The Best Winter Car Kit of 2019

A little prep goes a long way toward getting yourself un-screwed

Maxtrax MKII Recovery Board ($300)

You’ve excavated your car after a huge storm, but now you’re spinning out. Slide the Maxtrax under a tire and punch it. Teeth on the bottom bite into slick surfaces, giving you traction to get moving.

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Coast G20 Inspection Beam Penlight ($14)

Useful for lighting up nooks and crannies, the G20 is compact and throws a beam 72 feet. Carry a few spare AAAs for backup juice.

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CamelBak ChuteMag Insulated Bottle ($40)

Water is a must when you’re hunkered down waiting for a rescue snowplow. Stash a few of these 40-ouncers in the trunk. The double-wall insulation will ensure your water stays water—we couldn’t get ours to freeze.

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Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter ($15)

If you’ll be stuck awhile and need to get a fire going, this Gerber has built-in tinder storage, so you’ll have something dry to get the flames going.

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Therm-a-Rest Oberon Sleeping Bag ($480)

A zero-degree bag will keep you warm should you need to wait out a blizzard on the side of the road. The Oberon is stuffed with Nikwax-treated 800-fill down, so it won’t get soggy.

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Adventure Medical Mountain Explorer First-aid Kit ($59)

With basic meds, bandages, gauze, and a book outlining treatments, this emergency kit has everything you need to patch up minor scrapes.

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Dickies Reflective Print Jacket ($90)

Throw on this coat while you free your car from a snowbank. The waterproof exterior is reflective, so passing motorists will be able to spot you and steer clear.

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Kelty Cache Box ($15)

Ample padding and interior organization mean you can leave the Cache box bouncing around in the bed of your truck without worrying that the flashlights, electronics, and freeze-dried grub stashed inside will emerge worse for wear.

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SealLine Zip Duffel ($160)

Made of vinyl-coated polyester, this 40-liter waterproof duffel won’t let in a drop of moisture to wreak havoc on delicate gear. The heavy-gauge zipper is easy to operate with frozen fingers.

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DMOS Stealth Shovel ($119)

Sharp metal teeth work wonders breaking through crusty ice and mud. And thanks to a detachable handle, the whole thing collapses to the size of a briefcase for easy storage.

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