I’ve road-tripped through the Australian outback, zigzagged between almost every national park in the American West, lived out of my van in the Canadian Rockies for six months, and traveled up and down the coasts of New Zealand in every kind of weather imaginable. After years of van life, I’ve learned — sometimes the hard way — how to keep myself safe on the road. 

Although I still roll my eyes when people belabor the dangers of solo travel, there have been times in quiet campgrounds and remote areas abroad when I felt deeply comforted by the pepper spray hanging from my keychain or the car door alarms my parents begged me to install. Certain items become even more crucial in the winter when cold weather and changing road conditions can cause extra car problems. From tire chains to warm base layers, here are 13 travel safety products I pack on every winter road trip, starting at just $10.

Astroai S8 Portable Car Battery Jump Starter

If you have ever been stranded roadside with a dead car battery 10,000 miles away from home, then you already know the value of a self-sufficient jump starter pack. You never need to flag down a stranger if your battery dies, which becomes a likelier scenario in extreme cold. Just keep this device charged, and it’ll get you back on the road with the click of a button. It also doubles as a portable phone charger.

Tecknet Car Door Alarm 6-pack

These safety alarms can be used on almost any door or window. They work with a magnetic sensor that triggers a loud siren when one part of the mechanism is separated from the other by 0.78 inches. After being the target of an attempted robbery at a remote campground, I started installing these alarms on all my van doors and windows. They’re a great added anti-theft measure for cars with valuables, and they can also be used for extra security on hotel room doors.

Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300

It’s tough to keep devices juiced up with limited access to electricity, especially when their batteries drain so quickly in the cold. I always bring along my Jackery power station, which can accommodate a 12-volt, two AC plugs, two USB-A cables, and a USB-C cable. For really long trips, I recommend buying a portable solar panel to help keep the power station charged, but this workhorse conserves power for days even without it.

Thermajane Thermal Underwear

Stay warm on winter road trips with a good-quality base layer. This fleece-lined two-piece set from Thermajane is the best-selling thermal underwear set for women at Amazon with over 35,300 five-star ratings. Reviewers say it performs well in temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. And right now, it’s double-discounted to just $27.

Thopeb Personal Safety Alarm

Whether you’re road-tripping or traveling overseas, a personal safety alarm is crucial for solo female travelers. (Don’t worry, it’s TSA-friendly.) The palm-sized Thopeb keychain sounds a 130-decibel siren and flashes a bright light when you pull the tab from the top. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use it, but you’ll always have some peace of mind with this $18 gadget in your pocket.

Dalosdream USB-rechargeable Heated Blanket

An emergency blanket is a winter road trip essential, but even better is a heated blanket — and this one is a Travel + Leisure favorite that runs on a battery. You can charge it on your car’s auxiliary power with a USB cable. It takes only a few minutes for it to reach up to 149 degrees Fahrenheit, according to our tests, so you’ll be warm and cozy wherever the road takes you.

Touchland Hand Sanitizer 3-pack

Winter is high time for virus spreading, and touching fuel pumps and gas station door handles before popping a snack into your mouth is a surefire way to catch something. Road-tripping can be a dirty business, so keep some hand sanitizer within reach at all times. Touchland’s cute power mist sprays are a fan favorite made with aloe, so they won’t dry out your skin as easily as some drugstore brands.

Pom Pepper Spray Keychain

Whether you’re driving to a big city or a quiet place out in nature, it’s good to pack some form of protection. This “small and discreet” can of pepper spray simply dangles from your keychain unassumingly, always on hand for emergencies. Pepper spray is legal in every U.S. state, though there are restrictions against carrying too much of it. Just keep in mind that you can’t take it across international borders.

Baffin Women’s Snogoose Winter Boot

You never know what kind of winter weather you’ll drive into, so it’s wise to keep some form of technical footwear in the car. This Snogoose style by Baffin was one of the best snow boots for women tested by T+L editors. Our testing even took them to the frozen tundra of Canada, and they impressed with their warmth and water protection. Right now, they’re 45 percent off.

Lisen Retractable 4-in-1 Car Charger

A 12-volt power adapter is essential for any old-school vehicle that doesn’t offer an abundance of USB outlets. This one by Lisen is like the holy grail of car chargers — it has a retractable iPhone cable and USB-C cord, plus additional USB-A and USB-C ports that can be used for a multitude of devices.

Denvix Portable Car Tire Inflator

Cold weather can lead to lower tire pressure, as the air in your tires contracts under low temperatures. A portable compressor will help you keep them at the right PSI without even working regular air pump stops into your route. This under-$100 Denvix version is quick and easy to use. One reviewer said, “Following the easy-to-understand instructions, I was able to add air to all four of my tires in about four minutes.”

Lerat Rechargeable Hand Warmers 2-pack

This device can be used as one hand warmer or separated into two. It charges on a single dual-head USB cable and can maintain a temperature of about 130 degrees Fahrenheit for up to six hours. One reviewer called them “the unsung heroes of winter recreation and travel.” The clip design is especially helpful for keeping them together in your bag. At 40 percent off with an additional on-site coupon, they’re just $10.

Scc SZ143 Super Z6 Cable Tire Chains

Installing tire chains might seem like a daunting task for someone who hasn’t tried it, but these are top-rated at Amazon for ease of use. You might need them if you’re heading somewhere with snow or icy conditions. Some roads in mountainous areas even require them all winter long. This set of two is suitable for a range of vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and trucks.

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