Gear Haul: 10 Best New EDC Essentials (2026 Guide)

If you’re anything like us, your everyday carry is never really finished. There’s always something new worth testing, always a piece of gear that catches your eye and makes you rethink what’s in your pockets or on your wrist. It’s all part of what makes this hobby so much fun.

And as a small team obsessed with gear that sits at the intersection of form and function, we tend to accumulate a lot of it.

Of course we can’t possibly give everything the deep dive it deserves. And, that’s where these gear haul roundups come in. A quick-hitting look at some of the best (and most interesting) new EDC gear that has crossed our desks the past few months.

Big Idea Design Bolt Action Marker

If you’ve spent any time in the EDC pen space, you already know Big Idea Design. Founded in 2011 out of their very first Kickstarter, the brand has built a serious reputation for CNC-machined titanium writing instruments. Their bolt action pens are a staple in the community. So, the logical next step you ask? A permanent marker given the full BID treatment.

The concept is straightforward. Take the guts of a Sharpie retractable, house them in a fully machined grade 5 titanium body, and deploy the tip with that signature bolt action mechanism. 

No cap to lose, no tip drying out in your pocket. What’s clever here is that unlike their pens, this one isn’t spring-driven. BID went with a dual-magnet system where one magnet holds the refill in place and the other locks the bolt in the closed position. For a marker you really don’t want accidentally deploying in your pocket, it’s a smart solution.

At 5.56 inches long and half an inch in diameter, it’s nearly identical in size to a standard Sharpie, so the form factor feels immediately familiar. Refills are DIY. Pull the insert from a retail Sharpie retractable with a pair of pliers, pop on the included magnetic cap, and slide it in. 

And with compatibility across 20 different Sharpie retractable inserts, 12 marker colors and 8 highlighters, you’re not locked into just black.

At $120 it’s certainly not cheap for a marker, but if you burn through Sharpies on job sites or in the shop, this is a buy-it-once solution backed by BID’s lifetime warranty.

The James Brand Elko

Portland’s The James Brand has been making some of the cleanest minimalist EDC since 2012, and the Elko has always been a defining piece of that story. It was one of the first products they ever made, and it’s one of our favorite keychain knives in the space. So when we heard it was coming back with a full redesign, we were excited to get our hands on it.

This new version keeps the same compact DNA but refines just about everything else. The handle is sleeker, the grip pattern has been reworked with a tighter knurled texture across the 6061 aluminum scales, and the overall proportions feel more dialed in than the previous generation. 

It’s still a non-locking slip joint with a machined nail slot for deployment, so this isn’t trying to replace your primary folder. But that 1.6-inch Sandvik 12C27 blade has real substance to it. No flex, clean cutting geometry, and it arrives pretty sharp out of the box.

The integrated All Things scraper and pry tool on the tail end adds some nice Swiss Army Knife-esque versatility, handling package opening, flathead screws, and the occasional bottle cap. And the way the ergonomics work, you can grip your keys in your palm while using the Elko, which gives you extra leverage and keeps the keyring out of the way. Small detail, but it makes a noticeable difference in use.

Each one ships with a titanium keyring, and the Black Fire colorway we have here pairs black Cerakote hardware with gold-tone accents that look sharp against those dark aluminum scales.

Timex Atelier Marine M1A

Timex pushing past the $1,000 mark is going to raise some eyebrows, and honestly, it should. This is a brand most of us associate with $50 Weekenders and Ironmans. But Timex Atelier is a different animal entirely. 

Led by longtime Timex Group Creative Director Giorgio Galli, the sub-brand is the evolution of the well-received Giorgio Galli S1 and S2 collections, now with full Swiss production and a clear mission to compete with the likes of Hamilton and Tissot. The Marine M1A is its flagship, and after wearing this watch the past few months, we have to see, we really like it.

The case measures 41mm wide, 13mm thick, with a 47mm lug-to-lug, though Timex is being a little generous with that 41mm number. The actual case without the bezel sits closer to 39.7mm, which means it wears more like a 40 on wrist, seen here on our wearer’s 6.75” for reference.

The skeletonized lug architecture is the standout design element here, with a black IP-coated mid-case visible through the cutouts that visually slims the profile and gives the watch a layered, modern feel. It’s a Galli signature that traces back to his work in the mid-90s, and it really sets this apart from the sea of Submariner-inspired divers in this price range.

That black enamel dial is deep and glossy, with applied indices and polished Dauphine hands all filled with Swiss Luminova. No date, which is fine as a design choice. But, it is worth noting that the crown still has a ghost date position that doesn’t do anything, a quirk of the Catena movement that feels like an odd oversight on a watch north of $1,000. 

The unidirectional ceramic bezel has a satisfying click action, the double-curved sapphire crystal has triple-layer AR coating, and a screw-down crown gives you 200m of water resistance.

Inside is that aforementioned Swiss Catena SA 100 automatic, beating at 28,800 vph with 29 jewels and a 36-hour power reserve. It’s not a household name, and the community has had plenty to say about it. That said, we haven’t had any issues during our time with the watch.

The NBR rubber strap with deployant clasp is really comfortable and features quick-release spring bars for easy swaps. 

Look, at $1,050, this is absolutely a polarizing watch. But in hand and on wrist, it punches well above what most people expect from something that says Timex on the dial. And, we’ll have a full standalone review coming soon with a much deeper dive.

Nothing (4a) Pro

We don’t normally cover phones on these gear roundups as there’s just too much to cover, but Nothing has earned a permanent spot on our radar. The London-based brand has been making waves on the tech scene, and the Phone (4a) Pro continues that momentum.

The big design shift here is the move to a full aluminum unibody at just 7.95mm thick, making it the slimmest full-metal Nothing phone to date. It feels noticeably more premium than previous models. 

The signature transparency hasn’t disappeared entirely though. It’s been concentrated into a tinted window around the camera plate that houses the upgraded Glyph Matrix, now with 137 mini-LEDs covering a 57% larger area at 3,000 nits of brightness. 

And yes, some of the Glyph functions are admittedly a bit gimmicky, but customizable notification patterns for specific contacts and the flip-to-glyph features are really useful for reducing screen time – which is part of Nothing’s effort here.

The camera system is where this phone really punches above its weight class. A triple camera setup with a 50MP periscope telephoto lens offering 3.5x optical zoom, something neither the Pixel 10 nor the iPhone 17e can match at this price. 

The 6.83-inch AMOLED display runs at 144Hz with 5,000 nits peak brightness, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 handles gaming without breaking a sweat, and the 5,080 mAh battery supports 50W wired charging. 

However, there is no wireless charging, which is definitely worth noting, but at $499, you’re still getting a lot of phone.

Fisher Astronaut Space Pen NASA Artemis II

Few writing instruments carry the kind of resume the Fisher AG7 does. Since Apollo 7 in 1968, a Fisher Space Pen has been aboard every single crewed NASA mission. Every one. Neil Armstrong carried one to the moon. 

And now, with NASA’s Artemis II mission marking humanity’s first crewed return to the lunar vicinity in nearly 60 years, Fisher is celebrating with a limited edition that we were stoked to add to the collection.

The Artemis II edition builds on the same AG7 foundation that’s been virtually unchanged for over 50 years. Same 5.06-inch length, same 0.37-inch diameter, same clicker deployment with the side-mounted quick-release button. 

Inside, it runs the pressurized PR4 cartridge that writes upside down, underwater, in extreme temperatures, and in zero gravity. And it’s compatible with any PR refill, so you’re never locked into one ink option.

Obviously, where this limited edition diverges is in the finish. The original AG7 is chrome-plated brass. And this one swaps that for a blue titanium nitride plating that’s both harder wearing and visually, really well done, with engraved trajectory graphics inspired by Artemis orbital patterns running along the barrel. 

It’s a departure from the original’s iconic circular grip pattern at the tip, going for a sleeker, more directional look instead. Whether you prefer it over the classic chrome is a matter of taste, but in hand it’s a striking pen.

Only 350 were made worldwide, and at $120, it’s certainly a premium over the standard AG7, but for a limited run celebrating what might be the most significant space mission of our generation, that feels more than fair. 

Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema

Fujifilm has been quietly dominating the instant camera space for years, and the Instax Mini Evo Cinema might be the most ambitious thing they’ve done with the platform yet. 

What we have here is really three devices in one: a hybrid instant camera, a smartphone photo printer, and a vertical video camera styled after a classic 8mm film camera. The form factor alone turns heads and had things thing going viral once it dropped. 

With the included grip attachment and viewfinder, the thing looks like it could’ve been pulled from a 1970s film set.

The standout feature here is what Fujifilm calls the Gen Dial. It’s a physical decade selector on the side of the camera that lets you cycle through 10 era-specific visual effects, from the grainy warmth of the 1930s all the way to the polished look of the 2020s. 

Each era comes with its own color grading, noise characteristics, and even sound effects. Pair that with the Degree Control Dial, which gives you 10 intensity variations per era, and you’re looking at 100 unique shooting combinations before you even get into the frame overlays. It’s…well it’s a lot.

On the video side, you can shoot clips up to 15 seconds at a time, and the camera stitches them together automatically. Print a still from your video and it comes out as an Instax Mini photo with a QR code that links to the video itself, stored in Fujifilm’s cloud for two years. It’s a clever way to make a physical print interactive.

Now, $410 is real money for what is, at its core, a 5-megapixel camera with a tiny LCD screen. Battery life has been a common complaint in early reviews, and there’s far too much going on with this camera to fully unpack in a roundup like this. 

But as a conversation starter, a creative tool, and something that gets people off their phones and actually printing photos again, the Evo Cinema is unlike anything we’ve seen in the Instax lineup.

Aulumu M10 Power Bank

Aulumu has carved out a niche making MagSafe accessories with this distinct retro-futuristic, almost cyberpunk-inspired design language. Everything they make looks like a prop from a sci-fi film, and the M10, their first proper power bank, is no exception. It’s easily one of the coolest looking portable chargers we’ve come across.

And the spec sheet is pretty solid for the price. 10,000mAh capacity, 35W USB-C PD for both input and output, 15W MagSafe wireless charging via Qi2, and a built-in Apple Watch charging pad at 2.5W. That makes it a legitimate 3-in-1, capable of topping off your phone, watch, and earbuds simultaneously. 

It is worth noting though: when multiple devices are charging at once, total output caps at 15W, so everything slows down a bit. Single device wired charging is where the speed really shines.

The build itself is textured anodized aluminum with semi-transparent accents along the sides and ribbed edges that add some grip. At 8.75oz, it’s roughly the weight of an iPhone.

The built-in USB-C cable doubles as a lanyard, which is a clever touch that eliminates the need to carry an extra cord.And a pixelated LED battery indicator and a cool breathing light strip round out the design details.

Aulumu also built in an active cooling system with dual-sided heat dissipation vents, which keeps charging temps stable during longer sessions. And it’s both TSA friendly and FCC certified, so travel shouldn’t be an issue.

Benchmade Bugout Taiga Green Grivory

Benchmade’s Bugout has been in our rotation for years. It’s one of those knives we recommend constantly, and for good reason. At 1.85oz, it practically disappears in your pocket, the AXIS lock is ambidextrous and super reliable, and the overall package just works for daily carry without any fuss. So when Benchmade drops a new seasonal colorway, we pay attention.

This Taiga Green variant pairs deep green Grivory scales with a McMillan Tan Cerakote blade and burnt copper barrel spacers and thumb studs. The color combination reads distinctly outdoor-inspired, almost military adjacent, and it’s one of the best-looking Bugout configurations Benchmade has put out in a while. 

Benchmade also swapped in Elmax stainless powder steel running at 59-61 HR. Elmax offers strong edge retention, solid corrosion resistance, and it’s still easy enough to sharpen at home. 

Specs are classic Bugout: 3.2-inch drop-point blade, 4.22″ closed, 0.09-inch blade thickness, and a mini deep carry clip that can be configured for left or right hand carry. And of course, it’s made in Oregon City.

This is a seasonal release, so it won’t be around forever. And for us, that was a strong excuse to pull the trigger.

OhSnap Snap Grip Wallet

The MagSafe wallet space is crowded. Apple has one, PopSocket has one, and there are dozens of generic options floating around Amazon. Long story short, it takes a lot for MagSafe wallet to stand out. The OhSnap Snap Grip Wallet tries to be a wallet, a phone grip, and a kickstand all at once, and for the most part, it pulls it off.

The body is machined from aluminum with beveled edges and clean lines. There’s no visible screws or hardware. At 7.8mm thick when closed, it sits surprisingly flush against the back of your phone. 

Capacity tops out at 8 non-embossed cards, though realistically 4 to 6 is the sweet spot with standard credit cards. A thumb slot on the front lets you push the stack up and fan them out for selection. It works, but if you’re loading it up near capacity, things can get tight and fiddly at checkout. You do need to pull the wallet off your phone to access cards, which is standard for MagSafe wallets but still worth mentioning.

The rotating grip on the back is the real differentiator. It works like a PopSocket but with 360-degree rotation, single or two-finger grip options, and built-in notches that convert it into a multi-angle kickstand. 

And when you’re done, it folds completely flat and locks down magnetically. OhSnap also built a dual-magnet system into the wallet, so the outer face is magnetic too. That means you can mount your phone to a car dash, fridge, or locker without removing the wallet first.

We will say that the MagSafe hold is adequate but not the strongest we’ve tested. It won’t fly off during normal use, but it’s not quite as confident as Apple’s own wallet. And MagSafe charging is blocked, so you’ll need to pop it off when it’s time to charge.

AER Day Sling 4

If you’ve followed our bag coverage at all, you know we’re big Aer fans. The Day Sling 3 was one of our favorite EDC slings, and one we’ve recommended quite a bit. 

So when Aer dropped the fourth generation with a handful of meaningful tweaks, we were curious to see if they’d actually improve on a formula that was already working really well.

The exterior is classic Aer. 1680D CORDURA ballistic nylon with bluesign certification, YKK zippers, Hypalon pulls, and Duraflex hardware throughout. 

At 9.5″ x 6″ x 3″ and 2.5L, it’s actually a touch smaller than the Day Sling 3’s 3-liter capacity. On paper, that sounds like a downgrade. But in practice, the internal layout feels so much better organized that usable space actually feels pretty comparable.

The main compartment opens wide via dual zippers, giving you full visibility without things threatening to spill out. Inside, you get a raised mesh pocket on the front wall, two stretchy slip pockets on the back, and a padded sleeve that fits tablets up to 8.3″. There’s also a hidden AirTag pocket and a removable, repositionable key leash, which is a nice touch for people who like to customize their setup. 

The quick-access front pocket now features diagonally positioned drop-in organizers with deeper pockets than the Day Sling 3. It takes a minute to get used to the new layout, but once you do, it definitely feels like an improvement. And in typical Aer fashion, there’s a passport-sized hidden compartment on the backside of the bag.

This base CORDURA version uses a Duraflex side-release buckle, which is chunkier than what some might prefer but sits comfortably when pairing the sling with a travel backpack. And if you want the Fidlock magnetic buckle, you’ll need to step up to the X-Pac or Ultra variants.

The closed-loop harness system keeps excess strap tucked away cleanly, and the seatbelt-style webbing is comfortable even without padding. Fans of the brand will also notice the grab handle from the Day Sling 3 is gone, which is a bit of a miss for us. 

So while we’re still undecided on whether we prefer this newer version over the Day Sling 3, there’s no debate that the Day Sling 4 remains one of the most well-built, thoughtfully organized everyday slings you can buy.

Gear Haul: The Best New EDC Essentials (November 2025 Guide)

If you love these kinds of grab-bags, check out our previous guide to the best new gear we received.