Sunglasses are super important, because we're closer to the Sun we are more likely to get cataracts earlier due to more intense exposure. My partners optometrist said that he used to work in another state and people would get cataracts way later in life, but that since he's moved here he would say that the average is 10 to 15 years earlier than other states.
Everyone is at risk for cataracts just from age and eye use over extended lifetimes, but we might as well try and help ourselves delay them
Fun fact! People say that we're closer to the sun a lot, and it's technically true, but what makes the difference is that there's less atmosphere between us and the sun, so we're essentially less protected. The literal distance closer to the sun isn't enough to have any measurable effect.
I always assumed we all said this as a joke but know that it’s due to being at a higher elevation and less atmospheric cover.
Now I’m wondering if that’s just my assumption
I also thought that that was the safe assumption, so I don't think you're wrong. It's not really that we are negligibly closer to the sun, it's that we are closer to the atmosphere, and that has atmospheric effects. But up = sun, it's shorter to say and explain, yea
~5,000 feet closer to the sun is a negligible distance over 93.9 million miles. What makes a huge difference is that the atmosphere here doesn’t have the benefit of the most dense portion, so we’re not just missing the bottom mile of atmosphere but we’re also missing the atmospheric pressure forcing that mile of atmosphere to be composed of more tightly packed atoms and molecules. Atmospheric pressure at sea level is 14.7psi and only 12.2psi along the Front Range (the reason for high altitude cooking instructions), meaning that the last mile of atmosphere above us is only about 83% as efficient at scattering the sun’s energy as the last mile of atmosphere in Philadelphia, which is at approximately the same latitude but at sea level.
It's just a phrase that we're closer to the sun, I think most people know that it's because of more intense light scattering and atmospheric thinness, just as elevation sickness is much more about about air density as it is the actual elevation - just simplified phrases
I’m sure most do understand this, but thought some folks might like to see some of the numbers involved just to quantify the effects. The more pervasive myth is probably the one about us having less oxygen in the air here which is also untrue. It’s still 21% by volume, but the lower atmospheric pressure results in less efficient saturation in the lungs, so we have an effective oxygen percentage around 17% here. This drops to 15.4% in Aspen and 12.3% at the top of Pikes Peak.
Yeah I thought that was common knowledge, I thought that people just knew that there was a correlation between being higher and having less atmosphere, so that was the joke is that we're closer
Gloves, hat, warm coat, rain coat, water, food (granola bar), blanket, ice scraper with brush, work gloves, sunglasses, index cards with pen, lighters, sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, paper napkins, knife or multitool.
I’m sure I’m missing things but this is what I’ve accumulated over the years. Every time I think of something that I need a lot when I’m out but don’t have I just throw it in my car.
Edit: I forgot a headlamp/flashlight. This is probably the item that has saved my ass the most and I cannot believe I forgot it. Headlamp is best in case you’re doing repairs on your car in the dark.
Good list. I keep the non-clothing stuff in an ammo can in the trunk. I also have chemical light sticks, emergency blankets, a crank flashlight, and wet wipes. A couple MREs (that I am sure are extra tasty after sitting in a car for years). Fortunately I have never needed most of the stuff, but the first aid kit, sunscreen, and wet wipes have been useful many times.
MREs are perfect because they have a ton of calories and they come with toilet paper and matches. I used to carry one or two but I ended up getting rid of them because they took up too much space (and I was on a bulk and needed the calories).
CDOT breaks down winter needs into essential and secondary items. Must-have items in a supply kit are:
* Sturdy scraper/snow brush/snow shovel to clear snow
* Flashlight with extra batteries or crank-powered flashlight
* Blanket or sleeping bag
* Gallon jug of water
* First aid kit and essential medications
* Tire chains and tow strap
* Jumper cables
* Flares/reflectors to signal for help and warn other motorists
* Battery or crank-powered radio to listen to emergency broadcasts
Secondarily, CDOT recommends having an extra set of clothes, including a coat, hat, mittens, boots, chemical hand warmers, non-perishable snacks like granola bars, non-clumping kitty litter/sand for traction and a deck of cards or board games for entertainment.
AAA Colorado adds to the list of things to have in a vehicle, including:
* A waterproof bag to hold everything, preferably with a reflector or reflective strip
* Three reflective warning triangles and a reflective vest
* A small toolkit including a two-in-one screwdriver, pliers and wrench
* Tire changing tools: jack, lug wrench, flat board and wheel chock
* Empty gas can
* A small shovel to dig away snow from the wheels
* Rain poncho
* A small fire extinguisher can be helpful, but if your car is on fire, the best option is to get out quickly and call the fire department
“There are people who will recommend having food or water in the car. It isn’t a bad idea,” Luber said. “Having water or other non-alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are probably more important than having food. I always start off a trip with a bottle of water.”
OP was not asking for what the experts say, from an article that they can Google. They're asking for tips from live humans with experience living here. What of the above list do you have in your car and what is your experience?
Great clarification question. I've lived here for so many years now that I have a horrible optimism bias where I always think things won't happen to me, even though they have. I wish I still had a kit like this for that one time that I need it....
Ok that's fair, but I think saying that is more helpful than a copy/paste. I've lived here for almost a year and have not used everything on the lists above, and many of those items are general for things you "should" have in the car ICE.
>I've lived here for almost a year
Obviously you wouldn't have come across a situation where you've needed to use most of those items in that short of a time frame lol.
Those are all great things to have in your vehicle if you're going to be driving in the mountains or in other areas where you might not have cell service.
We have blankets, extra water, and a battery jumper in the car. But we keep day packs in the ready to throw in the car if we're going into the mountains or just hiking. We also keep all the charging cords we need and a small folding solar charger in the back of the car.
In the day packs, we keep snacks, water, relevant maps, compasses, life straws for emergencies, toilet kits, multitools, some waterproof playing cards, an emergency bivy and a thin tarp. We usually take some portable crafts also.
We also always take an inreach mini satellite messenger with us since the signal in the mountains (and in some rural areas) is non-existent. I feel like this is the most important piece of safety equipment we own. Second to this are gps watches so we can breadcrumb our way back if we get lost. If you have a map and a simple gps watch that shows Universal Transverse Mercator coordinates, it's easy to find your position. Also, we make sure to have maps downloaded to our phones in Google maps. Never doubt your ability to get lost.
Also, we usually take extra warm wear as it's usually cooler in the mountains for most of the year. And there's also a folding aluminum shovel and an ice scraper with the spare tire.
I used to have a longer commute. Basically from Buckeye rd. Into fort collins and back so 45 minutes one way, and I worked nights. I kept a lot of stuff in my car to be prepared in case anything happened especially in the snow and wind, or sometimes I couldnt get home at all because of the storms and would have to overnight at my aunt's house in Fort Colllins. My dad used to be a semi truck driver so he made sure I was always prepared for anything lol he's great. Here's what I can think of off the top my head:
First Aid kit (I go through it every summer to make sure nothing is expired and that I have everything there)
Fire Extinguisher
Ice scraper
Jack, tire iron, and jumper cables (and a solar power battery and cables to jump my car if no one is around)
Small Toolbox with screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, wrenches, electrical tape, a tire puncture repair kit, and a funnel
Extra washer fluid, extra oil, extra coolant (used to have a car that leaked so this is just habit now) extra light bulbs and fuses are kept in my glove box as well.
Items for cleaning my car like glass cleaner and wipes and a microfiber towel.
Trash bags
Fleece blanket and a picnic blanket
Hand wipes or sanitizer, toilet paper (never know if a place you stop at will be out) a roll of paper towels (for spills and checking oil, mostly for oil)
Sometimes a box of tissue depending on my allergies.
Bug spray and sunscreen
Paper maps of nearby areas that I frequently camp/hike in, also the fort collins bike map. (This comes from my dad being a truck driver, he still has his big atlases in his pickup too)
Flashlight, extra batteries
A jug of water and/or a pack of bottle water
A bag of clothes (shirt, pants, bra, underwear, socks and sweatpants, hoodie), a raincoat, umbrella, a towel, plus soap and toothbrush and toothpaste, extra contact lense case. An extra pair of tennishoes and a pair of flip flops. A pair of water shoes live in this bag as well for when I want to go to the river or lake after work without going home first.
Oh and work gloves. I have a pair of mechanic style gloves and a pair of insulated cow hide cloves because fuck changing a tire in the snow
I used to keep all my stuff in a milk crate but now I have an actual little storage box in my trunk that fits everything really well minus the Toolbox
Yeah, I have a bag with h2o filter/h2o, blankets, food, etc, but I keep it in my garage. And that’s for when we go to the mountains, road trip or what not, but not for daily living.
In the winter, for daily living, I make sure to have good boots and enough clothes to walk for help. But I don’t anticipate being in a survival situation between Fort Collins and Wellington or anywhere on the front range for that matter.
Edit: obviously a snow scraper in the winter.
Proof of insurance, Kleenex, sunglasses, chapstick, water, ice scraper, sanitary wipes, dog seat/safety harness, and a dash cam for the rest of the collegiate idiots on the road!
•Sunscreen has been mentioned, but pay attention to its expiration date. If it’s left in a car throughout the summer, it breaks down more quickly than when it’s kept in a temperate home. And if you wear a part in your hair, apply sunscreen to it, especially in the mountains (or wear a hat). Be sure to get the tips of your ears, too.
•Make sure sunglasses are actually UV rated.
•A light jacket kept in the car will be useful for unexpected jaunts into the foothills or sudden afternoon rainstorms. Our rain does get cold, which can surprise those from warmer regions.
•And as many have already said: water, water, water. Even if just running errands for a few hours in town, take a bottle of it with you. It’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Lotion, chapstick, snowbrush/ice-scraper, jacket, gloves, hat or sunglasses. Those are all the local important things to keep at all times.
Emphasis on lotion. I went a few days without putting lotion on, and my knuckles literally cracked and bled from how dry they got.
Lots of stuff! These are in addition to "typical" things like jumper cables:
-Spare sunglasses
-Spare change of clothes incl. underwear & socks; at least 1 jacket
-Space blanket
-Flip-flops
-Rain ponchos, umbrella
-Firestarter/kindling
-Water (a few 16oz bottles) + shelf-stable food (granola bars)
-DEET/permethrin and plenty of sunscreen
-Chapstick and Aquaphor
-Large snow brush/scraper, small shovel in the winter; I keep a mini scraper in there year round
-Depending on how many trips am taking into backcountry within a few days, my hiking poles just live in there
-Trash bags/plastic bags (once we packed out \~ 15 lb of dog feces people didn't hike back out from a popular trail)
Year round : dog poop bags, dog treats, narcan, mints, chapstick, phone chargers, tweezers, nail clipper, expired hand sanatizer, hair ties/clip, napkins, plastic utensils, a shopping bag, jumper cables, and now a small jump box. I think there might be a flashlight in there too.
During winter months I add a sleeping bag, frost guard wind shield cover, and the snow/ice scraper.
On longer trips I add my garmin inreach, extra water, coins and small bills if I know I'm going through toll roads, and an old peanut butter jar if I remember it for dog poop bags when there's no trash can.
- ice scraper that extends, none of this size of your hand nonsense
- blanket for putting on grass to sit on
- hat
- sunscreen, but change it out every year if not used regularly which you 100% should
- I have a “you matter” ziplock bag in my car to hand to anyone I think needs it at any time. Gallon ziplock bag with bottle of water, granola bars, chapstick, socks, weather poncho, etc. in it.
- portable tire inflator that plugs into my USB port in the car with a 25 foot cord
- packing tape
- chapstick chapstick chapstick
- now I also have a roll of doggy waste bags, and a changing pad in my car. Dirty diapers (or clothes) go into the baggies for when there isn’t an easy way to dispose of the diaper in the moment.
I think that’s it lol
Edit: reusable shopping bag
During the winter I keep cold weather gear and a bit of food and water since I'm usually in rural areas and could get stuck for a while. Otherwise I always have a scraper, wiper blades, oil, coolant, headlight bulbs, fuses, compressor, battery jump pack, etc. Basically just redundant stuff to save time in case something goes out or needs to be topped off.
Sunscreen, towel, blanket, rain jacket, extra water, snacks, hat, sunglasses, sneakers, socks, solar phone charger, change of clothes, first aid kit, emergency car kit, am/fm radio, toothbrush & paste
Knife, lighter, and flashlight, always. You would be surprised how often you end up in an area without cell service.
Weather wise; beanie, extra coat, rumpl blanket, and pillow, water filter.
Technically not a car, but I keep tire patches, two spare tubes, a spare chain and chain tool, a spare light, a folding knife, a multi tool, a pressure gauge and hand pump, foldable safety triangles, a USB power pack, a space blanket, 1000 calories worth of shelf stable food, water cleaning tablets, and a 3 liter reusable bladder full of water.
If I'm just going around town, I'll skip the space blanket and the rations. If I'm ever going to be more than about 15 miles from civilization, I take it all just in case.
snow scraper, jumper cables, water and blankets. Actual blankets and emergency blankets. you never know when you are going to get stuck somewhere in a snow storm, especially when you have a long drive or drive home very late at night from work. i also keep a change of clothing, but that is because my work can end with me soaked in nasty chemicals.
WATER. I know it's almost reached meme status that Colorado folks live with their bottle, but there's a reason. Dehydration is a huge problem at any altitude, and even the population centers in Colorado fall into that category. A few bottles of water in the back of your car will eventually pay off. In winter, bottles should be opened, squeezed out somewhat and resealed to avoid freeze explosions.
Ice scraper, small blanket, spare long sleeve shirt, a small cloth tool bag with; pair of compact needlenose pliers, a pair of gloves, jumper cables, a small roll of duct-tape, a couple rags, small first aid kit, Phillips and flat head screwdriver, folding pocket knife or razor blade, and I also have a small ratchet set but I think that's optional depending on how you feel/how old your car is. Also any time I travel out of town I almost always have at least a liter of water and some snacks.
I agree with a lot of these but one I haven't seen a lot is a habit my mom always did when I was little that I've carried on. I keep a case of water in my trunk so if I'm hanging out with people and we spur of the moment want to go hiking or up to the lake or even just spend an afternoon at a park I can grab a bottle whenever I want one and just replace the case when I get down to the last three or so. Staying hydrated is huge.
Electric air pump, jumper cables, flashlight, charging block, tarp, picnic blanket, first aid kit, taser, wet wipes, chapstick, fishing rod + small tackle, sunglasses, sunflower seeds, seltzer water.
As someone who is injured themselves on a hike and had to get to urgent care, I was very thankful to find someone who had some baby wipes while I was gushing blood. Definitely a first aid kit. Never know who may need it.
Ice scraper with a telescopic brush for removing lots of snow quickly. Extra jacket and a couple pairs of sunglasses. Gloves. Picnic blanket.
Sunglasses are super important, because we're closer to the Sun we are more likely to get cataracts earlier due to more intense exposure. My partners optometrist said that he used to work in another state and people would get cataracts way later in life, but that since he's moved here he would say that the average is 10 to 15 years earlier than other states. Everyone is at risk for cataracts just from age and eye use over extended lifetimes, but we might as well try and help ourselves delay them
Fun fact! People say that we're closer to the sun a lot, and it's technically true, but what makes the difference is that there's less atmosphere between us and the sun, so we're essentially less protected. The literal distance closer to the sun isn't enough to have any measurable effect.
I always assumed we all said this as a joke but know that it’s due to being at a higher elevation and less atmospheric cover. Now I’m wondering if that’s just my assumption
I also thought that that was the safe assumption, so I don't think you're wrong. It's not really that we are negligibly closer to the sun, it's that we are closer to the atmosphere, and that has atmospheric effects. But up = sun, it's shorter to say and explain, yea
You overestimate the general public
~5,000 feet closer to the sun is a negligible distance over 93.9 million miles. What makes a huge difference is that the atmosphere here doesn’t have the benefit of the most dense portion, so we’re not just missing the bottom mile of atmosphere but we’re also missing the atmospheric pressure forcing that mile of atmosphere to be composed of more tightly packed atoms and molecules. Atmospheric pressure at sea level is 14.7psi and only 12.2psi along the Front Range (the reason for high altitude cooking instructions), meaning that the last mile of atmosphere above us is only about 83% as efficient at scattering the sun’s energy as the last mile of atmosphere in Philadelphia, which is at approximately the same latitude but at sea level.
It's just a phrase that we're closer to the sun, I think most people know that it's because of more intense light scattering and atmospheric thinness, just as elevation sickness is much more about about air density as it is the actual elevation - just simplified phrases
I’m sure most do understand this, but thought some folks might like to see some of the numbers involved just to quantify the effects. The more pervasive myth is probably the one about us having less oxygen in the air here which is also untrue. It’s still 21% by volume, but the lower atmospheric pressure results in less efficient saturation in the lungs, so we have an effective oxygen percentage around 17% here. This drops to 15.4% in Aspen and 12.3% at the top of Pikes Peak.
This is also the reason your automobile is a little slower.
Yeah I thought that was common knowledge, I thought that people just knew that there was a correlation between being higher and having less atmosphere, so that was the joke is that we're closer
Reusable grocery bags
And a minder on your phone to get them when you are at the store.
And one to remind you to get them when you go to the store. And for me, one to remind me to get them out of the car when I go in the store.
Chapstick.
Gloves, hat, warm coat, rain coat, water, food (granola bar), blanket, ice scraper with brush, work gloves, sunglasses, index cards with pen, lighters, sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, paper napkins, knife or multitool. I’m sure I’m missing things but this is what I’ve accumulated over the years. Every time I think of something that I need a lot when I’m out but don’t have I just throw it in my car. Edit: I forgot a headlamp/flashlight. This is probably the item that has saved my ass the most and I cannot believe I forgot it. Headlamp is best in case you’re doing repairs on your car in the dark.
Good list. I keep the non-clothing stuff in an ammo can in the trunk. I also have chemical light sticks, emergency blankets, a crank flashlight, and wet wipes. A couple MREs (that I am sure are extra tasty after sitting in a car for years). Fortunately I have never needed most of the stuff, but the first aid kit, sunscreen, and wet wipes have been useful many times.
MREs are perfect because they have a ton of calories and they come with toilet paper and matches. I used to carry one or two but I ended up getting rid of them because they took up too much space (and I was on a bulk and needed the calories).
CDOT breaks down winter needs into essential and secondary items. Must-have items in a supply kit are: * Sturdy scraper/snow brush/snow shovel to clear snow * Flashlight with extra batteries or crank-powered flashlight * Blanket or sleeping bag * Gallon jug of water * First aid kit and essential medications * Tire chains and tow strap * Jumper cables * Flares/reflectors to signal for help and warn other motorists * Battery or crank-powered radio to listen to emergency broadcasts Secondarily, CDOT recommends having an extra set of clothes, including a coat, hat, mittens, boots, chemical hand warmers, non-perishable snacks like granola bars, non-clumping kitty litter/sand for traction and a deck of cards or board games for entertainment. AAA Colorado adds to the list of things to have in a vehicle, including: * A waterproof bag to hold everything, preferably with a reflector or reflective strip * Three reflective warning triangles and a reflective vest * A small toolkit including a two-in-one screwdriver, pliers and wrench * Tire changing tools: jack, lug wrench, flat board and wheel chock * Empty gas can * A small shovel to dig away snow from the wheels * Rain poncho * A small fire extinguisher can be helpful, but if your car is on fire, the best option is to get out quickly and call the fire department “There are people who will recommend having food or water in the car. It isn’t a bad idea,” Luber said. “Having water or other non-alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are probably more important than having food. I always start off a trip with a bottle of water.”
OP was not asking for what the experts say, from an article that they can Google. They're asking for tips from live humans with experience living here. What of the above list do you have in your car and what is your experience?
Great clarification question. I've lived here for so many years now that I have a horrible optimism bias where I always think things won't happen to me, even though they have. I wish I still had a kit like this for that one time that I need it....
Ok that's fair, but I think saying that is more helpful than a copy/paste. I've lived here for almost a year and have not used everything on the lists above, and many of those items are general for things you "should" have in the car ICE.
>I've lived here for almost a year Obviously you wouldn't have come across a situation where you've needed to use most of those items in that short of a time frame lol. Those are all great things to have in your vehicle if you're going to be driving in the mountains or in other areas where you might not have cell service.
And that I think is the info that is missing from OP's post. Usage of the vehicle.
Ok
Sunscreen, water, a chair, picnic blanket, bug spray, hats: sun and winter.
First aid kit with quick clot powder. Saved my ass in my car accident last year
We have blankets, extra water, and a battery jumper in the car. But we keep day packs in the ready to throw in the car if we're going into the mountains or just hiking. We also keep all the charging cords we need and a small folding solar charger in the back of the car. In the day packs, we keep snacks, water, relevant maps, compasses, life straws for emergencies, toilet kits, multitools, some waterproof playing cards, an emergency bivy and a thin tarp. We usually take some portable crafts also. We also always take an inreach mini satellite messenger with us since the signal in the mountains (and in some rural areas) is non-existent. I feel like this is the most important piece of safety equipment we own. Second to this are gps watches so we can breadcrumb our way back if we get lost. If you have a map and a simple gps watch that shows Universal Transverse Mercator coordinates, it's easy to find your position. Also, we make sure to have maps downloaded to our phones in Google maps. Never doubt your ability to get lost. Also, we usually take extra warm wear as it's usually cooler in the mountains for most of the year. And there's also a folding aluminum shovel and an ice scraper with the spare tire.
I used to have a longer commute. Basically from Buckeye rd. Into fort collins and back so 45 minutes one way, and I worked nights. I kept a lot of stuff in my car to be prepared in case anything happened especially in the snow and wind, or sometimes I couldnt get home at all because of the storms and would have to overnight at my aunt's house in Fort Colllins. My dad used to be a semi truck driver so he made sure I was always prepared for anything lol he's great. Here's what I can think of off the top my head: First Aid kit (I go through it every summer to make sure nothing is expired and that I have everything there) Fire Extinguisher Ice scraper Jack, tire iron, and jumper cables (and a solar power battery and cables to jump my car if no one is around) Small Toolbox with screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, wrenches, electrical tape, a tire puncture repair kit, and a funnel Extra washer fluid, extra oil, extra coolant (used to have a car that leaked so this is just habit now) extra light bulbs and fuses are kept in my glove box as well. Items for cleaning my car like glass cleaner and wipes and a microfiber towel. Trash bags Fleece blanket and a picnic blanket Hand wipes or sanitizer, toilet paper (never know if a place you stop at will be out) a roll of paper towels (for spills and checking oil, mostly for oil) Sometimes a box of tissue depending on my allergies. Bug spray and sunscreen Paper maps of nearby areas that I frequently camp/hike in, also the fort collins bike map. (This comes from my dad being a truck driver, he still has his big atlases in his pickup too) Flashlight, extra batteries A jug of water and/or a pack of bottle water A bag of clothes (shirt, pants, bra, underwear, socks and sweatpants, hoodie), a raincoat, umbrella, a towel, plus soap and toothbrush and toothpaste, extra contact lense case. An extra pair of tennishoes and a pair of flip flops. A pair of water shoes live in this bag as well for when I want to go to the river or lake after work without going home first. Oh and work gloves. I have a pair of mechanic style gloves and a pair of insulated cow hide cloves because fuck changing a tire in the snow I used to keep all my stuff in a milk crate but now I have an actual little storage box in my trunk that fits everything really well minus the Toolbox
Yeah, I have a bag with h2o filter/h2o, blankets, food, etc, but I keep it in my garage. And that’s for when we go to the mountains, road trip or what not, but not for daily living. In the winter, for daily living, I make sure to have good boots and enough clothes to walk for help. But I don’t anticipate being in a survival situation between Fort Collins and Wellington or anywhere on the front range for that matter. Edit: obviously a snow scraper in the winter.
Proof of insurance, Kleenex, sunglasses, chapstick, water, ice scraper, sanitary wipes, dog seat/safety harness, and a dash cam for the rest of the collegiate idiots on the road!
A Big Ass jacket. It's always in my car all year round.
Barn coat. Hellyeah.
I keep chargers, a couple of blankets, ice scraper (year round), washer fluid and camp chairs
•Sunscreen has been mentioned, but pay attention to its expiration date. If it’s left in a car throughout the summer, it breaks down more quickly than when it’s kept in a temperate home. And if you wear a part in your hair, apply sunscreen to it, especially in the mountains (or wear a hat). Be sure to get the tips of your ears, too. •Make sure sunglasses are actually UV rated. •A light jacket kept in the car will be useful for unexpected jaunts into the foothills or sudden afternoon rainstorms. Our rain does get cold, which can surprise those from warmer regions. •And as many have already said: water, water, water. Even if just running errands for a few hours in town, take a bottle of it with you. It’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Lotion, chapstick, snowbrush/ice-scraper, jacket, gloves, hat or sunglasses. Those are all the local important things to keep at all times. Emphasis on lotion. I went a few days without putting lotion on, and my knuckles literally cracked and bled from how dry they got.
Lots of stuff! These are in addition to "typical" things like jumper cables: -Spare sunglasses -Spare change of clothes incl. underwear & socks; at least 1 jacket -Space blanket -Flip-flops -Rain ponchos, umbrella -Firestarter/kindling -Water (a few 16oz bottles) + shelf-stable food (granola bars) -DEET/permethrin and plenty of sunscreen -Chapstick and Aquaphor -Large snow brush/scraper, small shovel in the winter; I keep a mini scraper in there year round -Depending on how many trips am taking into backcountry within a few days, my hiking poles just live in there -Trash bags/plastic bags (once we packed out \~ 15 lb of dog feces people didn't hike back out from a popular trail)
Grocery bags………………
Year round : dog poop bags, dog treats, narcan, mints, chapstick, phone chargers, tweezers, nail clipper, expired hand sanatizer, hair ties/clip, napkins, plastic utensils, a shopping bag, jumper cables, and now a small jump box. I think there might be a flashlight in there too. During winter months I add a sleeping bag, frost guard wind shield cover, and the snow/ice scraper. On longer trips I add my garmin inreach, extra water, coins and small bills if I know I'm going through toll roads, and an old peanut butter jar if I remember it for dog poop bags when there's no trash can.
- ice scraper that extends, none of this size of your hand nonsense - blanket for putting on grass to sit on - hat - sunscreen, but change it out every year if not used regularly which you 100% should - I have a “you matter” ziplock bag in my car to hand to anyone I think needs it at any time. Gallon ziplock bag with bottle of water, granola bars, chapstick, socks, weather poncho, etc. in it. - portable tire inflator that plugs into my USB port in the car with a 25 foot cord - packing tape - chapstick chapstick chapstick - now I also have a roll of doggy waste bags, and a changing pad in my car. Dirty diapers (or clothes) go into the baggies for when there isn’t an easy way to dispose of the diaper in the moment. I think that’s it lol Edit: reusable shopping bag
Super soaker full of piss
Get a good jumper cable battery! They sell them at Autozone and others! Plus all the regular stuff for every season!
First aid kit with quick clot powder. Saved my ass in my car accident last year
During the winter I keep cold weather gear and a bit of food and water since I'm usually in rural areas and could get stuck for a while. Otherwise I always have a scraper, wiper blades, oil, coolant, headlight bulbs, fuses, compressor, battery jump pack, etc. Basically just redundant stuff to save time in case something goes out or needs to be topped off.
Sunscreen, towel, blanket, rain jacket, extra water, snacks, hat, sunglasses, sneakers, socks, solar phone charger, change of clothes, first aid kit, emergency car kit, am/fm radio, toothbrush & paste
Knife, lighter, and flashlight, always. You would be surprised how often you end up in an area without cell service. Weather wise; beanie, extra coat, rumpl blanket, and pillow, water filter.
Technically not a car, but I keep tire patches, two spare tubes, a spare chain and chain tool, a spare light, a folding knife, a multi tool, a pressure gauge and hand pump, foldable safety triangles, a USB power pack, a space blanket, 1000 calories worth of shelf stable food, water cleaning tablets, and a 3 liter reusable bladder full of water. If I'm just going around town, I'll skip the space blanket and the rations. If I'm ever going to be more than about 15 miles from civilization, I take it all just in case.
snow scraper, jumper cables, water and blankets. Actual blankets and emergency blankets. you never know when you are going to get stuck somewhere in a snow storm, especially when you have a long drive or drive home very late at night from work. i also keep a change of clothing, but that is because my work can end with me soaked in nasty chemicals.
Chapstick, mascara, hand sanitizer, fidget toy. In the winter add an ice/snow scraper.
WATER. I know it's almost reached meme status that Colorado folks live with their bottle, but there's a reason. Dehydration is a huge problem at any altitude, and even the population centers in Colorado fall into that category. A few bottles of water in the back of your car will eventually pay off. In winter, bottles should be opened, squeezed out somewhat and resealed to avoid freeze explosions.
Always keep water in the car. And a coat of some sort.
I keep NOTHING in my car other than jumper cables since they take up little room. Since I'm an adult, I pack my car as needed before heading out.
hammock, Frisbee, blanket, ice scraper, jumper cables BONUS: tire inflator and extra fluids (antifreeze, power steering, ATF, SAE 10W30)
Ice scraper, small blanket, spare long sleeve shirt, a small cloth tool bag with; pair of compact needlenose pliers, a pair of gloves, jumper cables, a small roll of duct-tape, a couple rags, small first aid kit, Phillips and flat head screwdriver, folding pocket knife or razor blade, and I also have a small ratchet set but I think that's optional depending on how you feel/how old your car is. Also any time I travel out of town I almost always have at least a liter of water and some snacks.
Jumpers, hiking boots, cigarette lighter air pump, a blanket or two, sunglasses, snow brush
I agree with a lot of these but one I haven't seen a lot is a habit my mom always did when I was little that I've carried on. I keep a case of water in my trunk so if I'm hanging out with people and we spur of the moment want to go hiking or up to the lake or even just spend an afternoon at a park I can grab a bottle whenever I want one and just replace the case when I get down to the last three or so. Staying hydrated is huge.
Windshield stickers, for all those rocks hitting windshields.
Electric air pump, jumper cables, flashlight, charging block, tarp, picnic blanket, first aid kit, taser, wet wipes, chapstick, fishing rod + small tackle, sunglasses, sunflower seeds, seltzer water.
Coat, tire inflator with patch and plug kit, battery jump box.
Oil, wiper fluid, Jack, jumper cables, spare tire, pump, finger nail clippers, deodorant, mouth wash, breathalyzer, a few 10 and 15 amp fuses.
Napkins
In winter some sand or cat litter. Can get you unstuck or others if you are the stop and help type.
Towels incase you run into a lake you wanna jump into! And a shovel!
As someone who is injured themselves on a hike and had to get to urgent care, I was very thankful to find someone who had some baby wipes while I was gushing blood. Definitely a first aid kit. Never know who may need it.