Gear of the Year 2025: 11 Everyday Carry Picks Worth Knowing About

Introduction

Picking favorites from a full year of testing is never easy, but the items below share a common thread: they earned a permanent place in a bag, a pocket, or a desk drawer. Some are impressively powerful, some are brilliantly executed, and a few simply solve an everyday problem better than anything else tried this year. Here are the standout picks, spanning flashlights, multi-tools, travel gear, and a few clever accessories in between.

Nitecore EDC37: A Genuinely Powerful Tactical Light

The Nitecore EDC37 is a compact, rather flattish handheld flashlight with serious output. At 200 g (7 oz) it feels weighty, thanks to a PVD-coated high-strength stainless steel body, and it ships with a substantial belt or pocket clip plus a lanyard.

Two tactical tail switches, each a different size and shape, are easy to locate in the dark even with gloves on, and a broad dual-reflector head houses two nine-LED arrays that switch selectively between spotlight and flood. Search mode delivers 3,000 lumens with a maximum range of 420 meters, while an 8,000-lumen Lumen Shield flood mode turns night into day, in short bursts only. Both are accessible instantly via a half press or full press of the large tail switch. There is also a signature OLED display showing battery level, light level, and expected runtime, so you can pick brightness based on how long you need it. The 15-lumen minimum runs up to 190 hours from an 8,000 mAh built-in battery, which is non-replaceable. Add USB-C fast charging, an instant lockout switch, silicon nitride glass breaker tips (swappable for screws), and an IP54 rating, and this is an easy pick. Expect around £110 in the UK or $140 in the US.

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Lautie Chalk Slider: The Fidget That Earned Its Spot

Of all the fidget gadgets tested this year, the Lautie Chalk Slider stood out from the rest. It is small, lightweight, pocket friendly, and delivers the sound and feel of a fine-tooth ratchet as the two halves slide over each other, providing satisfying haptic and audible feedback without being too loud for those around you.

It is also customizable. The screwless design has a magnetically held changeable front face, and underneath you can swap the spring configuration, adjust spring tension, and change the slider plate for one with a modified tooth pattern. That means plenty of variables to create your perfect sound and feel. It is well made, hard to put down, and starts at $67, around £50, which is good value for a quality Lautie item.

UGREEN MagFlow 10,000mAh MagSafe Power Bank

UGREEN’s latest 10,000 mAh MagSafe power bank is part of the new MagFlow range and incorporates the brand’s 25W MagSafe G2 wireless fast charging, the fastest wireless charging rate currently available and around 50% faster than the standard 15W rate. If your phone does not yet support that speed, the power bank simply reverts to the maximum rate your device allows.

The extra-strong magnetic grip keeps the phone perfectly aligned while you keep using it, and a useful carry strap doubles as a built-in USB-C charging cable rated at 30W in and out, so the power bank itself can be fast charged in around two hours. There is also a second 30W two-way USB-C socket for longer cables, and the battery displays remaining capacity as a percentage along with charging status. If your phone supports MagSafe fast wireless charging, this is currently the fastest wireless charging power bank around.

Victorinox Companion Slim Alox: Everyday Carry Without Compromise

Victorinox released two new ranges in 2025, and while the Alox Synergy X with its locking blade may be the more capable, it is the Companion Slim Alox that has found its way into everyday carry. This slim two-layer Alox with aluminium scales fits neatly into a wallet pouch and goes everywhere.

The tool set includes excellent scissors, a new package opener and small screwdriver tool, and a capable large flathead screwdriver, pry bar scraper with bottle opener, and wire stripper. Notably, there is no knife, and that is precisely the point. Even where a small slip-joint knife is legal, it is not allowed in many public buildings, schools, public events, courts, some public transport, and often pubs and bars. This knife-free tool is welcome in all of those places, so it can live in the wallet pouch and simply be forgotten until needed. The quality is exceptional as expected from Victorinox, at around £45 or $50.

Geometrical Pocket Tripod Pro V2: A Phone Stand the Size of a Credit Card

Some products impress simply because they are so brilliantly executed, and the Pocket Tripod Pro V2 from Geometrical is exactly that. It is credit card sized, about two credit cards thick, and weighs just 12 g (half an ounce), making it a natural fit for a wallet pouch.

The packaging reflects the thought behind it: detailed instructions, a measuring card to select the right inserts, and nine insert pairs so it will outlast your changing phones and cases. It has already adapted to two different phones and four different cases over six months of use and still looks new. It folds into place instantly, works for movies, video calls, and as a bedside stand, separates into two halves for a stable landscape orientation, doubles as a tripod for selfies or video, and even includes two standard quarter-inch threads for tripod mounts. At around £35 or $45 it is not cheap, but the quality and usability easily justify it.

LTT Ratchet Screwdriver: All the Right Elements, Done Better

The LTT ratchet screwdriver, now also available in a frosted transparent version, beat a long-term go-to equivalent convincingly in comparison, and it has been a pleasure to use since it was first previewed. Every element feels considered: a shape that fits the hand perfectly, comfortable nylon and ABS polymer construction, and a precise ratchet direction selector with very little play or friction, more like a well-made clock mechanism.

The knurled shaft lets you quickly spin in a loose screw before any force is needed, and the bit holder in the handle opens smoothly and closes with a satisfying click. It holds 12 bits, double what you might usually expect, thanks to a wider handle opening and 20 mm bits. Expect to pay around $70 or $90 Canadian, with worldwide shipping, and four new color options appear to be on the way.

Leatherman Wave Alpha: The Best New Multi-Tool of 2025

The Leatherman Wave Alpha is arguably the best new multi-tool release of 2025. One caveat from longer testing: at $200 or £230, its list price sits very close to Leatherman’s flagship Arc at $250 or £260, and the Arc has the superior FREE-series architecture with outside-accessible tools, single-handed operation, magnetic closure, and an easier locking mechanism.

Judge the Wave Alpha on its own merits, however, or as an upgrade to the best-selling Wave Plus, and it is excellent: new contoured G10 scales with superior comfort, a blade in super premium magnetic CPM steel, bigger and better scissors than almost any Leatherman available, and a superior reamer, alongside the familiar crosscut file and diamond file, saw, flathead screwdriver, comp pry bar, eyeglass screwdriver, bit driver, bottle opener, can opener with wire stripper, and needle-nose pliers with replaceable hardwire cutters. A significant step up and a worthy inclusion here.

Rab Phantom Jacket: The Lightest Full-Zip Waterproof We Have Found

At 116 g (4 oz), the Rab Phantom is, as far as we can tell, the lightest full-zip waterproof jacket there is, which makes it ideal for one-bag carry-on travel. After nine months of use it has performed brilliantly, whether carried all day at an unpredictable-weather music festival or on walking-heavy holidays where every ounce counts.

It uses a 7D Pertex Shield two-and-a-half-layer construction with a fluorocarbon-free water-resistant coating, delivering a 20,000 mm hydrostatic head and impressive breathability, a rare combination. The fabric is extremely thin but has shown no wear issues so far. Despite being stripped back, it retains a partly elasticated hem, elasticated cuffs and hood, and it packs away into a pocket in the hood. It is not a heavy-duty rain jacket, but as a waterproof, breathable, packable, zip-up-able keep-you-dry layer it is superb, and it recently received an outdoor industry award. Available in light zinc and mayor blue for around £175 or $200.

InCard Tracker from Signs On: The Best Wallet-Friendly Tracker Tested

After testing many wallet-friendly Find My trackers, the favorite is the InCard from Signs On, currently carried in a wallet pouch. The same card works with both iPhone and Android, connecting to your chosen system at setup, and it is the thinnest tested at just 1.7 mm and the lightest at 13 g.

It is also the most discreet tracker seen: it does not shout “tracker” and could easily pass as a hotel room or building access card, so it is less likely to be instantly discarded if someone takes your wallet, giving you a better chance of tracking it down. It is loud at 80 decibels and fully waterproof. The single-use battery is not rechargeable, but it lasts up to five years, which means no proprietary cable, no wireless charger dependency, and no six-monthly top-ups. Battery level is visible in the phone app with low-battery warnings. At £20 in the UK or $25 in the US, direct from Signs On, the value is excellent given the lifespan.

Nebo Assist Air: Jump Starter and Air Compressor in One

The Nebo Assist Air earns its place as part of an everyday carry car kit, performing two vital functions in one compact box. As a jump starter, it is surprisingly effective: connect the leads, press the button, and once the green light stops flashing, start your engine. It uses a 15,000 mAh battery to build a 12V high-current surge, enough to start a 4L diesel engine or up to an 8L petrol engine.

The built-in air compressor benefits from that same large battery, which would normally be two or three times bigger than a standalone compressor’s capacity, so it lasts longer when inflating tires. Operation is simple: select the air button and unit, set the required pressure, press again, and it stops automatically at the target. It also functions as a 15,000 mAh power bank with USB-A and USB-C outputs, plus an area light and a red warning light, though the light activates with a quick press, so guard against accidental knocks. The package includes compressor fittings, a travel USB-C mains charger, and a 12V car charger. Expect around £150 or dollars equivalent.

Nitecore Tiny 3: The Favorite Small Flashlight of 2025

The Nitecore Tiny 3 is the favorite small flashlight of the year, and its size is deceptive. It is genuinely tiny and extremely lightweight at just 21 g (3/4 of an ounce), yet feature-packed: aluminium construction, a dual LED lens array for broad diffused light, USB-C charging, two push switches, a keyring loop, and even Nitecore’s OLED display showing battery level, light level, and remaining runtime at each brightness.

There are four main light levels from 1 lumen to 200 lumens, selectable before switching on, plus instant-access turbo mode for short 600-lumen bursts that is really bright at this size. The 1-lumen moonlight mode runs for 85 hours on a full charge. A new touch lets you switch the light color from cool white to neutral white to warm white with a simultaneous press of both switches, and there are full and partial lockout modes, the latter still allowing instant turbo access. Expect around £40 or $40, not cheap, but great.

Buying Advice

If you want one takeaway: match the gear to your actual routine. The EDC37 and Tiny 3 suit anyone who values reliable lighting with honest runtime information. The Wave Alpha and Companion Slim Alox cover different ends of the multi-tool spectrum, one full-featured and one knife-free for restrictive venues. The Rab Phantom and Pocket Tripod are travel-first picks, while the InCard tracker and Nebo Assist Air are quiet insurance policies you will be glad to have when things go wrong.

Conclusion

None of these products is flashy for the sake of it. Each one is well made, thoughtfully designed, and has proven itself through daily use and travel. Whether you are building an everyday carry setup or looking for a single upgrade, any of these picks would be a confident addition to your kit.