The Kaweco Sport Ballpoint Pen is approximately 4.1 inches long, easily fitting in a shirt or pants pocket. Despite its small size, it’s still comfortable to hold in the hand, with a hexagonal body and top push button to extend the pen tip. Choose from lightweight Classic and Frosted Sport pens that are made from plastic, or weightier aluminum AL Sport pens.

We should note that this pen doesn’t come with a clip, so purchase one separately if you’d like to attach it to pen loops or notebook covers.

Learn more about the Kaweco Sport by reading our comprehensive guide.

With its metal body, grip section, and clip, the Rotring Rapid Pro Ballpoint Pen is the best ballpoint pen that can withstand the knocks of EDC. It has a hexagonal body that’s balanced and provides a comfortable weight in the hand without being too heavy. The grip section is knurled, giving your fingers a good place to grip and reducing slipping.

The Rapid Pro can also be paired with different ink refills, including Fisher Space Pen Pressurized Ballpoint Refills. JetPens team members love this ink formulation because it’s pressurized and able to write underwater, over grease, and in extreme temperatures.

An excellent replaceable EDC ballpoint pen is the Zebra bLen. Conventional pens you can get at a big box store are often plagued by distracting vibrations and rattling parts when you write. The bLen eliminates these annoyances with its “Direct Touch” tip and “Noise Free” body. Plus, it has a low center of gravity that makes the pen easier to control.

The Zebra bLen is also available as a multi pen that uses three ink refills and is just slightly larger than the standard bLen.

The iconic Pilot G2 Gel Pen is often touted as the best EDC gel pen so it comes as no surprise that the pocket-friendly Mini option is also well-loved. The G2 is an exceptionally popular pen among students and professionals alike, and the G2 Mini has the same rubber grip for comfortable writing sessions. It comes in several ink colors that are convenient for color-coded notes and adding a vibrant touch to everyday writing.

The Sakura Craft Lab 007 Gel Pen is a stunning EDC pen that makes a statement. It combines form and function with a vintage-inspired look and twist mechanism that extends and retracts the pen tip. The Craft Lab 007 has a brass grip and clip that will develop a distinctive patina over time and reflect the daily adventures you brought it on.

If the Sakura Craft Lab 007 looks a bit too serious for your everyday carry, there are other metal Sakura Craft Lab Gel Pens that boast more playful colors.

One of our favorite retractable gel pens is the Zebra Sarasa. Stationery enthusiasts praise its ink for being smooth, vibrant, and fade resistant. It comes in a variety of colors and tip sizes for drawing and writing. You can keep a few Zebra Sarasa Gel Pens in your car, cubicle, and bag so you always have a pen without breaking the bank.

Learn more about this pen in our Sarasa guide.

The Pilot Birdy is the slimmest and smallest multi pen we’ve seen at JetPens. Switch between the mechanical pencil and ballpoint pen tips by taking the cap off one end and posting it on the other (this also ensures the cap won’t go missing!). Although the Pilot Birdy is not the most comfortable to write for an extended period of time, it can be used in a pinch for signing a receipt or jotting down a phone number.

Available in a range of sleek, high-quality body designs, the Uni Jetstream 4&1 Metal is the best EDC multi pen that’s equally at home on a camping trip and at a job interview. The Jetstream is by far the most popular low-viscosity ballpoint pen on JetPens, with an ink formulation that is smooth, reliable, and vibrant. So the 4&1 Metal Multi Pen can tackle anything with its four ballpoint ink components and one 0.5 mm mechanical pencil component. Additionally, its metal elements give the pen a comfortable weight in the hand for quick notes and long writing sessions.

The Pentel Calme 3 Color Multi Pen is stylish and well-built for its price range, with a long, comfortable rubber grip section that’s inspired by camera grips. If you’re often in study halls and libraries, its quiet click mechanism will be much appreciated. And its low-viscosity Vicuña ink flows effortlessly.

At only 3.8 inches long when capped, the Kaweco Liliput Fountain Pen is the king of pocket pens. It’s made of durable machined metal, with variations including lightweight aluminum, hefty copper, and hand-torched steel. It can only use standard international cartridges, but fountain pen users can use a syringe to refill cartridges from ink bottles.

The cap on the Lilliput screws on to the back of the barrel securely, making the pen comfortably sized when writing and ensuring the cap won’t be misplaced. The Liliput doesn’t come with a pocket clip—keeping it as sleek and compact as possible—but one can be purchased separately.

The Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen offers the writing experience of a luxury fountain pen with the convenience of a retractable pen. A simple click of the top button extends and retracts the nib. And it’s available in many body styles, including the slim Decimo, which may be more suitable for those with smaller hands.

The Vanishing Point’s clip is located in the center of the grip section. This design keeps the nib up when it’s stored in a shirt pocket, preventing accidental nib deployment and stains. Some users may find the clip uncomfortable; other options for fancy retractable fountain pens include the sleek LAMY Dialog CC or the colorful Platinum Curidas.

For an inexpensive, no-fuss fountain pen that you can take anywhere without worry, go for the Pilot Varsity Fountain Pen. It’s one of our favorite beginner fountain pens and is easily the best EDC fountain pen to try when dipping your toes into the fountain pen hobby. The Pilot Varsity is disposable and requires zero maintenance, so you won’t have to install ink cartridges or fill converters only to end up with ink all over your hands. Just pop open the cap and start writing.

The Pilot Varsity isn’t refillable, so be sure to check out the Platinum Preppy if you want a fountain pen that can be refilled with cartridges and converters.

Featuring a stylish mix of classic and modern design elements, the Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencil looks like it could be a luxe fountain or rollerball pen. Don't let that fool you though—with its rugged build quality and pocket-friendly design, this pencil is one of the best EDC mechanical pencils. Its ingenious integrated button in the cap allows you to extend the lead whether the cap is posted or unposted. It’s no wonder that this pencil is featured in our Best Pencils and Best Mechanical Pencils guides!

Our Pentel Sharp Kerry guide provides more information on this cool EDC pencil.

For an even smaller mechanical pencil that can tuck into a wallet, check out the Zebra Techo TS-3 Mini Mechanical Pencil. It has a tiny eraser underneath the push button cap that can be replaced. However, because it’s so slim, it’s not the most comfortable to use for very long.

Whether you’re in the field, classroom, or office, a dependable EDC mechanical pencil like the Platinum Pro-Use is a must. Drafting pencils are often used by architects, artists, and engineers, with features not often found on your typical mechanical pencil. The Pro-Use has an adjustable lead sleeve, a pressure-absorbing mechanism in the tip that can be toggled to reduce lead breakage, a lead grade indicator, and a knurled grip section. Finally, this pencil is available in tip sizes as fine as 0.3 mm for precise details and as bold as 0.9 mm for bold sketches.

Though the Tombow Mono Graph Lite Mechanical Pencil is on the more affordable side, it’s packed with great features. A textured rubber grip section keeps fingers comfortable and helps you hold onto the pencil as you write. A long, narrow tip gives a clear view as you’re writing or using a ruler. A sizable replaceable eraser is hidden under the end cap.

Keeping an EDC pocket notebook like the Rhodia Classic Pocket Notebook on hand ensures you can always jot down ideas and memos at a moment’s notice. Its waterproof cover protects the pages inside from accidental spills.

The Classic Notebooks have orange or black covers and are filled with graph paper that’s printed in violet. The Ice Notebook has a bright white cover with graph paper printed in gray. The 80 gsm paper inside is smooth and resists bleedthrough, but inks will take a little time to dry.

Our Rhodia comprehensive guide details all the products from this noteworthy brand.

The TRAVELER'S COMPANY TRAVELER'S Passport Size notebook was made for EDC. It’s just slightly smaller than a standard pocket notebook, making it a great size for slipping into backpacks and some larger pockets. Each notebook uses Midori’s MD paper, which has been continually refined since the 1960s and pairs well with all kinds of writing instruments, including fountain pens. The paper is bleed and feather resistant, and has a subtle texture that provides a pleasant sensation as you write.

If you’d like extra protection for your notebook, pick up a TRAVELER’S leather cover. It’ll also allow you to carry multiple TRAVELER’S COMPANY TRAVELER’S notebooks at one time, such as a weekly planner for to-do lists and drawing paper for sketching.

Learn more about TRAVELER’S COMPANY TRAVELER’S notebooks here.

Field Notes Memo Books are often touted as the best EDC pocket notebooks, especially the original lined and graph notebooks. There are also unique options, like the waterproof Expedition. Field Notes is always coming out with limited edition Quarterly Editions for those who’d like their stationery to have a little more personality. Because Field Notes Memo Books come in packs of three, they’re great for leaving in a bag, glove compartment, or at work.

Field Notes prides itself on using high-quality paper and printing methods, but their notebooks generally aren’t the best for use with inky writing instruments such as rollerball pens, fountain pens, or markers. We find that ballpoint pens are the best for this paper to limit the chances of ink bleeding through to the other side.

With an innovative ring binding that snaps open and closed, the Lihit Lab Aqua Drops Memo Pad is the best EDC pocket notepad that eliminates the annoyance of filling an EDC notepad with a mix of notes you want to keep with those you don’t. Instead of ripping out unneeded pages, simply open the rings, remove the pages, and add refill sheets. You can also rearrange sheets so similar pages are closer together, such as grocery lists and reminders.

The Maruman Mnemosyne Twin-Ring Notepad is an exceptional EDC choice from the Maruman Mnemosyne lineup. It features a sleek, protective black cover and smooth, fountain pen friendly paper. For easy categorization of notes, the N192A has pages that are divided into three sections and the N193A has pages divided into two sections. The N184A has a space at the top of each sheet for adding a title or number as a header. All three notepads have micro perforated sheets for clean removal.

If a simple, affordable memo pad is all you need for your EDC kit, look no further than the Midori Diamond Memo Pad. Like the TRAVELER'S COMPANY TRAVELER'S Passport Size notebook, it’s filled with MD paper and works well with all writing instruments. We appreciate that some versions of this notepad have dividing lines for organizing ideas or even planning out the week.

The Leuchtturm1917 Softcover Notebook takes the typical pocket notebook to the next level. It has considerably more pages than similarly sized notebooks (more than twice the amount found in the Rhodia Classic Pocket Notebook above!). Convenient extra features also set this notebook apart. It has an elastic band closure that keeps the notebook closed and prevents pages from getting crumpled in a bag, ribbon page markers, an expandable pocket inside the back cover, and stickers for labeling the notebook.

We find that the softcover Leuchtturm1917 Pocket Notebook is less bulky and better for EDC, but hardcover pocket notebooks are available if you prefer a sturdier notebook for writing on the go. Learn more about Leuchtturm1917 Notebooks in our dedicated guide.

Write on paper that’s tailored to your preferred writing instruments with the Kokuyo Perpanep Premium Notebook. It’s available in three paper types, each with its own texture. Tsurutsuru notebooks have super smooth paper that’s best for fineliners, fountain pens, and markers. Zarazara notebooks are filled with textured paper for those who love the tactile feeling of gel pens and pencils scritch-scratching across the page. Sarasara notebooks offer a balance between smoothness and texture, and work well with essentially all writing instruments.

Each Perpanep Premium Notebook has an elastic band closure to protect pages. It also features cloth binding that leaves the spine exposed and provides a more stable, flat surface when writing in the notebook.

The Apica CD Notebook is proof that the best EDC notebooks can be affordable and still have some personality. The paper inside is also fountain pen friendly! The one drawback is that this notebook is only available with a ruled sheet style, making it best for note-taking and everyday writing.

The Apica CD is available in several sizes. You can even buy them in bundles of four so you always have one on hand—or if you accidentally misplace one and need a backup.

The pocket-size Moleskine Art Sketchbook is ideal for quick urban sketches made with pens and other dry media. It’s available in three versions: the iconic standard Moleskine design, a Japanese Album with accordion-style pages, and landscape format. The standard and Japanese Album have elastic closures and hard covers. The landscape format has neither, but its flexible cover makes it easy to stuff into an art bag or large pouch.

With six different paper types to choose from, the Stillman & Birn Sketchbook lets you pick the paper weight, shade, and surface texture that works best for your art. In fact, we feature many of them in our Best Sketchbooks for Every Medium guide. Since it comes in a range of sizes, from softcover pocket to full-size hardcover sketchbooks, it's the best EDC sketchbook that can fit in any kit.

The Maruman Pocket Croquis Sketchbook is available with three different high-quality paper types. Each notebook has a dual coil binding that’s partially protected by its cover, reducing the chances of the rings snagging on things in a bag.

The Croquis S161 Sketchbook has the most pages and the thinnest paper, weighing in at 52.3 gsm. It has a rough texture that’s great for sketching with pencils and markers.

The Croquis S162 Sketchbook has 60 gsm Maruman Cream Cotton paper that’s woven and soft, making it best for softer lead grade pencils.

Though it has the fewest pages, the Croquis S163 Sketchbook is filled with thick, 96.4 gsm Maruman Cream Cotton paper. It’s more durable than the other papers and retains its texture and woven felt look when used with pencils, erasers, and other dry media.

The slim Lihit Lab Smart Fit Actact Compact Pen Case features a protective cushioned interior and a water-repellent exterior, a perfect combination for the best EDC pencil case. It doesn’t add bulk to your bag or backpack, but still has plenty of space for organizing your pens, pencils, and small accessories like sticky notes or memo pads. The soft, felt-like fabric on one side is perfect for keeping your pens safe. When unzipped, this book-style case lies flat so you can easily see all of the contents inside.

Please note that although the mesh pockets seem quite roomy, you shouldn’t stuff them. If you do, the case won’t be able to close.

The Luddite Liberator Cordura Round Zip Pen Case looks similar to the Lihit Lab Smart Fit Actact, but it’s larger and more rugged. Not only is it made of durable Cordura nylon fabric, it also has a water-repellent Teflon coating. It also opens up like a book, but one side features four elastic pen loops to keep your pens from knocking into each other. Additionally, it comes with an exterior mesh pocket for easy access to frequently used items.

It may be minimalist, but the Blue Q Pencil Case is far from boring, with a fun selection of colorful and trendy prints to choose from. It’s made from 95% post-consumer recycled materials, so you don’t have to feel too bad about hurting the planet if you ever need to replace it.

If you’re a “phone-keys-wallet” kind of person, the Doughnut Gleam Mobile Pouch will be the best EDC pouch for you. Use the main compartment to store a smartphone that’s 6.2 inches (16 cm) tall, a memo pad or small notebook, and your wallet. Then put smaller items like earbuds or your keys in the front pocket.

The Doughnut Gleam Mobile Pouch comes with an adjustable and removable crossbody strap, so you can keep your hands free or use it as a bag organizer.

Although the Hobonichi Drawer Pouch was originally designed to be used as a companion to your Hobonichi Techo, it’s a great accessory for carrying your essentials. The Drawer Pouch is about the size of a long wallet, with a main compartment that not only has a zippered closure but also an elastic pen band inside for holding writing utensils. Loose items like cables or keys can be stored on top of the pens and won’t spill out the next time the pouch is opened. The other interior pockets can hold flat items like a notepad or card case. And finally an exterior pocket holds pencils, tickets, or anything you may need on hand.

When fully opened, the Hobonichi Drawer Pouch lays flat for easy access. Some versions also have handy wrist straps.

The Blue Q Zipper Pouch is larger than its Pencil Case sibling, making it great for keeping your everyday carry all in one place. It’s also made from 95% post-consumer material and maintains the same personality-filled designs. While roomy, it doesn’t have any internal compartments. If your EDC kit is packed with a lot of pens, cables, and other miscellaneous items, you may end up rifling through the pouch to find what you’re looking for.

Not only can you keep your everyday carry organized in the Sun-Star Mitte Bag in Bag, you can also show it off! The best EDC bag organizers allow you see exactly what’s inside without needing to open it up and the Sun-Star Mitte accomplishes this with its transparent front and back. The plastic is conductive, allowing you to use touchscreen devices while they're inside the bag.

The Mitte Bag in Bag has several pockets for staying organized, with a spacious main compartment, fabric pockets to store personal items, clear pockets along the front, and an external back pocket. It also comes with an external pen loop so your favorite EDC pen can be at the ready.

Thanks to its numerous internal and external pockets, the Delfonics Carrying Bag ensures each of your EDC items has a home. Store it in a bag or backpack as a bag organizer or purchase a shoulder strap to use it as a crossbody bag. Additionally, consider the water-repellent Delfonics Carrying Bag for weekend travels or in case of accidental spills.

The Midori Pen & Tool Mesh Pouch is a minimalist EDC bag organizer that lets you see all your everyday carry gear at a glance. Because it’s made of mesh, it’s considerably lighter and less bulky than bag organizers made from fabric. Its main compartment is large enough to hold a B6 notebook or a reading tablet. And its pair of colorful inner pockets include a deeper pocket for holding pens and a wider, shallower pocket for smaller items like multi tools.