- keys: very handy for when you need to unlock the door to your apartment. If you add car keys you can also drive somewhere which is very helpful. I use mine pretty much every day
- cellphone: it’s like a multitool with a camera, flashlight and a phone. If it’s a smartphone you can all use it to access internet. Saved my life many times when I was bored and had to look at some videos online or check the news
- wallet: great for carrying cash, ID and credit cards. It’s good to have your ID with you when people ask for your name but you live in a foreign country where no one speaks Polish. You can use cash or credit cards to buy other stuff you need like a bottle opener
For OP and anyone into this thread - If it’s not on lemmy already, there was a dedicated subreddit for this called EDC (every day carry).
What’s a subreddit?
deleted by creator
All right, take your magic internet point.
That’s the one I’ve been using, not the most active but seems decent.
Back to the OP. I carry a Rovyvon A8x flashlight and yubikey on my keychain.
A hardware security key, a knife and some pepper spray is usually what I have, plus my phone but thats a given
Edit: I live in a bad area haha
I didn’t realize that even good areas are bad areas until I was homeless. Got jumped by a preppy-looking frat boy in a nice part of Boston.
Now I carry the knife everywhere because it all feels dangerous to me now.
Damn sorry to hear that. I got mugged when I was going through my photographer phase. Recommend pepper spray since its a lot more effective and gives you distance to run. My knife is more for everyday use in my case
I couldn’t get pepper spray without a license, so I went with the knife.
That law has since changed in MA, and I hope that my telling that story to Elizabeth Warren helped change it.
I was utterly horrified to discover I couldn’t get pepper spray. I couldn’t even keep myself reliably enrolled in Mass Health, as awesome as it was.
No license needed for a knife so I got that instead. Now since a knife can’t actually stop an attack very well, I had to use it as a deterrent.
To do that I had to promise myself I would give anyone who attacked me life altering consequences. Once I had that established, I stopped getting fucked with.
Before I armed myself, after the attack, it was like I had a crack in my aura. Predatory people could smell the fear on me. Had a few weird run-ins that almost turned into fights. One time a guy just put his hand out and stopped me. It was terrifying.
The thing that hurt really bad about the attack was the way the guy stumbled drunkenly away, probably forgetting about me, having zero consequences. So at least I can prevent that from happening again.
What’s a hardware security key?
Its a method of 2fa that uses a physical “key” a yubikey is an example if u wanna search it up
Earplugs
Can’t go anywhere without mine now. Movies, sporting events, bars. Just way too loud without earplugs
I just use my in ear earphones, they work decently well and I’m getting them around anyway.
A tiny keychain tape measure. It’s one of those things you have no idea how much you’ll use until you have one on you all the time.
Looking at something online? How big exactly is it? It says 16.5" but can you picture that in your head somewhat accurately? It’s just easier to pull out your tape measure and see.
I’ve also started carrying around a small flashlight everywhere I go. I have an Imalent LD70 Mini. It’s small enough to fit in my change pocket and it’ll put out a blinding ~4000 lumens on turbo (for about a minute before it gets too hot). I do admit that it’s not the best flashlight ever. It has a ridiculous magnetic proprietary charger that will short on whatever if you leave it plugged in but it does what I need it to do.
A hardware authenticator
Condoms
A usb drive with handy software (and data backups)
- They make belt buckles that double as bottle openers for roadside Topo Chico and tacos, or beer (not roadside, don’t drink and drive).
- I have a tough little metal USB drive with a size A jack on one side, whatever fits my phone on the other, and firmware to be able to plug into said phone.
- Musicians ear plugs in a tough metal keyring pill case.
Swiss Army knife, bottle opener, pocket pen, and most important of all: one of those wavy keys to open toilet paper and paper towel dispensers
A towel.
My kit:
- pocket knife
- flashlight
- wallet
- folding phone stand
- phone
- earbuds
- pen (with a cap, not a clicky)
- sharpie
- breath mints
- 4’ multi-end charging cable
- thumb drive
- lightning > 3.5mm (aux)
- USBC > 3.5mm
- bandaids
- OTC drugs (Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, Benadryl, lactase (I’m lactose intolerant))
Everything on that list was added because I needed it and didn’t have it on multiple occasions. There have been plenty of other things that I would love to carry, but found too bulky to justify.
A note to everyone recommending condoms: they do expire, and can wear through if carried in an environment with friction (wallet, pocket, etc). I prefer to play it safe and make a stop at a drug store should the need arise.
You a fan of cargo shorts?
I actually fit it all in my blue jeans! I have a pocket organizer that holds the small stuff and it all works out spacewise. Heavy though, have to wear a belt to keep everything in place.
This feels less like a pocketable list and more solidly in purse territory. Not that there’s anything wrong with carrying a purse, but I would struggle to fit all this stuff in even my most pocketed cargo shorts.
I have an awesome pocket organizer thing I was gifted that holds all the small stuff. So I’m really only putting like 5 things in my pockets when I’m getting ready to walk out the door.
A variety of Linux live USBs, you never know when you might want to convert someone
With ventoy you only need one.
- Leatherman. I carry a Wave. Got a Gerber and a couple others, but the original (this replaced my 1st gen) is best.
- Pen & notepad. Always having your own pen that is kept full, and some paper to write someone a physical note, is an amazing superpower.
- Face masks. COVID is still a thing, don’t be dumb. Also carry hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes.
- Flashlight. I have a small tube 9-LED that’s usually in there, but also a 1-LED watch battery thing for the keychain, and I’ve got a few more around here. Yes your phone has a flash that can be kept on, but it burns battery, and is often awkward. Having light whenever is magic.
- Switchblade, survival knife, folding knife, etc. Defensive uses, but also heavier utility knife than the Leatherman.
- Pepper spray, derringer, etc. if you live in a dangerous area.
- Survival kit. This is more of a backpack item. Get a tiny survival, first aid, etc. kit, there’s a million uses for having some cord, bandages, shiny foil blanket, etc.
- Cigarette lighter or box of matches. Even if you don’t smoke, being able to make fire is another magic skill. I keep this with the survival kit.
- Headphones, I have slightly-better-than-earbuds tucked in my coat. Noisy annoying people just stop being a problem.
And then my phone, keys, wallet, shades. Yes, I buy clothes with a lot of pockets.
Why are so many people saying “Leatherman” as if it is a common term or globally known brand? Is this my first Lemmy ad?
