Glove boxes are notorious for becoming the junk drawer of the car. Packed with takeout napkins, expired insurance cards, and countless other things that were put in with good intent, never to be used again. Do yourself a favor - add “clean the glove box” to your to-do list and replenish the space with gear you’ll actually need. When you get your next flat tire at night, have a sunset hike that turns into a night hike, or come upon someone needing help on the side of the road, you’ll be glad to have these 10 items at the ready…
1. Mini First Aid Kit - Swing by your local CVS or find a kit online. A few Band-Aids, alcohol wipes, tweezers, and ibuprofen can make a surprising difference. Think scrapes, splinters, or splitting headaches on long drives.
2. Trash Bags - Our recommendation: Doggie bags. They’re compact, they’re plentiful, and they work for everything from dog poop to snack wrappers to dirty napkins.
3. Wipes - Speaking of dirty napkins, that pile of takeout napkins might just make the cut. For dirty hands, sticky kids, impromptu spills, or cleaning gear after a hike, wipes are the unsung hero of the glove box.
4. Power - A slim, portable charger like the BioLite Charge Series can top off your phone, tablet, or help charge other essentials in a pinch. Tip: Keep a short USB-C charging cable looped around it so you’re always ready.
Safety Note - The operating temperature for BioLite power banks is -4° F to 104° F (-20°C to 40°C). It is recommended to remove power banks from cars experiencing extreme temperatures.
5. Space Lighting - You never realize how dark the side of the road is until you’re changing a tire at night. Luci inflatable solar lanterns easily collapse down and can be charged from the sun on your dashboard.
6. Water Filtration - A compact filter or a couple of purification tablets are great in an emergency, whether you're hiking longer than expected or your car breaks down somewhere remote.
7. Pen & Notepad - Didn't pack your portable charger? Dead phones are a real thing. Whether it’s leaving a note, drawing directions, or swapping info after a fender bender, a pen and paper set always earns its place.
8. Gloves - Keeping your hands comfortable keeps you functioning. Lightweight work gloves take up little space and can be crucial on a chilly morning.
9. Task Lighting - A rechargeable headlamp gives you hands-free visibility when you need it most. No more balancing your phone in your mouth as you dig through your trunk.
10. Multi-tool - Cut a rope. Tighten a bolt. Open a package. A basic multi-tool handles jobs that fingers just can’t.
Bonus: Emergency Cash - Keep a $10 or $20 tucked away somewhere discreet. It’s your backup for tolls, parking meters, forgotten wallets, or unexpectedly cash-only spots.
Small items can make a big difference. Looking for more gear to be prepared with? Start here >
