The best everyday carry gear for dads

For a long time I was looking for a way to cut down my keyring while adding utilities and Quiet Transport Q3, I think I found the answer. It can hold four wrenches (or up to eight with additional prongs) in its ultra-durable titanium housing, along with your choice of small knife or multi-tool. For me, the utility knife is perfect for quickly disassembling a tripod mount or opening glass, while the removable pocket clip makes it easy to clip the Q3 to your pants or belt. All in all, it’s a neat and compact way to store your keys and helps prevent them from rattling around, which is an added bonus.

For years I was on the fence about whether I needed to carry a flashlight around every day. But after a lot of fumbling in the dark, I started looking for options and hit the ground running. Olight Arkflex. Despite a super-sleek body that’s only 0.67 inches thick and 4.25 inches long, this little device has a maximum output of up to 1,000 lumens, which is much better than the 15-year-old Maglite I usually keep around for emergencies. If you need some light while hiking, it can push out a steady 100 lumens for about seven hours on a single charge. But the best thing about the Arkflex is that it is the world’s first flashlight with a 90-degree articulating head. This means you can turn it down, strap it to a backpack strap and it will still shine ahead. Or, using its reversible clip, you can attach it to the brim of a hat and use it as a projector.

The only downside is that the Arkflex uses a special magnetic charging disc. But don’t worry, because for anyone who prefers something with a USB-C port, either Streamlight Wedge/Paz XT or Nitecore EDC25which has similar features and dimensions (without the useful drop-down hood) but with universal power input.

There are endless different multitools out there, but for me Leatherman Skeletool offering the perfect balance of size, weight and functionality. It hasn’t let me down once in the 10 years I’ve had it. Leatherman’s strategic cutouts help keep the weight of its stainless steel frame to a minimum (just five ounces), while it’s available in a wide variety of colors. And needle-nose pliers, combo knife, large gear driver, etc. thanks to which it covers all the most important bases. So while it doesn’t have as many bits and bobs as larger rivals, its light and compact size means it’s the first thing I grab before heading out the door.

Since we’re still in the middle of the USB-A to USB-C transition, this simple gadget is not only the cheapest gift on this list, but also my most used. SanDisk driver It’s available in capacities up to 512GB and supports USB 3.1 for decent read speeds of up to 150MB/s. But the best part is that you can transfer data to basically any device with a USB port by simply flipping which end sticks out. Trying to transfer photos to an old desktop that only has USB-A? No problem. What about a tablet with only one USB-C connector? Easy. It can even help you boot media from an OTG-capable phone so you can install a major software update (please hold off). With its small size, you probably won’t even notice it dangling from your keychain, so you can always keep it on you.

$50 for people who prefer a lighter, more minimalist way to carry their cards and cash Wally Sleeve super compact and affordable option. It’s made from full-grain leather and can hold up to seven cards in its RFID-protected main sleeve. There’s another pocket on the outside for cash or transit cards that you can tap on the sensor without having to remove them completely from your wallet. But the best feature of the Wally Sleeve is its MagLock closure, which prevents your cards from falling out. Combine that with the built-in pull tab and you’ve got a slim sleeve that provides easy access to everything you need with zero fuss.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more traditional wallet, Division Billfold an elegant choice that combines classic design with new school materials. Pioneer says the polyethylene yarn that makes up its 10XD fabric (available in black, blue, forest and onyx) is ten times stronger than steel, so it should look great for years. It’s also dirt and water resistant and can hold a ton of cards and bills thanks to a range of pockets and sleeves. For those who want a little extra security, the onyx and forest color options also come with an RFID screen.

It’s something I really don’t leave home without portable power bank, because you never know when a day will be long and you might need to charge some gadgets. While you can certainly opt for a standard external battery with a USB-C port, Anker’s MagGo series has introduced an interesting twist on the category thanks to its Qi 2 addition, which supports up to 15 watts of magnetic-free wireless charging. And when you combine that with a built-in stand, you get something closer to a portable charger than a basic battery pack. This allows you to hold your phone up to watch videos while charging; you can always add a cable if you want faster speeds.

Given, as well 6.6K and 10K The mAh models are slightly larger than a traditional portable battery, but I think the added functionality is worth it. The 10K model even comes with a display so you get a more accurate idea of ​​how much charge it has left. The biggest downside is that Android phone manufacturers have been slow to adopt Qi 2, so you’ll need a late-model iPhone to take advantage of its non-magnetic wireless charging capabilities.

I don’t know what it is, but I have a thing for bags. And of all that I have Peak Design 35L Travel Duffel probably uses it the most because it can do everything. It’s perfect for a weekend trip, but I’ve always used it for groceries too. Recently, it has become a baby bag to carry everything I need to have on hand for a fussy baby. Not only is it durable thanks to its weather-resistant 600D nylon canvas shell, it has removable handles and tons of eyelets scattered around the duffle so you can adjust the straps however you like. Can also be set up as a backpack if desired. Or, if you’re carrying some gear, you can stuff three of Peak Design’s packing cubes (or four in a 65-liter duffel) in there to keep all your camera gear nice and protected. It really is a bag that can do it all.

While some of the other devices on this list can stay at home on odd days, mine Galaxy Buds 2 Pro never leave me Despite their small size, Samsung’s buds deliver excellent sound, active noise cancellation, and six to eight hours of battery life (depending on whether you use ANC). They’re also some of the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn, so much so that I use them at night to help me fall asleep. And thanks to the IPX7 rating for water resistance, they could survive a casual trip without a problem. That said, unless one is an Android user, Samsung’s buds mean nothing. But for iOS users, there is always AirPods Pro 2.

When it comes to wireless headphones, Sony WH-1000XM5 they are in a class of their own. After buying them for my wife six months ago and wearing them often (when she let me), I was looking for an excuse to buy myself a pair. They look good, are easy to install and the sound quality is second to none, with Sony’s superior noise cancellation helping to drown out unwanted disturbances. With a battery that lasts about 30 hours (with ANC on), I usually only have to charge them once a week. One minor annoyance I found is that you can’t use them while charging, but since they’re capable of adding three hours of juice in just 30 minutes, that’s hardly a deal breaker.

Now I have to admit that I don’t carry Steam deck around every day. It’s a great touch for that. But you better believe this thing is in my bag on trips or even long drives. The reason for this is beyond everything gaming machines Steam Deck offers the best mix of ease of use, performance, and battery life that I’ve tested. And then last year, Valve basically perfected it original model by updating with a new OLED screen, a more efficient chip and some other fixes. Its built-in touchpads make games originally designed for mouse and keyboard much easier. Plus, the Steam Deck is one of the few handhelds that comes with a carrying case, a must for any frequent traveller. But the best part is that it’s cheaper than the competition, starting at $549 ASUS ROG Ally (at least with the top-of-the-line Z1 Extreme chip) and Lenovo Legion Goalso.

Now, I’ll admit that I don’t carry this around every day, but when it comes time to fix or repair some electronics, this set It’s the first thing I catch. The included carrying case holds 25 steel bits that work with all the most common screw heads (Torx, pentalobe, tri-wing, etc.), while the magnetic screwdriver bowl easily inserts and removes transition bits. You also get one-touch controls for automatic screwing and unscrewing, with the flexibility to turn things manually in more delicate situations. Finally, thanks to its built-in USB-C port, you’ll never have to worry about finding that pesky dedicated charging brick.