As someone who puts a decent amount of thought into gear, I thought it would be interesting to document the items that I bring with me on a daily basis. The plan is to revisit this “everyday carry” periodically to see what changes and to share some insights on why I use what I use. Here is my everyday carry for May 2021.

iPhone 12 Pro

I have been using the 12 Pro for about half a year now (I upgraded from the iPhone X back in December). So far, I’m liking the camera improvements and slightly bigger screen a lot more than I anticipated.

As a frequent user of the 2x camera, I ruled out the standard 12 and 12 mini when upgrading (plus, the 12 Pro comes with 128GB standard, which you have to pay more for on the non-Pro models). I would’ve liked to try the further improved camera system on the Pro Max, but that phone is simply too big for my hands.

After owning three generations of iPhone in the darker variant, I went for the Silver 12 Pro. I really like the way the frame looks in raw stainless steel, especially with the flat sides. Additional advantages – the frosted white back seems to be less of a fingerprint magnet, and there isn’t a PVD coating to potentially wear off like on the other colors.

For the last couple of years, I have also repeatedly purchased Apple’s Leather Case in Saddle Brown, chasing the “patina-look.” This time, I picked up their Silicone Case in Cyprus Green. It’s always a bit annoying when leather cases get slightly damp after you wash your hands. Silicone is also much easier to clean given the current health climate.

Apple Watch Series 4

I’ve been wearing an Apple Watch since the first generation; when the Series 4 came out, I switched from the larger 42mm to the new 40mm size. Since then, I haven’t felt much of a need to upgrade and probably won’t until a new form factor releases.

Having owned all of the stainless steel and ceramic variants of Apple Watch in the past, I will likely go back to silver stainless steel for my next one. Polished stainless steel in silver just looks right on watches, and it pairs well with all types of straps. (Space Black SS looks way too dark, ceramic only looks nice with Sport Bands, and the titanium looks a bit too much like aluminum).

The Milanese Loop is by far the most breathable and wear-resistant band in the lineup. Sometimes I do miss the Apple Link Bracelet I used from Series 0 to Series 3 though and will probably pick up another one when I switch back to silver. I also swap in a black Woven Nylon Band from the first-gen Watch (discontinued) and a black Sport Band on occasion.

I am also a fan of mechanical watches and have a couple that I wear once in a while. However, I’ve found that the Apple Watch just gets the most wrist time by far. (Most of the time, its utility just boils down to subtly letting me know if I need to pull my phone out of my pocket or not – I am not a big fan of the way the iPhone itself vibrates or rings).

Sony RX1

I have gone through more cameras than most reasonable people probably should. In the past, my daily carry has been a Leica M9, Ricoh GR, and Contax T2 (among others). However, the Sony RX1 is by far the camera that I’ve kept in my arsenal for the longest (coming up on seven years). The shooting experience is mediocre, but the pairing of the Zeiss 35mm f/2 lens and full-frame sensor produces insanely good results that I keep coming back to. The two main drawbacks are lethargic autofocus and anemic battery life – the latter of which can be resolved by just carrying more batteries with you (they’re really compact and actually shared with the smaller RX100 series).

I have the camera kitted out with a Sony EVF, a Really Right Stuff L-Plate/Grip, and a Gordy leather strap. The EVF is a must-have for the RX1 – it’s pretty difficult to see the screen outdoors, and they even built this feature directly into the body of the second generation. The RRS grip makes the camera way easier to hold, even though my hands really aren’t even that large. The longevity of Gordy’s leather straps is something I’m also pretty happy about (not to mention, they’re pretty affordable as far as leather straps go).

Ironically, in the process of writing this article, I came across a Leica Q on an online forum and picked it up the same day. Whether or not it replaces my trusty RX1 is the question.

Comme des Garcons SA3100

I’ve experimented with cardholders and bi-fold wallets before, but I settled on this CDG SA3100 wallet about three years ago. The front section is divided from the back by a pouch, so there are essentially three “compartments” to the wallet. I actually only carry four or five cards on me most of the time, but this zip wallet makes it much easier to hold onto random slips of paper (receipts, tickets, cash) instead of crumpling them in my pocket. The leather quality is fairly decent, and it doesn’t show much wear in the black colorway (I have considered picking up the Supreme version from SS13 if one ever surfaces for a reasonable price though).

VW e-Golf keys

My current daily is a VW e-Golf. It’s a great run-around-town car - completely silent operation, instant torque from the electric motor, regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, no need to ever go to a grimy gas station, well-put-together VW interior, etc. The only drawback is some range anxiety with the small battery in the first-gen models. When I want to go for a rip through the backroads, I also have a Honda S2000. I’m a firm supporter of the electric daily and fun weekend car duo, so I’m pretty happy with this setup.

Honorable Mentions

I don’t carry the below items everywhere, but they do see some usage when I go out.

AirPods

I generally don’t carry these with me unless I’m running errands and not interacting with people. They definitely came in handy for Clubhouse at the beginning of the year though (RIP). These are the first-generation AirPods, so I’ll probably wait for a complete redesign of the Pro to upgrade. I also want to do a custom engraving on the case for my next set.

Persol PO3108S

This is my current go-to pair of sunglasses. I originally wanted to get the Oliver Peoples pair from “American Psycho,” but these ended up being a better fit. It’s been kind of a pain to wear sunglasses with a face mask on, so I haven’t been wearing them as much as I should. I also want to check out some other styles, but it’s really difficult to buy sunglasses without trying on a bunch of pairs in person.

Osmo Pocket

I wanted to try to capture more video this year, so I picked this up recently. I am still trying to figure out if this is worth carrying around in addition to my iPhone, but I like the idea of a dedicated camera I can set on a tripod without draining my phone battery (it also seems way less expensive if damaged or stolen vs a phone). The footage comes out looking more natural than GoPro clips, and the gimbal stabilization seems pretty solid as well. And the form factor is actually tiny enough to slide into your pocket, even with the carrying case.

Face mask

As of May 2021, I’m still wearing a face mask most places I go – typically I’ll stack a disposable one underneath this cloth mask (which I got in the mail during Adobe Max, found to be decently comfortable, and have been using ever since).

Everyday Carry - May 2021