Editorial

Performative EDC [2026]

Posturing, peacocking, and pandering are common sights across the web. According to the internet, the Japanese have a proverb that goes like this, “Each of us have three faces. One we show the world, one we show loved ones, and one we never show–that is our truest self.” While I cannot speak to the accuracy nor history of that meme, it certainly rings true in today’s world.

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of the first face, particularly when it comes to the firearms and concealed carry segment of discussion. In particular, I see a lot of what I’ve coined “Performative EDC”. Performative is a word that gets thrown around a lot over the past few months. What does it mean?

Performative EDC

Let’s start with a definition. Merriam-Webster defines performative as “relating to or marked by public, often artistic performance”, also as “made or done for show (as to bolster one’s own image or make a positive impression on others)”.

How does this relate to concealed carry or everyday carry? I’m glad you asked. There are a few subcategories that I use when discussing Performative EDC. These are things with no purpose, things with nearly no purpose, sacrifices, and lore.

Things with No Purpose

This subcategory almost totally encompasses social media EDC culture. While I think this really hit its peak in the 2010s, I still see this fairly often today. Think about challenge coins, fidget spinners, and other trinkets or talismans. Surely someone somewhere will have a very niche, specific scenario in mind where these items may have some purpose. But that’s not the reality for most of us. Life isn’t a movie or video game, and our favorite Macguffin won’t save the day.

I’m not immune to Things with No Purpose myself. I carried a Saint Michael coin for several years simply because one of my grandparents asked me to. It took up a lot of room, was a bit of an inconvenience, and as far as I can tell, it never helped me out. Eventually I lost the coin, and while I felt bad, I didn’t feel bad enough to replace it. The extra room in my pocket thanks me every day.

The coin awarded to me for winning the final shoot off

If you want or need a fun toy or momento in your pocket, go ahead. Just realize that this falls into “Second Kind of Cool” rather than function more often than not.

Things with Nearly No Purpose

This subcategory can have some use, but is often more for style than not. The most common item I see here is the cigarette lighter for non-smokers. Outside of those frequenting bars, you’re probably not spending much time around smokers in your daily life.

If you’re “into EDC”, then you probably already have a flashlight or two in your pockets. This means you aren’t using your lighter to illuminate your path like Indiana Jones. You likely aren’t creating contraptions, MacGyver style, to get yourself out of danger or other sticky situations. This isn’t to say that a cigarette lighter has not purpose, I used them a fair bit to trim strings when I was in the military, and smokers use them every day. However I’ve never met a civilian who wasn’t a smoker that had a real reason to carry one other than “you never know”.

Competing for top dog of Things with Nearly No Purpose with the cigarette lighter is the paracord bracelet. I’ve literally never seen or heard of someone employing one of these in an emergency. Most people I know who wear one don’t even know how to unravel them without busting out a knife or pair of scissors first. Paracord is great to have on hand, I’ve used it to tie up fence gates, secure loads in a pickup bed, tie down tarps, and more. Never have I wished that my cordage was wrapped around my wrist. If you’ve actually used yours in real life, please let me know.

Coming in third is probably the credit card shaped multitools. I see these all the time in gun shops and on tactical blogs as suggestions for the prepared. What you really get is a poorly made piece of metal that isn’t particularly good at anything but taking up valuable room in your wallet. You’re far better off with something from Victorinox, Leatherman, and even Gerber or SOG. These things are novelties at best, and should be left in the junk drawer after sending a Thank You note to whoever gifted it to you.

Sacrifices

This subcategory isn’t as intuitive as the other two. It’s really a few related topics rolled into one. There are two sacrifices that I most often see for those participating in Performative EDC. These are sacrificing long-term health for perceived gains in capability, and sacrificing concealment for perceived gains in capability, and they’re often paired together.

An example of sacrificing your health is carrying full size backup guns in cargo pockets or ankle holsters. The idea here is that a full size gun is more capable, easier to shoot, and likely compatible with the same magazines as your primary pistol. Those are all correct statements.

What this fails to account for is the damage you are causing to your joints by carrying a significant amount of weight on the leg or ankle. More than one law enforcement officer has caused long-term injuries to themselves by strapping a Glock 19 on their ankle. More capability now is nice, but sacrificing your long term capability isn’t logically consistent. If you want to carry a backup gun, stick to something lighter like a J-Frame or Glock 43. You won’t look as badass, or maybe you won’t look as goofy. Either way your body will thank you.

Similarly, be wary of carrying equipment directly over your spine. This can cause serious issues when sitting for long periods of time or when falling directly on your back. Sure, keeping your back clear of gear doesn’t make you look as prepared, but your long term health is more important than showing off for your buddies.

and Glock 17 with weighted 17 round full of normal-weight snapcaps.

Sacrificing concealment can also be an issue. Last year I took a class where one of the Assistant Instructors was concealing multiple full size pistols along their waistband. They felt prepared, but they stuck out from a mile away. This is something I’ve been seeing more often lately, and typically these folks are sorely lacking any sort of medical equipment, less lethal tools, or other items that would likely prove more useful than a second or third full size pistol.

Having gear overflowing from your pockets or waistband are dead giveaways that may see you targeted by criminals or lead to you becoming a pariah who can no longer go places freely.

Basing Decisions off of Catchphrases and Anecdotes

“A gun should be comforting not comfortable!” “Two is one, one is none!” You’ve probably heard these phrases and others on more than one occasion. They often have a basis in reality, but like most soundbites, leave nuance and reason on the table.

There isn’t much better example of Performative EDC than basing your choices off of something someone else said rather than a serious look at your own situation. Use the experience of others to help inform your decisions. Carry a reload, bring a second gun, don’t forget your lighter, but do it because it makes sense for you.

Closing Thoughts on Performative EDC

I’ve changed up my guns and gear more times than I can count over the years. Sometimes these changes made sense, other times they didn’t. As I grew and learned, I started to understand what worked for me, rather than what others told me should work for me. Sometimes that meant packing light, and other times I was loaded to the gills with gear. Even today my EDC isn’t really and EDC, as my choices vary based upon a wide variety of factors.

Where am I going, what am I wearing, what will I be doing, and more. Maybe I have a double stack pistol with a reload, maybe I have an airweight J-Frame, or maybe I have no gun at all. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you’re being purposeful rather than performative.

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Daniel Reedy

Daniel holds instructor certifications from Rangemaster, Agile Training & Consulting, and the NRA. He has received training from Craig Douglas, Tom Givens, and Steve Fisher among others. He also has experience competing in USPSA, CAS, 3 Gun, and Steel Challenge. In his free time Daniel enjoys petting puppies and reading the Constitution. His work is also published by Athlon Outdoors, AmmoLand, Recoil Concealment, Air Force Times, and other publications.