# Guys - how do you carry your pocket-things? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 9, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302 "2005-11-09T23:11:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Schuyler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/54ee81/32.png) [@Schuyler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schuyler)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/1 "2005-11-09T23:11:41Z")
I’ve a wallet (billfold?), chapstick, USB memory stick, and 2 keys. When I add anything else to my inventory, such as a cell phone or a pen, then it’s really too much to fit into jeans pockets. At that point, I have the option of either sitting uncomfortably, taking everything out when I’m at my desk, or overflowing it all into a backpack. I’m sure some of you have come up with better solutions than this. So, what _do_ you all use, guys and I guess gals who don’t carry a purse: [Bigger pockets](http://www.rei.com/product/47687837.htm), [fanny pack](http://www.rei.com/product/186.htm), [man-purse](http://www.rei.com/product/47876226.htm), [shoulder bag](http://www.rei.com/product/47686990.htm), [what](http://www.designboom.com/history/cart.html)? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/2 "2005-11-09T23:33:57Z")
Left front pocket: Leatherman Squirt, lucky piece Right front pocket: Gerber folding knife, keys, change Left hip pocket: wallet Left hip (belt clip): Leatherman Juice S2 Right hip (belt clip): cell phone Anything extra tends to get put onto a belt clip. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/3 "2005-11-09T23:54:54Z")
Right hip – Wallet with drivers license couple of credit cards and cash Left hip – Check book Right front – Pocket knife (about a 2 inch blade), change Left front – Keys (12) My cell phone clips on the opening of my left front pocket. I’ve done this (‘cept the cell phone) for about 20 years or so. I’ll take the wallet out if on a long drive. Doesn’t bother me at work. ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/4 "2005-11-09T23:58:10Z")
I only carry a cell phone, keys and a wallet. All of which fit comfortably into my front pants pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/5 "2005-11-09T23:58:42Z")
Left front - Wallet, any loose change Right front - keys Any other miscellany generally gets shoved in the left front or my shirt pocket, if that’s available. On the rare occasion that I carry a checkbook, it will go in my left rear pocket, but I try to avoid that. \Frankly, I’ve never understood why other guys want to sit on their wallet. Not only did it strike me as being very uncomfortable when I first tried it as a kid, but it would seem to leave a person much more vunerable to being pick-pocketed. I don’t get it.\ ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/6 "2005-11-09T23:59:49Z")
Whoops…I forgot…both my cell phone and Blackberry are clipped to my right hip, except when I’m bowling (they go on the opposite hip to avoid interfering with my arm swing). ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/7 "2005-11-10T00:19:56Z")
Messenger bag, maybe? You can go [sporty](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007QCRX0/sr=1-1/qid=1131581770/ref=sr_1_1/102-1866854-8518561?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance) or [a bit nicer](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00063AAUQ/sr=1-7/qid=1131581770/ref=sr_1_7/102-1866854-8518561?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance) Then you can carry more crap too and keep it all organized. There are also lots of different styles, sizes, etc. I have a Puma one for my school stuff. But NO NO NO on the fanny pack. Dude, please no. Everyone, please no. They may be convenient but _shudder_ they are fugly, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/8 "2005-11-10T00:21:09Z")
Left front pocket - wallet, comb, loose change Right front pocket - badge case, keys, miscellaneous stuff like hankerchief, pen, or lifesavers. At work - Keys, radio, handcuffs, on my belt. Two pens (red and black) in my left shirt pocket. Paperwork in my right shirt pocket. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/9 "2005-11-10T00:29:46Z")
Left front pocket: cell phone, iPod Right front pocket: wallet with USB drive and keys attached by lanyard ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/10 "2005-11-10T00:34:42Z")
Left front: Keys (with USB key and pocketknife), PDA Right front: Wallet Belt clip: cell phone Admittedly, if I bring anything else (such as a camera), my pockets get full. Can’t seem to get into the groove of using a fanny pack or somesuch, though. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/11 "2005-11-10T00:54:22Z")
After asking a similar question in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=333437), I ended up with a [leather bag](http://www.leathertree.com/shopproducts.asp?categoryid=22&categoryname=Mens+handbags+). A bit expensive, but I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Schuyler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/54ee81/32.png) [@Schuyler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schuyler)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/12 "2005-11-10T01:39:31Z")
Thanks for all the great replies - most of the consensus seems to be, “suck it up, and use your damn pockets.” (A quote from **scr4** ’s thread said that it’s what separates us from the women. 🙂 ) I’m trying to avoid the whole “man-bag” thing - either a clutch or an over-the-shoulder bag doesn’t suit me - maybe you’ve got to be _reeeeaaallly_ confident in your masculinity to pull those off. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. 🙂 I have my keys-&-stuff on the desk now, and only my smallish wallet in my front pocket, and even that bugs me. I’m pretty much a jeans-all-the-time person, and both the front and back pockets tend to be uncomfortable for stuff, at least for me. My other option is to dispense with the wallet entirely and use a mini binder clip, since that seems usually to be tolerable. Thanks again for the input, I really appreciate all your thoughts on this. ---
**Author:** ![Schuyler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/54ee81/32.png) [@Schuyler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schuyler)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/13 "2005-11-10T01:47:55Z")
> [@Schuyler](#): > > My other option is to dispense with the wallet entirely and use a mini binder clip … Meaning to hold the stuff that would normally be contained within the (presumably just-discarded) wallet. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/14 "2005-11-10T01:48:23Z")
I only have one pair of jeans, so all my other pants have loose enough pockets for my stuff. My standard mode is wallet in back right, keys and change in front right, money and other pieces of paper (receipts, notes, etc…) in front left, and cell phone also in front left. That’s usually all I carry. i don’t lioke belt clips, i think they look stupid. No offense if you use onem just not my thing, is all. I would love an ‘Indiana Jones’ style leather satchel/messenger bag, but have never been able to find one. I want ot be able to carry my PDA, possible a small notebook, digital camera (which, since it is five years old, is HUGE), and a nice pocke knife with me easily. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/15 "2005-11-10T01:51:39Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Left front pocket - wallet, comb, loose change > Right front pocket - badge case, keys, miscellaneous stuff like hankerchief, pen, or lifesavers. > > At work - Keys, radio, handcuffs, on my belt. Two pens (red and black) in my left shirt pocket. Paperwork in my right shirt pocket. Now there is an idea. Carry handcuffs on your belt. I doubt anyone would mess with you. 😉 I’m just always very aware of my surroundings. I never leave my car, a store or just about anywhere with out the old 4 pocket pat. Just to check that I have everything. ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/16 "2005-11-10T01:56:03Z")
Right front: keys Right side (carpenter jeans or cargo shorts): cell phone, sometimes ink pen Right hip: billfold That’s it. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/17 "2005-11-10T01:59:55Z")
I know lots of guys that carry messenger bags and field bags (like the first thing that shows up on the page **scr4** posted from Leathertree). Nowadays people have so much crap (usual wallets, keys, then add phones, PDAs, iPods, digital cameras, etc.) that it makes sense for guys to carry a bag too. Messenger bags have always seemed guyish to me. A lot out there seem designed with men in mind (colors and such). But I’m a chick and I carry one, because I hate bookbags. A messenger works better because I can use it as a bookbag + purse during the day, all my stuff is right there by my side instead of on my back). ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/18 "2005-11-10T02:00:02Z")
Left front pocket: Pocket change, keys (including USB device and keychain flashlight), pen. Right front pocket: Wallet, swiss army knife. Right watch pocket: Badge for work. Right hip pocket: Packet of Kleenex. (Yeah, I know I lose machismo points for this, but every so often it comes in real handy.) Clipped on belt: Cell phone. > [@bouv](#): > > I would love an ‘Indiana Jones’ style leather satchel/messenger bag, but have never been able to find one. Are you looking for one that’s all leather, or one more like [this](http://whatpriceglory.com/mkviibag.html)? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/19 "2005-11-10T02:04:18Z")
Left pants pocket - card wallet, security pass (until clipped to belt) Right pants pocker - cash, car keys Shirt pocket - phone, eyedrops. pen. Housekeys I leave in the car glove box. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302/20 "2005-11-10T02:06:11Z")
Left pocket: Swiss Army knife, hotel key-card. Right pocket: Cigarette lighter, car keys, spare change. Shirt pocket: Cigarettes, pen, boarding passes(Fridays and Sundays only) Right hip pocket: Wallet Left hip pocket: Nothing. On the belt, to the left: Cell phone. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-do-you-carry-your-pocket-things/330302.md?page=2)