What is a Travel 5-4-3-2-1 EDC?
EDC stands for EveryDay Carry, and it's the minimum set of items you carry to feel prepared for every day. My Travel flight EDC is the minimum set of items I carry to feel prepared for every trip; whether taking the pup out for a walk or taking a long-haul international flight.
Level 1 EDC
(📱) Ideally, I would only go outside for fresh air with this EDC, but if I'm in a country or region that supports Apple Pay, the phone may be all I need until Level 3 EDC.
1. Phone
I’m still rocking the 128GB iPhone 11 in white. I plan to upgrade to the 15 pro max model, (after I pay off my M2 MBA) because I want to document my travels so a good picture/video quality on my phone is essential.
Level 2 EDC
(🔑💳) I'm probably out walking the dog, I like wearing leggings and an oversized hoodie so I might get stopped by an officer and need to show ID even though I'm humming"🎵don't be suspicious, don't be suspicious".
2. Keys
3. Wallet
I have my ID, a credit card, a debit card, an insurance card, and a thirst trap Polaroid in mine. What's in your wallet?
Level 3 EDC
(😷🧼🖊️) quick car/train ride
4. Mask
Crowds make me nervous so I still like to carry a Matador Keychain Mask, even if I’m not required to wear it anymore.
5. Hand sanitizer
Even before the ‘Rona I always had some nearby. I keep a bottle in my car, gym bag, and computer bag, and before WFH (work from home), I used to keep a bottle in my corporate cell cubical.
6. Pen
The Fisher Bullet Space Pen writes at any angle, even in Zero Gravity. Although I'm not sure when I'd need to write upside down or in zero-g but knowing I can is good enough for me.
Level 4 EDC
(⌚️🎧🔋🔦) short flights/day trips
7. Smartwatch/smart ring
It took 5 (almost 6) iterations of the Apple watch before I broke down and bought the Apple Watch Series-4 40MM in space gray. I’m always learning about fun new features it can do in addition to keeping track of time, so far I’ve discovered:
- It can display my boarding pass after adding it to the Apple Wallet app
- If the phone rings in another room, I can still answer the call via the watch
- It unlocks my MBA by proximity
- If I misplace my phone, I can make the phone beep via the watch
- I can use it as a picture monitor and remote photo clicker
- If I pull up maps on my phone, the watch will direct me without me looking at the phone
- It reminds me to stand up and take a breather throughout the day
- I can change the watch face and band as often as I want to match my mood
8. Headphones (noise-canceling)
I have to have my Sony - WH-1000XM3 noise-canceling headphones on the plane but for everything else the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen works great.
11. Power bank & cable
I use the Nitecore NB10000 paired with inCharge X - 100W, 6in1 emergency keyring cable. At first, I thought they both were a bit pricy but they've saved my bacon enough times to earn their keep.
10. Flashlight
I use the OLIGHT IMINI 2 keychain flashlight because it's tiny, rechargeable, and magnetic. 50 Lumens is good enough to find anything I might drop in the dark on the plane.
Level 5 EDC
(🛂⛑️👾🎒🤧) long flights/overnight trips
11. Passport
12. First Aid Kit
The absolute essentials required to reduce pain, clean, sterilize, and protect. 😏
- Pain/fever reducer
- Alcohol wipes
- Topical antibiotic
- Adhesive bandages
- Flex Disc (a disposable eco-friendly ♻️ plant-based period disc)
- Condoms
because “Some people have made mistakes … and some mistakes have made people.” ― Mokokoma Mokhonoana
13. Handkerchief
14. Packable bag
Weighing a mere 0.72 oz, the Nanobag Air is the lightest, and most practical ultralight bag I own.
15. Fidget toy
My fidget toy of choice at the moment is a lightweight plastic balisong (butterfly knife) trainer.
Note If you're wondering why I have a thirst trap Polaroid in my wallet, it's because I am Manifesting My dream Man in 2024! 😏