How in the world does a Gray Man carry everything they need, and where do they put it all?…
You’ve heard of the Gray Man theory: blend into the crowd and don’t draw attention to yourself… This is a Gray Man guide on how to build out your Everyday Carry (EDC) List and where on your body to carry it, while still maintaining your anonymity.
We understand your need to be prepared without sticking out like a sore thumb. This article provides an extensive guide on creating a serious EDC list that aligns with the principles of the Gray Man.
We don’t you to choose between “printing” and being unprepared…
The Gray Man Preps for Varying Threat Levels
Preppers and Gray Men alike are always evaluating and making sure they’re ready for a variety of possible events. Flexibility is key and preppers understand that you don’t always need all of the answers ahead of time; you just need the answer to the next couple of questions.
We’re not going to cover every possible scenario or give you an exhaustive list of tactical gear in this guide; that’s a much bigger task.
What we’ll focus on is providing you with a framework and practical advice to help you blend in and stay safe as you evaluate the different threat levels you may face.
What We Won’t Cover In This Gray Man Guide
This isn’t an all-encompassing article about every aspect of the gray man approach. That’s too much to consume in one post.
This gray man guide to an EDC list is about streamlining your everyday gear without drawing unnecessary attention. It’s not a comprehensive manual on how to disappear completely or navigate through a war zone.
EDC isn’t the same as traveling 1000 miles through an area controlled by Martial Law, unsanctioned militias, or gangs.
What we won’t cover in this gray man guide are advanced survival techniques or long-distance travel strategies with an EDC bag. Those take larger gear loadouts.
EDC shouldn’t be something that adds 30 minutes to your routine every morning when you get dressed. It’s easy, straightforward, and somewhat automatic once you’re set up correctly.
What We Will Cover In This Gray Man Guide
In this gray man guide, we’ll cover:
The importance of doing everyday tasks with preparedness: As a gray man, it’s crucial to maintain a normal appearance while being ready for unexpected situations. We’ll discuss how to strike this balance effectively.
The essential equipment for a gray man during peaceful times: We’ll provide a comprehensive list of items that a stealthy individual should carry to blend in seamlessly with their surroundings.
The necessary gear for periods of heightened social tension: When tensions rise, being prepared becomes even more critical. We’ll outline the specific tools and inconspicuous gear you should have on hand to stay ahead of the game without drawing attention.
Minimal EDC List for the Gray Man
As a Gray Man, you need to be prepared for any situation while still maintaining your anonymity. Your EDC (Everyday Carry) is likely based on the assumption that at the end of the day, you’ll be sleeping in your own bed. To that end, you’re focusing on a core list of items that really just need to ensure you’re capable of self-defense.
Here’s an effective EDC list that aligns with that goal.
Basic Gray Man EDC Self-defense
If your perspective is that the world is growing increasingly dangerous but it’s not fully unhinged, you’d be wise to consider the basic Gray Man EDC self-defense gear. It’ll allow you to blend in while having the means to protect yourself when trouble comes knocking.
Every gray man EDC list is going to start with a concealed carry firearm.
Concealed carry is your best bet for staying hidden in plain sight. Choose a small firearm that fits easily into a SmartCarry holster; it’s discreet and comfortable for everyday wear. Include a backup magazine – you’ll appreciate the extra firepower if things last more than a minute. Remember the adage that “One is none”.
A folding tactical knife offers versatility, serving as both a tool and an effective self-defense weapon.
Basic Gray Man Utility Gear
Basic utility gear is useful in your day-to-day life. You should carry tools that serve multiple purposes.
A durable and reliable wristwatch is a must if you get into a tough spot. You need to know that it can take a hit and keep functioning. Added features and functionality are a bonus. For this, I’m partial to the Victorinox watch made by the same folks who brought us the Swiss Army Knife. The added compass features and paracord wristband give you more usefulness than a regular watch.
A good LED flashlight isn’t just for illuminating dark spaces but can be used as a signal device in emergency situations.
Kevlar shoelaces are another smart addition, giving you an edge while maintaining the unassuming aesthetic. Anyone who’s been in combat will tell you how important your shoes are; you don’t need to lose one when you’re on the run. Kevlar shoelaces are incredibly strong and can be used as an impromptu tool, tourniquet, or weapon if needed. They’re the kind of gear that’s “set it, and forget it” until you need it.
Even the humble bobby pin has its uses beyond holding hair in place. For men, you can use it as a low-key money clip for your cash (which you should always have anyway).
Include additional gear like a Zebra pen and a pocket notebook, ideal for note-taking or as an improvised self-defense tool. The notebook will help you record facts before you forget them.
That’s what a basic gray man utility gear list looks like – practical, versatile, unassuming yet ready for anything. It really doesn’t add much time to your morning routine before you leave the house.
Level 2 EDC List for the Gray Man
If you start feeling like things in your city are getting a little too tense, you might want an extra layer of security. That’s where the Level 2 EDC List for the Gray Man comes into play. This list is designed to provide you with additional safeguards and capabilities. Let’s dig a little deeper into an enhanced Gray Man EDC list that promises a higher degree of preparedness and safety.
Enhanced Gray Man EDC List
Packing an enhanced Gray Man EDC list meticulously crafted for those tense social climates where discretion and evasion become more valuable will take some forethought.
The first thing you’re going to want to add is an escape and evasion gun belt. This piece of gear will allow you to conceal equipment and additional currency that could become extremely important. Ideally, it will have more than one pouch to separate each item.
Tucked inside your belt will be low-tech essentials that include a razor blade, a handcuff key, extra cash, lock picks, and two or three gold coins.
In your wallet, you’ll start to carry a credit card lock pick set.
In the tongue of your shoe, you’ll add a backup razor blade to your EDC list. In the cuff of your pants, you’ll add the second of two handcuff keys. Should you wind up cuffed or zip-tied with your hands at your ankles or behind your back, you’ll have a fighting chance of getting free.
Even if you don’t smoke, a pack of cigarettes and a lighter are useful because they give you an unassuming reason to loiter or to chat someone up.
You’ll find it easy to attach a small micro-compass to your shoelaces as well; very important if you need to find your bearings. A leatherman multitool meets multiple needs with one convenient package and they aren’t considered odd for someone to carry.
Most of this EDC list is something that you can set up once and not have to spend extra time on every time you get ready to leave the house.
Balancing Preparedness with Discretion
In the world of preparedness, it’s essential to strike a balance between being ready for anything and not drawing undue attention to yourself. You’ll need to master the art of concealment and camouflage, making your preparedness fit seamlessly into your everyday life.
It may take you some time to get used to everyday carry, and to run through the mental checklist before you leave the house.
Avoiding Drawing Attention
Aside from wearing neutral colors and logo-free clothing, blending in means being comfortable carrying the equipment you’re carrying. Comfort comes from familiarity. Familiarity comes from practice.
This gray man guide to a serious EDC list emphasizes a strategy that allows you to start by carrying only what’s necessary and discreetly tucked away. Start with the most basic list, get used to it, and then move up from there.
Concealment and Camouflage
Now, let’s talk about the art of concealment and camouflage. Concealing your equipment is a critical component of being a gray man. You want to look like everyone else but have multiple functions hidden within your everyday carry (EDC).
The two levels that have been discussed here add two really significant pieces (smartcarry holster and escape and evasion belt) that allow you to carry. Notice that we stayed away from the kind of equipment that would cause you to need a backpack or EDC bag.
We’ve intentionally tried to limit the possibility that you would “print” or show anything that would suggest you have special gear on you.
The key here is subtlety: don’t go overboard with bulky tools that’ll make you stand out. Make sure everything serves a purpose and remains unseen until needed. That’s the true art of EDC concealment and camouflage.
Elevated Risk: Why a Gray Man Ups Their EDC List
So when would you start carrying more than a Level 2 EDC List?…
Just like the two sets of gear we describe aren’t equivalent to 90 days worth of preps, they are also likely not enough to get you home if you’re 1,000 miles away and SHTF happens.
Your situational awareness shouldn’t stop at what’s going on when you walk into an automotive store to get parts, rather it should extend to the broader events happening in your city, county, state, and the country.
If things around you change significantly and you’re facing an SHTF (Shit Hits The Fan) situation, your everyday carry (EDC) list may need to level up too. You’ll need to have a predefined set of rules or conditions to follow, about when and why you would increase your loadout or consider a Get Home Bag, Go Bag, or Bug-out Bag.
It’s worthwhile to consider the different SHTF scenarios that might affect your EDC list. Consider the events as well as how far from home you might need to be while things are going bad.
SHTF Situations That Affect Loadout
In an SHTF situation, your loadout needs can drastically change depending on the specific circumstances you’re facing. What follows is a list of situations for which the two levels of EDC self-defense described in this post may become insufficient.
A gray man might decide to carry added gear beyond their usual EDC list in response to specific events or situations that elevate the level of risk or potential for civil unrest. The decision to carry extra gear is influenced by the gray man’s need for self-defense, navigating through crowds, getting home, making a supply run, and being prepared for unexpected situations.
Here are some events that might prompt a gray man to carry a go bag or get-home bag:
Civil Unrest or a Decline in Rule of Law: Widespread protests, demonstrations, or riots in the area could signal the potential for civil unrest.
Natural Disasters: The aftermath of a natural disaster, like earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods, can lead to disruptions in infrastructure and resources.
Political Instability: Significant political changes, elections, or controversial decisions might lead to uncertainty and unrest.
Economic Uncertainty: Economic downturns, job losses, or financial instability could lead to social unrest. Carrying essential supplies and resources can help you deal with desperate people.
Terrorist Threats: The presence of credible terrorist threats or attacks in the area might prompt a gray man to carry added gear for personal security and communication.
Escalation of Conflicts: Escalation of conflicts between different groups, whether political, ethnic, or social, can lead to heightened tensions.
Supply Chain Disruptions: Disruptions in the supply chain due to various factors (pandemics, transportation issues, etc.) might prompt you to carry extra resources to sustain yourself and your family.
Public Health Emergencies: Disease outbreaks or pandemics can lead to panic and strained healthcare systems.
Disruptions in Utilities: Prolonged power outages, water shortages, or disruptions in utilities can cause normal everyday people to behave desperately.
Tensions Along International Borders: Heightened tensions along international borders might lead to security concerns.
A gray man’s decision to carry additional gear is subjective and dependent on their assessment of the situation. You’ll prioritize preparedness, adaptability, and discretion to navigate potential challenges in your environment.
Go Bag and Get Home Bag
You’ve got to understand the importance of a Go Bag and Get Home Bag – they’re your lifeline when any one of the events we just mentioned strikes.
These bags aren’t randomly assembled backpacks…
Your Go Bag or Get Home Bag will include crucial items to help you get to a safer place or help you return safely home.
These are a whole new level of preparedness for the Gray Man and will require a completely different post to discuss.
Conclusion
These are the brief essentials for your EDC list. Start putting your own everyday carry rig together. You’re creating a system that you should be able to get comfortable wearing.
For most of us, our cell phone is at the top of the list. It’s more than just a device for calls and texts; it’s our connection to information, resources, and people who matter to us. Consider adding a backup battery to your inventory.
Creating a serious EDC list is simple when the scenario is simple. Stay abreast of what’s going on around you so you know when to level up on your loadout. As you get comfortable carrying these items with you daily, they’ll become second nature.