15 Premium EDC Essentials I Actually Use

I’ve done a few “things I don’t regret buying” type videos and posts before, and they always hit for the same reason.

People don’t want a wishlist.

They want to know the essentials I actually use.

After a two-week trip through Japan and Hong Kong, I realised my everyday carry is pretty locked in.

Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s practical.

It makes travel smoother, keeps my setup consistent, and removes little annoyances that add up when you’re on the move.

This is the gear I took with me, used daily, and would happily pack again.

1. RIMOWA Aluminium Suitcase

I finally bought a RIMOWA.

I’ve talked about them for years and never pulled the trigger, mostly because I knew the truth: it’s still just a suitcase.

And it is.

You’re not buying it because it’s going to reinvent travel.

You’re buying it because it looks good, it’s built from aluminium, and it has a proper global service setup.

That last part matters more than people admit.

When you travel a lot, the goal is to not think about your suitcase.

You don’t want wheels that wobble.

You don’t want a handle that starts sticking.

And if something does go wrong, being able to walk into a RIMOWA store and get it sorted is genuinely reassuring.

Also, I put stickers on it.

I was always anti-stickers.

But it actually works with the aluminium look.

2. GRAMS28 Stealth Backpack

This is the backpack I use when I’m carrying valuables — laptop, camera gear, chargers, the stuff I don’t want to risk.

The main reason I like it is the design.

Minimal and structured.

It doesn’t look like a tech backpack.

It doesn’t look like hiking gear.

It looks like a clean leather bag — because it is.

It’s full-grain leather, so it feels like something that will still look good years from now, just more worn-in.

There’s a dedicated laptop compartment, and the main compartment has enough room that you’re not playing Tetris every time you pack it.

I also like that it’s not loud.

It’s the opposite of “look at me”.

3. GRAMS28 Leather Sling

When I’m out for the day, I don’t want a backpack.

I just want essentials in a small, easy package.

This sling is perfect for that because it fits my Fujifilm X100VI, which is the real test.

A lot of slings look good until you try and fit an actual camera in them, then it’s suddenly a squeeze.

With this one, I can carry:

• Camera
• Battery bank
• Lip balm
• AirPods
• Wallet / cards
• Small bits (keys, etc.)

It’s not the lightest sling in the world because leather isn’t light.

But I’m fine with that.

I’d rather carry something that looks good, feels premium, and lasts.

4. Goyard Grey Card Holder

I still carry a card holder even though most payments are on the phone now.

Not everything is digital, especially when you travel.

Hotel key cards, backup cards, ID – it’s still useful to have something small that holds the essentials.

I already own the brown and black one, but I wanted the grey because I’ve been going for a silver/grey setup lately.

It sounds silly, but when everything you carry works together visually, it just feels cleaner.

There also aren’t a ton of Goyard stores around the world, so because there were a few in Japan, I thought “why not”.

5. iPhone 17 Pro (Silver)

I always prefer the Pro size.

It just makes more sense for how I use a phone — camera, battery, everything.

And this year, silver is the correct colour.

I don’t care what anyone says.

The big upgrade for me is the telephoto system.

The new 48MP telephoto lens and being able to shoot at 100mm and 200mm is genuinely useful, especially when travelling.

Japan was the perfect place to test it because you’re constantly seeing details you want to capture from a distance.

Battery life has also been better for me, which meant I didn’t reach for a power bank as often.

That alone is a quality-of-life upgrade.

6. Nomad Sport Case (Lunar Gray)

I don’t always use a case.

I prefer the phone as-is.

But on travel days, or when I know I won’t be as careful, I’ll put one on.

This Nomad Sport case is the one I’ve been using most because the colour is perfect with the silver phone.

It’s not overly thin (so it actually protects), and it’s not bulky either.

It’s that middle ground where it feels safe but still looks clean.

I usually like leather cases, but this year the Lunar Gray just works better with the phone and the rest of my setup.

7. Apple AirPods Pro 3

These are the biggest surprise on this list.

Noise cancellation is so good that I don’t feel the need to carry AirPods Max anymore.

And that’s not a small thing.

Over-ear headphones take up space, and when you’re travelling, space matters.

Sound quality improvements compared to the Pro 2 are subtle.

I’m sure the graphs show differences, but in real life, I don’t think most people will care.

What you do notice is how small they are, how easy they are to carry, how good the noise cancellation is, and how solid the battery life is.

For travel, they’re basically perfect.

8. Apple M4 iPad Pro

I’ve always said the iPad Mini is the perfect form factor, but Apple has neglected it for too long.

Once you use the Tandem OLED display on the new iPad Pro, it’s hard to go back to anything else.

I mainly use the iPad as a media device — movies, TV, games, browsing.

I do some Lightroom edits on it, but it’s not my work machine.

The screen is the whole point.

HDR content on that display looks ridiculous in the best way.

Battery life is also insane.

You can leave it for days, come back, and it still has charge.

For travel, that’s exactly what you want.

9. OtterBox iPad Case (Kickstand)

This is not a “nice” case.

It’s not meant to be.

I bought it because it has a kickstand built-in, and that’s genuinely useful on flights and in hotels.

Being able to prop the iPad up without balancing it on a pillow or leaning it against something random is worth more than a premium material.

Sometimes boring accessories are the ones you end up appreciating the most.

10. Watches + Apple Watch Series 10

My watch roll hasn’t really changed.

Explorer, Datejust, Aquanaut.

They go with nearly anything.

But I don’t wear them everywhere, because the reality is you can’t.

Some places are fine (Japan and Hong Kong felt safe), others I wouldn’t risk it.

Day to day, I wear my Apple Watch Series 10 the most — titanium, with the titanium link bracelet.

It looks better with the bracelet, but I still see it as a tool.

It lets me:

• see notifications without pulling my phone out
• track weather
• check sunset times
• stay on top of fitness

It’s an extension of the phone.

That’s why it gets worn.

11. Fujifilm X100VI

After using this in Japan and Hong Kong, I like it even more than I did before.

The iPhone is still the camera I’d recommend to most people.

It’s convenient, it has multiple lenses, it’s always on you.

Spending $1,600–$2,000 on a camera like the X100VI doesn’t make sense for most people.

But the X100VI is for people who want a different experience.

It slows you down.

You think more.

You’re more intentional.

It’s the same feeling you get when shooting on a film camera.

And the photos feel different because you took them differently.

It’s also just a lovely object to use — the dials, the tactility, the build quality.

It feels like a “proper” camera in a way phones never will.

I use a SmallRig case on it because I don’t always carry it in the sling.

The case helps protect it without ruining the look.

12. Anker Power Bank (with built-in cables)

This is still the best travel power bank I’ve used.

I recommend it, and feature it in videos all the time.

Built-in USB-C cables are one of those things that sounds minor, then you travel and realise it removes friction every single day.

No rummaging around for cables.

No forgetting one in a hotel.

It also has extra ports and a screen so you can see what’s going on.

I’ve also had no issues flying with it.

I’ve taken it on a lot of flights over the past year and no one has questioned it because it’s under the limit.

13. Lencent Universal Travel Power Brick (120W)

For hotel charging, this is what I bring.

It has:

• adapters built in
• a converter
• multiple USB-C ports + USB-A
• enough power to charge everything at once

Laptop, phone, iPad, console — whatever.

It means I don’t carry multiple bricks that do different things. One device, one spot in the bag, done.

14. Anker Dual USB-C Cable

This is one of those cables that sounds unnecessary until you use it.

USB-C on one end, dual USB-C on the other, and it can output up to 140W total.

So you can charge two devices from one cable.

When you travel, reducing cable mess is a real win.

Less clutter, less tangling, less forgetting.

15. Apple 14” MacBook Pro (M4 Max)

I prefer the 14-inch size.

The 16 is just too big for me, and I don’t like carrying it around.

This machine does everything I need:

• photo editing
• video editing
• design work
• general work
• travel editing

It’s the boring answer, but it’s true – it’s the workhorse.

16. Nintendo Switch 2 (Japan trip choice)

On this trip, I took the Switch instead of the Steam Deck.

Mostly because I wanted to play Nintendo games (and there’s something fitting about taking a Switch to Japan).

I still prefer the Steam Deck overall because it’s more ergonomic and you can do more with it, but you can’t play Nintendo exclusives.

So for this trip, the Switch made sense.

17. Sunglasses (ULX — launching soon)

Sunglasses are essential for me.

I hate super bright sunlight, and I wear them constantly.

These are actually my own brand (ULX).

We’ve been testing some different frames and materials lately.

I’ve got these in a few colours because I like having options depending on the outfit:

• black for black/grey outfits
• brown for neutral/earth tones
• clear/white for lighter outfits

They’re polarised too, which makes a bigger difference than most people realise until they use a good pair.

It Doesn’t Need To Be Complicated

I don’t think EDC needs to be complicated.

The goal is simple – carry things that remove friction.

Make travel smoother.

Make day-to-day life easier.

If you’ve got an EDC item you genuinely love — not just something you bought — tell me.

I’m always looking for upgrades that are actually worth it.

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links — which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and I only recommend gear I’ve actually tested.