Best EDC Gear: A Table Talk With David Acosta
- Rick Crawley
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
At Achilles Heel Tactical, we don’t just hand you a gear list and say “Good luck.” Every course, every range day, every table talk — the point is the same: understand the context, the tools, and the why behind your everyday carry.
In this Table Talk filmed at Gritr Sports Shooting Complex in North Richland Hills, Texas, AHT instructor David Acosta lays it out straight: the right EDC starts with asking better questions.
When it comes to everyday carry, guys always jump straight to “What gun should I buy?” David starts by asking: What’s the mission? What’s the context? Can you fight in what you’re wearing? Does it draw eyes you don’t want?
Clothing isn’t fashion here — it’s about protection, blending in, and staying mobile. Baggy enough to conceal a pistol, snug enough to move if the fight comes to you. Don’t overlook base layers, good shoes, or hats. It all matters.
The same mindset applies to armor. If you run plates, your clothes better help you hide them. If you need to shift from low-profile to overt fast, your kit needs to work with you, not against you.
Belts? Underrated but critical. David’s run them all: super minimal Tenicor Zero, the stretchy Agonic, and his daily driver — the Blackbeard ratcheting belt. If your belt can’t hold gear in place or adapt on the fly, it’s just a cheap strap with a buckle.
When it comes to pistols, he sees it every class: dudes go for micro compacts for concealment or full-size models for capability. If you knew you’d be in a fight today, you’d want the biggest, most capable setup you could handle.
The smart move? Find the balance. David sticks with a compact enough grip to run it well, easy to hide, and quick to draw.
But the pistol is only half the story. The holster matters more — good retention, adjustable ride height, modular wedges if you need them. If your holster doesn’t secure the pistol and stay put, you’ll find out the hard way.
These days, there’s no excuse not to run a red dot — David runs the 507C, an open emitter for concealment, with a bigger window and faster pickup.
If you’re on overt duty, a closed emitter makes sense. Always run irons. Murphy’s Law never takes a day off.
A light is non-negotiable. David’s SureFire Stiletto lives in his pocket, modded with a shock cord so he can open his hands while keeping control. Seeing in the dark is a superpower — use it.
Blades? Also non-negotiable. No jams, no reloads, brutal up close.
David carries two: a dedicated defensive blade on the belt line and a utility blade in the pocket. The right blade geometry, grip, and size — it all ties back to the context.
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 — David’s pick is the Rapid Stop or Snake Staff EDC. Small details save lives.
The same applies to communication and identification. In an ugly situation, you want to be instantly identified as the good guy. Phone, watch, earpiece, badge, license — it all matters.
Containers — holsters, pouches, sheaths — don’t overlook them. David designed Low Vis pouches for modularity, accommodating mags, lights, radios, and cuffs — all fit, all low-profile, and all easy to conceal until you need them.
Here’s the piece guys miss: software beats hardware. 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 training — same blade, same pouch, same belt. Proof it in class so you don’t learn the hard way when it counts.
Want the deeper dive?
Grab a notebook and watch the full Table Talk with David Acosta. Learn what right looks like — not just for gear, but for the mindset to use it.