The best everyday carry gear for dads

For a long time I was looking for a way to trim down my keychain while also adding utility, and with the Quiet Carry Q3, I think I found the answer. It’s capable of holding four keys (or up to eight with the included extension posts) in its extremely durable titanium housing, alongside your choice of either a small knife or multi-tool. For me, the utility blade is the perfect thing for quickly screwing down a tripod mount or opening a bottle, while the removable pocket clip makes it a cinch to snap the Q3 onto your pants or belt loop. All told, it’s a clean and compact way of storing your keys, and it helps prevent them from rattling around too, which is an extra bonus.

I've carried a multitool around for pretty much as long as I can remember. And while I usually gravitate towards thinner and lighter models, the recently updated Leatherman Signal has the right answer for almost any situation. On top of standard inclusions like pliers, a knife and a saw, this thing also has a small screwdriver with a reversible bit (Philips and flathead) and a hex socket, for all those times when you need to put together some furniture without proper warning. But the feature that really tickles my caveman brain is the inclusion of a fire-starting ferro rod, which might actually save your life (or at the very least your next s'mores party). And with the recent addition of four Cerakote color options, the Signal is better looking and more corrosion-resistant than before.

For years, I was on the fence about whether I really needed to carry a flashlight around every day. But after one too many instances of fumbling around in the dark, I started looking for options and I landed on the Olight Arkflex. Despite a super sleek body that measures just 0.67 inches thick and 4.25 inches long, this tiny device has a max output of up to 1,000 lumens, which is way better than the 15-year-old Maglite that I normally keep around for emergencies. If you just need a little illumination while you’re out on a walk, it can push a constant 100 lumens for nearly seven hours on a single charge. But the coolest thing about the Arkflex is that it’s the world’s first flashlight with a 90-degree articulating head. This means you can flip it down, tie it onto a backpack strap and it will still shine light ahead. Or by using its reversible clip, you can attach it to the brim of a hat and use it like a floodlight.

The only downside is that the Arkflex uses a proprietary magnetic charging puck. But don’t worry, because for anyone who prefers something with a USB-C port, it’s worth checking out either the Streamlight Wedge/Wedge XT or the Nitecore EDC25, which have similar specs and dimensions (albeit without the handy flip-down head) but with universal power input.

As we’re still in the midst of the transition from USB-A to USB-C, this simple gadget is not only the cheapest gift on this list, it’s also the one I use the most. SanDisk’s drive is available in capacities of up to 512GB and supports USB 3.1 for decent read speeds of up to 150 MB/s. But the best thing is that by simply rotating which end is sticking out, you can transfer data to basically any device with a USB port. Trying to transfer photos to an old desktop that only has USB-A? No problem. How about a tablet that only has a single USB-C connector? Easy. It can even help you offload media from a phone with OTG support so you can install that big software update (stop procrastinating, please). And with its tiny dimensions, you probably won’t even notice it dangling on your keychain, so you can always have it on you.

I don't know how Sony keeps doing it, but every generation of its flagship over-the-ear headphones is better than the last. With the WH-1000XM6, the company has delivered simply unmatched active noise cancellation. Battery life remains strong at around 30 hours on a charge (with ANC on), and for this version, Sony brought back the folding design so it can become even more compact for traveling. The company also addressed my biggest gripe by finally allowing the XM6 to work while charging. Admittedly, I could do without the $50 price increase over the previous model. But if you're only going to carry around a single pair of cans, you're going to be hardpressed to do better than these.

For years, I've been trying to streamline the things I carry around. I don't want my keys to poke or prod me, I just want them to disappear into my pocket. And now thanks to Bellroy's Key Cover Plus, they do. The leather sleeve is buttery soft while still having enough room to accommodate up to eight keys or oddly-shaped necessities like RFID fobs. Hidden magnets ensure the cover stays closed when it's not in use, while a tiny D-ring makes it easy to attach a ring or lanyard for extra security. The Key Cover Plus is minimalism done right and it has made carrying my keys around about as enjoyable as it can be.

For people who prefer a lighter, more minimalist way of carrying their cards and cash, the $50 Wally Sleeve is a super compact and affordable option. It’s made from full-grain leather and can hold up to seven cards in its RFID-shielded main sleeve. On the outside, there’s another pocket for cash or transit cards so you can tap them on a sensor without needing to completely remove them from your wallet. But the Wally Sleeve’s best feature is its MagLock closure, which prevents your cards from spilling out. Combine that with a built-in pull tab and you get a slim sleeve that provides easy access to everything you need with zero fumbling.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more traditional wallet, the Division Billfold is a slick choice that blends a classic design with new-school materials. Pioneer says the polyethylene yarn that makes up its 10XD fabric (available on the black, blue, forest and onyx colors) is ten times stronger than steel, so it should look great for years. It’s also dirt- and water-resistant, and thanks to a range of pockets and sleeves, it can hold a ton of cards and bills. And for those who want a bit of extra security, the onyx and forest color options also come with RFID shielding.

One thing I truly never leave home without is a portable power bank, because you never know when a day will run long and you might need to recharge some gadgets. While you can certainly opt for a standard external battery with a USB-C port, Anker’s MagGo series has introduced an interesting twist on the category thanks to the addition of Qi 2 that supports magnetic wireless charging at up to 15 watts. And when you combine that with a built-in kickstand, you get something closer to a portable charging dock than a basic battery pack. This allows you to prop your phone up to watch videos while you top off its battery; if you want faster speeds, you can always plug in a cable.

Granted, both the 6.6K and 10K mAh models are a bit bulkier than a traditional portable battery, but I find that the added functionality is worth it. The 10K model even comes with a screen, so you get a more accurate idea of how much charge it has left. The biggest downside is that, because Android phone makers have been slow to adopt Qi 2, for now, you’ll need a late-model iPhone to take advantage of its magnetic wireless charging capabilities.

I don’t know what it is, but I have a thing for bags. And out of all of the ones I own, the Peak Design 35L Travel Duffel probably gets the most use because it can do it all. It’s the perfect thing for a weekend trip, but I’ve always used it for groceries, too. More recently, it’s become a baby bag for carrying everything I need to have on hand for a fussy toddler. Not only is it durable thanks to its weatherproof 600D nylon canvas shell, it has removable handles and tons of eyelets scattered around the duffle so you can rearrange the straps however you want. It can be set up like a backpack if you want. Or if you’re lugging some gear, you can stuff three of Peak Design’s packing cubes in there (or four cubes on the 65L duffel) so all your camera equipment is nice and protected. It’s really a do-everything bag.

Now I must admit, I don’t carry the Steam Deck around literally every day. It’s a touch too big for that. But you better believe that on trips or even long commutes, this thing is in my bag. That’s because out of all gaming handhelds I’ve tested, the Steam Deck offers the best blend of ease of use, performance and battery life. And then last year, Valve basically perfected the original model by updating it with a new OLED screen, a more efficient chip and some other tweaks. Its built-in touchpads also make playing games originally designed for mouse and keyboard much easier. Plus, the Steam Deck is one of the few handhelds that comes with an included carrying case, which is a must for any sort of frequent traveling. But the best part is that starting at $549, it's less expensive than rivals like the ASUS ROG Ally (at least the one with the top-tier Z1 Extreme chip) and the Lenovo Legion Go, too.

Now I will admit I don’t carry this on my every day, but when it comes time to tinker or repair some electronics, this set is the first thing I grab. The included carrying case holds 25 steel bits that work with all the most common screw heads (Torx, pentalobe, tri-wing, and more) while the magnetic screwdriver chuck makes switching bits in and out a breeze. You also get one-touch controls for automatic screwing and unscrewing, while still having the flexibility to turn things in manually in more delicate situations. Finally, thanks to its built-in USB-C port, you’ll never need to worry about finding an annoying proprietary charging brick.

Call me old-fashioned, but I still take notes by hand. And after years of using (and losing) countless Bics, I decided to get myself something that was compact, beautiful and would stand the test of time. Enter the James Brand's Stillwell pen. When closed, it's just 3.5 inches long. But with the flip of its cap, it extends to 5.4 inches to provide you with a bit of extra leverage and comfort. Its included lanyard makes it easy to attach it to a bag or keychain without being too bulky, while its stainless steel barrel is basically bulletproof. And when it runs out of ink, it’s easy to get replacements since it uses D1-style refills. Quite frankly, this might be the last pen I ever buy.