The Essential Safety Gear For Your Off-Road Adventure

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Some people enjoy a cozy night with a good book when they get time off. Others like to dance it out with their friends at the nearest club. But a special few individuals prefer off-roading as a way to relax.

Let’s be real. Off-roading is exhilarating. It’s a wild ride all around, but it makes something come alive within its riders. The bumping heads and the flying sand is nothing compared to the feeling of adventure that comes with going off-road. 

However, it’s important that all adventurous souls make sure that their safety is at the forefront of their minds when they go on this adventure off the beaten track. 

So, are you curious about what essential safety gear you’ll need for your next off-road adventure? Let’s dive in!

Safety Gear For Off-Roading

Off-roading is fun and a great way to use your time off from a tiring work week but it requires you to be fully prepared at all times. The terrain changes quickly when you’re off-roading and sometimes it’s hard to keep yourself safe in these conditions. It’s important to have well-stocked safety gear so you don’t have a problem getting yourself out of some of the dangerous situations off-roading might place you in. 

So, let’s discuss the most important safety gear for off-roading.

First Aid Kit

A first-aid kit is an essential component of your off-roading safety gear. This is because the first aid kit can mean the difference between life and death for some people, which is why you need to make sure that yours is well-stocked. 

In addition, you also need to make sure you know how to use the supplies in your first kid box because using those supplies properly can stop the bleeding from a deep wound, provide effective pain relief, support a broken bone until you can get it fixed and help you overcome vomiting, diarrhea and bacterial infections. 

So, a first aid course along with a first aid kit might just be the thing to do if you’re going on off-roading adventures all the time. 

Tow Straps

A tow strap is another important component of your off-roading safety gear. A tow strap can get your vehicle out of terrain where it’s gotten stuck. Tow straps can generally pull a third of the weight at which they are rated. So, a tow strap that’s rated 17,500 lb can safely pull 5,500 lb out of the muck where your 4×4 has gotten stuck. 

It’s critical to keep a good quality tow strap or two in your safety gear because the rough terrain can often lead to unprecedented disasters and you can have a lot of trouble getting your vehicle out if you don’t have a tow strap.

Not sure which tow strap will work best for you. Check out our tow strap buyers guide here.

Fire Extinguisher

Whether you’re going camping or just off-roading, the fir extinguisher plays an important role in keeping you safe and sound. While it’s child play to create a blaze while camping, it’s another story entirely to do it while off-roading. Either way, your life and the lives of those around you will be in grave danger if you don’t have a fire extinguisher to put the flames out. 

In addition, it’s definitely a possibility that some vehicles that overheat a lot, like Jeeps, can catch fire if the conditions are right. It’s important that you have a fire extinguisher with you at all times to prevent the fire from spreading or claiming any lives. 

Pepper Spray

While off-roading is generally a safe activity, it doesn’t hurt to be too prepared at all times. You can get stuck in a bad spot if you encounter someone with criminal intentions and don’t have anything to defend yourself with. 

A pepper spray is light, compact, efficient, and generally safe to use. Just make sure to aim away from your face and you’ll be okay if you’re in a situation where your safety’s being compromised while off-roading.

Jump Starter or Jumper Cables

Overlanding allows you to drive over many different terrains. While that doesn’t cause a problem most of the time, it can prove to be a problem if your car has a weak battery or if your car battery dies. 

Now, you’re stuck in an unfamiliar place with a car that won’t work. A good-quality jumper cable can be a lifesaver in that time. Jump starter cables or jumper cables allow you to charge a dead battery which can be a godsend in emergency situations. 

Make sure the jumper cable you buy is of excellent quality and can easily recharge your vehicle when you need it to. 

Product	Brand	Features	Learn More
	NOCO Boost Plus Jump Starter Box	20 jump starts on a single charge Can be used to charge electronic devices Small and lightweight	Check Amazon Price
	Energizier Jumper Cables	Includes carrying bag 16ft Length 2 year warranty	Check Amazon Price

Window Breaker and Seat Belt Cutter

Accidents and mishaps are very common in off-roading adventures because of the rough terrain and the adventurous driving. However, most accidents aren’t very serious or life-threatening if you’re prepared for the worst beforehand. 

For example, if you’re locked in and your seat belt is stuck, a simple tool can save your life. Before going Overlanding, get yourself a window breaker that also doubles as a seat belt cutter. This handy tool is small, light, compact, and very effective at breaking windows and cutting seatbelts and can be a godsend in situations similar to the ones described above. Sometimes, they’re also very helpful in dangerous situations in which your vehicle is on fire and you need to get out quickly. 

It’s also quite useful to have in the car in on-road driving as well. You never know when you might need it!

Car Jack

Going camping offroad or driving to far-off locations in your vehicle is quite exhilarating. However, sometimes your car can suffer a tire puncture or your vehicle can develop another problem and you’ll be stuck in the middle of nowhere for an extended period of time if you don’t fix your vehicle yourself. 

That’s where a car jack comes in. A car jack allows you to lift your vehicle so that you can change its tire or figure out what else the problem is. However, regular car jacks might not be of much use while off-roading because off-roading vehicles are often heavier and more lifted and the rough terrain doesn’t make the job any easier. 

Make sure to get a high lift car jack that is of excellent quality so a punctured tire can’t ruin your fun for you.

Tire Plug Kit

If you’re the kind of person who likes to be extra-prepared at all times, you’ll love the tire plug kit. While keeping a car jack and a spare tire is the standard procedure, a tire plug kit is also a great idea for when you have a punctured tire while you’re out camping, offroading or rock crawling. 

The Tire Plug kit is basically your one-stop shop for repairing punctures in tubeless tires without replacing the tire, calling a professional, or waiting for help. This kit comes equipped with all the things you’ll need to repair your tire in record time. The tire plug kit can save you time, money, and the backbreaking effort that you need to put into replacing a tire. 

Tool Kit

A tool kit is something that every off-roader needs because it contains a variety of different tools that you might need for different situations in the backcountry. While it’s up to the driver to ultimately decide what tools they want to put in the toolbox, there are some tools that are essential for any Overlanding trip. 

Drive adapters, spark plug sockets, Allen keys, socket extensions, wrenches, ratchets, screwdrivers, pry bars, and sockets are some basic needs of every offroading car tool kit. 

If you know how to repair the basic problems that might arise in your Jeep and want the extra help, you can also add a flat-file, one-handed hacksaw, pliers, wire-cutters, brass drift, axle hub sockets, snap ring pliers, telescoping magnet, air pump, shovel, latex gloves, and funnel as well. 

If you’re thinking about building your own tool set be sure to check out our article on how to build the perfect tool bag.

CB Radio or GMRS Radio

This is another critical component of your off-roading setup. Whether you’re camping or kicking up dust in the backcountry while off-roading, having a reliable radio is essential for your safety. If you ever run into a problem such as an accident or an injury, you can easily radio for help. 

However, emergencies are not the only times you’ll need to have a radio setup. If you’re off-roading as part of a group, you’ll need to communicate with your friends from time to time to prevent yourself from getting lost or missing the campsite.

Product	Brand	Features	Learn More
	Uniden PC68LTX 40-Channel CB Radio	RF & Mic gain control Automatic noise limiter Does require an antennae	Check Amazon Price
	Radioddity GM-30 GMRS Radio	5w Low range USB Rechargeable  Compact size	Check Amazon Price

Final words

Off-roading is a rejuvenating activity but one cannot deny that it can sometimes be a dangerous one. However, if you’re fully equipped with all the things you might possibly need on your adventure in the backcountry, you’ll be just fine!

So, have you stocked your 4×4 with all the items on this list?