22 items for winter driving survival

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Winter driving can come with a bit of risk, as slick and snowy roads might mean getting stuck in traffic for hours at a time or even getting stranded. One piece of travel preparation that can ultimately be life-saving in a worst-case scenario involves packing a vehicle with cold weather survival gear — even if this move doesn’t save your life, it’s sure to make your time much less miserable should things go wrong on the road.

Here’s a list of items that shouldn’t be skipped, including several pieces of gear highlighted by the Colorado Department of Transportation, as well as a few more that OutThere Colorado readers have suggested over the years.

And to make it easier for you to track down these items, I’ve gone through and added a link to a highly rated option on Amazon that should make purchasing this survival gear as easy as possible.

Here’s what you should have in your trunk this winter:

The essential items

1. Sturdy ice scraper with a snow brush: Keeping those windows clear of snow for the sake of visibility is crucial to winter driving safety, as is knocking stacked snow off of the vehicle prior to driving. Grab this two-pack of ice scrapers from Amazon. That way, there’s a backup in case of failure and in the meantime, multiple people can clear snow, getting the car ready for travel in less time. ($20)

2. Shovel: During winter travel, a vehicle may need to be dug out of the snow. Be prepared for this moment by keeping a collapsible snow shovel in the trunk. Finding a reliable collapsible option is important, as this will take up less space. There’s an option from Amazon that will do the trick. ($30)

3. Blankets and a sleeping bag: In the event of getting stuck or stranded, sitting around with the vehicle running is not ideal. Not only is this a good way to run out of gas, it can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Instead, the use of warm layers is recommended. There are several options, ranging from battery-powered heating blankets to large throws to full-blown sleeping bags. When stacking the trunk with warming layers, remember that it’s better to have too much than not enough. Also be aware that electric blankets that plug into the vehicle can drain a cold car battery. It’s also worth noting that a wool blanket can be a good option, too, as it will keep you warm when wet. ($20 to $100)

4. Gallon of water: Water is needed for obvious reasons, though this shouldn’t really be kept in the trunk on a permanent basis due to freezing. Before heading out on any winter excursion, toss some water in the trunk. This is one item that’s probably best to snag from a local store rather than from Amazon. Better yet — get a water jug and simply refill it prior to departure. For those worried about water freezing, use of an insulated water bottle can help. ($35)

5. First aid kit and essential personal medications: Not having the proper first aid gear can make a bad situation much worse. Plan ahead by packing a kit that’s got the essentials and don’t forget to bring person-specific medicine that may be needed in the event of stranding. Two other items that may be helpful in the event of an accident include a tourniquet if you’re familiar in using that type of device, as well as a first aid splint kit. BleedStop might not be a bad idea, too. ($20)

6. Tire chains: Though chains are not required in most noncommercial travel instances in Colorado, it’s not a bad idea to bring some along for particularly snowy situations. Chains can be a bit pricey, but are one of the best traction tools around. Make sure to purchase the correct chains for the vehicle that they’ll be used with. ($70-$100)

7. Tow strap: It’s hard to get towed out of a ditch without a tow strap and it’s never a good idea to rely on a bystander to have the right equipment to get the job done. Tow straps can be found for under $50, capable of pulling up to 30,000 pounds of working load. It’s also important to attach tow straps correctly — one common mistake is connecting a strap to a tow ball on the hitch, which can result in that ball or hitch popping off and becoming a dangerous and potentially deadly projectile. ($25-$50)

8. Jumper cables: Cold weather can kill a car battery quickly, making it important to keep jumper cables close by should they be needed. Energizer makes a highly rated and affordable version that can be purchased online. Portable power banks can also make jumping a car battery possible without another vehicle, though these are more expensive — that said, in terms of emergency gear, it’s worth it for peace of mind. ($20 to $100)

9. Flares or reflectors: When things go wrong, it’s crucial to keep a roadside vehicle visible to other drivers. Not only can this help with getting assistance, it can also prevent a crash, especially in bad driving conditions when visibility might be low due to falling or blowing snow. Kits can be found online that include both flares and emergency lights, as well as other emergency safety items. ($30)

10. Battery-or crank-powered radio: In order to get important weather alerts while stranded, it’s crucial to have a radio that doesn’t drain the car battery. Thankfully, a number of options that are hand-crank operated can be found online, many of which can also be used as a power bank to charge a phone. ($30-$60)

11. Spare gloves, hats, etc.: Pack items like winter gloves, socks, neck gaiters, and hats among your emergency gear so that it’s one less thing to worry about finding if winter weather gets you stuck or stranded. That way, you don’t need to worry about what type of gear you’ve packed for the adventure that day — you know you’ve got everything you need with you already. And don’t skimp when it comes to this gear by opting for something cheap — these items can be crucial for preventing frostbite. ($115)

12. Extra clothes: These clothes can be used for layering or in the event that melting snow gets something wet. It’s never a bad idea to bring a change of clothes along for a long trip. (There’s no Amazon link for this one, as clothes can probably come from an established wardrobe, but in terms of cost, we’ll say $100.)

13. Chemical hand warmers: Hand warmers that don’t require any sort of battery to charge can be a game-changer when it comes to staying comfortable in the cold. Don’t expect them to be a substitute for good gloves, though — they’re more complimentary. ($27)

14. Nonperishable snacks: With a long shelf life, snacks like granola bars can be a great option for emergency trunk food. Even in the event of a short stranding, having food available can help with maintaining a positive mood and mental clarity for decision-making. ($30)

15. Nonclumping kitty litter or sand: Not only can a heavy bag of kitty litter or sand in the trunk add a little bit of weight, thus traction, to the back end of a vehicle, these products can also be used to create a little traction in slick snow. Sometimes, freeing a stuck car can be as simple as putting a little bit of sand under the tires. Most kitty litter that works for this isn’t environmentally friendly, so sand is recommended. This is another item that can get a bit pricey when ordered online — pick it up at your local store. A bag of all-purpose play sand can be found for under $10 at Home Depot. ($10)

16. A deck of cards or board games: Gotta find a way to stay entertained when trapped in a vehicle. A deck of cards should do the trick. Bonus points if you’re prepared with a collection of board games — a combination set that includes chess, checkers, and tic-tac-toe might be a good option that a wide range of ages can enjoy and it doesn’t require rolling dice — something that can be tricky when trapped in a vehicle. ($5 to $25)

17. Windshield washer fluid (designed for winter use): Keeping vehicle windows clean and free of frost can be important when it comes to maintaining visibility while travel, thus it’s important to always make sure you’ve got extra in case you run out. A popular brand is the Rain-X De-Icer fluid, which can be purchased on Amazon for about $15. Cheaper options may be locally available. ($15)

18. Flashlight and extra batteries: Having a good flashlight is crucial should a winter travel incident take place at night — and the flashlight on your phone won’t cut it. There are a few different routes you can take here — a battery-powered flashlight or one that’s rechargeable. If you’re going with a battery-powered option, MagLite is a reliable brand, just make sure you’ve got extra batteries packed, as well. I’m also a fan of COAST flashlights, which are a bit pricier, but can be well worth it. My favorite COAST flashlight to pack is the rechargeable Slayer model, which is sturdy and compact while packing a punch. Other COAST products to check out might be the TX22R, which can be recharged or run on AA batteries, or the XP40R, which has a display that shows how much “run time” is left and has a “power-out” functionality that lets you charge other items from the flashlight. It’s also worth considering a headlamp, too, so that you’ve got light and your hands are free — there are a ton of options for headlamps, but here’s a cheap and simple one that you can get on Amazon for $20. ($50 to $100)

19. High-capacity battery bank: Whether you’re looking to recharge phones, flashlights, headphones, or otherwise, a battery bank that’s been recently charged and isn’t permanently stored in the vehicle is a good item to pack. This can be great for helping with peace of mind in an age where people tend to get a bit uneasy once their phone dies. It can also make sure a phone is available for mapping functionality after a long case of stranding. Don’t forget the charging cable, too. ($30)

20. GPS communication device: This item is a bit pricey, but can double for use in a wide range of outdoor recreation experiences. It will allow a user to send messages without cell connection, including SOS messages. Garmin inReach devices seem to be the most popular option nowadays. Do note that use of any GPS communication service will likely mean a monthly service fee. It’s also worth noting that some cellphones, including newer iPhone models, allow for GPS-based communication in a pinch. If your phone is equipped with that, make sure you know how to use it ahead of time and realize that its battery life is likely much shorter than that of a product that’s a standalone GPS communication device, like those of the inReach line. ($400)

21. Portable tire inflator: Temperature swings can mess with air pressure in tires. A portable tire inflator can help prevent issues related to this. ($40)

22. A storage container: Stay organized by keeping your survival gear in a storage container. This also makes it easy to ensure it’s ready to go as each winter rolls around. I’d recommend a sealable, plastic container as this will be more waterproof, though there are many options on the market for trunk storage. Even a large backpack may suffice. Bonus points if you get a second smaller container for items that can’t be left in the trunk for long periods of time — electronics, food, etc. This will make it easy to pull those in and out of the trunk as needed. As a reader pointed out, exiting the vehicle can put you at risk for getting hit by another car — many vehicles allow access to the trunk from the back seat, so make sure you’re able to get what you need from that opening. If this isn’t a feature on your vehicle, keep essentials in the back seat instead. (Options vary widely, but we’ll ballpark it at about $30 to $50.)