As a female travel writer, I鈥檓 always looking for ways to be self-sufficient, especially when I鈥檓 on the road鈥攄oubly so during the current pandemic.听
Regardless of whether I鈥檓 taking a weekend road trip or a two-week car adventure, these six pieces of gear go with me. They provide reassurance, confidence, and the knowledge that I鈥檓 prepared and ready to handle anything that comes my way.听
Uncharted Supply Co. Zeus Power Bank ($150)
It may be small (about the size of a brick), but the听 packs a mighty punch. This portable battery can jump-start even large diesel trucks multiple times on听one charge, limiting contact with others during the pandemic. Just hook the included jumper cables to the charged battery and then your car and鈥攂oom鈥攜ou鈥檝e got power. Thankfully, my car battery has never needed restarting, but the built-in flashlight has come听in handy, and the USB port is a great cell-phone charger.
Leatherman听Wave+ Multitool ($100)
The has a permanent address in my purse. Leatherman鈥檚 most popular multitool, it has 17 implements in one: pliers, wire cutters, knives, scissors, a saw, files, drivers, a ruler, a can and bottle opener, an electrical crimper, and a wire stripper. I mostly use the knives, often听to slice food or cut paracord for a tarp setup, but also frequently the听scissors, to听cut duct tape, and the can opener,听to access听food. Whether I need to start a fire, fix a motor, or perform first aid, this product has an instrument鈥攊f not two鈥攆or that.
CrazyCap Water Bottle ($69)
Recently, I didn鈥檛 quite pack enough water on a 7.5-mile hike in south Texas, but I wasn鈥檛 too worried, because I had the , a stainless-steel听vessel that sterilizes liquid using an incorporated听UV LED light in the cap. If you鈥檝e filled your bottle at a听questionable pond听or rest-stop fountain, all it takes is two taps on the top of the lid and the UV light kills viruses, pathogens, and bacteria听in a minute鈥攚ithout changing the taste of the water. It doesn鈥檛听filter out sediment, but it鈥檚 a good choice when you鈥檙e in a pinch or in an area where water may not be the most sanitary. Bonus:听the company claims you can unscrew the cap and use it to kill bacteria on your phone, door handles, or steering wheel.
Garmin Women of 黑料吃瓜网 Fenix 6S听Solar Pro Watch ($800)
The听 is the best companion on a road trip. It tracks my heart rate, pulse oxygen, respiration, sleep, and temperature鈥攚hich all help听me monitor my health while traveling. It also offers detailed maps of remote areas, and the smaller size fits my wrist well. When you start tracking an activity on the watch, like a hike or a run, it sends a live link of your location to loved ones. Unlike other sports watches I鈥檝e used, this one lasts at least four days without charging, thanks to a built-in solar lens.听
Taiga Terra Cooler ($199)
is a lifesaver. I only had to refill it with ice three times during an 11-day road trip, saving听me money and limiting听the number of times I had to make gas-station pit stops. Not too big and not too small, the 27-quart chest fits easily onto the backseat of my car. It held 12 cans, a package of bacon, cheese, and a six-pack of eggs with some room to spare, and it鈥檚 made from 20 percent hemp-filled polypropylene.听
Smart Travel 黑料吃瓜网 Medical Kit ($50)
Travelers can be prepared for any medical emergency with the . Filled with 69 items, including bandages, dressings, gels, forceps, a thermometer, medication, wound care, and dehydration packets, this tool kit can take care of minor and major injuries or health concerns. I鈥檓 partial to the kit鈥檚 how-to guide, which provides useful information like prescription dosages and tips for assessing the severity of various injuries. But perhaps the best perk is it only weighs just over a pound, so I had no trouble carrying it in my backpack during听a five-hour hike.听