I used to be a backpack addict, and I still feel naked without one, but I’ve cut way down on the buying and researching.
Now the term EDC is in many ways very thinned out in the EDC-/IKC, where most rotate their gear pretty regularly, but my EDC backpack is REALLY an EDC item for me. I bring it with me everyday unless there is something out of the ordinary that requires specific preparations.
It’s not designed as a GHB, but it would still be an advantageous asset to have in such a situation. The climate here is quite unstable and can be unpleasant at times, so I always carry a rain-shell, wool hat, gloves and such, that can serve as reinforcement in case the weather turns sour and the clothing that was appropriate in the morning is no longer sufficient. Given that there are no obvious threats where I live, my office is less than a 15km walk from home and the fact that I have some gear stashed in my car as well as a gym locker and a PPE locker at work, stuffed with PPE, gym clothes, spare clothes etc, I don’t see any reason to carry a lot of extra gear that (hopefully) never gets used, in order to rig my daypack as a GHB
The backpack itself is a Goruck GR1, which isn’t a very original choice in this community, but still a somewhat peculiar choice for me. My background is very much from outdoor and hunting, and only since about 2016 did I even know the term EDC or own a folding knife. Yeah, imagine that :)
I have until quite recently been working as a field engineer and traveled around the world on a regular basis, really putting my “EDC” backpacks through the hoops. My outdoor experience led me to trusted outdoor brands like: Norrøna, Osprey and Arc’Teryx, but they all left me wanting..
A few years back I was able to pick up a used US made GR1 at a reasonable price, and low and behold, it’s the best EDC backpack I’ve ever used. I’m not at all in the tactical camp, and while the GR1 is almost stepping into that domain, I think it strikes a nice balance of being very neutral in appearance while still being plenty tough, durable and comfortable.
Many of you are probably already aware of my bias toward small EDC folders and minimalistic approach to EDC. And my on body EDC can probably come across as quite incapable of doing any meaningful work. That's more or less by design. Since I (almost) always have my backpack near by, the stuff that goes in my pockets are more for convenience than capability.
<A typical minimal pocket carry, mini prybar carried inside wallet. Sorry for the BM instead of Spyderco , used old archive photos to save time>
Those who are familiar with the Goruck GR1 knows that there are a few compartments, so I'll just go through the organization briefly.
Top pocket Inside of lid - Quick access items used with some regularity:
-El-cabinet access key
-Benchmade rescue hook with spare cash strapped to the sheath
-Postal stamps (facing retirement when used up as we have moved on to digital stamps)
-small pouch with in-ear ear buds and lightning to 3.5mm adapter
-metal container with ear plugs
-small padlock for the gym, airports or wherever I might need to safely store something for a while
-small selection of regularly used pen, pencil and markers
-GITD zipper pull that came with the bag
Bottom pocket inside lid - hygiene items mostly:
-hand sanitizer
-tooth picks / floss
-eye drops
-lip balm
-hand cream
-backup watch
Front pocket - quick access items used with high regularity or in meetings/situations where I want to access them discreetly:
-Pouch with all the cables I tend to need
-Bluetooth mouse
-Key chain w/ keys, USB storage, USB SW dongle, compact bit driver, small small pry bar, Prometheus QD (house and post box keys w/ QD removed for my safety). All titanium hardware
-Work site access card (not pictured)
-Laptop power supply (in use, so also not pictured)
Main compartment:
-Rain jacket
-Rain pants
-Leather gloves
-Thin wool hat
-Thin wool neck gaiter
-Water bottle
-Small pouch w/ self contained power system (power pank, USB wall adapter, lightning cable, microUSB cable, microUSB to USB C adp)
-Molle compatible straps so I can attach larger items externally if larger capacity is temporarily needed, or carrying dirty/wet items that I don't want inside my bag
-Multitool attached to internal molle
-Flashlight attached to internal molle
-bit driver attached to internal molle
-bit kit attached to internal molle (Stanley 30 pcs, not i pic)
-sometimes a larger folder or fixed blade attached to the internal molle, but knife laws are a pain, so only in safe areas or when clearly justified
-Lots of free space to carry whatever else I would need to carry on any specific day.
PC compartment:
-Laptop or iPad Pro
-Note book
Besides this bag, I have a gym bag and a bike/hike backpack that I also use with some regularly for EDC - it just depends what I'm doing that day and how I travel/commute. I might post a rundown of those as well. Some day. Travel, hiking, hunting, backpacking and such, are obviously different than this in mindsets and requirements and not the scope of this backpack.