Best EDC Gear: What I Actually Carry

At Achilles Heel Tactical, we don't hand you a gear list and say "Good luck." Every course, every range day, every table talk; it's the same point: understand the context, the tools, and the why behind your carry.

This Table Talk was filmed at Gritr Sports Shooting Complex in North Richland Hills, Texas. Here's the short version: the right EDC starts with asking better questions.

Start With the Mission, Not the Gun

Everybody jumps straight to "What gun should I buy?" Wrong starting point. I start with: What's the mission? What's the context? Can you fight in what you're wearing? Does your setup draw eyes you don't want?

Dress for the Fight

Clothing isn't fashion; it's about protection, concealment, and mobility. Baggy enough to hide a pistol, snug enough to move if things go sideways. Don't overlook base layers, good shoes, or a hat. It all matters.

The same mindset applies to armor. If you're running plates, your clothes need to help you hide them. If you need to shift from low-profile to overt fast, your kit has to work with you, not against you.

Belts: Underrated and Critical

I've run them all: the minimal Tenicor Zero, the stretchy Agonic, and my daily driver, the Blackbeard ratcheting belt. If your belt can't hold gear in place and adapt on the fly, it's just a cheap strap with a buckle.

Pistol and Holster

I see it every class; guys go micro compact for concealment or full-size for capability. If you knew you were walking into a fight today, you'd want the biggest, most capable setup you could handle. The smart move is finding the balance: compact enough to conceal, capable enough to run well, and fast to draw.

The holster matters just as much as the gun. Good retention, adjustable ride height, and modular wedges if you need them. If it doesn't keep the pistol locked in place, you'll find out the hard way.

Optics and Irons

There's no excuse not to run a red dot. I run the 507C; open emitter, bigger window, faster pickup. If you're on overt duty, a closed emitter makes sense. Either way, always run irons. Murphy's Law doesn't take days off.

Light and Blade

A light is non-negotiable. My SureFire Stiletto lives in my pocket, modded with a shock cord so I can open my hands and stay in control. Seeing in the dark is a superpower; use it.

Blades are the same story. No jams, no reloads, brutal up close. I carry two: a dedicated defensive blade on the belt line and a utility blade in the pocket. Geometry, grip, size; it all comes back to context.

Medical: Plug the Holes

If you're carrying tools that can put holes in bad people, be smart enough to carry tools that can plug holes in good people. Tourniquet in the pocket; I like the Rapid Stop or the Snake Staff EDC. Small details save lives.

Communication and ID

In a bad situation, you want to be identified as the good guy immediately. Phone, watch, earpiece, badge, license; don't overlook any of it.

Containers and Pouches

Don't sleep on how you carry everything. I designed the Low Vis pouches for exactly this: modular, low-profile, fits mags, lights, radios, and cuffs. Easy to conceal until you need them.

Software Beats Hardware

Here's what most guys miss: a closet full of high-dollar gear means nothing if you can't run it. Train like you fight. Use your real carry gun in class; same blade, same pouch, same belt. Shake out your kit before you REALLY need it.

Want the deeper dive? Grab a notebook and watch the full Table Talk. Learn what right looks like, not just for gear, but for the mindset behind it.