6 Lessons from David Acosta on EDC Gear, Readiness, and Real-World Threats
- Rick Crawley
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
TL;DR
Most guys build their EDC loadouts backwards—prioritizing cool gear over preparation and mindset. David Acosta, a seasoned law enforcement professional, breaks down what actually matters: physicality, mentality, and context-driven gear choices. Off-body carry should never replace what’s on your person. And if you think your Vertx bag makes you look low-vis...it doesn’t.
Why David Acosta’s Voice Matters
David Acosta’s resume reads like a checklist of high-risk assignments. From undercover narcotics operations to gang task forces, fugitive recovery, SWAT, and now his role as an instructor for Achilles Heel Tactical, Acosta has lived the scenarios most civilians only read about.
His approach to everyday carry (EDC) is refreshingly grounded in reality, not fantasy.
In this conversation, David unpacks the misconceptions surrounding EDC, off-body carry, gear selection, and the pyramid of preparation.
His goal? To help people become more reliable, self-reliant, and reasonable in how they prepare for violent encounters.
1. The Problem with Most EDC Mindsets
According to Acosta, the current EDC culture has a serious problem: it’s built on fantasy.
“Guys are carrying enough gear to survive two weeks in the mountains or assault a building in Fallujah,” David says. “They’ve read too many Jack Carr novels and watched too many John Wick movies.”
Instead of focusing on real-life threats, many build out their kits based on what’s trending on social media. The result? Loadouts that are impractical, uncomfortable, and rooted in fear rather than logic.
David sees it all the time—guys outsourcing their security to a backpack full of gear they’ll never use, often at the expense of actual readiness. The shortcut is easy: just buy more stuff. But in his words, “Software must precede hardware.”
2. The Performance Pyramid: Capacity, Competency, Capability
One of David’s key teaching frameworks is what he calls the Performance Pyramid—a three-tier model for readiness:
Capacity (50%)Your mental and physical fitness. Are you strong enough? Fast enough? Calm enough under pressure?
Competency (30%)Your trained skills. Can you shoot, move, and communicate? Have you actually trained under stress?
Capability (20%)
Your gear. It’s important—but it’s the last piece of the puzzle.
Most people flip that pyramid upside down. They buy guns, optics, and other kit first, hoping that gear will make up for a lack of fitness and training. According to David, that’s a house of cards.
“You’re trying to be capable without being competent or even having the capacity. It’s backwards—and dangerous.”
3. Off-Body Carry Isn’t a Shortcut
David is clear: off-body carry is a supplement, not a substitute.
Whether it's a fanny pack, sling bag, or backpack, these tools should augment what you're already carrying on-body, not replace it. If your draw stroke starts by reaching into a bag, you're already behind the curve.
“On-body carry is first line gear. That’s for sudden, violent encounters. Off-body is for when you have time and distance.”
He challenges readers to define what’s optimal for their situation—not just what’s comfortable.
A pistol with a light and red dot is non-negotiable for him. Everything else, including med gear, radios, or blades, is mission-dependent and context-driven.
4. The Spare Mag Debate: It’s Not About Round Count
Acosta doesn’t care if you carry a spare mag. But he does care why you carry one.
Some carry it “just in case.” Others because their favorite influencer said so. But according to David, the real conversation should be about why, not what.
“If your logic is ‘I miss 70% of my shots, so I need more ammo,’ the issue isn’t your mag count. It’s your shooting skill.”
A spare mag might be wise in a place like downtown Dallas. But at home on 30 acres? Not so much. Context drives decisions. And blanket gear prescriptions don’t work.
5. Tactical Bags and the Low-Vis Myth
David has serious opinions on the so-called “low-vis” bags flooding the market.
“If your backpack is made by a tactical company, it’s already compromised.”
He’s talking about brands like Vertx, 5.11, and Eberlestock. And to be clear, there’s nothing wrong with those companies. They make great gear. Their designs are solid, durable, and purpose-built. But they’re also instantly recognizable to anyone who knows what they’re looking at.
“They’re not low-vis. They’re tactical cosplay. If you're trying to stay invisible in a real-world environment, that gear will get you noticed fast.”
In reality, professionals doing actual low-profile work aren’t buying off-the-shelf “low-vis” packs. They're sourcing generic civilian bags—such as those from The North Face, Patagonia, and JanSport—and retrofitting them with Kydex inserts and hidden compartments, while keeping the exterior original and unmodified.
“Low-vis isn’t good enough. In high-stakes environments, low-vis is still failure. What you need is no-vis. You need to disappear completely.”
Because the moment your gear says “cop,” “contractor,” or “armed,” you’re not blending in—you’re standing out. And that can get you misidentified, targeted, or worse.
“If you’re walking around downtown with a multicam sling bag and plates in your pack, you’re the first person I’m shooting.”
6. Discomfort Is Part of the Job
Comfort is not the standard. In David’s words, discomfort is.
“If I’m tasked with protecting my tribe, I don’t get to be comfortable. That’s not a luxury I have.”
Too many people choose convenience over capability, leaving guns in the car or moving essential gear into a bag just because it’s more comfortable. But in doing so, they compromise the very thing they claim to be prepared for.
“Performance always parallels preparation. And preparation isn’t convenient.”
The mark of a professional isn’t their cool gear—it’s their mindset, physicality, and training.
Ask Better Questions, Make Smarter Choices
Before choosing your gear, ask yourself:
Who am I?
Where am I going?
Why am I going there?
When am I going?
How long will I be there?
What’s the most likely threat?
The answers to those questions—not your favorite YouTube channel—should guide your decisions.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about looking the part or collecting cool gear. It’s about making thoughtful, disciplined decisions that align with your responsibilities and your environment.
Want to sharpen your foundation before you start layering on gear?
David Acosta’s Intro to Pistol Combatives course is designed to help you build the physical skills, mindset, and judgment you actually need to prevail in a real-world violent encounter.
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