I repacked my car kit tonight, I don't change anything in this bag between summer and winter, I have a second bag that gets added to supplement this one come winter time.
This bag is designed primarily for comfort if I needed to spend more time in/with my vehicle than I planned, particularly a forced overnight or even a situation like getting a last minute invite somewhere and I don't have time to freshen up at home. So without further adieu, here we go.
Here's the kit, packed.
The duffle bag was picked up at a thrift store about 5 or 6 years ago when I first packed a car kit, it's evolved a bit since then, but not a hell of a lot. It's not about lightweight gear, or high speed low drag, or even extreme survival, just because of the advantages one has in access to a vehicle (whether it's working or not) as shelter.
The blanket is an old sleeping bag with the zipper removed. It's dirty and doesn't have much loft left, but inside of a hard shelter, it keeps me warm, and offers the ability to share the blanket with a passenger. I also keep a moving blanket in the vehicle in with the spare tire, not really there for insulation, but it would work if I needed it. And lastly under the handles of the duffle you can see a small fleece throw. Works for a pillow, or a blanket,
.
Food I keep in my car isn't anything extravagant. Two days ration bar (one days calories if active) and a days ration of canned food. I usually keep two 500ml water in the bag, I used one this winter and never remembered to replace it. I usually have a Powerade in this kit, and keep one under the drivers seat. I was able to swap out all of the canned goods today, I'll need to pick up some bottled water and swap out the Powerade this week.
Some of the clothing I keep in the kit.
Tshirt, underwear, cotton socks, thermal socks, wool thermal socks, wool sweater, winter hat, winter gloves, work gloves.
I never packed pants in this kit because this kit isn't designed for a situation where I wouldn't have pants on, but I think I might add some. I'll think about it a little more, and maybe pick some up from a thrift store in the coming weeks. Oh, almost missed the glasses case with a pair of safety glasses, always good to have a spare.
I also keep these high visibility tops in case of an emergency roadside stop. Right to left: mesh construction style tshirt (I used to have a construction vest, which I liked more, because it could be put over a jacket or adjusted to any size for passengers. But my sister borrowed it and I never got it back, I'll have to replace that), florescent yellow shirt (an old work shirt, beneficial if I needed to work on the car but didn't want to get dirty), and a florescent yellow sweater (this is a heavy sweater, very warm, and highly visible, thrift store find).
A few signal items, glow stick in a travel toothbrush tube, road flare (should replace) and a headlamp to clip onto a ball cap.
Toiletries, nothing exciting here.
Tools, I feel like I should drop these, I'm not much for working under the hood. I've just always felt that I should have tools in a kit designed for a car.
Vice grips, adjustable wrench, fishing pliers, tire valve, hacksaw blade knife, lighter (wrapped in fishing line, hook taped to) and duct tape
a couple of nick-nacks;
window bug net, open the door, goes over the top of the door, and roll the window down.
2 x 1 watt solar panels and various adapters to hook them up.
I keep two different sized peanut butter jars in this kit (I pack stuff inside to save on space). These work for melting snow, holding food, or ultimately, as a latrine.
One last thing in this bag I didn't picture, is a novel. I imagine the worst part of being stuck in a car assuming I can make myself warm and comfortable, is boredom, so I keep a novel to read.
While this kit may seem to be missing things, hold judgement until the end of the weekend, when I can take pictures of things I keep in my glove box, arm rest, and in the back of the vehicle. This bag doesn't need to be all inclusive, just add sustainment to the things I keep elsewhere in the vehicle.
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