What's in My Bum Bag: A Six-Piece EDC Loadout Worth Copying

Introduction

A well-loaded pouch is the quiet workhorse of everyday carry. The idea is simple: keep the things you need only occasionally in one organized place, and move that place between your backpack and your vehicle as the day demands. This loadout does exactly that, and every item in it earns its spot.

The Bag That Started It: Carry Commission x Blue Ridge Overland Gear Bum Bag

This bum bag is a collaboration between Carry Commission and Blue Ridge Overland Gear, and it has become genuinely popular, selling out quickly each time it drops. It works in two ways. Some owners wear it crossbody as a sling and take it everywhere. Others treat it as a straightforward EDC pouch, tossing it between a backpack and a truck’s center console.

That flexibility is what separates it from a dedicated crossbody sling: it is small enough to feel like a pouch, but structured enough to wear over the shoulder when needed. The front features laser-cut MOLLE panels, and the interior accepts hook-and-loop organizers, which is where most of the magic happens.

Outside, a small carabiner on the strap doubles as a firestarter with a ferro rod spark, plus a cord cutter and flathead. Spare flints are included, and it still functions perfectly as a normal carabiner. A glowing pull bead charges quickly and shines remarkably bright.

Spare Wallet, Fidgets, and Small Essentials

Inside the bag, a hook-and-loop keeper holds a spare wallet setup: rarely used debit cards, loyalty cards, gift cards, and credits that do not need to live in a pocket wallet. Add lip balm, a small grooming kit with tweezers and nail clippers, and a blade holder for spare utility blades, and the basics are covered.

The Case for a Swiss Army Knife Plus Pliers

One of the smartest ideas in this loadout: carry a pair of pliers and a Swiss Army knife instead of a single multi-tool. The reasoning is practical. With one multi-tool you can only grip a nut or turn a screw, not both at once. With pliers in one hand and a screwdriver in the other, you can do two things simultaneously. It takes slightly more space, but it solves a real problem.

The Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman fills the tool role well, with a scissors, corkscrew, and the usual complement of blades. It packs a surprising amount of capability into a slim profile that disappears inside a pouch.

Fire and Flame: Zippo Brass with Thunderbird Insert

A brass Zippo fitted with a Thunderbird insert brings both a soft flame and a torch in one lighter. It is a genuinely cool concept, though not the most reliable ignition, so it is best treated as a capable backup rather than a primary fire source. The brass body develops character with carry, and the insert swap keeps the classic Zippo form relevant for modern tasks.

Bit Storage: Big Idea Design Bit Bar Inline Max and Leatherman Ratchet

This pairing is one of the best combos in the bag. The Big Idea Design Bit Bar Inline Max holds Leatherman bits in its handle, and paired with the Leatherman Ratchet it becomes a compact ratcheting screwdriver with ten different bits on board. When you need more torque, it still works as a straightforward driver.

The catch: the Leatherman Ratchet has been out of stock for a while and reportedly will be for some time, which is a shame because it is such a good tool. If you find one available, it is worth picking up.

For the bits that do not fit in the handle, a small titanium storage case holds most of a Leatherman bit kit, covering Torx, Allen, flathead, and Phillips options without the flimsy plastic holders the kit usually ships in.

The Flashlight: Vosseed x Raylight The Rook

Every loadout needs a flashlight, and a one-inch-diameter light can feel bulky in a pocket. The Rook, a collaboration between Vosseed and Raylight, solves that with a compact body built around an 18350 battery. It offers a super dim moonlight mode and also gets genuinely, impressively bright.

The interface works the way Raylight owners expect, which means no relearning curve. The battery charges via USB-C directly on the cell, which is not the most convenient arrangement, but it beats proprietary solutions. It is a flashlight that disappears in a pouch and delivers when needed.

Small Parts and a Healing Surprise

A rough-out hook-and-loop pouch from Tough Possum Gear sticks inside the bag and works as a catch-all for zip ties and other tiny odds and ends, and the whole pouch lifts out when you need it. The Tough Possum build quality is close to on par with Blue Ridge Overland Gear.

One of the most interesting items is propolis tincture, a bee-derived product used on cuts, scrapes, and sore throats. It has real scientific backing for skin healing, and one deep knife cut reportedly healed in about three days of regular use after weeks of reopening. Worth a spot in any kit.

Overall Buying Advice

The philosophy behind this loadout is simple: rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. If you are building your own version, start with the bag, then add the Swiss Army knife and pliers combo, the ratcheting bit setup, and a compact flashlight. Each item fills a gap the others leave open, and nothing overlaps wastefully.

If you only pick one upgrade, make it the pouch and organizer system, because organization is what turns a pile of gear into a system you will actually use.

Conclusion

This six-item loadout covers organization, cutting, fixing, fire, and light without redundancy or bulk. The bum bag ties it together, the Huntsman and pliers handle two-handed jobs, the Bit Bar and Ratchet make quick work of fasteners, the Zippo covers flame duty, and The Rook handles everything from moonlight tasks to serious illumination. It is a well-thought-out setup that most people could adapt to their own daily routine with confidence.