Gear Haul: The 9 Best New EDC Essentials (August 2025 Guide)

The stream of packages hitting our office never slows down — and honestly, we’re not complaining. As a team that lives and breathes EDC, we’ve created a bit of a reputation that keeps our delivery notifications constantly pinging.

Every week brings fresh gear from brands pushing boundaries, refining classics, or doing something completely unexpected. Most of it deserves coverage, but the reality is we can’t deep-dive into everything that crosses our threshold, no matter how much it intrigues us.

That’s exactly why we created this monthly roundup — our chance to spotlight the standout pieces that made us stop mid-unboxing and immediately start testing. These are the items that earned a permanent spot in our daily rotation, sparked debates among the team, or simply made us appreciate when form and function come together perfectly.

Let’s dig into the best EDC gear that landed on our desks this month, covering everything from American knife innovation to thousand-dollar statement wallets. No filter, just honest takes on what’s worth your attention.

How We Tested

Sorting through the new gear we’ve received this month, we selected our favorites specifically for this guide, trying not to double up on any one category as much as possible (with the exception of knives). We tested each item by using them exactly as they were intended to be used, paying attention to what makes them fresh and unique compared to others in their space. As always, these guides are a lot of fun to put together. Check out our thoughts below.

Benchmade Lowden 491

After decades of perfecting their iconic AXIS lock mechanism, Benchmade’s Oregon shop is finally diving headfirst into flipper territory with the Lowden 491. This marks a significant departure for the brand that built its reputation on thumb studs and assisted opening systems.

The timing couldn’t be better. While other manufacturers have been churning out flippers for years, Benchmade took their time to engineer something distinctly theirs — adapting their proven AXIS lock to work seamlessly with flipper deployment. The result is what they’re calling their “most fidgety” knife yet, and honestly, we can see why.

The 2.79″ spear-point blade uses M390 steel running at 58-61 HRC, delivering the kind of edge retention you’d expect from premium European steel. That Crater Blue anodized aluminum handle isn’t just eye-catching — the 6061-T6 construction keeps the entire package at a reasonable 2.99oz while the milled scales provide genuine grip security.

What sets the Lowden apart is the attention to small details. Those FDE PVD accents on the lock bar, pivot, and deep-carry clip create visual interest without going overboard. At 4.05″ closed, it hits that sweet spot for pocket carry without feeling cramped in hand when deployed to its full 6.81″ length.

Set to release August 26, the $320 price point puts it squarely in premium territory, but you’re paying for American manufacturing precision and that lifetime LifeSharp guarantee. For Benchmade collectors who’ve been waiting for the brand to tackle flippers seriously, this one’s worth the wait.

Nitecore EDC37 Flashlight

The flashlight forums have been absolutely obsessed with this thing all year. Every leaked spec, every blurry photo from trade shows, every hint from Nitecore about their “flagship EDC project” — the hype around the EDC37 has been building for months. We’ve been lucky enough to carry one since the early testing phases, and the community speculation was pretty much on target.

This is Nitecore’s answer to everyone asking “what comes after the EDC27?” The EDC37 cranks everything up: 8,000 lumens from dual NiteLab UHi 20 MAX LEDs, an 8,000mAh built-in battery, and enough throw to light up targets 420m away. At 4.25″ x 1.55″ x 1.22″ and 7.02oz, it’s definitely heftier than keychain lights, but still manageable for serious pocket carry.

The dual-mode system is what makes daily use practical. Search mode delivers 3,000 lumens with that impressive throw for distance work, while Lumin Shield mode creates a wall of light designed to overwhelm whatever’s in front of you. The OLED display tracks battery percentage and runtime in real-time — no more guessing when you’ll need to charge.

That 18W USB-C fast charging means about two hours from empty to full, addressing the power demands these LEDs create. Yes, turbo modes step down due to thermal management, but sustained 8,000-lumen output would require a much larger package.

After months of daily testing, this has become our benchmark for what’s possible in tactical EDC lighting. The hype was justified — Nitecore delivered their most capable flashlight yet.

The James Brand Madison Carabiner

The James Brand’s Portland design team faced an interesting challenge: How do you improve on the Mehlville, their best-selling carabiner that we’ve recommended countless times? Turns out the answer was making it smaller without losing what made the original work so well.

The Madison strips away the Mehlville’s integrated bottle opener and reduces the overall footprint while keeping that signature dual-compartment design that prevents your keys from falling out when you’re attaching or removing the carabiner from a belt loop. It’s a problem most people don’t think about until it happens to them in a parking lot at night.

At 2.8″ x 1.2″ x 0.4″ and weighing just half an ounce, the Madison is machined from 6063-T5 aluminum for that high strength-to-weight ratio that makes James Brand gear worth the investment. The key design win here is the single belt loop width — this thing hangs perfectly straight with no side-to-side rocking that drives us crazy with wider carabiners.

The faceted design language carries over from the Mehlville but in a more refined, minimal package. That spring latch mechanism feels solid and secure, while the center-weighted carry keeps everything balanced on your belt.

For forty-nine bucks, you’re getting thoughtful Portland engineering that solves real daily carry problems. It’s the kind of piece that makes you wonder why other manufacturers overcomplicate what should be simple utility. Sometimes the best evolution is just getting the proportions right.

Aer Street Sling

After years of perfecting horizontal slings and backpacks, San Francisco’s Aer decided to try something different with their first-ever vertical sling. The Street Sling represents a departure from their usual crossbody designs, opting for a more relaxed, side-hanging approach that’s polarizing among the EDC crowd.

At 8″ x 5.5″ x 3″ and weighing 0.6lbs, this 2.4-liter pouch packs Aer’s signature build quality into a smaller package. That means 1680D CORDURA ballistic nylon, YKK zippers, and Duraflex hardware — the same materials they use on bags three times the size. It’s probably overkill for something this compact, but that’s classic Aer.

The vertical orientation creates surprisingly usable interior space. Instead of stacking items on top of each other like most small slings force you to do, the Street Sling’s wide opening and floor space lets gear sit side by side. The main compartment includes dedicated pockets for wallet, pen, AirPods, and a Kindle, while the back slip pocket handles phone storage against your body.

That prominent FIDLOCK magnetic buckle on the front flap feels more aesthetic than functional, but it works smoothly and includes a built-in key leash positioned exactly where you’d want it. The narrow strap and gatekeeper clips make this thing easy to grab and go, though it definitely prefers hanging low rather than sitting snug across your chest.

For sixty-nine bucks, you’re getting Aer’s thoughtful organization and bombproof construction in a form factor they’ve never attempted before.

Nothing Headphone 1

Nothing’s Carl Pei has been methodically building his London-based company’s audio reputation since 2021, starting with those transparent earbuds that caught everyone’s attention. The Headphone (1) marks their first venture into over-ear territory, and honestly, they look like nothing else on the market.

Those square aluminum frames topped with transparent plastic aren’t just for show — though they definitely turn heads walking down the street. Underneath, you’re getting 40mm drivers tuned in partnership with KEF, the British audio company with 60+ years of heritage. That collaboration shows in the sound quality, even if the default tuning leans dark and requires some EQ tweaking to shine.

What sets these apart from Sony, Bose, and Apple’s offerings is practical stuff like IP52 water resistance — something virtually unheard of in premium over-ears. You can actually wear these to the gym without worry. The physical controls are refreshing too: a tactile volume roller and paddle switch that clicks satisfyingly instead of finicky touch surfaces.

Battery life hits 35 hours with ANC on, easily outpacing the competition. The Nothing X app includes an 8-band EQ with adjustable Q factors — the kind of control you’d expect from dedicated audio software, not a headphone app. Memory foam cushions and thoughtful weight distribution make them comfortable for long sessions.

At $299, they’re priced to compete directly with the established players while offering something genuinely different. Just be prepared to spend time with that EQ to get them sounding their best.

Doxa Sub 250 GMT

It took Doxa nearly two decades to bring back a GMT complication to their Sub lineup, but the wait was worth it. The Sub 250T GMT launched in April with nine dial variants, and we’ve been wearing the Sharkhunter pretty much daily throughout LA’s summer heat — it’s become our go-to GADA piece.

At 40mm diameter with a compact 42.9mm lug-to-lug and 10.85mm thickness, this thing wears perfectly on most wrists. The classic C-case design feels substantial but light, maintaining that tool-like quality Doxa divers are known for. The 250-meter water resistance and screw-down crown mean you can actually dive with it, though most of us desk divers will appreciate how it slides under shirt sleeves.

The Swiss automatic movement runs at 28,800 bph with 50 hours of power reserve, driving a skeletonized GMT hand that tracks a second time zone via the bi-color 24-hour rehaut. It’s a caller GMT setup, so the main hour hand jumps in one-hour increments for quick local time changes. The GMT hand is intentionally subtle — some might call it nearly invisible — but that maintains the clean dive watch aesthetic.

Nine colorways launched simultaneously, from the classic orange Professional to this menacing black Sharkhunter. The beads-of-rice bracelet adds €40 but feels worth it for the retro dive vibes. At $2,450, you’re getting legitimate Swiss dive watch heritage with modern GMT functionality. After months of daily wear, it’s proven itself as both a capable tool and a conversation starter.

Leatherman Glider

Leatherman has owned the multi-tool game for so long that watching them pivot into dedicated knives feels like seeing a Formula 1 team announce they’re building motorcycles. The Portland-based company basically invented modern multi-tools with the Wave (still the GOAT, fight us), but the Glider represents their serious attempt to become actual knife competition for brands like Benchmade.

At 3.7oz and 4.3″ closed, the Glider uses just 12 components to create something that feels more boutique than industrial. That 3″ sheepsfoot blade is MagnaCut steel running 60-63 HRC — which is a pretty wide range that makes us wonder about consistency — but it’s the same premium steel you’d find in knives costing significantly more.

The real innovation here is Leatherman’s patent-pending Compression Wedge Lock, combining button lock convenience with compression lock strength. Those 416 stainless steel scales are internally machined to optimize weight and balance, while the Cerakote finish adds durability (though it scuffs easier than we’d expect at this price point).

Here’s the thing: At $300, Leatherman is putting Benchmade on notice with American manufacturing and materials that punch above their weight. But they’re also asking premium money for what’s essentially their first serious knife effort. The lanyard bead doubles as a bit driver — classic Leatherman thinking — but we’re curious to see if their multi-tool dominance translates to the knife world. Early signs are promising, but the price point feels ambitious for a company still proving itself in folders.

Karas Basik.001 Rollerball Bolt Action Pen

After 13 years of building premium machined pens, Karas has done something unexpected — they’ve launched a sub-brand specifically to make quality American manufacturing accessible. The Basik.001 represents their Mesa, Arizona shop’s attempt to democratize what’s typically been a boutique market dominated by $100+ pens.

At just $29, this bolt-action rollerball uses the same 6061-T aluminum and CNC precision as their main line, but strips away complexity to focus purely on function. The single-piece body design eliminates traditional upper/lower construction, reducing manufacturing time while maintaining durability. That slightly wider 0.46″ diameter actually works in their favor — it’s closer to standard aluminum stock, eliminating custom material costs.

The “checkmark” J-slot deployment feels familiar if you’ve used other Karas pens, but the black Delrin piston creates smoother action than we expected at this price point. Five chamfered grip rings provide tactile feedback while speeding up machining passes. The hand-removable side button means refill swaps require zero tools.

Pilot G2 compatibility was a smart choice — you can find refills anywhere from Target to specialty shops. That raw aluminum finish with fine machined rings will patina over time, but that’s part of the charm.

Karas is essentially asking: why should quality American machining cost $100+ when streamlined manufacturing can deliver the same durability for thirty bucks? Based on early testing, it’s a compelling argument that could reshape expectations in the machined pen space.

EVERMADE Uniques Brass Wave Limited Edition

When Aviator launched their Evermade sub-brand earlier this year with a $3,000 collector’s piece, we figured they’d lost their minds. The Brass Wave wallet brings that same energy at a “more accessible” price point — though we’re using that term pretty loosely here.

Limited to 500 numbered pieces, this thing weighs 6.45oz of solid brass and takes over 10 hours to manufacture in their Bavarian workshop. The Seigaiha wave pattern isn’t just decorative — it’s hand-engraved into every surface, requiring 10.2m (~33.5ft) of total engraving work per wallet. That’s not a typo.

Each component is CNC-milled from solid brass blocks, including the coin compartment that gets its own unique serial number. The stonewashed finish takes three hours alone, while the polishing adds another three. You can carry up to 20 cards using their pull-strap system, plus cash and coins, all while the brass develops its own patina over time.

Look, we’ve covered plenty of premium wallets, but this crosses into territory most people will never see. The detail work is undeniable — from the precision milling to the Japanese-inspired wave motifs — but we’re talking about more money than most people spend on their entire EDC setup.

Is it functional? Absolutely. Is it a statement piece that screams “I have arrived”? Without question. At over a grand, the Brass Wave isn’t just a wallet — it’s wearable art for people who want everyone to know they can afford wearable art.

Tested: The Best Brass EDC Essentials

If you love everyday carry gear as much as we do, you’ll love our latest guide to the best brass EDC essentials on the market.