From camping to survival and hunting, having compact every day carry (EDC) gear can really change how easily situations in the wilderness can be handled. Things can go from being okay to being dangerous to being life-threatening in a short period. Having the right set of tools for the job will make a world of difference.

Here are some of the best compact EDC items to have on hand for the next outdoor adventure.

Knife

Having a knife means having a tool with hundreds of different uses. Knives can handle a multitude of tasks that many people don’t realize they can handle. A good EDC fixed blade knife can be used to build camp, prepare and start fires, process animals, or deal with any number of unexpected tasks.

Generally speaking, a good fixed blade for EDC will have a 3.5 to 4-inch blade. This will balance leverage, cutting ability, and portability. If there is some camping cooking going on, be sure to wash and clean the EDC fixed blade before cooking with it.

There are a lot of bacteria and contaminants that working knives can be exposed to in the wilderness. The lack of cleaning them before using them to prepare food can cause a number of health issues and infections. And since most outdoor adventures take place away from emergency medical care, it’s better to avoid contaminating the food.

Disposable Lighter

While every hunter and survivalist should be able to build a fire from scratch with nothing but wood, flint, and steel, having a lighter is just easier. Sometimes, building a fire can be the difference between life and death, while other times it just determines if dinner will be cold.

A reliable disposable lighter will last longer than traditional refillable options, will work in multiple environments, and will be easy to replace. Being able to build a fire is absolutely necessary for camp hygiene and will allow for disinfecting water, cooking food, and staying warm in cold weather.

Disposable lighters are one of the more overlooked tools in the survivalist and hunter’s toolset, but once they are needed, they bring an invaluable utility to the situation.

Flashlight

Being able to see or have light is something the average person takes for granted. Having a flashlight on hand will make navigating the world easier since the sun isn’t always available to provide enough light.

Varied lighting conditions can be everything from inconvenient to dangerous. Looking for a missing item in the dark, checking for an injury, or trying to move through rough terrain can all benefit from the use of a flashlight.

Many flashlights are easy to carry, provide enough light, and are easy to maintain with a handful of batteries. Even some of the lower-quality lights will still make a difference in the middle of the night.

Multitool

Having a multitool is like having an abbreviated toolbox that can be carried around. While knives can do a lot, there are numerous specialty tools that do what knives can’t. Whether that is pliers, mini saws, various types of screwdrivers, or even measuring tools, a multitool can have some type of unique utility.

Now, these items are not going to be the most effective version of that tool they are standing in for. Many multitool tools are compromised designs that allow them to be carried around conveniently. A multi-tool with three different screwdriver bits built into it is more convenient than carrying a set of pliers and screwdrivers individually.

Multitools work on the concept of being available and moderately effective. They will never replace a full-sized version of the tools that are built into them, but they will work in a pinch.

Wrist Watch

Keeping track of time is surprisingly important outdoors. Whether it’s keeping track of how long a trail has been followed, determining how much daylight is left, or how long something has been cooking over the campfire, a wristwatch makes timekeeping easier.

While a lot of people rely on their phone to keep track of time, it’s very inconvenient to check that phone from time to time on a hike or a hunt. The ease of just looking at a watch saves time and battery power on a phone.

Wrist watches also help keep phones from being lost, since every time a phone is in the hand or taken out of a pocket, bag, or container, there is a risk of it being dropped, lost, or damaged. Wrist watches are usually securely attached to the wearer and have a much lower risk of being lost and damaged.

Mini-Compass

Navigation has also been handed off to cell phones. However, not every location has cell service, and phones will eventually run out of batteries. Having some means of reliably telling directions can help prevent you from getting lost. This is where a mini compass comes in.

Having a small, conveniently carried and referenced compass will help keep the trails properly oriented without walking in circles. A traditional compass also doesn’t rely on batteries, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power.

Compact Gear for Outdoor Adventures

When you’re spending time in the great outdoors, you need to be ready for anything. Compact EDC gear is vital for everyone from hunters and survivalists to campers and hikers because these items are easier to transport while offering increased safety, efficiency, and preparedness. Be sure to stock up on your EDC gear before you set out on your next adventure.