What’s Your Pocket Dump? (You DO Have One, Right?)
Last updated: May 25, 2026 · Originally published: June 5, 2023
Batman’s utility belt is the stuff professional concealed carriers dream of— lightweight and chock-full of the goodies required for any situation. Unfortunately this is not how it works in real life. Even in the military you have to break down different types of combat loads, because it is impossible to have everything at all times.
For example, a fighting load will consist of only essential items needed to accomplish their assigned task during an immediate engagement. This is analogous to the civilian everyday carry (EDC) load.
“Approach March” loads are extra operational essential items, like rucks that are dropped off before or during contact with the enemy. They dump the extra weight of non critical items (extra socks) for better maneuverability. In the civilian world think of this as our get-home or bug-out bags. Loadouts then get bigger and more complex all the way to sustaining loads for long term operations.
It is amazing that in the firearms-related talk groups I frequent, each one seems to have its own version thread of the “pocket dump.” This is the tacticool term used to describe all of the stuff you carry every single day. At the end of the day you have to empty all of your pockets, dumping out all sorts of goodies. Some of these individuals carry enough stuff to make Batman say, “That’s enough, Alfred.”
I am not making (much) fun of anyone for this—if you enjoy humping all of this stuff around, good for you. But common sense leads me to believe that maybe that fishing kit, firestarter and Rambo survival knife could be staged in our vehicle or work office area? Is there REALLY going to be an immediate need to go emergency fishing or will walking to the car to get your extra gear be ok?
Just like the military fighting load, where you want only the essential items, every day carry should be the same thing. EDC should blend in and not be burdensome. My personal decision is that I want a pistol, holster, utility tool, flashlight, and tourniquet. Once you add in all of the other stuff I have to carry around like a wallet, phone and a keychain that would be the envy of any janitor. No wonder I have to wear cargo style pants with tons of pockets. Everything beyond that I can just make the effort to fight my way to the larger cache in the parking lot.
Some may even notice that I do not mention extra magazines. You do what you want, but I just do not feasibly see myself getting into an extended firefight. My current main pistol is a Springfield Hellcat Pro with 16 rounds topped off. This may not be a popular opinion, but looking at most shootings, good guys are not the ones that need to lay suppressive fire. My first goal is to de-escalate or avoid situations if I can. After that, well if I could not stop the threat in 16 rounds or less, damn it was not my day. You may not agree and that’s fine … I just wish you luck with the Grand Jury after your spray-and-pray shooting.
As of the last couple years one addition that I look at as a critical piece of gear is a North American Rescue Cat Tourniquet. Some of the best continuing education you can take is a Stop the Bleed/Tourniquet class. I have taken the class multiple times and it amazes me every class there are still people who swear the tourniquet is a last resort and you lose limbs employing them. Don’t take my word—go find a local class and get some firsthand high-speed training. A tourniquet is definitely an item that you need if someone is shot in a limb, and when you need it, you need it five minutes ago. You won’t have time to go retrieve one.
I don’t know about you, but a flashlight has to be one of my most used tools. I trust Surefire and have carried their lights for almost two decades. The aluminum construction and angled bezels can make them serve a dual purpose as a make shift Kubaton, increasing your striking capability. On top of that, even during the day time, flashlights are just useful pieces of kit. I have actually personally used my Surefires for self-defense, at night in a dark area of a park. Some nefarious folks who were intent to lay hands on me, were blinded instead. When you shine a thousand lumens in someone’s dark-adapted eyes, it creates temporary blindness.
I have actually switched over to the Surefire rechargeable CR123 batteries. When used with a light that has multi-power capability you just find yourself using it more often since you no longer eat batteries left and right. I keep a charger in my with fresh batteries so I no longer have an excuse to not use the light.
Next up is a good knife or multitool. I honestly go back and forth, but my Leatherman Charge has a knife so I don’t see the need to double up on my immediate need EDC stuff. My Leatherman is my modern Swiss Army knife, and it is actually ridiculous how frequently I use it. If the Leatherman can’t handle it…we’re in trouble, and it’s time to get out of Dodge anyway.
My pocket dump may not be exciting, but it’s neat and portable. And if I need “tier two tech support,” all that stuff is a few feet away in the parking lot.
People will definitely argue that two guns are better than one, and you need magazines to reload for days. Sure if that’s what you feel you need, have at it. I guess I could start carrying my active shooter pouch everywhere, but I am not into tactical purses and it just gets in the way of everyday life. For me I want to carry the same load in a t-shirt and shorts or jeans and a jacket. I want to blend in as much as I possibly can. What’s your pocket dump? The comments are open!
James The “XDMAN” Nicholas Mr. UnPewFessional himself
Well, let’s see. Right front pocket. Keys, pocket/pen knife, pen light. Right rear pocket. Wallet. Left rear. Spare magazine, tourniquet. Left front pocket. Multi tool, liner lock knife I can open with the thumb stud.
Along with an old 1911 officers model on an IWB holster on right hip. Lighter and pen and notepad in shirt pocket. Cell on left hip in holster for such.
Med kit and other items in vehicle or in the house. No longer going off to work anymore, so no office/jobsite stash.
I’ve know folks who carry enough to outfit a grunt going on patrol. Or those who would stand looking at their cell phone hoping the cops or medics show up soon. If the 7 rounds in the pistol and my single reload aren’t enough to deal with the situation, I need to leave and go get a larger gun. Like a rifle.
My wallet stays in front left pocket,harder to be grabbed by pickpockets.
Right front pocket, folding knife clipped to pocket and Leatherman Micro; left pocket, Streamlight micro, car keys with attached squeeze light, and microfiber cloth; back pocket, bandana; thigh pocket, wallet (sciatica); right hip, Glock 43 w/ AmeriGlo sights and Vickers Tactical +2 magazine in Galco IWB; left hip iPhone in holster and reload Vickers +2 magazine in Kydex OWB; Left ankle, Rescue Essentials holster with Israeli bandage, gloves, and CAT.
I solve the problem with a tactical backpack. Flashlight, Leatherman, extra Ammo, reading and sunglasses, keys, phone etc fit nicely with room for more. Leaves my pockets relatively free and without the need for suspenders to hold up my pants. On my belt is usually an IWB .45 or 9mm with 1 extra mag. With a folding knife in my right front pocket.
Lessee, Left front pocket: cell phone, ChapStick swiss army knife, penlight. Right front pocket: wallet, Kershaw clip knife (most frequently used). Belt: left hip, S&W SD9 in a Blackhawk retention holster. Right side, Leatherman, spare mag in a G-Code holder.
IWB appendix carry SIG M18 (R) side car with spare mag (L) Black Triangle Donovan (L); Right front pocket: keys, comb, and tactical pen; Right hip pocket: ZT 350 or Hogue OTF; Right Back pocket: cell Phone; Left back pocket: notebook; Left hip pocket: Stream Light Wedge; Left front pocket minimal wallet; Left Cargo pocket: Creds.
frt SOG folder clipped to pocket opening, lt frt keys, small flashlight, lt rear wallet, etc rear phone, right hip 5 o’clock leatherman wave, 3 o’clock glock 27 IWB, left hip 2 o’clock extra mag OWB, hip 6 o’clock tourniquet
Always carry a spare mag if for no other reason than malfunctions happen and clearing one and having to scramble to find the mag you dumped is just stupid.
I agree. It’s there if I need to clear a jam and whatnot, as well as in recognition that bad guys often like to travel in groups these days. You may just as likely be confronted by five bad guys as by only one.
Ok- left front: car fob and keys, surefire micro, spare battery; right front: NAA sidewinder 22 Mag and 5 extra rounds in sticky pocket holster, tourniquet, surgical gloves, Spyderco liner lock clipped to pocket seam; left rear: house keys(2), money clip with approx $8 for distracting throw down, small clotting dressing; right rear: thin rfid blocking wallet; waistband: appendix carry iwb (versacarry)holster with Sig P938 and spare mag on a deep concealment snap clip(crossbreed). Never had to use any of this defensively while out and about, I consider this to be minimal EDC much like the seatbelt in my car- wonderful to have if ever needed, but prayerfully it never will be. Not in my pocket dump, but always with me is my training and experience in using these defensive tooks.
Right hip Springfield hellcat with 11+1 in OSWB holster on a5-11 belt. Left front pocket CRKT M16 Carson knife. Inside the same pocket second bigger mag for the gun. It gets cleaned every 2 weeks for any dust bunny’s . I only add a small single cr123 battery SureFire flashlight as darkness approaches. Then add the badge wallet and Apple IPhone Gen 14 and small set of vehicle specific keys so I don’t have the janitor look .
I won’t say what I do or don’t carry but will say it depends – am I in my car or on my moped, and where am I going – like to jury duty in a couple of weeks – they tend to frown on LOTS of ‘toys’ many of us carry on normal days.
BTW – if we were to carry all of the stuff the ‘experts’ recommend we would need a designated Sherpa (or 2) to tote all of it.
EDC…hmmm, I have carried a handgun professionally now for over 40 years, EDC has evolved considerably. I have also learned that there are a few things you should NEVER be without. Flashlight, a tourniquet (and the knowledge needed to use it properly) a good knife and comms (cell phone). I also carry some form of restraint (job requirement). My handgun selection varies to season and during work I’m limited to what’s issued. I always carry a reload. My personal favorites these days are a Glock 43x with a red dot or a 19 with a red dot. Now here is the most important part of all of it…train with your gear the way you carry it. I cannot emphasize enough that learning to access your gear under stress can only be accomplished with a lot of serious and on point training sessions. Can you access your knife, gun, tourniquet or phone while seated? What if you’re on your back on the ground? On your strong side? You get the picture…I hope. Seek out professional training. Buy quality equipment. Cheap belts and cheap holsters fail…usually when you need them or at the most embarrassing time.
I have two different pistols that I carry, just depends on how I’m feeling. Ordinarily I carry my Ruger 57, lately though I’ve been carrying my 9mm Canik TP9SF. So, my pistol is on my right hip, right front pocket is my folding knife, a pen, and keys. Front left pocket, is RFID wallet and extra mag if I’m not wearing a mag pouch. Rear left is my cell phone. All of the first aid stuff, I carry in a bag in my trunk. I also carry a small flashlight in my front left pocket, but it died, so I have to get another one.