Id like some ideas of what I could put in a backpack for everyday possible nuisances

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TheBeerZombie@reddit

Everyday carry?

Multitool Naglene water bottle Personal FAK Standard size band aids Neosporin Anti-itch wipes Benadryl Tylenol Tums Tweezers Small gauze Small wrap Small med tape

Best thing is to think about times when you wish you had something and didn't.

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2600sysop@reddit

A leatherman, a flashlight, and a bic lighter are always handy to have. And some gloves and an N95 mask.

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Master_of_opinions@reddit

Interesting that you say a mask. Why include that?

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Master_of_opinions@reddit

Yeah, but like what would you use it for? Is it for everyday use or in case of an emergency? I'm just curious if it's because of COVID.

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After-Accountant8948@reddit

I also keep a leatherman with a small pocket knife, a flashlight, and a tactical baton.

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2600sysop@reddit

Yeah I carry a separate pocket knife as well. Leatheman knives aren't the best.

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After-Accountant8948@reddit

V true - the knife sucks but it works in a pinch

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Able-Pain-2442@reddit

Even when a bic lighter runs out of fuel break the new windshield off and use the sparks to start fires

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Scissors, bandaids, three ziploc bags, a pocket poncho, small wire clippers, a hand towel, an extra shirt, pens, flashlight, lighter, magnet, pair clips, notebook, toothbrush and paste, 20 bucks cash, weapon, my id and a credit card, tweezers, 3 plastic grocery bags, apocket knife, wet wipes, 3 double aa, screwdriver and flathead combo, metal water bottle, and about 10 litres empty space for filling up with whatever needs to be backpacked. now i like to keep small ziploc of dog food and a ziploc of dog treats because my neighborhood has lots of strays that I try and feed so just personalize the remaining but I have found these to be essential.

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FBWSRD@reddit

Having an emergency supply of meds really helps. Paracetamol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen, naproxen for women (period cramps). I also have emergency caffeine pills. If my nose is being stuffy puesdoephridrine or nasal spray. Plus bandaid and tampons/pads. I don’t have a big bag (too heavy) but I carry a ziploc bag in my work bag and it’s come in clutch a lot.

I also carry a spare pair of underwear cause I have done some nasty sharts before and had to throw out the undies. Plus socks if it’s wet a lot.

A small pocket knife (not a proper knife, like a tiny little one that pops out with a slider cause that’s actually legal lol. Helps if you have random stuff to cut.

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NWYthesearelocalboys@reddit

My backpack is central storage that goes basically from house to vehicle. I carry a seperate smaller sling bag for edc items and have a seperate emergency first aid kit as well.

I live and work semi rural so it doesn't make sense to have the pack on me all the time.

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tfrsa5y7@reddit

If you're a guy and you're planning on being able to help others INCLUDE TAMPONS AND SANITARY PADS.

Be the actual hero who can take care of those around him.

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BaldyCarrotTop@reddit

Let me see.

Personal care kit: moistened hand wipes, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, tooth brush and small tooth paste, small hair brush, partial roll of TP (flattened).

A selection of OTC meds, One copy of your daily meds.

IFAK: Bandaids and bandages of various sizes. Antibiotic ointment. wound cleaner, butterfly closures, nail clippers, tweezers and a needle.

Coffee care kit: Starbucks reusable cup with lid, filled with instant coffee pouches. Sugar and creamer packs if you need them.

Camping utensil kit.

Various granola bars, snack bars, power bars, etc

Phone care kit: Cigarette lighter style charger with the proper cords. power cell. Small USB light.

Flashlight, water bottle, multi-tool.

HAnd warmers, gloves, extra socks, hat, stocking cap, poncho (or just a contractor trash bag).

I think that covers it.

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7272019@reddit

One thing I rarely see in these posts (though I’m not on them super often) is the people in colder regions. I have done the water bottle thing in the past. Nothing like finding out in spring everything is soaked from water bottle freezing cracking then thawing. Best to have water separate in a different bag kept out of sunlight and swap out every so often if unused due to heat/cold cycles on the plastic and that way if life gets busy and you forget, you don’t find everything else soaked.

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kw661@reddit

I found a Ninja tool at the thrift store. Cleaned it and put in my wallet. Later same day it was better than anything in my toolbox or my new Leatherman Pro somethin or other that cut my finger trying to make it work. Ninja for da win!

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Lard523@reddit

i carry the following in a pencil case with me almost everywhere, including hiking out of cel service): n95 mask, emergency blanket (summer), emergency bivvy (winter), chemical hand warmers (winter), gloves (winter) water purification tablets, knife, lighter, duct tape, little packet of candy, mints/gum, bandaids, basic meds (anti-nausea, allergy, etc), ziplock bag, flashlight, note with emergency contacts.

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Master-Money-44@reddit

As a parent with 4 younger kids(1 teeneager and below), I try to carry stuff I may regularly use.

So far I have the following:

-change of clothes (pants, undergarments, shirt) Kids have had accidents, fallen in water on a hike, thrown up on me unexpectedly in the dr’s office. So that is one thing I have everywhere for us. Their clothing items combined (when rolled) fit inside a 2 gallon bag. -phone charger, with ac/dc adaptor, and a portable power bank. I’ve had to take this to 2 different family members when they had an unexpected ER trip over the past few months. -small first aid supplies (quality 2”x3” and 1”x3” bandaids, small individual packs of triple antibiotic ointment and hydrocortisone cream, travel size container of ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen sodium, 4 diphenhydramine pills, kids powdered acetaminophen and 1 chewable diphenhydramine for the one that cannot take pills yet, and a roll of tums). These are the most common things I use. -a few individual packaged beef jerky strips and a few individual packaged beef sticks-great for a quick snack between meals or while driving awhile in the car. -travel sized deodorant (for those days when the office A/C goes out and it’s 80 degrees inside. -Duke Cannon Cool Shower wipe individually packaged. -small pack of wipes (came in handy when I ran out of tissues this morning in the car and my kids allergies were acting up). -small pack of disinfectant wipes (came in handy the other day when I set my back down on the top shelf at the theme park before riding a ride, and there was something sticky such as spilled drink residue up there. -extra plastic bag or 2 from the store, a long with a couple gallon ziplock bags and small ziplock bags. I had some for when a kid go sick on the road trip to the theme park the other day, and for storing items to keep dry or together. -small but powerful flashlight with extra batteries that I can clip to my pocket or my hat. -handcuff key -a couple of hair ties, and rubber bands-great for holding items together if needed. -small knife with scissors -tweezers -emergency blanket -small flint and striking edge -a few paperclips, safety pins, bobby pins, and toothpicks- great for so many random things. -a few waterproof water resistant matches (great for when you forget the lighter for birthday candles) -a couple of small envelopes- for when I remember on the way to school drop off that my kid’s field trip money is due that day. -pen -pencil -few small waterproof pieces of paper -pocket sized thing of packable duct-tape -small super glue bandaid tube-thing -a couple of buttons, small roll of thread, and a couple of sewing needles. -mirror -1 to 2 sq ft of aluminum foil folded up -1 to 2 sq ft of plastic wrap folded up. -single wall stainless steel water bottle. -sawyer mini filter -water purifying tabs -pocket sized survival saw -paper sack -for when my kid forgets their lunchbox and there’s no time to grab it. -travel sized sunscreen -pocket sized hand sanitizer

This all fits in a 20-ish liter almost new great quality backpack that I picked up from the thrift store for $5. There is a back panel in it for a laptop, but I keep my lightweight ballistic panels there instead. It can double as my get home/bugout/whatever I would take in an emergency bag.

It may sound heavy, but probably under 20lbs and has everything in it for the 5 of us. If I had only my clothes in there it would weight quite a bit less. I had all of this in a Fjallraven 15 laptop pack when we went hiking for a few miles in the early spring, but swapped over to the different back when I found it recently.

I keep tourniquet, chest seals, and rolled gauze in my first aid kit with my CCW.

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idneysocean@reddit

I carry a small first aid kit, some jerky, a small multi tool, a battery pack that I keep charged, some extra meds, a flashlight, extra charger cables, and a lighter with me. I always have my keys and some pepper spray strapped to me as well.

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SilkyOatmeal@reddit

My rules for packing "just in case" items
- Take note of the items that could be affected by temperature and/or the passage of time. Bandaids fall apart after a while. Batteries burst and leak. Pens leak.
- Check your items on a regular basis to make sure they haven't gone bad.
- Also check to remind yourself what you packed. I've put a spare phone charger in my backpack and then forgot it's there causing me to suffer unnecessarily.

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Safe-Promotion-2955@reddit

Lighter, nail clippers, tweezers, bandaids, tampons, sewing kit

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celephia@reddit

Flashlight, charger, pocket knife or multi tool, small sewing kit, gum, first aid kit, meds, pen and paper, chapstick, pads or tampons, extra USB cord, extras of whatever you use a lot. I also keep a spare vape, a packet of electrolytes, mini heating pads for headaches or cramps, my e-reader, headphones, sometimes a small travel blanket.

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Walter_The_Terrible@reddit

You should carry a firearm

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Climax_crescendo@reddit (OP)

I’m not mentally stable enough to have something like that.

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Walter_The_Terrible@reddit

What about a knife

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MostlyBrine@reddit

Most of the people I am around all day have a change of clothes, in case you get caught in the rain, or spill something on your clothes. It doesn’t need to be in a backpack. It can be in a box in your trunk. I always have a pocket knife, a flashlight, some ibuprofen and bandaids, cause life happens. With age I added a spare pair of glasses and a spare key for my car. I also have in my backpack (which comes with me in the office) some protein bars, beef jerky and couple of bottles of water. And I have around $200 in 20s. The cash was used more than anything else.

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Glittering-Swan-246@reddit

I always keep extra socks in my car. Learned that in the Army.

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VanillaHuel@reddit

Always got a full change of civvies (inc footwear/hat) in the car, plus a mini hygiene kit, compact camp towel, first aid kit, masks, meal bars/water, emergency rain poncho & foil blanket, earplugs, mini bug repellent/sunscreen/ballistic sunglasses. All fits in a small backpack bc clothes are Army rolled!

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WUMSDoc@reddit

Excellent suggestions. I’d add a small bic lighter, a multitool, and a stop the bleed approved tourniquet.

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Aurochbull@reddit

This is about it. GREAT reply. I will just add that you can't go wrong with a set of hospital scrubs; rolled, vacuum packed, whatever. They wear like steel and nothing worse that being covered in "shit" and no option to change. A pair or crocs or something and underwear and socks complete the package.

I agree though, this is more a vehicle vehicle prep, but I have the luxury of my vehicle being very close to my workplace. I'm not lugging all that in and out every day. Haha.

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KarmaCommando_@reddit

My backpack contains:

-A first aid kit -Water bottle -Some paracord -Phone power bank and wire -Spare socks and underwear -Some granola bars and a jar of peanut butter -A bandanna -Duct tape wrapped around a credit card

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Glum-Building4593@reddit

My everyday carry includes things like a bandana (a square of fabric has too many uses), things to write on, things to write with, a multitool (they do make bladeless ones if you have a situation where a blade might be a problem), lip balm, sun screen, a basic first aid kit (self adhesive bandages have a ton of uses), tape (Gorilla Tape to Go or RediTape Travel Size (I've used both to fix a bag or shoe)), cordage (survival bracelets are nice for this but are functionally single use. I just keep a ball of string or paracord in my bag), a flash light (an inexpensive dedicated flashlight will usually make more light and be easier to wield than a phone) ...A fair number of these things I carry in pockets or a small bag (tactical cross body bag, murse, messenger, or whatever suits). I moved to a different biome (literally. Desert to deciduous forest area) and those things above haven't not been useful.

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Reasonable_Crowtopus@reddit

+1 for bandana or handkerchief utility

Of all my gear, this is the one that surprised me with how often I actually use it. Almost daily. Weekly for sure. Now I have a little collection of funky bandanas and it makes me happy. 😊

Great list overall!

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k8ecat@reddit

headlamp, duskmask, bandana, lighter

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bitx284@reddit

Daily kit with pain relive, tooth cleaning kit, 2 masks, plastics, pen, notebook, charger,

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SlappyHandstrong@reddit

Tide stain removal pen

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Internal_Time7941@reddit

Rain jacket and first aid kit. Large battery to charge electronics with spare cables. Cash in small denominations. Passport if near an international border.

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EntertainmentLow6178@reddit

Baby wipes, Swiss army knife, duct tape, lighter, tweezers, paper towels, granola bars, water.

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ent_bomb@reddit

This I haven't seen yet; relatively thick plastic bag large enough to use as a poncho/pack cover if necessary. Can be used for soiled or wet clothing, ground cover, even a solar still. Very light and compact.

Narcan, depending where you live.

Silicone earplugs.

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Prairy1313@reddit

Water, snacks, 1 set of my daily medicine, maybe a pair of clothes, pocket knife, small raincoat, fleece sweater. Light weight stuff that is not voluminous.

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Not-a-Cranky-Panda@reddit

Babywipes.

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Rachaelmm1995@reddit

I have a small pencil case in my handbag which I use almost every day. It’s got lots of compact stuff in.

Pencil and paper, tooth paste and brush, comb, pain killers, other meds, paper clip, safety pins, toothpicks, floss, tissues, wet wipes, a fork, a pen knife, blister plasters, £20 cash, spare house key, spare change, feminine hygiene, lighter, battery bank, charger, ziplock, plastic shopping bag, hair ties….

There’s so much more in there tbh, but the above gives you an idea.

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tgoundrey@reddit

I have some beef jerky beef sticks in individual packets. Just had 2, good snack to tie me over to lunch

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Due-Succotash9722@reddit

I’d probably think of it less like a “survival backpack” and more like a “this day just got annoying” backpack.

The stuff I’d actually want with me is pretty basic: a phone charger or power bank, a couple snacks, water, bandaids, ibuprofen, hand sanitizer, wipes, tissues, a pen, a little cash, and maybe a small flashlight. Spare socks are also weirdly useful if you get caught in rain or step in something.

If you drive, I’d keep the bulkier stuff in the car instead of carrying it all day, like a hoodie, change of clothes, extra water, or a small blanket.

Honestly, the boring stuff is usually what you end up using the most.

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StarFireRainbow@reddit

Some things I haven’t seen mentioned yet are stain treatment, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, phone charger, power bank, list of emergency phone numbers in case your phone breaks

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Undeaded1@reddit

Go with a smaller backpack, high quality. Carry a few tools, duct tape, and maybe some first aid basics. Lemme know if you want a more detailed list but I am sure you can figure out a basic set up for your day to day life.

IF you have specialized skills, carry a few specialized tools. Example, lockpicks, or entry tools for automotive lock outs. Basic self defense, whatever that means to your skillset. Trauma response first aid, again special skill, for special circumstance. I know a firefighter that carries a fire blanket in his daily kit bag. So you get the idea.

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ExtraplanetJanet@reddit

Tide Pen, period supplies, bottled water, small first aid kit, OTC painkillers, wet wipes, lens wipes, multi-head phone charger, small snacks, plastic rain poncho, lighter, swiss army knife.

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ExtraplanetJanet@reddit

Also a good pen/pencil and little notebook, several pairs of nitrile gloves, small trash bags, empty ziploc bags, mini sewing kit.

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cosmicosmo4@reddit

Flashlight
Multitool
Dental floss Wet wipe
Dude wipe
Emergency poncho
USB power bank
Sunglasses

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MOF1fan@reddit

2nd browsing r/edc

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Subtotal9_guy@reddit

Bandaids, OTC meds like gravol, ibuprofen etc.

Ear plugs for loud situations.

Basic mask for dusty environments or if you're beside someone who is coughing badly.

Pen and paper

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Eredani@reddit

Ibuprofen, allergy meds, band aids, tissue, hand sanitizer, face mask, pocket knife, hard candies, small flashlight, water bottle, granola bars, little power bank, bug spray, handkerchief, sun screen, baby wipes, bic lighter, large trash bag... you can make it as compressive as you like.

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Odd_Awareness1444@reddit

Nail clippers. They can be used for a lot of things.

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Mission_Reply_2326@reddit

NAIL CLIPPERS. Knife. Tweezers. Multitool. OTC meds (those little packets in the first aid kit at work). Bandaids/basic first aid.

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churchillguitar@reddit

Small basic med kit and a multitool would round out your list nicely

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MarsMonkey88@reddit

A charger, some cash, lip stuff, a tampon, water, that’s normal stuff that adults should have on them or at least in this car.

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7o7A1@reddit

sit pad, rain gear, knife, multitool, maxpedition micro or pico with things like pen, pencil, paper, emergency money, band aids, lighter, lip balm, wet wipes, sewing kit. ham radio, couple of extra bags for when your groceries wont fit in the backpack.

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WishIWasThatClever@reddit

Lots of great suggestions. A few I haven’t seen mentioned:

-Moleskin for blisters

-Folding scissors

-4+ large zip ties for repairs or DIY handcuffs

-rubber gloves

-deck of cards, possibly waterproof, or other compact entertainment

-ear plugs

-travel Kleenex pack. Doubles as TP.

-travel wet wipes

-buggy bands (bug repellent bracelet). I don’t like carrying Deet due to potential leaks.

-plastic spork

-disposable poncho

-disposable mylar blanket

-carabiner

-safety pins

-simple white bandana. I saw this recommended so many times that I finally caved and threw it in my kit without really knowing why. Super useful, cheap, compact. Dust mask. Shoe repair. Etc.

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BigButtBeads@reddit

Heavy backpacks are not fun at all

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scovok@reddit

What every day nuisances do you run into?

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bustopher_rvs@reddit

Right.

My advice is just start carrying a backpack everyday filled w items you think you may need.. over time make adjustments to your supplies.

I carry a backpack everyday and my items are: •Tools- every tool I need to pull the carb off my bike, make adjustments etc. and more.. • flashlight, w spare 18650's (batteries) • A hoodie, & depending on the weather- rain gear • charging bank & a few different cords

These items are ALWAYS w me, then I add to that depending on my plans for the day ..

My backpack is an Overboard 25L waterproof bag I've had it for 5+ years now highly suggest one

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Jolopy4099@reddit

Pocket knife/leatherman multitool.
change of clothing. Rain poncho or winter gear season dependant.
food snack bars/energy bars that have a decent shelf life
flash light.
bottle or 2 of water.

Maybe think of a scenario you most likely could encounter and make a list of what you could use to make that scenario go easier.

Once you make that list alot of the items cross over to other scenarios and only require a coupke more items added to provide extra protection for several possibly scenarios.

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marla-M@reddit

We have found duct tape to be very useful. Always have a roll in my car.

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Level-Blueberry9195@reddit

Cash

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Nur_so_@reddit

Pack das ein

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StarlightLifter@reddit

I carry an Osprey Raptor 14 daily, basically everywhere. My wife calls it my purse.

Whatever it’s handy as fuck. In it I keep hand sanitizer, leatherman, Streamlight, 550 cord, my credit cards, extra mags, gum, a lighter and sunglasses.

Need to throw in a tiny bottle of hot sauce come to think of it.

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GoldberryoTulgeyWood@reddit

Clean ziplock bags of various sizes

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Mimble75@reddit

Pen, small pad of paper, bus tickets, tissues, a few bandaids, one tampon, one pad, a very small amount of cash (enough for a coffee and a small snack), some common OTC meds like Tylenol, Advil, allergy meds in a little container - a few of each is lots.

I’m a knitter so I always have a small project I can take with me, and usually a book (small paperbacks only).

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Stellar_Jay8@reddit

In my purse I carry: Charger Snack Knife Fem hygiene products Chapstick Water Sun and regular glasses Sunscreen

Don’t get a huge bag. You won’t want to carry that. Consider a normal sized backpack in your car with a change of clothes, jacket, hat, shoes, map, water purifier/tabs, and duplicates of above

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fenuxjde@reddit

IFAK with common OTC meds, battery backup, shelf stable snacks, travel toothbrush and toothpaste, pen.

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alandrielle@reddit

Water, snacks, first aid - bandaids, neosporen, tweezers, ibprofen, pocket knife, flashlight, charge box. After that your getting into personal things- do you like new socks? Maybe a spare pair. I always have a spare dog leash on me or in my car. I also have a collapsible bowl bc dogs. I carry spare medical things bc of conditions, mine and family members. I might have an emergency blanket tucked in the back of my first aid kit. Its really just pay attention for a week or two of 'dang I forgot that' or 'dang wish I had grabbed that' and find a small solution thats easy to carry.

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Xsiah@reddit

It sounds like your every day issue is going to be having a very heavy backpack