A Gear Adventure: From Moorlands to EDC

Meet Randy Lockett, an adventurer at heart who has been immersed in the everyday carry lifestyle long before it became a trend. Growing up in the rugged landscapes of rural England, his affinity for practical tools and outdoor gear started as early as childhood, from trekking the Moorlands to collecting sentimental keepsakes from his family.

Today, he's a seasoned EDC enthusiast with a well-curated collection of gear, a thriving YouTube channel, and a mission to make everyday adventures just a bit easier and more organized. Join us as Randy reflects on his journey, shares his insights on EDC, and provides a behind-the-scenes look at his life as both a content creator and a medical illustrator.

How did your EDC “journey” start? 

It sounds like a cliche however I was EDC before EDC was a thing. That makes me feel really big headed, but, I guess what I mean is I’ve always had something with me, a tool, a light, or anything to help with life’s daily challenges.

I grew up deep in rural England in the 80s so life was always out in the Moorlands. My mother would give me her watch and my brother and I would pack sandwiches into my Dad’s rucksack and we’d be off adventuring all day. At that time it was rope and nails for tree climbing, a knife to cut rope or make arrows and swords, a sitting mat for comfort. I grew up and the knives and tools got more expensive and the hobby grew from that.

I think a lot of EDC’ers grew up like this and the EDC community naturally evolved from that

What items were in your first EDC “kit”? 

The original basics were my mother’s Snoopy watch that she bought whilst working in the US so we always knew when to be home, my dad’s rucksack which he used to talk school camping trips with, and a cheap Buck 110 clone I bought from the Army & Navy store in the town. That thing was useless. It would get blunt from cutting air, but it did what it needed to do. Everything usually revolved around those. Extra bits were added depending on how big of an adventure we’d planned. Growing up my brother and I laugh about our childhood; It was like an Enid Blighton book.

Everyone begins with just a few items in their EDC "kit" and Randy is no exception! Starting young where he explored the moorlands with just a few essentials, his passion for EDC has since grown with him and has now transitioned from childhood tools to high-quality gear. 

What gear do you have now and how similar or different is your current set up with the one you started out with? 

After some recent reflection I know now why I love watches and bags so much. My go to adventuring back is the Jääkäri M from Savotta. It’s a very simple bag and made to last a light time. The Finnish definitely perfected this bag. My watches change with the tide. Same with bags from time to time too. Doing the YouTube things means I get to test some amazing gear so it’s constantly changing. I’m currently wearing a Protek USMC watch. 

Which item from your kit is your favorite/most prized possession and why? 

Oooooh, that’s a great question and it’s hard to answer. I’d say most of them are personal items like an old Opinel knife my Granddad always carried, or a small radiator value I found whilst helping to clear out my Granddad’s house after he passed away. They’re the sentimental items I hope I never lose and will pass down to my grand kids. When my mum passed away I also found her old Snoop watch. It doesn’t work any more however it’s the memories it brings back that count. 

How did you build your EDC? 

Slowly and carefully. I’m the type of guy that reads up on everything. If I have something in mind, I’ll spend hours watching YouTube reviews to get a balanced opinion before spending my money. It’s also grown as my expendable cash has changed too. Over the years my employment status and monthly income, getting married, and having children has affected how much I have spare. Spending that hard earned cash, with plenty of research on items has meant I’ve spent my money wisely. I’ve bought a few turds over the years but most of my carry has been money well spent.

When I started making content for YouTube, I set myself a monthly budget. Luckily after 6 years now my channel pays for itself and I don’t have to spend any of my families money.

What's great about EDC gear is how each one can be unique depending on the person. Randy's first kit was a mix of sentimental and functional items that fueled countless childhood adventures.

Over time, his current EDC kit has become a reflection of many years of thoughtful selection, purposefully curated, that includes gear that can withstand his lifestyle.

Building a kit includes extensive research, budgeting, and a steady evolution which is a great way to really figure out what you need and don't for your own everyday carry—for the long term! 

Do you have more than one EDC kit? 

Oh definitely. I have an everyday carry for work which is generally a pocket slip with a SAK, flashlight and a pen. Simple and perfect for the studio where I work. Nothing too alarming if I need to pull it out with colleagues around.

If it’s the weekend I’ll have a similar one but replace the SAK with a nicer knife. I’ll mix up my watch and bag as well. If I’m out in the Moorlands filming I’ll take a larger knife as well as a pouch I have for those extra challenges. It’s got a multitool in there, paracord, a lighters and other goodies.

If I’m out walking with my wife and daughters it’ll expand again. I carry a small IFAK and always a larger bag. We have a ‘if you bring it, you carry it rule’ however my daughters always end up asking me to carry their coat or water bottles. 

Are you one of those people who know exactly what they need from the get-go so they buy their gear all at once?

Yes and no. I often have something in mind which I’ll research. More often than not I’ll find out that XXX isn’t the one for me and find out that something else is better suited. I’m pretty open minded to my gear and love to read up on new products I find. 

Did your gear add up over time based on your changing needs/preferences?

Definitely. I think everybody's gear evolves over time. When you’re maybe younger or getting into EDC it’s best to buy what you can afford. To some extent you buy what you can afford as you grow your carry, however, with knowledge and experience you learn that certain items it’s best to buy better, which generally is more expensive, as it lasts longer.

We love it that Randy tailors his EDC to match his environment, balancing work essentials with weekend gear for family outings. 

More than that, his approach is a mix of planning and adaptation—and ultimately, figuring out what works best for himself. 

How did you find Lochby? 

I’d come across Lochby through social media. I’d seen their gear and started to read up about it. I got hooked when I found out how high quality their materials were

What is your favorite Lochby product and why?

Easy answer, it’s the Venture Pouch. I’m a huge pouch kinda guy. Having everything collected and organised is great. I swap out bags regularly so having something to keep stuff in and easily swap between bags rocks. 

How does Lochby help you keep your EDC gear organized? 

The Venture Pouch is amazing at this. I usually work from home, however a few days a week I go into my studio. I use the Venture Pouch as a tech pouch. All the usual stuff like cables, chargers, as well as some decent scissors and ranger bans.

If I need to go and see clients and change up my backpack for something that’s more suited for clients I can swap the pouch between bags in seconds. The waxed canvas works on my daily commute, seeing clients or if I’m out in the Moorlands filming. The Venture Pouch keeps everything together, dry and protected. 

We're happy that Randy has found the Venture Pouch to be a valuable part of his EDC kit wherever he is or whatever he's doing: working in the studio or exploring the great outdoors! 

What unique and memorable situation have you been in that made you think, “everyone needs their own EDC kit”?

I get this whenever I’m with clients abroad. Having a tech pouch for travelling and working on site is great. It’s such an easy thing to set up, but when you get it out colleagues think I’m some sort of uber prepper. Nope, I’m just a guy that thinks ahead and sorts my stuff out.

It also makes it easier when you’re going through customs to have everything in a single pouch so you can get through checks easier and quicker. There’s always a self centered ‘do you know who I am’ business person behind you ready to complain that you’re taking too long.

Are you eyeing any specific gear to add to your kit in the near future?

Being in the YouTube game I’m constantly on the prowl for new gear for content. Outside of that it’s gear like a better bag to carry my camera equipment in. I’ve just bought a drone to improve on my filming whilst in the Moorlands. It doesn’t fit in my current camera bag with my main DSLR. I’ve also been looking at a few other Savotta bags and pouches. If I can expand on my Jääkäri I can bring more out with me. 

I’m very fortunate to be able to work with some amazing manufacturers and online retailers so there’s lots of products out there I can choose from. Mrs Moorlands hates it. Especially when it comes to Christmas and birthdays. I appreciate I’m not the easiest person to buy for. 

Was there a turning point that made you realize this was something you wanted to pursue in life (as in on social media/Youtube)?

The point for me was around 2018. I unfortunately had a mental breakdown due to some workplace issues. I dropped into severe depression and had a lot of time off work. My therapist learned that I enjoyed my work and said I should do something like work, but it wasn't work. That’s where it started.

I’d been thinking about it before this event but never really thought it would be a real thing. My confidence was at rock bottom, I was impaired by a stammer and I decided to put myself out on the internet. Mrs Moorlander was obviously concerned as my mental state was really low, plus she was also concerned I’d get comments about my stammer. It all came from this really bad place I was in.

My channel and YouTube has helped me more than I can measure. Better confidence, my speech is better (my stammer is a barometer for my mental health), I’ve been able to make some life long friends, and work with some of my dream manufacturers and been to a few international conferences to make content.

It was massive gamble and apart from a few arsey comments, it’s been a blast. 

Randy's passion for EDC fuels his drive to explore new gear and it's great that he was able to fall back on something familiar while nagivating personal challenges. This has led him to new beginnings—a journey into content creation as a path to recovery and purpose.

What has been the most rewarding part of sharing your EDC journey on social media?

I’ve made a few pieces of content on mental health and I hope it’s helped others to open up about their struggles and challenges. 6 years ago I never thought I’d have 30k subs. I’ve been to IWA in Germany for the last three years now and it’s really cool that manufacturers know who I am… also slightly unnerving that they know my face but I have no idea who they are. 

What's a fun fact about you that your followers might not know? 

My brain is broken. I’m both left and right handed for things but also not ambidextrous. I surf and ride a skateboard goofy, however I kick a rugby ball with my right foot. I box southpaw however my right arm is my strongest. I shoot right handed however my left eye is dominant. I can kind of box with a traditional stance, however I can’t ride a skateboard with a right hand stance. I joke with my mum and constantly used to ask if she dropped me as a baby and never told me about it.

Randy's “broken brain” approach brings humor and an unexpected edge to his creative and personal life, that's for sure! At the same time, we hope his honesty about this as well his previous struggles with mental health continue to inspire and connect him with others beyond everyday carry. 

Do you have another day job, and if so, what is it? 

Yes, YouTube is a part time job for me. Outside of YouTube I work in a creative studio in the Medcomms industry. We work with large multinational pharma companies on their medical findings and drugs. One day I can be working on a presentation for a medical symposium in Lisbon, the next day helping to create medical figures on the outcome of trials for an international medical journal, to the next day creating illustrations for a document used by the doctors when prescribing drugs.

It’s a running joke with my friends that I draw dicks for a living… which isn’t too far from the truth. I spent nearly a week illustrating some findings on a weird penis infections. Definitely not like that scene from Super Bad. I also spent some time drawing poop… or the 7 types of poop on the Bristol Stool Scale to be specific. Oh, it’s a thing and easily Google’able.

My day to day role is really quite varied. I’m not finding miracle cures like my doctor friends are, however, I’m helping them to tell the world how their findings will help people… on poorly penis illustration at a time. 

What are your future plans or goals related to your EDC Youtube channel?

I’d love to go full time with it. That would be amazing. I’m a modest person and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to do that though. Hopefully in 20 years when I retire it’ll be my retirement hobby. I can’t play golf to save my life so this would be a better use of my time. 

What an interesting job and integral to an important process—after all, a sum is only as great as its parts! Randy's role, though he and his friends gently poke fun at it, is valuable to the entire thing. 

As for going fulltime with Youtube, we wish him the best of luck and hopefully it happens in the near future! 

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that inspires you to keep going everyday? 

I wish I did have something. I have a terrible memory so keeping something like that is something I’d forget. A buddy of mine struggled with his mental health and he had one that I always thought was nice. If he was feeling down or overthinking stuff he’d say to himself “What are you doing? Stop being a dick.”

What advice can you give to people who are just starting to get into EDC in general?

1. Use your money wisely. If you’re starting off with a low budget there’s lots of low cost gear out there that’s amazing. 

2. Try not to compare your everyday items to others too much. Your carry is 100% individual to you and your needs. Bob might carry an XXXX which is cool, but he needs it for XXXX. 

3. No judging or snobbery. If you have a $1000 knife and your buddy still has a $10 knife, who cares. Budget is set by life and your income. If you’re the guy with the £30 knife and your buddy just got one for £600, that’s cool. They may have a wee bit more expendable cash and they’re allowed to treat themselves every now and again. I carried a small tool set I bought when getting petrol for an extra £5. It was cheap but lasted me years. 

4. If you’re using knives, make sure you’re careful around normies. They get scared by the lies in the media. If the moment calls for it, help them, educate them on knife safety and local laws. A knife is a tool. If you put it down on the floor it’s not going to jump up by itself and harm anybody. 

5. Have fun. 

This is great advice and we hope Randy was able to help someone here who's just getting into EDC or needs a reminder of what it really is all about!

His journey into EDC started with simple beginnings in the English countryside and has grown into a passion for organization, exploration, and self-discovery. With a well established YouTube channel and a love for quality gear, his unique perspective has shown that EDC is more than just gear; it’s a way of life, one that embraces both practicality and sentiment.

Don't forget to follow Randy's journey through his channel, Moorlander EDC!