Editors Note
There’s a certain intent behind a well-built carry; not just what you bring, but how it all comes together. For this feature, we tap into the perspective of an EDC enthusiast and photographer, Ryan Chan (@never.bad.days) whose approach leans heavily into cohesion, texture, and tone.This time centered around the UTD-8000-CKG, his loadout is less about excess and more about alignment; pieces that age well, work hard, and photograph even better. This is a carry shaped by use, but refined by eye. We appreciate Ryan for taking his time to curate this piece for us.- Andrew, Editor in Chief
My Top EDC Picks to Pair With The UTD-8000-CKG
As an EDC enthusiast and photographer, one of my favorite aspects of the hobby is building color-coordinated loadouts. When the UTD-8000-CKG was announced, it was an instant must-have, since the majority of my carry consists of earth-toned gear, and the watch fits perfectly with that aesthetic. Of the pieces in my collection, here are my top picks that match the warm palette of the UTD-8000-CKG.
As an EDC enthusiast and photographer, one of my favorite aspects of the hobby is building color-coordinated loadouts. When the UTD-8000-CKG was announced, it was an instant must-have, since the majority of my carry consists of earth-toned gear, and the watch fits perfectly with that aesthetic. Of the pieces in my collection, here are my top picks that match the warm palette of the UTD-8000-CKG.
1. Notorious EDC All Good Pouch. Arguably, the most versatile piece of gear to have in your arsenal, particularly if you carry a lot of smaller items. The AGP offers plenty of ways to keep things organized in one place, whether it's tucked in your bag or slipped into a cargo pocket. The one I'm carrying is in OD Green and has a Velcro panel on the front where I can mount patches to add a bit of extra personality. Lately, I've been rocking some amazing designs from Society of Hidden Skies.
2. JRW Gear Curator. I love carrying around pocket art, and the Curator is one of my favorites that checks all the boxes for me. It's thick and heavy, and the pyramid inlay has a great tactile feel, making it perfect for fidgeting during calls or breaks. Of course, it looks great in photos, especially as the bronze gradually patinas from a soft golden yellow to a deep earthy brown.
3. Notorious EDC Big Poppa Beer Bomb. A beloved and iconic piece in the EDC community, the Beer Bomb has been around for 10 years now, and it's what first sparked my interest in collecting and hunting for cool gear. This heavy-duty bottle opener has been released in countless finishes over the years, but the distressed OD Green is the one I reach for most out of the few in my collection.
4. OEG EDC Good Luck Pry. I'm firmly in the camp that a prybar is essential to any well-rounded EDC kit. Whether you're tightening a tripod plate, scratching a lotto ticket, scraping gum off your shoes, or prying a stubborn lid off a paint bucket, there are far more use cases for a prybar than you think. The burnt bronze anodized finish combined with the "Dark Matter Gold" Fatcarbon inlay on this Good Luck Pry delivers on the earthy aesthetic in spades and pairs beautifully with the UTD-8000-CKG.
5. Norfolk Handmade Nomo Wallet. I've owned and used plenty of wallets throughout my EDC journey, but this Nomo wallet is special. It was handcrafted by my good friend Justin at Norfolk Handmade, and it's also the first Shell Cordovan leather piece in my collection. This is a one-off creation I specifically picked to match my earth-toned carry.
6. Society of Hidden Skies Coin. Another piece of pocket art that I like to have with me when I want something a bit more discreet in my hands than the Curator. The level of detail on this coin is consistent with the quality you'd expect from their patches, making it both a great conversation starter and a photo prop.
7. Lochby Mini Field Journal. I keep this field journal close by when I want to disconnect from being online and immerse myself in recording my thoughts with good old-fashioned pen and paper. The Mini Field Journal holds up to four Field Notes-sized notebooks and keeps them protected in a nice brown wax canvas cover.
8. Refyne EP1 Brass Pen. You can't fill up a journal without something to write with, and my pen of choice is the Refyne EP1 in brass. Sure, brass is heavier than most materials, but the warm patina that develops over time makes it worth it. Plus, as the saying goes, "Brass is class!"
9. Uniq Terra AirPods Case. Whether I'm locking in at work or enjoying some tunes while out and about, my AirPods have become a staple of my everyday carry. While stock AirPods don't exactly fit the earth-tone aesthetic, there are plenty of ways to personalize the case to match. For mine, I went with the Uniq Terra case, which has a nice brown leather exterior that ties in perfectly with the rest of my gear.
10. Griffin Company 1946 Slip Joint. Did you really think I wasn't going to include a knife on an EDC gear list? The 1946 slip joint from Griffin Company is a modern take on a classic design; it's sleek, slices effortlessly, and has a very satisfying walk-and-talk when opening or closing the blade. The 1946 is a true gentleman's knife that leans more toward refinement than toward tactical use, and you can grab one with either green or brown micarta scales to complete the look.
And there you have it, my list of EDC gear to pair with the UTD-8000-CKG. While some of the items I've highlighted were limited-run and might no longer be in production, I hope this list will inspire you to build your own unique, color-coordinated carry. Part of the joy is hunting for special pieces that resonate with you and what you enjoy carrying. Most importantly, have fun with the hobby because at the end of the day, there are no rules, only what works for you!
And there you have it, my list of EDC gear to pair with the UTD-8000-CKG. While some of the items I've highlighted were limited-run and might no longer be in production, I hope this list will inspire you to build your own unique, color-coordinated carry. Part of the joy is hunting for special pieces that resonate with you and what you enjoy carrying. Most importantly, have fun with the hobby because at the end of the day, there are no rules, only what works for you!
