When I’m travelling on back roads, through forests, mountain passes, and sleeping along the way in my tent (or inside my truck!), here are the essentials I always carry in my gear to stay safe and feel prepared:

• a sleeping bag
• a hatchet
• first aid kit
• a container of drinking water
• portable air compressor to fill a leaky tire

Inside a tote in the back of my SUV, I always have an actionpacker (or rubbermaid tote) filled with:

• bug spray and mosquito coils
• firestarters – I like the ZIP ones that are individually packaged and soaked with lighter fluid. They are stinky, but they’ll light and stay lit while you find kindling to feed your fire. I usually have one of those puck ones too, made with wax and wood shavings because they have a good burn time.
• Jetboil Flash – A Jetboil can boil a litre of water for you in just over a minute. It is super fast! And fuel efficient! One fuel canister will last you for many, many uses! And most importantly, it is really easy to use. You can boil water to add to instant oatmeal, coffee, tea, or to any dehyrated meal. I don’t travel without my Jetboil. Be sure to always have a fuel canister with you! Jetboil has accessories so you can get a coffee press attachment too, if coffee is your fuel! When you’re packing light and don’t want a full camping stove with pots and spoon set up, a Jetboil is for you. Make sure you remember a long-handled spoon or spork!
• headlamp
• multi-tool – I’m thinking about upgrading to this pretty turquoise Leatherman instead of my Swiss Army knife, mostly because it’s so pretty. LOL.
• bigger knife – I like my Bear Grylls survival knife. Handy to make some kindling, and also to cut your steak.
• Ziplocs – for leftovers
• a few zip ties
• toilet paper
• a few garbage bags
• a few tea bags
• a lighter and matches (always have a backup!)
• a few dehydrated meals
• window netting (so I can sleep in the back of my SUV with the windows open without feeding all the mosquitos). I like these ones with the elastic around the bottom. You just slide them over the top of your door, close the door, then put the window down as far as you want. No bugs!
• thick pair of socks
• toque – can be nice to sleep in if it’s chilly!
• hand warmer pockets – those single-use ones you remove from the plastic pouch and shake to activate
• bear spray
• a foldable solar-rechargeable lantern – I love the luminAID lantern.

Winter specific

All travel here in the winter (northern Canada) could quickly end up as a survival situation, so I add:

• -40 degree sleeping bag
• plastic, extendible shovel
• extra mitts, toque – if you’re shovelling yourself out, you’ll appreciate a dry set to switch to!
• snowpants and parka
• survival candle