On shorter road trips, you almost always know where you鈥檙e going and where you鈥檙e staying every night. But it鈥檚 hard to scale that level of preparation throughout a truly ambitious road trip. To help you navigate those longer journeys, we came up with seven items that should be in every trunk.
The North Face Dolomite 20 Sleeping Bag ($99)
Suppose you鈥檙e stuck in your car for the night. It鈥檚 cold, but keeping the heat on will run down battery. As temperatures drop, you鈥檒l want something that fully unzips so you and your passengers can use it as a blanket. Though it has the look of your old-school sleepaway-camp bag, is among the most durable on the market and is made of all-synthetic, 30 percent recycled materials.
Tecnu Original Outdoor Skin Cleanser ($23)
If you plan to walk through any wooded area while on a road trip, there鈥檚 a decent chance you鈥檒l run into some mildly poisonous plant. That鈥檚 why Tecnu deserves a spot in the trunk. When applied shortly after contact with an itchy leaf, . It can also be used to clean gear or clothing that came into contact with the offending weed.
UST BlastMatch Fire Starter ($15)
When your scout skills fail, the best tool in your trunk may very well be the . This one-handed instrument works in the rain and starts a fire with the push of a button鈥攁 welcome alternative to spending 20 minutes flicking a gas-station lighter.
Slime 40033 Rechargeable 12V Tire Inflator ($62)
Tire inflators offer a quick and easy solution to one of the greatest car troubles any road-tripper can have. But they can be cumbersome, and one of the greatest risks of roadside auto maintenance is getting hit by another car. Unlike many inflators, is small, packable, and cordless, which means you can pump up tires from any angle or position.
AAA Atlas Book ($12.50)
The best road-trip routes have limited cell service. When smartphone options fail, you鈥檒l need a proper physical map to stay on course. The AAA Road Atlas is the gold standard for roadside paper navigation.
Petzl Reactik+聽Headlamp ($110)
It鈥檚 never fun trying to secure a flashlight under your chin when you need both hands to change a tire. can be charged via micro-USB and adjusts its own brightness with a built-in light sensor. It also has a red bulb to preserve your night vision when you power it on in the dark.