By Nick Barth Gear writer Published Aug 06, 2014 at 2:28 PM

Keys are definitely part of our everyday carry routine and most of us still keep them on a standard split ring. It's an easy and cheap solution, but it might be time to rethink it. If the jingle doesn't bother you, the weird pocket bulge might. Ever notice how that's the first spot to wear out in your jeans? The combination of rough edges and free movement can eat up your pockets in a hurry. For this edition of #wewant on WISN-12. I brought a few ways to keep your keys under control.

First, a key shackle from JL Lawson & Co. It uses a post instead of a split ring to keep your keys together, but doesn't allow them to jumble around into a big mess. The M II comes with a bottle opener, made easier to use since your keys become a kind of handle for more leverage.

Then there's the KeySmart. My favorite of the bunch, KeySmart keeps your keys managed and jingle-free between its sides. Extendable, available in a variety of colors, and as Thema points out, works like a Swiss Army knife for your keys.

Finally, I brought along the Keyport Slide 2.0. This is a really neat idea. The Slide has six sliding ports that contain your keys (cut on custom blanks). Just slide a color-coded knob to use extend a key for use. Flashlights, pens, USB drives, and more are also available if you have extra ports.

OnMilwaukee.com's senior developer Nick Barth has been a part of the team since 2008. After an 18-month stint in Portland, he returned to his hometown with a new love of food trucks, bike life, and simple and effective gadgetry. The self-proclaimed gear geek and denim addict now presents OnMilwaukee's #wewant series weekend mornings on WISN-12.