As products that are carried and used on a near-daily basis, EDC items need to possess immense strength and durability — areas that are often owed to the use of high-end materials, highly-calculated designs, and stellar craftsmanship. Unsurprisingly, pieces of gear backed by these qualities seldom come cheap. This can make it difficult to find everyday carry items that don’t cost a fortune — and more importantly, don’t skimp on quality. So, while it’s admittedly a tall order, we’ve managed to track down some of the more affordable outliers in the EDC space, hand-selecting a curated list of the best everyday carry gear gifts for under $50.
James° × DDC: Field Notes 3 Pack
The product of a joint effort between graphic designer Aaron Draplin and The James Brand, the James° × DDC: Field Notes 3 Pack consists of a trio of 5.5” x 3.5” 48-page EDC notebooks that are filled with dot grid pattern paper and sandwiched between blacked out covers with embossed TJB and DDC branding.
Chrome Industries Mini Buckle Key Chain
A smaller version of the iconic seatbelt buckle found on the San Francisco brand’s messenger bags, the Chrome Industries Mini Buckle Key Chain is a quick-release item that sports a heavy-duty low profile keyring, a built-in bottle opener, and a solid built-in snap locking mechanism.
Huckberry Weekenders
Produced in ten different color options and sold with an included Huckberry-branded carrying pouch, the Huckberry Weekenders are a classic pair of wayfarer shades that boast scratch-resistant lenses set in heavy-duty plastic frames.
Nitecore TINI2 Ti
Constructed around a titanium alloy body, the Nitecore TINI2 Ti is an ultra-compact yet potent everyday carry flashlight that features five brightness modes, a USB-C-rechargeable 280mAh battery, a 291’ throw, an OLED display, and a maximum output of 500 lumens.
Black Ember Mag-Fold Wallet
Crafted from a hardwearing amalgamation of laser-cut 1,000-denier HYPALON and 500-denier CORDURA re/cor RN66 with an air-textured matte finish, the Black Ember Mag-Fold Wallet is a modern take on a bifold that features a magnetic closure and a design made specifically for Chip + Pin cards.
Dango Ace Pen
Compatible with Schmidt ceramic roller ink refills, the Dango Ace Pen is a rugged writing instrument that sports a milled aerospace-grade 6061 aluminum construction, an anodized finish, a friction-fit cap, and a stainless steel pocket clip.
Timex T18581 Camper Watch
Drawing inspiration from vintage military timepieces, the Timex T18581 Camper is a blacked-out retro-style field watch that comes loaded with a 34mm stainless steel case, luminescent hands and dial markers, a fabric strap, and a quartz movement.
WESN CB
Backed by a lifetime warranty, the WESN CB is a brilliantly-designed “everyday carrybiner” that’s been precision-machined from a solid block of titanium billet, with cut-outs in the construction that allow the carabiner’s gate to flex.
Quiet Carry Shorty Only Key Organizer
Spanning just 2.35” and weighing in at only 1oz, the Quiet Carry Shorty Only Key Organizer features room for one to three keys, 416 stainless steel hardware, and a 6AL 4V titanium body with a bead-blasted finish.
Ontario Knife Company Ti 22
Offering incredible bang-for-your-buck, the Ontario Knife Company Ti 22 is a $50 frame-locking EDC flipper knife that features a blue-anodized titanium handle mated to a 3.25” tanto blade composed of AUS-8 steel.
The Wishlist: Best Everyday Carry Gifts
Want to check out some additional EDC gift options that aren’t confined to below the $50 mark? Then be sure to head over to our guide to the best everyday carry presents for another handpicked selection of top-notch EDC items.
