old timer. The first pack was over 20 years ago for me.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

I use a hydrastorm from Blackhawk which I purchased at some expense from Fira Defence back in the day.

I purchased a simple cable organiser which keeps the cables and chargers and accessories all tidy.

Even after 14 years the bag is going strong. It has ample space for everything you would need to carry and can take a real beating.

For work or when or I'm training I invested on my own EMT bag since the ones you get in Pakistan can't carry a C or D Oxygen Bottle
View attachment 193875
This one is from a Germany company called PAX and is one of the best EMT bags in the market. It's coated with anti bacterial material so you can wipe it with alcohol swabs after jobs to keep it somewhat clean.

The labels inserts for the pouches I made myself by paying a guy that makes car stickers in Rawalpindi.

If any Pakistani readers want EDC get or bags I highly recommend Tactical Gears Islamabad.

TacticalGears.pk

Where Adventure Begins!

tacticalgears.pk

The owner is a very reasonable person, the prices aren't bad either.

Now since we are on the topic of EDCs and bags, I'm going to shamelessly plug my old post here too:

Post in thread 'Civil Protection in War Time'

May 7, 2025

Emergency Grab Bag
If you need to evacuate your home at short notice or need to survive for a length of time without supplies.

Why is this important you say?

A theoretical study in the UK 'Life without lorries‘ study (McKinnon, 2006), considered the effects of a complete shut-down of road haulage in the UK for 1 week, In the study, there was insufficient time for retailers to switch from centralised systems to local sources , so rationing of some foods was necessary after three days. It also found that supplies to many hospitals would break down within 1 day.

In the...

• RescueRanger

• 
• 

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

My routine kit is a cellphone and wallet. It covers most of the situations I face daily.

On long motorcycle trips over inhospitable terrain, the list is far longer, of course, packed individually, keeping in mind the needs of a particular trip: tools, food, water, first aid kit and even extra fuel.

G19s are probably not allowed where you live.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Since my Pakistani brother mentioned Leatherman, the center console of my truck has an older version of this:



Will get a photo later. Contents include:

- old prescription pill bottle filled with cotton from the old prescriptions (fire starter)
- Mag bar with flint for fire starting
- Leatherman; of course
- folded up space blanket
- probably some paracord; don't remember until I fetch it.
- small flashlight
- a few other things

Easy to attach to the belt or the backpack if I need to go to ground somewhere. Sitting next to it, in an Uncle Mike's holster, is the G19 along with 2 extra magazines and an extra box of ammo.

 

[VCheng]

G19s are probably not allowed where you live.

Yup. NYS is bad in this regard, as well as many others.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Yup. NYS is bad in this regard, as well as many others.

Agreed.

I'm in the middle of planning a return to Camp Perry for the first time in 17 years. The route I will be taking is designed to avoid as much as possible those states who are not firearm friendly. Colorado is getting worse. Illinois is horrible.

My secondary route would take me through Arkansas. Getting gas at midnight in Ft. Smith absolutely demands situational awareness, a .45 in one hand with the pump handle in the other and hopefully a friend to watch your six.