Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Essential Everyday Carry Gear for the Outdoorsy Guy

Is your everyday carry ready to go off-road? When you get a last-minute invite for an adventure, can you hit the trail with what you’ve got in your pack?

If your gear is anything like these outdoorsy essentials, you’ll be ready for almost anything.

Recommended Videos
Leatherman Skeletool KBX Pocket Knife – $25
Leatherman Skeletool KBX Knife
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Part of the just-released Coyote Tan collection of Leatherman tools, the Skeletal KBX knife is strong, minimal, and above all, useful. It’s coated in the new tan Cerakote finish, a ceramic composite often used on firearms that improves abrasion and corrosion resistances, impacting strength and hardness. The 2.6-inch long blade is made from 420HC stainless steel for extra durability and easy sharpening.

See It

Rite in the Rain Memo Book – $6
Rite In The Rain Softcover Memo Book
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Phones, tablets, and laptops are insanely powerful these days, but there’s something freeing about good old-fashioned pen and paper. There’s just one catch: You can’t use them in the rain.

With Rite in the Rain waterproof books, however, rain can be coming down sideways and you can still be taking notes, writing your next novel, or sketching a business plan. The small size and soft cover of these memo books help them fit perfectly in a pocket for easy access. The books are available in hardcover and coil bound versions as well. They are best used with pencils or the brand’s special pens.

See It

Alchemy Goods Franklin Wallet – $34
Alchemy Goods Franklin Wallet
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Franklin Wallet from Alchemy Goods is a slim billfold made from old rubber tubes. Inside are four card slots and one long bill slot; the stitching comes in a handful of different colors. On the corner of every Alchemy Goods logo is the percentage by weight of upcycled material. The Washington-based brand strives to hit the highest number it can.

See It

Suunto Core Watch – $370
suunto core watch ultimate black
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why do you need a watch if your smartphone can tell time? Just like with pen and paper, there’s something satisfying about having a nice timepiece on your wrist. Suunto’s aren’t your classic Rolex, but they’ll be a lot more useful off-road. The Suunto Core with its altimeter, barometer, and compass is what you need on the trail to keep you safe and headed in the right direction. Take the temperature for notes in your trip journal. The built-in storm alarm will let you know when it’s time to head home. The brushed steel colorway is eye-catching but can go with any wardrobe.

See It

Moment Battery Photo Case – $100
Moment Camera Case iPhone
Image used with permission by copyright holder

No pics, it didn’t happen. Right? But who has space to carry a whole extra camera with them these days? With the camera quality on phones these days, you don’t need to. Just use your phone and some tiny Moment lenses, which snap right on to the brand’s phone case (complete with extra battery power) and give you wide angle, telephoto or macro powers with just your iPhone 7, 8 or X. The case also protects from bumps and drops, which are bound to happen outdoors. “It’ll be the most durable ribbed, rubber product you’ve ever bought,” Moment says.

See It

Boundary Supply Errant Pack – Preorder for $100
Boundary Supply Errant Pack
Image used with permission by copyright holder

You’re not going far without a bag to carry all this. The new Boundary Errant can do triple duty as a sleek bag for work, an organized pack for travel, and a durable hauler for weekend gear.

The DuraMax Kodra material is water resistant thanks to Boundary Supply’s Barricade DWR coating. The top flap keeps things dry with either magnetic snaps or a waterproof zipper (or both). If you need to see everything quickly, unzip the back panel, which opens up the whole pack. Interior pockets organize everything from 17-inch laptops down to chargers, notebooks, and phones.

A separate waterproof compartment in the bottom can hold a pair of shoes or a six-pack. Boundary Supply also has modular packing cells and camera modules if you are escaping for the weekend or need to keep your drone accessories organized. All materials are sustainably sourced and blue-sign approved.

After a highly successful Indiegogo campaign, the Errant Pack is scheduled to ship in October.

See It

Ross Collicutt
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ross is an outdoor adventure writer, amateur photographer, and computer programmer based on Vancouver Island, British…
How to plan your Glacier National Park visit for 2025: Reservation deadlines and key rules
Here's what Glacier National Park's new reservation system will mean for you in 2025
Hiking Glacier National Park in Montana.

Glacier National Park is one of the most gorgeous ones in the United States, so it's not a surprise that it saw almost three million visitors in 2023. Visitors can't get enough of Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald, and the many lakes and glaciers in the area — the best time to visit Glacier National Park is often the busiest time. Because of the congestion in recent years, the National Park Service had previously enacted a reservation system for entry to the park as part of a pilot program. The National Park Service recently revealed this will continue in 2025, including timed entry reservations for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork — here's what you need to know.
Here's how it will look like going into 2025
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park Tevin Trinh via Unsplash / Unsplash
West Entrance: Going-to-the-Sun Road

Reservations required: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., June 13 – September 28.
Applies to travel beyond Apgar Village.
Entry without a reservation: Before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m.
Exceptions: Visitors with lodging, camping, or certain commercial reservations (originating beyond Apgar checkpoint) will be allowed entry.

Read more
How to plan a day hike: Essential tips for beginners
Day hikes aren't hard to plan; just follow these steps
Man wearing yellow jacket and backpack hiking or rucking in forest or woods with tall trees

Day hikes are one of America's most treasured pastimes, and with some of the most amazing sights for hiking on the globe, it's easy to see why. Nothing beats the fresh air and the invigorating exercise, and the best part is that you can go on these adventures pretty spontaneously. While day hikes require minimal planning, there are still a few things you should bring together before you go.

In this guide on how to plan for a day hike, you'll find essential tips for mapping out your route, packing the right gear, staying nourished, and ensuring your safety on the trail. Follow these steps, and you'll be ready for a successful day hike.
Get the route right

Read more
Insulating your tent for winter camping isn’t as hard as you think
Insulating your tent for winter camping isn't as hard as you think
Woman with a headlamp camping in a winter tent surrounded by snow.

When temperatures drop, and the wind starts howling, heat loss while winter camping can quickly turn a cozy night into a frosty one. The secret to keeping your tent warm isn't about getting the most high-tech gear. Actually, it lies in understanding how heat escapes. From the cold ground beneath you to the sneaky drafts around your tent, each type of heat loss plays a role in how well your tent holds onto warmth. In this article, we'll explore the various ways that heat can sneak away from your tent, as well as how to insulate a tent for winter camping.
Types of heat loss while winter camping and how to avoid them

There are several ways your body and tent lose heat: conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. Here's how to avoid all four:
Ways to avoid heat loss due to conduction
Conduction occurs when heat is transferred from your body to colder surfaces, like the ground. To prevent heat loss through conduction, focus on insulating surfaces that come into direct contact with your body.

Read more