Traveling off-road can be a lot of fun, partly because things tend to be unpredictable. Being prepared for anything that might happen will make off-road trips more enjoyable and less stressful. That means stocking up on equipment and supplies that will come in handy should problems arise. Take the following eight items or essentials for off-road trip with you when heading to your adventures should be pleasant ones.

1. A First Aid Kit

Paved highways are designed to enable safe, smooth travel. Rock-strewn trails and rough logging roads, though, but plenty of hazards in the way of those who use them.

As such, traveling off-road will always be more dangerous than sticking to comfortable, predictable asphalt. Every off-road vehicle should include a first aid kit that features everything required to tend to minor cuts and other injuries.

Fortunately, obtaining such a package never needs to be troublesome, as those who get help here will see. Even when a first aid kit goes many months without being opened, it can subsequently prove invaluable.

2. Potable Water

Thirst can become a debilitating feeling, and it gets even worse over time. People cannot survive very long at all without water, so stocking up before heading off-road will always be best.

Water kept in a rugged plastic container should remain safe and potable for quite a while. Still, it will be best to dump and refresh a vehicle’s stockpile on a regular basis.

3. A Headlamp

Should any kind of the problem arise after dark, being able to cast some light on the situation will always be helpful? Since a vehicle’s headlights will not always be suitable for such purposes, taking a small, lightweight headlamp along will normally be wise.

4. A Tire Repair Kit

Flats are far more common when traveling off-road than when sticking to regularly maintained pavement. Even a small, sharp rock that hits a tire the wrong way can leave it with a large puncture. A repair kit that includes rubber plugs, patches, and adhesives will make it possible to get back on track.

5. A Jack

Working on a stricken off-road vehicle can require squeezing into some tight spaces. Fixing problems that develop while in the woods is often easier when a sturdy, stable jack can be used to improve access.

6. A Winch

Getting stuck when driving off-road can be part of the fun, but being able to recover is always important. Nothing makes that easier than a winch that can be used to pull a multi-ton vehicle to safety.

Just about every serious off-road enthusiast ends up owning one or more winches. When traveling in a group, even having a winch attached to only one vehicle will make things easier for everyone.

7. A Tarp

Fallen branches and the like make pretty poor shelters, regardless of what some stories say. It might be sensible to spend a night inside a broken-down off-road vehicle, but being able to stretch out more will almost always be welcome. A compact tarp kept in an emergency kit will always make a great addition to an off-road journey.

8. A Blanket

A bit of warmth can be a life-saver, and even a modest blanket can provide plenty of it. Even the sorts of silvery survival blankets that fold up into tiny pouches can make time spent waiting for a rescue far safer and more comfortable.

Enjoying a Safer, More Predictable Trip Off-Road

Make sure to take the eight items above along and your next off-road trip should become even more fun and manageable. A little bit of preparation often goes a long way when heading off the beaten path.