A lot of urban explorers like posting their exploring kits. Maybe one day I will have a real exploring kit, but until that day, these are the things I carry with me pretty much anywhere I go.

  • zombie attack messenger bag - this reads “during a zombie attack, please follow me.” It stores most of my stuff. I think it makes a good bag, and it was fairly cheap.
  • lockpicks - in my messenger bag. I am not any good with these, but I like to practice, and in the event it is really necessary I could probably do something with them, given time. Maybe.
  • mini maglite - on my belt. This comes in handy a lot more often than you would think. It also doubles as a blunt instrument. I’d keep it in my bag, but I put the bag down from time to time and it sucks fumbling for a light or using your cell phone.
  • bigger flashlight - it cost like $5 and uses D-cells. This one goes in my bag. I’ve only ever used it once, and that was when someone else was exploring with me. It worked pretty okay, though! It’s a backup. I’ll probably replace it with another maglite eventually. Probably another mini-mag to save space.
  • cell phone - this is shitty and cost like $4. It doesn’t have voicemail anymore and the battery sucks. I usually keep it in the bag these days, but sometimes in a jacket pocket.
  • bike lock - a bigass U-lock, courtesy of Chris. The bag goes where I go, so I can always lock my bike.
  • toilet paper dispenser thingy - this was a gift from my brother-in-law, before he was my brother-in-law. I’ve tried to keep it with me since. Though there have been times when I’ve been lax, it now resides in my messenger bag, and I am never without it. It has no practical purpose except for confusing cops, border patrol, and TSA agents.
  • wallet - I got it in England. It goes in my bag, since the back pocket is a terrible place for it. Some days I long for a slender wallet, though, that I could keep in my front pocket.
  • camera - for taking pictures! I got this with my ex-girlfriend in Spokane. It’s actually missing its SD card right now. It has taken some pretty good photos, though, and there’s a small amount of room on the camera itself.
  • USB key - mostly I store music on here that I think other people ought to have. It comes in handy on other occasions too, of course, but that’s its primary intention. It has a big lanyard on it. I am pretty sure I got both from my dad, but I don’t remember why. This is in my front pocket.
  • keys - I actually don’t have any reason to unlock anything anymore, but I keep a bottle opener, which always comes in handy. I got it from Harvard’s Berkman Center. These go in the same pocket as the USB key.
  • handkerchief - red, ancient, has a small hole in it. I use it mostly to clean my laptop and my sunglasses. Same pocket as the keys.
  • aviator sunglasses - these are the actual aviator sunglasses worn by an actual navy aviator (my dad). I should probably tighten the screws. I’ve lost and found these about a million times.
  • batteries - AAA and AA, for my mini-mag and the rear light on my bike. These go in my bag.
  • playing cards - Aviator playing cards, I think. Never underestimate the utility of a deck of cards when you’re bored. In one of the pockets of my messenger bag.
  • electrical tape - this comes in really handy, and it’s a hell of a lot less bulky than duct tape. I’ve used it for repairing shoelaces and injured fingers in the past. This is in a pocket of my messenger bag.
  • tiny Swiss army knife - I always forget this exists.
  • flask - I actually use this for drinking water when I’m out biking these days. It has about six ounces or so. It lives in a pocket of my messenger bag. It needs a funnel or something.
  • And I am pretty much always wearing my green Converse, some skinny jeans or black cords, a t-shirt, and one of a rotating array of jackets. I love jackets. I have a black hoodie, a white hoodie (with fairies on it), and a black jacket that makes me look kind of like an emo kid that I’m wearing these days.

I may have missed a few random items here or there, but I tried to search through my bag and pockets. It is the only reason I remembered the knife! What do you carry?