As an American who drives a truck, this is moot. I have a full set of clothes, winter outer wear, a jug of water, a canister of peanuts, a blanket, a shovel, trauma sheers, a leatherman, a sun hat, to walking poles, a Midwest level scraper/brush, an air pump for my tires that plugs into the lighter, full spare, spark plugs, an extendable magnet, 10k lumen light that plugs into the cigarette lighter to charge if need be, tweezers, nail clipper, eyeglass repair, a paper book of maps for all 50 states, and a spare toothbrush.

Probably forgot some things. My truck is essentially my purse.

As little as possible. The only things I always take with me are my phone and my keys. I generally look at the weather report and only take an umbrella with me if there's a chance of rain. I only take my wallet if I'm going somewhere where I might buy something etc.

Uhhhhh.

Keys, wallet, and phones. Is all I do. Unless it is actually winter then I have gloves too.

Wallet, keys, phone, cigarettes, lighter.

Though I do have a multi tool in my wallet and another on my key chain.

Phone wallet keys.

There's an umbrella in my car but I use it like once a year.

It really depends on mode of transportation, especially if a car is involved or not. I suspect a number of people in this thread are folks who drive most/all places and aren't including all the stuff they have stashed in their cars, available if needed. Also, driving means minimal exposure to the elements, so even less stuff is needed to stay comfortable/presentable than if you are walking, biking, waiting at transit stations, etc.

As a former Tokyo resident I'll also add that I used to carry a folding fan around with me in summer when I lived there, but I have no need in the US where air conditioning is so prevalent (to the point of overuse). I also stopped needing a fan so much, regardless of temperature, when living in less humid places.

Also, shocked more people aren't mentioning a water bottle. I bring a reusable water bottle with me any time I have to leave the house for more than a couple of hours, especially if I'm cycling somewhere but even if I'm driving. How are y'all staying hydrated sans water bottle???

None. The secret to dealing with other people is to live somewhere where there really aren't other people around.

infrastructure fail stuff

Living remotely induces one to already have solutions in place. I pump my own water from a ground spring. No water bill to speak of. Electricity is always at risk of outage, so I run a generator regularly, and with lots of battery fail-over devices.

If something happened out in clown town that caused a national grid failure, I would just assume it's just another outage from trees getting pruned by mother nature.

Most of the stuff I carry have already been mentioned so I’ll just add the ones not a lot of people carry:

• hand sanitizer
• a small travel vial of liquid soap
• a couple of squares of toilet paper rolled up

All of those including the standard phone, keys, wallet, etc. all fit in a small handbag that I wear across my chest.

Sometimes if I know I’ll be out in hot weather, I bring water in an insulated container. I also have a small bag that specifically has a pocket for water bottles.

Phone,keys, wallet generally. If its going to rain I bring an umbrella. If its hot I put in cream. If im bringing a bag I bring a bottle of water

Keys, wallet, phone, shopping bag. That's it.

For weather pretty much nothing. If I need sunscreen I'll put it on beforehand. I rarely carry an umbrella even if there's a chance for rain. But I do carry a bunch of stuff for "daily emergencies" like water, pen and paper, wet wipes etc. just because I usually have a backpack and they don't take up much space.

Keys (house, car, bike), phone, wallet,.. swiss army knife, handkerchief.
And during the pandemic a fabric face mask.

It all fits in my pockets

Then dependent on the weather I will bring sunglasses or an umbrella.
I check Buienradar (Dutch rain forecast app) to see whether I'm going to need that.

And sometimes, depending on what I will be doing, earbuds

I used to live in the desert. So on me, water bottle and sun block. In my car, water and a blanket.

I always carry a water bottle with me, no matter what the situation.

In a daily outing bag, I also always carry bandages, Vaseline, nail clippers, pepper spray, phone, glasses cleaning cloth, a portable charging bank/handwarmer, and a small stuffed animal (for emotional support).

I should start carrying sunscreen, but I 100% always spill things in my bag— be it ink, drink, or anything else.

For anyone reading this: purchase an Owala water bottle!! I don't recommend brands often, but as someone who used to be chronically dehydrated AND always spilling shit: get an Owala. It has a lid that opens with a button push, a very good carrying handle that doubles as a button-guard when down, an easy to clean lid with removable/replaceable parts, and you can choose between swigging it or sipping it up without a straw!! I hate putting my mouth on straws, so that was a great option (even though I only swig lol— but the straw is inside the waterbottle). I've had mine for 2 to 3 years now, and apparently they're popular now. Seriously, 100% recommend them. Only real downside is they are a bit too large for some cupholders and they can't hold hot liquids, but that's it.

Stay hydrated.

Phone, wallet and keys most of the time, plus backpack with rain coat and water bottle if it's for an extended time.

Since I'm in the US where public transportation is next to nonexistent outside of maybe 5 cities, I (and the overwhelming majority of Americans) are cheating since we can EDC a hell of a lot of things in our cars. My pockets have 3-4 items max, but I consider my vehicle my home away from home, and if I'm away from home more than a night I pack her to the gills.

Deodorant and mints. That's it.

I'm a very simple person and if there's rain I get wet and I don't really care about it. Not saying everyone is resistant to colder climates like me, I can appreciate that my immune system probably gives me an advantage.

The clothes I'm wearing, wallet, phone (sometimes a second), and usually keys as well. Depending on outdoors or not, sunglasses.

Unless I'm doing something specifically the would require more, that's about it.

Keys, right pocket. Wallet and phone, left pocket.

Done.

I have a "mom" sized pocketbook that I carry around and it always has the following:

• Band aids, nail clipper, and aquaphor tube
• Eye drops
• Wallet, phone, keys
• Masks
• Earbuds
• Hand sanitizer
• Sunglasses
• Small fidget toy
• Folding hairbrush
• Hair ties
• Small sunscreen stick, chapstick
• Pen
• Set of plastic cutlery
• Pill case with some commonly needed pills like Tylenol, Claritin, etc

If it's sunny I'll bring a sun umbrella and a hat, both of which can fit in the bag in a pinch. If it's raining, just the umbrella. It's not a perfect system but some things (especially the band aids and fidget) come in handy pretty often

I always carry around a backpack with:

• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• wet wipes
• hand sanitizer
• powerbank
• notebook
• pen
• umbrella or rain jacket
• chewing gums
• sugarcubes
• water

Typically I have my wallet, phone, and maybe some headphones

Phone, wallet, keys, lip balm, tissues, pen, paper, fold up scissors, toothpicks, mask (respirator), hand sanitiser, plasters, shopping bag, mints.

I hate being without stuff I need, so I always carry around a backpack. I just always keep stuff in it so I don't forget it. At the moment the core kit is:

• At least 1L of water, usually 2L+.
• Hand sanitiser for the inevitable moment the public washroom is out of soap.
• Re-usable shopping bags in case I buy something.
• An energy bar or two in case I have to stay at work late.
• Nail clippers (having a broken nail at work sucks).
• Band-aids.
• A mask in case anywhere requires it, but this one has definitely seen less use over time.
• Deodorant, because sometimes I forget to apply it before I leave in the morning...
• Hand lotion for winter when my hands crack.
• And finally, a charging cable for my phone.

If it's likely to rain and I'll be outside longer than 15m I will add an umbrella to the mix.

Phone, ereader, wallet, car key, AirPods

I use a neck fan at work, but I definitely don't need one outside that. I have plenty of emergency stuff in my car, and more in a backpack I sometimes bring (usually to carry a switch or steamdeck, sometimes a laptop).

Phone, wallet, keys, small ballpoint pen, watch, sunglasses and bt earbuds.
Sunglasses are magnetic and clip on to my glasses.

I wear pants, and shoes. Sometimes a jacket. If the weather is bad enough to require more than that, I stay home.

Do you check the weather first? Are you really going to be outside enough on a day you need an umbrella to also need sunscreen?

Depends on where I'm going, the vast majority of times it's just the basics, key, phone, maybe wallet.

If I'm going to be on my own for a significant period of time, e.g. taking the bus, I'll bring my earphones. My backpack always has a power bank in it, so if I'm going anywhere that needs a backpack or when I'll be away from home for the majority of the day I can ensure I'll have battery until I get back.

If I'm going to be walking a lot I always bring my an insulated bottle of cold water on my backpack.

If it's winter I'll be wearing my jacket which is waterproof so I'm covered in case, in summer I usually don't bother with it now (before I was living in Dublin and would just go out with my jacket on summer, it's not like it was hot anyways).

I think that's it for my EDC. I do have a bunch of specific stuff for travel, but I think that's beyond the scope here.

Edit: forgot to mention, my backpack also has a pocket with paracetamol and mints, and has a hand sanitizer clipped to it.

Keys, phone, wallet, pocket knife, mask (in the winter)

When I still commuted for work (western 23-ku initially and later out towards okutama), I had a portable wifi, power bank, water, a protein bar or two, a book, sunglasses, folding umbrella, sunscreen, noise-canceling earphones, and ibuprofen in my bag (in addition to work stuff or whatever for that daily activity). Being stuck on a train that loses power makes one prepare.

Now, I love in the inaka and work from home. I really should throw some water and calorie mate in the car, though, as I think about it.

Phone, wallet, keys

I don't even own an umbrella or sunglasses, I might have a bottle of sunscreen...somewhere....

Though I do wear a hoodie year-round, so if it rains I just put my hood up

I think it's wild that you carry so much stuff, especially since it sounds like you primarily walk and take trains being in Tokyo and all

Phone, wallet, pocket knife, ear buds.