Herschel Classic Backpack

I utilize a compact and straightforward Herschel backpack. It’s budget-friendly, offers ample space, and is highly portable.

This backpack has withstood the test of time remarkably. I purchased it in 2018 and have taken it around the world as my main bag. It shows no signs of wear.

In terms of cost, it’s far more economical compared to other backpacks I often see recommended in tech circles.

It features a padded compartment for laptops or iPads and a small front pouch made of microfiber to protect delicate items.

The backpack efficiently accommodates all my gear. It’s sturdy, compact, and easy to carry.

Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses

A pair of sunglasses is absolutely essential during summer!

In the past few months, I’ve visited cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, and most recently, Toronto. All of these locations are sunny in the summer, making sunglasses a necessity.

Driving around or simply being outside can be uncomfortable without them.

For a long time, I used inexpensive sunglasses from Amazon, as I didn’t see the need to spend more. However, I treated myself to a pair of Ray-Bans for my birthday a few months ago, and I cannot imagine going back to cheaper options.

My father has had his Ray-Bans since 2000, and they are still going strong after 22 years. I intend to do the same with mine.

Peppermint Chewing Gum

I need to be chewing something constantly; otherwise, I feel restless.

There’s another reason I chew gum all day long, which I will admit shamelessly. I’ve always had chubby cheeks, and someone once suggested that chewing gum could help reduce their fullness.

It hasn’t worked so far, but it has developed into a habit of constant chewing.

I typically carry a pack of 15 pieces with me. I prefer neutral flavors like peppermint, but I sometimes branch out to bolder options like orange.

AirTag Compatible Key Ring

I have recently become quite fond of AirTags.

They are incredibly useful for tracking important items like passport holders or wallets. I bought a key ring compatible with AirTags, allowing me to attach one to my keys for tracking from anywhere in the world.

I usually carry three key sets: my car key and two house keys. The AirTag offers me peace of mind, assuring me that I won’t misplace them.

Even if I do lose them, I receive an immediate notification on my phone and Apple Watch with their exact location.

You can find many of these key rings on Amazon; I’ll link to the one I use.

LARQ Water Bottle

A high-quality water bottle is essential!

Since becoming primarily vegan about a year ago, I’ve learned a lot about nutrition. This education revealed how vital hydration is for appetite and energy throughout the day.

I decided to invest in a top-notch water bottle. LARQ bottles can be pricey, but they are excellent! They self-filter, allowing me to fill them and forget about it.

The filter needs replacing every 2-3 months.

While you don't have to buy the LARQ model, I believe it’s worth splurging on a quality water bottle if your budget allows.

iPhone 12

There isn’t much to elaborate on here. My daily driver is an iPhone 12.

I appreciate its size, and it was the only model available in the Product Red color that I’ve always loved.

Although the iPhone Pro has impressive features, I didn’t feel the need to pay extra for them.

I have a future blog post planned where I will discuss everything on my phone in detail, so I’ll keep this brief for now.

Overall, my iPhone 12 is the core of my entire setup, and I can’t function without it.

Apple Leather Wallet

I used to carry a bulky wallet everywhere.

Then I discovered the Apple Leather wallet, which attaches to the back of my iPhone via MagSafe—so convenient!

It also includes FindMy tracking, further integrating me into the Apple ecosystem. I can relax knowing that if I misplace my wallet, I’ll receive an immediate notification.

One downside is that it only holds three cards, whereas my old wallet could accommodate at least six!

This was a perfect opportunity for me to simplify my wallet setup, and that’s exactly what I did.

Now I only carry the following in my wallet:

1. Driver’s License / ID
2. AMEX Gold Credit Card for daily purchases
3. VISA Scotiabank credit card for places where AMEX isn’t accepted

I mostly use Apple Pay anyway, but for situations where I need a physical card, one of these two will do.

Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch has impressed me!

When I bought it, I had no idea how beneficial it would turn out to be.

Some key uses include:

• Quickly adding reminders to my TickTick inbox
• Jotting down new blog post or video ideas
• Setting timers while cooking
• Running without my phone
• Tracking workouts
• Monitoring my intermittent fasting schedule
• Checking my calendar and receiving notifications before meetings

I didn’t see the need for a top-tier Apple Watch Series 7 or 8.

The SE model is more than adequate for my straightforward requirements.

AirTags

AirTags have become an integral part of my EDC.

They provide me with reassurance that I won’t forget any of my essentials.

I carry two of these with me:

1. Attached to my key ring
2. In a hidden pocket of my backpack

I receive immediate notifications on my iPhone if I misplace either my key ring or backpack, along with precise locations for retrieval—accurate down to the nearest foot.

2018 iPad Pro 12.9" with Smart Folio Keyboard

If I had to choose just one item from my list, it would be my 2018 iPad Pro. It’s incredibly versatile.

For nearly any task I need to accomplish, I can use my iPad about 90% of the time.

It’s a powerful device with fantastic battery life. After four years of use, it can easily last two days without needing a charge.

I use my iPad for a wide variety of tasks, including:

• Researching and writing blog posts
• Preparing YouTube videos
• Watching videos
• Reading books via Kindle
• Editing YouTube videos when my laptop isn’t around
• Designing thumbnails for YouTube
• Conducting research and note-taking
• Editing photos
• Quickly jotting down or sketching ideas

This is just a small sample of what I accomplish with my iPad. I have another blog post coming soon that will explore this further, so I’ll keep it brief for now.

The iPad Pro with a keyboard and Apple Pencil is truly one of the best investments for productivity.

2019 MacBook Pro 16"

As a software engineer, it’s logical that I need a powerful laptop on hand.

I enjoy working from cafes, parks, and libraries. Both my primary job and side projects are entirely remote.

While I have a desk setup at home, I need to be prepared for the road as well.

I remember saving my first few paychecks after starting as a software engineer in order to buy this laptop back in 2019, and I was thrilled!

Whenever I have to tackle intensive tasks or anything related to programming, I switch from my iPad to my laptop.

The laptop handles everything like a pro and has great battery life.

I opted for the larger model since I required more screen space while traveling. I often use my iPad as a second monitor with SideCar for additional room.

However, more often than not, the 16" MacBook screen is sufficient.

I primarily use my MacBook for programming tasks; for everything else, the iPad is capable enough.

If I want to travel lighter and know I won’t be doing programming, the MacBook is the first item to leave behind.

Nevertheless, I typically keep my MacBook with me.

AirPods Pro

Working remotely and traveling means I get plenty of time to enjoy music and podcasts. While commuting or walking, I always have a podcast playing.

That’s where the AirPods Pro come in; they are simply so convenient.

They seamlessly pair with all my Apple devices, allowing me to switch between them without hassle.

The AirPods Pro also feature excellent noise cancellation and decent battery life.

For quick convenience, they are fantastic! I can easily put them on and take them off.

Additionally, the ambient mode lets me stay aware of my surroundings while walking.

However, I find the AirPods Pro limited when I spend extended periods working in a café. Their noise cancellation isn’t the best for deep work, and they tend to run low on battery when used for long hours with noise cancellation activated.

That’s where the next item in my EDC comes into play.

Sony WH-1000XM3

When working long hours in a café, I need to block out distractions and focus.

These Sony noise-cancelling headphones are perfect for that.

I’ve been using them for four years now.

They provide over 30 hours of battery life, even with noise cancellation engaged.

In my opinion, there’s no substitute for them in cafes or on long flights.

Of course, these over-ear headphones can be bulky to carry around while walking or commuting, so I typically use them only when I need to work for extended periods in cafés or during long flights.

For everything else, the AirPods Pro are more than sufficient.

Charging Accessories

I’ve mentioned numerous devices in this post, and they wouldn’t be useful if I couldn’t charge them easily every day.

I’ve established a portable yet powerful charging setup that packs neatly and takes up minimal space in my backpack.

The first item in my charging kit is a 3-in-1 portable wireless charging stand, which folds up effortlessly!

I can quickly charge three of my Apple devices: iPhone, watch, and AirPods.

For my larger devices, such as my laptop and iPad, I use a dual USB-C wall outlet along with a few USB-C to USB-C braided cables.

These charging cables, outlets, and stands are more than enough to power my entire portable setup.

That’s my EDC arrangement that I’ve been utilizing for the past few months.

I’ve traveled hundreds of miles and worked countless hours in various cafés, parks, and libraries.

At no point has this setup let me down.

I hope you find a few items from this list to enhance or optimize your own setup.

Thank you for reading this far!

I’d love to hear about your setup as well. Please share in the comments!