This setup was sent to us by the owner of a first-generation IGB Mini who has been carrying it for five years—daily and on his bike. The most valuable part of his write-up is the EDC tier system from XS to XL. It helps avoid carrying everything all the time, taking only what the situation requires. There’s also an honest review of the bag itself: what held up over five years, what the owner modified himself, and where it fell short.
Quick Overview
- Bag: Blackpack IGB Mini 1st generation, 5 years of daily and cycling carry, modified with elastic bands and carabiners.
- Gadgets: Garmin Fenix 7X Solar, AirPods Pro 3, Nitecore power bank with wireless charging, mini e-reader.
- Practical gear: Custom Victorinox Climber Deluxe, keys with keychains, leather wallet, organizer with repair kit, first aid, and cables.
From the Owner
Hello! First, let me explain my EDC philosophy. I’m a minimalist and don’t like clutter, so I organize everything systematically by tiers.
EDC Tier System: From XS to XL
| Tier | What It Is |
|---|---|
| XS | Basic minimum: phone, watch, wallet, keys with essential keychains |
| S | Waist pack, which I’ll describe below |
| M | Backpack with tech, into which the waist pack fits as the base |
| L | Bikepacking and cycling system |
| XL | Comfortable maximum in the car for camping, overnight stays, or survival |
This article covers tier S—my waist pack.
Bag: 1st Generation IGB Mini
The center of my system is the Blackpack IGB Mini bag. I fell in love with it long ago: I’ve had it for five years now, and it’s still in great condition, even though it’s my main bag for both cycling and everyday carry.
- How I carry it. A personal discovery: wearing it on the waist to the side is much more comfortable. A small complaint here: the classic chest carry in summer really chafes the neck with the strap.
- Modifications. Even before Blackpack released the EDC version, I added elastic bands and carabiners to clip on a jacket or water bottle.
- Detail. The bag has a patch with Kharkiv embroidery.
Gadgets
- Garmin Fenix 7X Solar watch — my personal trainer, flashlight, and navigator. I could say much more good about it, but I’m afraid Apple Watch fans won’t be able to handle it.
- Nitecore NV5000 power bank with wireless charging.
- AirPods Pro 3 earbuds.
- Xteink X4 mini e-reader — for those moments when I want to read without picking up my phone.
- iPhone 15 Pro in titanium body with Benks Kevlar case. These photos were taken with it.
Knife and Light
- Custom Victorinox Climber Deluxe knife — a relic that’s no longer in production. It’s no competitor to a multitool, but I value it for its lightness and for the fact that it can fix truly unexpected things.
- Nitecore NU02 blinker — compact but powerful. Together with the elastic bands on the bag, it becomes a decent headlamp.
Keychains on Keys
- Nitecore Tiki flashlight replica — more interesting than the original;
- Victorinox Classic SD;
- small pen keychain;
- USB lighter that works from a power bank or phone;
- whistle with pocket clip;
- car keys.
Organizer
In the compact organizer:
- repair kit;
- mini first aid kit;
- flash drive with adapters;
- USB flashlight;
- SIM and SD card case;
- piece of mini paracord;
- inCharge cable and Garmin adapter.
Everyday Items
Leather wallet for cash and cards, hand sanitizer, perfume, nano shopper from ATB, and when needed—sunglasses in a leather case.
I don’t carry clutter; everything is in constant use. This setup was built on mistakes, years of experience—even before I understood what EDC was.
Blackpack Response: Strap and Chest Carry
Thank you for the honest review of five years with the IGB Mini. The second generation of the bag is sewn from lightweight UltraGrid and weighs 130 g. It has a velcro panel for patches (patch included), functional loops on the sides, and attachment for a third point that prevents the bag from sliding while riding.
The strap is no longer included; it’s chosen separately to suit your needs. There are two options: double-sided with a buckle in the center, or single-sided in M and L sizes, where the buckle is offset to the side and doesn’t press into your back. More details in the strap guide.
How to Build Your EDC
The tier system is a good starting point for your own setup: first define your XS, then choose a bag for S. If you don’t know where to start, check out our list of 10 useful items for an organizer. For cycling—the bike bag selection guide, and for straps—how to choose a bag strap.
The first-generation IGB Mini is no longer available; its successor is the IGB Mini 2.
Have your own EDC with a Blackpack bag? Send your photos and descriptions to Instagram or Telegram; we publish the most interesting sets on our blog.
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