The hot summer season calls for a minimalist approach to travel. While the goal is to pack light, certain essentials remain non-negotiable for daily commutes and trips—think power banks, true wireless earbuds, and your smartphone. This season’s 618 shopping event offered a great opportunity to refresh my everyday carry (EDC) kit with some smart tech upgrades. In this article, I’ll start by introducing a versatile sling bag and share my updated EDC lineup for efficient and comfortable summer travel.
NAYO SMART UL1 Sling Bag
A reliable bag is the cornerstone of any EDC setup—after all, the culture of "bag dumps" revolves around sharing what we carry. This year, I picked up the NAYO SMART UL1 during the 618 sales. It’s a compact yet spacious sling bag with smart organization and multi-scene functionality. One of its biggest advantages is the ability to carry a camera body with one lens, making it perfect for photography enthusiasts like me.
The bag’s fabric is soft and pleasant to the touch, featuring a textured nylon weave with a smooth, almost silky finish. It also has a DuPont triple-protection coating that resists water, stains, and dirt. Spills and sweat marks wipe away easily with a damp cloth—ideal for low-maintenance use. Sudden summer thunderstorms are no longer a worry; your gadgets stay dry even if you’re caught without an umbrella.
Measuring 27cm × 11.5cm × 19cm, the UL1 offers an impressive 5.8L capacity with 10 separate compartments. The interior includes dedicated sections for tech gear: the main compartment fits larger lenses like a 24-105mm f/4, while an inner sleeve holds tablets up to the size of an iPad Mini. An external section features multiple pockets with magnetic closures for quick access to items like power banks and earbuds. Critical zones are padded with shock-absorbing foam for extra protection.
Both the front and back of the bag have zippered pockets. The front allows rapid access to essentials, and the back offers discreet, secure storage for travel documents. Two side pockets with adjustable drawstrings can accommodate a water bottle or compact umbrella. As someone who loves ice-cold drinks in the heat, I recommend carrying a 400ml insulated bottle to stay refreshed throughout the day.
The bag’s components are top-notch: Duraflex buckles, known for their use in high-performance outdoor gear, ensure durability. The zippers are from SBS, promising smooth operation and long-term reliability. The detachable shoulder strap has premium alloy hardware and can be switched for left- or right-shoulder carry. If you need a lightweight, organized, and stylish daily bag, the NAYO SMART UL1—available in black and off-white—is a versatile and understated choice.
SHARGE Portable 10000mAh Power Bank
Recent safety concerns around power banks have highlighted the importance of reliable gear. From recalls of units with faulty Amprius cells to airline bans on power banks without 3C certification, it’s clear that safety can’t be overlooked. That’s why I recently upgraded to the SHARGE Portable 10000mAh power bank with full 3C certification. Its 36.9Wh capacity also meets airline regulations, making it travel-friendly.
This power bank is compact, roughly the size of a pack of tissues, and fits comfortably in one hand. The design is sleek: a frosted semi-transparent top cover houses a star-track LED indicator with a seamless soft-light strip, while the transparent PC shell reveals an interior with stylish striping.
It features a dual-port setup (1 USB-A and 1 USB-C), with the USB-C supporting both input and output. The USB-A is for output only, allowing simultaneous charging for two devices—perfect for travelers with multiple gadgets. A power button on the top lets you check battery status with a quick press; a 5-second long press activates a low-current mode for smaller devices like earbuds or fitness trackers.
If you’re in the market for a new power bank, this model is a great pick. It uses an LG 21700 steel-shell battery cell—the same type found in Tesla vehicles—which offers better safety and reliability compared to the pouch-style polymer cells involved in recent recalls.
SHARGE 140W Dot-Matrix Display Charger
As a charging enthusiast, I used the SHARGE x AngerMouth 90W charger as my daily driver before upgrading to the SHARGE 140W Dot-Matrix Display Charger during the 618 sale. While 90W was sufficient for most needs, the 140W model’s multi-port hot-swap capability is a game-changer for my setup: I use PD triggering to power a Mini PC while simultaneously charging my phone, mouse, and other devices.
The charger’s design is a nod to Braun’s 1958 T3 pocket radio, with a grey-and-white color scheme and a retro dot-matrix display. Two physical buttons with orange-and-white accents control the display toggle and rotation settings. Foldable prongs make it easy to pack and carry.
The 140W version includes three USB-C ports, each supporting PD 3.1 fast charging and capable of delivering the full 140W output. The ports are generously spaced, allowing easy plug-and-play even when other ports are in use.
The dot-matrix display is a standout feature, showing real-time data like which port is active and current power levels. A white button lets you rotate the display orientation for easy viewing, whether the charger is on a desk or mounted on a wall.
The hot-swap feature is incredibly useful. While most multi-port chargers reset and temporarily cut power when a new device is connected, this model maintains uninterrupted power—ideal for devices like Mini PCs that shouldn’t be shut down unexpectedly.
Kingston DTMax High-Speed USB-C Drive
A portable storage device is essential for any EDC. I carry the Kingston DTMax USB-C drive for cross-platform convenience, with read/write speeds up to 1000MB/s and 900MB/s. It’s perfect for quickly transferring photos, videos, and files between tablets, phones, and computers.
The drive uses a slider mechanism to protect the connector, eliminating the risk of losing a cap. Textured grooves provide grip for one-handed operation, and a built-in hole lets you attach it to a keychain or lanyard for extra security.
In CrystalDiskMark tests, the drive achieved 1048MB/s read and 976MB/s write speeds, matching Kingston’s advertised performance. TxBENC tests showed similar results—966MB/s read and 972MB/s write—confirming its reliability.
The USB-C interface allows direct connection to smartphones and tablets, making file transfers quick and easy. With price gaps between 256GB and 512GB phone models often exceeding $100, using a high-capacity drive for extra storage is a cost-effective solution. Tests showed transferring 400 photos to a OnePlus Ace 5 Racing Edition in under a minute.
OnePlus Ace 5 Racing Edition Smartphone
My current smartphone is the OnePlus Ace 5 Racing Edition. Its 7100mAh battery delivers exceptional endurance—from 100% to 20%, it provides up to 12 hours of screen-on time. In real-world testing, with 50% brightness, WiFi on, two hours of gaming, one hour of video streaming, and background apps, it still had 68% charge left. For heavy users, this means all-day use on a single charge.
The device features a "gaming trio" core setup: Dimensity 9400e, Lingxi Touch Chip, and Gaming WiFi G1 Chip. It delivers outstanding gaming performance, supporting native 120fps in certain titles without a dedicated graphics chip. This is especially noticeable in games like Genshin Impact, where it maintains 120fps—a rarity in its price segment.
The phone feels great in hand, with a 50:50 weight distribution, refined corners, and subtly curved edges for secure one- or two-handed grip. The matte-finished back resists fingerprints and improves grip, making it comfortable for bare-handed use even on hot days.
Edifier NeoBuds Pro2 Hybrid Active Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Good noise-canceling earbuds are essential for travel and commuting. I use the Edifier NeoBuds Pro2, which offer ultra-wideband noise cancellation up to -50dB. Modes include deep ANC, comfort ANC, wind-noise reduction, and ambient sound. They perform impressively in noisy environments like train stations, subways, and busy streets.
These earbuds build on their predecessor with improved noise cancellation, enhanced sound quality, and features like in-ear detection, head tracking, and spatial audio. The spatial audio mode creates a 360° soundstage—great for live music, creating a concert-like experience. Support for LHDC 5.0 and LDAC high-resolution audio enables 24-bit/192kHz wireless streaming.
They fit securely and comfortably, staying in place even during vigorous movement. With ANC on, the earbuds and case provide 13.5 hours of use; with ANC off, this extends to 18 hours—more than enough for a full day of heavy use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EDC mean?
EDC stands for "Everyday Carry." It refers to items you carry daily, often including tools, gadgets, and personal items that are practical for work, travel, or emergencies.
Why is a 3C-certified power bank important?
3C certification ensures the power bank meets national safety standards. This is especially critical for air travel, as many airlines prohibit non-certified power banks due to fire risks.
What should I look for in a travel-friendly bag?
Prioritize lightweight materials, multiple compartments for organization, durable construction, and comfort. Features like water resistance and easy-access pockets are also valuable.
How can I maximize battery life on the go?
Carry a high-capacity power bank, use battery-saving modes on devices, and reduce screen brightness when possible. 👉 Explore more power management strategies for extended travel.
Are noise-canceling earbuds worth it for commuting?
Absolutely. They reduce ambient noise, making travel less stressful and more enjoyable. Look for models with multiple noise-canceling modes and good battery life.
What’s the benefit of a USB-C flash drive?
USB-C drives offer fast data transfer and broad compatibility with modern smartphones, tablets, and computers. They are ideal for expanding storage or moving files quickly between devices.
Final Thoughts
This lightweight and safety-focused EDC setup meets my needs for short trips and daily commutes. For longer journeys, I usually add a 20-inch suitcase for clothes and toiletries. What’s in your EDC? Feel free to share your own essentials and tips!