It’s probably pretty difficult to find anyone unfamiliar with the concept of a coral reef. After all, they’re the focus of legions of nature documentaries and have even transcended the scientific and outdoor communities via pop-culture blockbusters like Finding Nemo. And while these vibrant underwater ecosystems are hardly an unknown, understanding what they really are is a different story entirely. You see, reefs are living things — or rather they’re colonies of living things called coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. These structures also serve as home to a myriad of other warm-water creatures ranging from things as small and innocuous as gobies to things as fear-inspiring as sharks. In fact, the health of coral reefs can actually serve as a barometer for the overall health of the ocean. This should perhaps be concerning, as as much as 50% of the world’s reefs have died over the course of the last three decades and there are predictions that say up to 90% could die within the decade. But there is still hope: some corals once thought lost to increasing ocean temperatures have been seen to be growing back as recently as 2019. If we, as a species, can continue to curb our impact on the planet, we may see even more of these corals restored. It’s with this dire struggle in mind that we’ve put together the following everyday carry gear loadout.
Kershaw Ration Spork Multi-Tool
Perfect for the on-the-go adventurer that’s never sure when their next meal is gonna be, the Kershaw Ration combines a spoon, fork, and bottle opener into a single, compact multi-tool that’s small enough to attach to your keychain. In fact, it even comes with its own spring-loaded carabiner clip, so you can attach it to your keys, bag, belt loop, or whatever else. And since it’s made from stainless steel, it’s tough enough for any expedition.
Olight Perun 2 Flashlight
Everyday carry gear is at its best when it has some versatility built into it, which is exactly what you’ll find in the Olight Perun 2 Flashlight. You see, while this 2,500-lumen torch works great as a stash-it-in-your-pocket portable torch, the 90-degree angle of its emitter also means it can be used as a headlamp — for when you want to keep things hands-free. And those are just two of the many features that make this an exceptional pickup.
Benchmade 533 Mini Bugout Knife
Thanks to its ultra-rugged USA-made construction and relative compact silhouette and weight, Benchmade’s Bugout has quickly climbed the ranks to become one of the industry’s favorites. The Mini version you see here, with its CPMS30V steel blade and Grivory handle, has all the same great features but it pares them into an even more EDC-friendly format. That’s aided by the inclusion of its AXIS locking mechanism and the fact that it is backed by Benchmade’s lifetime warranty.
DOXA SUB 300 Carbon Professional Dive Watch
Put simply: DOXA knows how to do dive watches. Just take the SUB 300 Carbon Professional you see here. Made to honor half a decade of production, this version comes with a forged carbon case with a titanium caseback, a Swiss-built automatic movement, and a durable rubber strap. As the name suggests, it’s also good for depths as deep as 300m — meaning you could actually take this bad boy on a dive with you, should you be interested in scuba.
