Fratello EDC: Nacho Shares his Everyday Carry Essentials From Uniqlo, Fujifilm, Alpaka, And More

Our watches are not the only things we carry with us every day. Sure, they’re the primary focus of what we do here at Fratello, but sometimes it’s nice to shift that focus onto other elements of our everyday carry (or EDC). Today, I’ll contribute to the Fratello EDC series by walking you through a handful of items I carry with me most days.

Realistically, the only things you’ll always find on my person are my watch, keys, sunglasses, phone, and wallet. But going beyond what you’ll see if I empty my pockets, I’ll also show you some of the essentials I carry in my work bag. Since I last covered my EDC three years ago, plenty of things have changed. Almost everything has been replaced in one way or another. Looking back, only my Hamilton Khaki Field Auto has stood the test of time. So, let’s take a closer look at the current state of my everyday carry as of July 2025. But first, a quick sidebar.

My approach to EDC

Before we get into my EDC, I want to discuss my approach to selecting these items. As you can see by the fact that most of my daily kit has changed in just three years, I don’t hold any of these things overly dear. It feels more like an ongoing process, in which I’m always looking for new options to put through their paces. There’s a joy I get from getting new pieces of reliable gear. And though there are many expensive options (that I’m not opposed to), I tend to aim for more affordable pieces, especially where value for money goes a long way. Certain things, the fundamental tools of your profession, are where you can’t compromise.

Speaking of which, there are a couple of things I’ll briefly mention, as they are a necessary part of my daily kit but not super interesting. Everyone has a phone, and mine is a Google Pixel 6A. I’ve been a stubborn Android user since I got my first smartphone. And though iPhones may have been objectively better in the past, it feels like the difference is minimal today. I’ve never prioritized spending more than the bare minimum on a phone and treated it only as a functional necessity. The Pixel 6A was a good option when I got it two years ago to replace my Xiaomi (the camera of which left a lot to be desired). Protected by a Bellroy leather case, it continues to serve me well.

The second of these “not-so-interesting” items is my stickered-up MacBook Air M1. Standard issue at Fratello, it’s proven to be a suitable tool for the job. It balances size, weight, and performance well, and unlike previous laptops I’ve had, this one has proven to be a quietly reliable tool.

Fratello EDC: Nacho Shares His Everyday Carry

Usually, I start with my bag and then check out what’s inside it, but I want to dedicate a section to my bag and bags in general, so let’s start with some basics. Something you should probably not leave your house without is your house keys. But as uninteresting as keys are, how you keep them together can make a big difference. I don’t love keychains; they add bulk and don’t serve a purpose. I had my keys on a simple split ring for many years. Recently, I’ve upgraded to an inexpensive titanium split-ring/carabiner. When running, I take my keys, so this was a lightweight and not overly bulky way of keeping them securely on me.

You’ll also notice two other items on my keychain: a custom brass ID tag with a “Please return to” message (slightly censored in the image above for privacy’s sake). I’ve had one of these on my keychain for the past decade. Though I have yet to lose my keys, I figure that this will significantly increase my chances of them being returned to me. The tag is just a cheap dog-collar tag, which can be purchased on eBay with custom-engraved text. The other item is a tool for opening SIM card trays, which serves as a handy pin tool for adjusting clasps on watch bracelets.

More new kit

Other items pictured above include my Soundpeats Air 3 Pro, an affordable yet decent set of noise-canceling earbuds. I also carry small plastic calipers and a Victorinox Classic SD. The latter was a gift from my parents, purchased in a souvenir shop in the Picos de Europa in Spain. In my experience, you can fly with it in your hand luggage without any issues. It’s also not as conspicuous as bigger knives and has the right tools to be helpful in a pinch.

Pen-wise, I’ve been using the titanium bolt-action pen from RZE. It takes Muji refills and is perfect for scribbling quick notes in my Field Notes. The bolt-action level is addictive to operate, and the refills are easy to find and inexpensive. I also tend to have a fountain pen in my bag. Since I picked it up in Japan two years ago, my go-to has been the Pilot Custom Heritage 92 in transparent black with a fine-medium nib (not pictured).

Finally, there are my sunglasses. In my article three years ago, I mentioned a pair of classic black Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Unfortunately, I lost those just a few weeks ago, so I used the opportunity to replace them with a tortoise-shell pair (RB 2140 in the 50/22 size). These are not my only sunglasses, but they’re the ones that live in my bag for most of the year. I tend to switch to a black pair with gradient lenses in winter.

A new camera

After three and a half years of faithful service (and tens of thousands of images), my trusty Olympus Pen E-PL8 was forced into retirement. I had already been considering options for an upgrade, including the Nikon Zf that I reviewed in December of 2023. In the end, and after much deliberation, I went with the Fujifilm X-T4. As much as full-frame was calling my name, there were good reasons behind my decision to opt for one of Fuji’s APS-C offerings. The first was file sizes. Though a big, 40-plus-megapixel sensor is excellent, dealing with larger files can be a pain, especially when working on the go.

My second reason for opting for the X-T4 was the form factor. I didn’t want this to be a camera just for the studio. I also enjoy photography as a hobby. And as much as taking a Canon EOS R out on the streets is a valid way of getting great images, those cameras’ more “pro” look can be somewhat intrusive. A camera like my old Olympus or my current X-T4 looks less pro and draws less attention while still performing as needed. The camera strap is made by yours truly, using olive drab, 6mm-diameter, 1250 type V, 32-thread nylon paracord rated to hold 500 kg. I tie a “perfection loop” knot with a 15mm steel split ring and a Nite Ize MicroLink carabiner for quick-release.

Since switching to the X-T4, I’ve enjoyed photography much more than before. Not only does it serve me well for my watch photography, but I’ve also found myself shooting more in general and rekindling my love for a hobby that faded into the background over the years. Lens-wise, it’s usually either the Fuji 30mm f/2.8 macro or the Viltrox 35mm f/1.4.

The bag dilemma

I firmly believe that there’s no such thing as the perfect bag. Some bags are ideal for one scenario but quickly falter in the next. Especially when looking for an everyday bag, it’s a challenge to split the difference, especially when you have highly specific needs. Say that you need something small, light, not overly sporty, and reasonably weather resistant. So far, it sounds reasonable, but factor in that it needs to fit a laptop, camera, lens, and a handful of accessories, and you don’t want it to be a backpack. Suddenly, things get complicated. But if you, like me, find yourself in this situation, I have a half-decent solution. It’s a (now-discontinued) Uniqlo Utility 2-Way Bag — a ripstop nylon helmet-bag-inspired tote — combined with a Peak Design Camera Cube V2 (extra small).

This is as close as I’ve come to finding a “perfect” bag. Could the handles be more comfortable? Sure. Could it have a more padded bottom panel? Absolutely. But it gets the job done and has plenty of storage to fit my gear (including two spare camera batteries and their charger, a notebook, business cards, etc). The PD Camera Cube protects my camera and second lens. The bag also has deployable backpack straps, which can be handy to free up a hand when lugging a lot of gear. The one thing missing is a trolley strap for when traveling with rolling luggage. I did say there’s no such thing as a perfect bag!

What’s (in) your wallet?

Finally, I want to talk about my wallet. This is the latest piece of my essential kit to be upgraded. My criteria for a great wallet are simple: it has to be as small and thin as possible and hold at least six cards. Most places in Holland have gone cashless, so I don’t usually need to carry any with me. With all that in mind, the Alpaka Ark wallet is a perfect option.

This is my first experience with the brand, which I became familiar with through ads on Instagram. There were several products that I was curious about, but having wanted to replace my wallet for a while now, this seemed like a good place to start. I went for the version in coyote brown, and it’s proving to be an excellent replacement for my previous Gucci leather cardholder. It’s inexpensive, made of hard-wearing material, and looks good to boot!

Final thoughts

Well, if one thing has become clear after putting all this into writing, it’s that obsessing over small, functional objects does not stop at those that live on our wrists. It has also been interesting to see how everyone on the team has broadly similar kits that are still entirely different. We’ve all faced similar needs, and each of us found solutions informed by our tastes and preferences. Hopefully, you’ve all enjoyed taking a peek at these personal possessions.

I look forward to revisiting this in a couple of years to see how my kit continues to evolve. In the meantime, leave your thoughts (or questions) in the comments below!