◈ Data Product · Annual Edition
Pricing trends. Steel adoption. Category growth. Value rankings. 2026 predictions. Built entirely from the CarryIndex database — the only EDC market report that starts with the data.
One-time purchase · Instant PDF download · May 2026 edition
Buy Now — Get Instant Access → Preview the full PDF firstWhat's Inside
Section 01
Executive Summary
Six KPI stat boxes + five key findings with full prose analysis across all categories.
Section 02
The EDC Market Landscape
Complete 22-category breakdown: item counts, min/avg/max pricing, average carry weight, and price tier distribution.
Section 03
Knives — Deep Dive
Price band and weight distribution charts. Full steel comparison table. Top picks by tier from budget through collector.
Section 04
Flashlights — Deep Dive
Lumens-per-dollar rankings across 7 key lights. Form factor analysis. The real story on keychain vs. pocket vs. high-output.
Section 05
Watches — Deep Dive
Full tier breakdown from $20 to $10,100. The microbrand rise explained. Best-value picks at every price point.
Section 06
Bags & Wallets
Carry organizer market analysis. The wallet paradigm split. Value picks across both categories.
Section 07
Brand Landscape
27 significant brands ranked and assessed. Category dominance, average price positioning, and editorial take on each.
Section 08
Price Intelligence
The Master Value Table — 15 best buys across 15 categories. Plus: a complete sub-$200 carry kit challenge.
Section 09
2026 Outlook
Six data-grounded market predictions: steel transitions, price compression, microbrand acceleration, audio growth.
Sample Data
The following table is a sample from Section 08 — the Master Value Table. Every row is backed by indexed data; no affiliate bias or manufacturer input.
| Category | Best Value Pick | Price | CarryIndex Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knife | Kershaw Leek | $55 | ★★★★★ | SpeedSafe + 14C28N + USA-made. Unbeaten at the price. |
| Flashlight | Nitecore TINI 2 | $40 | ★★★★★ | 700lm keychain light. USB-C. 13g. Nothing comes close. |
| Watch | Orient Kamasu | $180 | ★★★★★ | Sapphire, automatic, 200m WR. Best value automatic indexed. |
| Wallet | Flowfold Minimalist | $32 | ★★★★★ | 10g. Sailcloth. Indestructible. 6-card capacity. |
| Multi-Tool | Leatherman Skeletool | $80 | ★★★★★ | 7 tools, 142g, USA-made. The definitive EDC multi-tool. |
| Bag | Aer Day Sling 2 | $89 | ★★★★★ | 1.5L sling, clamshell opening, community-proven design. |
+ 9 more categories in the full report
Sample Findings
Finding 01
The knife market skews mid-tier
52% of indexed knives fall in the $50–$150 band. The median knife is $110 — above impulse-buy territory but well below the enthusiast premium tier.
Finding 02
Flashlights are the value density leader
At an average of $71, the flashlight category delivers the best functional value in the index. The Emisar D4V2 hits ~57 lumens per dollar.
Finding 03
32% of the index is under $50
159 of 497 items are budget-tier. The EDC market has a strong value floor — you can equip across all categories without premium spend.
Finding 04
Watches pull the average — hard
Remove watches and the index average drops from $294 to $118. The watch category mean is $970 — with a $10,100 ceiling (Rolex Submariner).
Finding 05
MagnaCut is the steel transition of the decade
Larrin Thomas's 2021 formula delivers near-stainless corrosion resistance with toughness that outperforms M390. Adoption is accelerating quarterly.
Finding 06
Bags are the most competitive category
53 items in a tight $55–$395 band. Every bag in the index is a deliberate carry choice, not a commodity — yet the price ceiling is democratic.
Who Reads This
Serious EDC Enthusiasts
You want to understand the market, not just browse it. This report is the fastest way to get a macro view without spending 40 hours on forums.
Small Gear Retailers
Buying decisions, inventory positioning, and pricing strategy all benefit from a clear picture of where the market is and where it's going.
Gear Reviewers & Writers
Data citations are credibility. When you write "the median EDC knife costs $110," you need a source. This is that source.
Brand Buyers & Importers
Sourcing decisions require market context. Steel adoption trends, price tier distribution, and brand positioning data are all in here.
What Readers Say
★★★★★
"Finally a report that uses actual data instead of vibes. The steel comparison table alone is worth the price — I've been looking for a clean breakdown like that for years."
★★★★★
"The budget kit challenge section got me. Complete EDC for $153 is the kind of thing that should be pinned to every beginner thread on the internet."
★★★★★
"I used the brand landscape table to prep for a buying meeting with a distributor. Walked in with numbers. Changed the whole conversation."
◈ Get the Report
15 pages of data-driven analysis built from the CarryIndex database. One-time purchase. Yours to keep, share, and cite.
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