9 Things To Keep In Your Car For Outdoor Adventures

Many of the best outdoor experiences occur spontaneously: a walk that turns into a longer hike, spotting an alluring body of water and deciding to go for a wild swim, or making an after-work dash to the beach because the weather is cooperating.

It’s always easier to seize these spur-of-the-moment opportunities when you’ve got the right kit to hand, but it’s rare that all of us carry our full adventure survival kit at all times. This is where your car can become your microadventure enabler, as keeping just a few bits of reliable outdoor kit in your vehicle means you’re ready to pounce when the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors comes along. 

From a quick-drying towel to a warm hat and waterproof bag for the essentials, here are nine things that we think are always worth having in your car. 

Microfiber Towel

A towel is one of those things you don’t necessarily think you’ll need until you really, really need one. Whether it’s a spontaneous swim or you’ve got the dog and/or muddy boots to dry off, there are many scenarios in which you’ll be glad you’ve got one to hand.

Our Quick-Dry Microfiber Towels are designed for this kind of spontaneity. Unlike bulky cotton towels, they pack down small enough to live almost permanently in your car and dry quickly between adventures. Each towel is made from premium 210gsm microfiber and can absorb up to four times its own weight in water, so there’s no compromise here between performance and portability. Plus, our microfiber towels have been finished with an anti-bacterial treatment to keep them fresh between uses, making them the kind of dependable kit you can leave in the boot until the next adventure comes along. 

Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

When you spend a lot of time outside, hydration is always important. Storing an Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle in your car is a good way to ensure you’re never caught without something to drink, whether you’re heading out for a walk or just spending a little bit longer away from home than planned.

Our insulated water bottles are made from durable stainless steel and double-wall insulated to keep drinks cold when you’re out and about. It’s these small details that make a real difference when you’re maximising your time out in the open, allowing you to feel comfortable that you can keep going rather than worrying about when you need to head back in for a drink. 

Roll Top Dry Bag

When you’re heading outdoors, keeping your kit dry can be just as important as keeping yourself dry. A quick trip down to the water can quickly turn phones, wallets, keys and other valuables into things you’d rather not deal with. This is where having a dependable roll-top dry bag in your car can save the day.

Designed to keep your belongings protected from water, a dry bag is a dependable way to separate the things you want to keep dry from the items that inevitably end up wet and muddy. Keep one in your car, and you’ve always got somewhere safe to put your valuables or spare layers when plans take an unexpected turn.

Waterproof Backpack

Of course, there’s not much point keeping all of your outdoor essentials in the car if you don’t have a good way to carry them once you’re out of it.

We’d suggest investing in a dependable waterproof backpack, like our Adventure Waterproof Backpack, to easily carry your kit and protect it from the elements. With 30L of storage, there’s plenty of room for the essentials you’ll want for a day outside, while the waterproof construction means you don’t have to worry about a bit of rain halting your sense of adventure.

Quick-Dry Changing Robe

A changing robe might seem like something you’d only take on a planned trip, but it’s surprisingly useful to have one permanently living in your car. You could even substitute your microfibre towel for one, as ours combines the absorbency of a towel with the coverage of a changing robe, making it a great 2-in-1 solution for those spontaneous changing moments in the car park, on the shore, or anywhere in between.

A quick-dry changing robe is also lightweight and, as the name suggests, incredibly quick-drying, so you’ll have no issues packing yours away and being ready for whatever comes next. 

Kids’ Towelling Changing Robe

For the same reasons, if you have little ones, then a Kids Towelling Changing Robe is one of the must-have things to keep in your car. Extremely soft, highly absorbent and with an excellent practical design, the towelling robe is a fantastic item to have on hand at all times.

Waterproof Sit Mat

Sometimes the simplest bits of kit are the ones that you’ll end up using the most, like a waterproof sit mat so that you have somewhere clean and comfortable to stop wherever you end up.

Our Adventure Sit Mat is lightweight, water-resistant and easy to fold away, so it takes up very little space in the boot. It's useful for everything from a picnic on damp grass to taking a break halfway across a walk. You might not think about a sit mat until you’re faced with a wet and muddy patch of ground, but when this happens, you’ll be very glad you had yours close by, 

Fleece-Lined Trapper Hat

The weather doesn’t always stick to the forecast, so keep a warm hat in the car to stay prepared for colder mornings and exposed coastal walks. Our Fleece-Lined Trapper Hat combines water-resistant nylon with a soft sherpa lining for dependable warmth without feeling overly bulky. The ear flaps can be worn down when you need extra protection from the elements or folded up when you want a bit more airflow.

It’s versatile kit like this that really earns its place in your portable adventure kit and will make a surprising difference when conditions change. 

Dog Buoyancy Aid

Finally, if your four-legged friend regularly joins you on outdoor adventures, keeping a Dog Buoyancy Aid in the car means you’re prepared whenever your plans take you near the water. A buoyancy aid is particularly important for activities such as paddleboarding and boating, helping your dog stay supported in the water and making aquatic adventures safer for everyone involved.