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We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; high-quality EDC items are seldom cheap, and cheap EDC items are seldom high-quality. As products that need to afford preparedness and utility while simultaneously standing up to the rigors, stresses, and general abuse that comes from daily-carrying and use, top-notch EDC gear typically features robust, built-to-last designs brought to life using modern materials and hardwearing construction techniques. And while these traits unsurprisingly don’t come cheap, there are a handful of genuinely stellar pieces of everyday carry kit that can be picked up for just half a Benjamin or less. So, if you’re shopping for the EDC enthusiast in your life but aren’t looking to break the bank, then fear not, as we’ve put in the legwork for you, scouring the larger everyday carry space and handpicking a curated selection of products for the below guide to the best EDC gifts for under $50.
Article Overview
Leatherman Micra
Punching well above its weight, the Leatherman Micra is a super-compact butterfly-opening multi-tool that weighs in at 1.8oz and spans just 2.5” when closed. Despite its diminutive and thoroughly-pocketable size, the Micra comes armed with a suite of 10 integrated tools and functions including multiple bit drivers, a bottle opener, a 420HC blade, and several other EDC-friendly amenities.
Craighill Victory Key Blank
Offered in Schlage SC1 and Kwikset KW1 versions, the Craighill Victory Key Blank is a characterful take on a standard house-key that measures 2.8” in length. Tipping the scales at only 0.6oz, this playful key blank features a double-sided design that’s been machined from solid brass.
TJB Daily Notebooks
Sporting the Portland-based EDC brand’s signature minimalistic aesthetic, the TJB Daily Notebooks from The James Brand are comprised of a trio of 3.5” x 5.5” everyday carry-specific notebooks each containing 48 pages of dot-grid ruled paper mated to a blacked-out cover using a center-stitch construction.
ATECH Innovation AirTag 5-In-1 Box Cutter Multi-Tool
Clocking in at only 0.7oz, the ATECH Innovation AirTag 5-In-1 Box Cutter Multi-Tool is a compact EDC item that features a rugged stainless steel and ABS AirTag holder that sports a suite of integrated tools and functions including a hex wrench, nail puller, bicycle tool, box cutter, and bottle opener. Best of all, this 5-in-1 item is TSA-compliant/friendly.
Magpul DAKA Bifold Wallet
Offering excellent bang for your buck, the Magpul DAKA Bifold Wallet is a super rugged EDC item that boasts room for cash and up to eight cards. Pieced together using an RF-welded construction, the DAKA Bifold is crafted from a hardwearing, non-hygroscopic, chemical-resistant polymer fabric with an anti-slip texture.
Alpaka HUB Pouch
Cut from insanely-rugged X-Pac VX42 (or X50) sailcloth, the Alpaka Hub Pouch is a modern everyday carry organizer that provides 0.3 liters of fully-weatherproof storage for EDC gear and essentials. Equipped with a main cavity that’s supplemented via an exterior quick-access compartment, the HUB pouch comes outfitted with waterproof YKK AquaGuard zippers fitted with Hypalon pulls.
Zippo 1935 Replica Original
The Zippo lighter has been a bonafide EDC essential for the better part of a century, and while most people are familiar with the American brand’s modern windproof pocket torch, fewer are privy to its original predecessor from 1935, which is now being offered as a replica reissue — putting a unique and historical twist on a tried-and-true EDC gift.
Maratac Domed Strobe Mini Flashlight
Running off of a single AA battery, the Maratac Domed Strobe Mini Flashlight is a compact yet potent, three-mode, 350-lumen EDC torch that features an aircraft-grade aluminum body that’s been fortified via a type III anodized finish and capped off with a rugged polycarbonate dome.
CW&T Pen Type-C
Made in Vermont, the CW&T Pen Type-C is an idiosyncratic EDC-specific writing instrument that features a unique pivoting cartridge deployment mechanism and a design that’s been brought to life using a top-shelf machined grade 5 titanium construction.
Casio Duro
Another EDC item affording tremendous value, the Casio MDV106B — also known simply as the “Casio Duro” — is a 44.2mm stainless steel dive watch that sports a slew of features typically reserved for pricier timepieces such as 200 meters of water resistance, a rotating bezel, a date window, and a lumed handset. The Duro is also offered in several color options including Batman and Pepsi variants.
CIVIVI Mini Elementum Rubbed Brass
Spanning just 4.33” overall, this version of the value-laden CIVIVI Mini Elementum features a frame-locking stainless steel handle with a black hand-rubbed brass scale and a flipper-tab-deployed 1.83” drop point blade crafted from Swedish-made Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel.
