The Man Bag

A Few Years ago I started carrying a bag so I could have things that I felt I wanted to have with me available without resorting to constant cargo pants wearing. I looked all over the internet and couldn’t find anything that “fit” what I had in mind. It was then that my wonderful friend Mel suggested checking out a local military surplus store. We headed over there and, voila, the bag I had been looking for. It is called an Israeli Paratrooper Bag.




I was astounded to find they were going for around $20. This beat most of the other bags I have seen that went for over $100! I promptly bought one and began my career as a guy with a purse.

I began customizing the bag, adding and removing items as they tested out. Learning what I could use and what was excess weight. I’m not a stranger to mockery so dealing with multiple questions in both my masculinity and mentality was no problem. I even began to hear compliments on my bag and also my preparedness.

Here is the official tour of Chris Koterba’s E.D.C. (Every Day Carry)




Hanging Outside
• Compass
• 50’ Length of 550 Paracord
• Elastic Bungee Loop
• Hand Kerchief
• Folding Bottle/Can Opener

Front Small Compartment Flap
Various Mood Elevators (read- buttons and pins that make me smile)




Inside Front Small Compartment Flap
• Black Pen
• Black Marker
• Mechanical Pensil
• Red Marker
• Bic Lighter
• Yellow Hi-Lighter
• 8 Gig Flash Drive
• Precision Flat/Phillips Screwdriver
• Folding Knife

Inside Front Small Compartment
• CPR Rescue Mask
• Comb
• Inhaler
• Small Measuring Tape
• Contact Rewetting Drops
• Business Card Holder/Cards
• Small Chain Latch and Link
• 3 Safety Pins

Inside First Main Compartment
First Aid Kit Pack




• Cough Drops
• Antacid
• Visine Eye drop singles
• Sterile Splinter Outs
• Nitrile Exam Gloves
• Burn Gel
• Triple-biotic packets
• Finger Tip Band-Aids
• Standard Band-Aids
• Knuckle Band-Aids
• “Stop-Bleed” Coagulant powder
• Hydrocortisone Cream
• Large Patch Band-Aids
• First Aid Manual
• Aspirin Tablets
• Electrolyte Tablets
• Ibuprofen Tablets
• Alcohol Wipes
• Antiseptic Wipes
• Blistex Lip Balm
• Tweezers
• Finger Nail Clippers
• Non-Sterile Exact-o Knife
• Fabric Bandage Tape
• Pocket Reference Book
• Pocket Sized “Declaration of Independence” and “The Constitution of The United States”
• Small Carry Strap

Inside First Front Compartment
Auxiliary Kit




• Gerber Multi-Tool
• Small LED Flashlight
• Flashlight Hat-brim Clip Attachment
• RCA to 1/8” Stereo Cord
• Single to Dual 1/8” Headphone Jack Splitter
• 1/8” to ¼” Stereo Adapter Plug
• Cell Phone Case Clip/Stand Attachment
• MP3 player AC Charging Adapter
• Matchbooks
• Key Chain with Two Split Key-rings
• 2 Regular Coffee Singles
• 2 Decaffeinated Coffee Singles
• 1 Packet of Sugar
• 1 Packet of Salt
• 1 Packet of Pepper
• 1 packet of Sugar Free Drink Mix
• 10’ Black Duct Tape
• 1 Tide Stick
• 1 Paint Marker
• 1 Pink Eraser
• Camera with Video Capability
• USB Camera Cord
• Camera Battery AC Charger
• Wind and Waterproof Matches
• Box of Wooden Matches
• 1 Hand Warmer Patch

Inside Second Main Compartment
• Max Brooks “Zombie Survival Guide”
• Moleskin Notebook
• Zippered leather pack with Checks and Postage Stamps
• 16 oz. Steel Drink Bottle

Inside Second Main Compartment




• 3-Ring Binder with Business Cards, Notepad, Pen, Dental Floss, Calculator, Playing Cards, Postage Stamps, Document Folder, Pocket Thesaurus, Pocket Dictionary

So there you have it. That's what is contained within my bag. I'm ready. It's like what Ally Sheedy said in "The Breakfast Club"..."You never know when you may have to jam."