Maybe you’re making a short drive to the mountains or hitting the road for a cross-country trip to places unknown. No matter your final destination, accidents happen. Bring these nine pieces of gear along for every ride so you’re prepared for everything from a minor mechanical mishap to a night on the side of the road.
Coast G22 Flashlight
Pinpoint dropped or lost items between the seats (and the Clif Bar wrappers from last year’s trip) with this 4-inch flashlight from Coast. This little torch stores conveniently in the center console for emergency use or even in a pants pocket as an everyday carry. But don’t let the size fool you—at 100 lumens, it still throws a whopping 170-foot beam. And Coast claims it will run for 4.25 hours on one AAA on low. (Keep spare batteries in your emergency kit, too.) $12.95
Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Vacuum Water Bottle – 32 fl. oz.
Thanks to a double-wall, vacuum-insulated design, this ultradurable Hydro Flask bottle keeps beverages hot for six hours and cold for 24. Stash one filled with water in your emergency car kit, and rest assured the liquid won’t freeze—even if you find yourself overnighting on the side of the road or bailing out of a snowdrift. $49.95
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker Medical Kit
Seems obvious, but no emergency kit is complete without first-aid stuff. Any set will do, but we like this one from Adventure Medical Kits. This two-person, four-day supply includes gauze, EMT tools, bandages, basic meds, an irrigation syringe and even a wilderness medicine guide. The whole set stows neatly into a small pouch that fits inside a pack’s brain or a car’s side-door compartment. $47.95
Black Diamond Evac 9 Snow Shovel
Moving serious amounts of snow requires more than your hands. The Evac 9 from Black Diamond has a longer handle and larger blade than most portable shovels to ensures speedier snow removal during an emergency. A telescoping shaft makes for easy storage, and the D-shaped handle guarantees a confident grip. Flip the blade and convert the shovel into a hoe to excavate compacted snow. $109.95
Zippo Mag Strike Fire Starter
More reliable than a gas station cheapie, the Zippo Mag Strike—a ferro rod with a stainless-steel striker blade—is basically weatherproof. Scrape the magnesium to shed fine flakes that spark your tinder and voilà! The rod and blade nest together for easy storage. $16.95
Leatherman Sidekick Multi-Tool
Fix your rig, cut fishing line and even perform first aid when the moment calls. The Sidekick is a pocket-size multi-tool featuring straight and serrated blades, a range of screwdrivers, bottle and can openers, a wire cutter and more. With Leatherman’s signature needle-nose pliers, it’s fierce. The tool is small enough for a pocket or your car’s glove box. $69.95
Amphipod Xinglet
Stay visible when performing roadside maintenance with this one-size-fits-all reflective vest from Amphipod. The strap design makes the wearer visible from all angles with 40 percent more reflective area than a typical running vest. A simple, quick-release clasp on the front makes for easy on and off. $35
Kelty Cosmic 20 Sleeping Bag
Supreme warmth and decent packability at a superb price point make this Kelty sleeping bag a great insurance policy against an unintended night out. It’s rated to 20°F, and the high-quality insulation consisting of 550-fill untreated duck down helps ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. (Consider adding a few emergency blankets or camp blanket in your kit, too). $159.95 – $189.95
Non-Perishable Snacks & Food
No car emergency kit is complete without snacks. Keep non-perishable food like energy bars, dried fruit and other snacks on hand in case you have to wait out an unexpected road closure. We like the Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip from Pescavore but the choice is entirely yours. Just make sure to check expiration dates and rotate the products frequently.
Interested in more staff picks and kits? Find more collections here.
Editors’ note: This article has been updated since it first published in 2021.