From face masks to hand sanitizer to Tyvek biohazard bodysuits, the health-conscious among us are carrying more daily essentials now than ever. If you’re looking to graduate beyond a baseball-sized wallet and cargo shorts for your everyday carry, it’s time to invest in a compact carryall. If you still have hang-ups about carrying a “murse” or an 80s-era fanny pack, don’t worry. We’ve graduated to “slings” and “crossbody bags” now. Here are five of our favorite minimalist bags to wrangle your pandemic-related EDC.
Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L
The Everyday Sling represents the smallest carryall in Peak Design’s newly refreshed Everyday Line v2. Available in three capacities, the mid-sized Everyday Sling 6L is just right for keeping your pandemic-related goods in check. The 400D DWR nylon shell is weatherproof and made from 100% recycled materials to boot. Peak Design’s catalog has always been photographer-centric, so the Everyday Sling includes customizable dividers to format the interior however you like. They can also be removed entirely for a free-form approach to organization. Either way, the dedicated tablet sleeve and stretchy internal pockets provide ample protection for your EDC.
Mission Workshop The Axis: VX
Mission Workshop has always had the “urban explorer” aesthetic dialed in. The Axis: VX — one of the brand’s smallest offerings — is a compact, modular waist pack designed to carry only the essentials. The weatherproof outer shell will withstand just about anything you can throw at it, while the interior features a floating liner construction. Inside, the 2.5-liter space is properly divvied up with zippered organization pockets for keys, a wallet, and a phone.
Aer Day Sling 2
The design of Aer’s Day Sling 2 is sleek, streamlined, and perfect for stealth explorers. The top-notch materials include a 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon exterior and YKK zippers all around. An adjustable shoulder strap guarantees a comfortable all-day carry. Inside, there’s a pocket for up to a 7.9-inch tablet, plus multiple internal pockets for organizing small accessories. Plus, a hidden back pocket keeps things like credit cards, cash, or a passport close to the vest.
Herschel Supply Co. Form Crossbody Large
At just 2L, the Form Crossbody Large from Herschel Supply Co. is designed to carry only the essentials, making it the perfect size for pandemic-related EDC. A removable strap and belt loop provide for a variety of carrying options. The two-way zippered closure reveals a soft fabric-lined interior with an internal storage sleeve for keeping smaller bits right where you need them. Plus, 13 available color options mean you can dial in the exact look you’re after.
Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack
For those looking for pure function over style, there’s Mountainsmith’s Tour Lumbar Pack. The brand touts the no-nonsense pack as the one that “created the category 35 years ago.” With a straightforward, yellow-on-black color scheme, it feels like it’s hardly changed in that time. The durable Cordura fabric shell is designed to take a beating, while the 9-liter interior is spacious enough for a sizable EDC stash. An expandable water bottle pocket will accommodate up to a 32-ounce Nalgene, and an integrated external sleeve will hold items as large as a helmet. An airy mesh back panel and a sturdy waist belt mean that it’s ready for all-day wear.
If your EDC calls for a bit more pack space, check out the best backpacks for men, from daypacks to commuter bags.
