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Pros

• Includes all the essentials to get unstuck in most traction situations
• Basic tool kit is an added bonus for non-vehicle issues
• The shovel and tire repair kit are nice touches

Cons

• We’d prefer a hard-sided case
• Tow rope could be more robust

There are a lot of similarly branded kits online, but this hefty 8.5-pound kit comes in a rugged zippered case, and the items are impressively durable with a wide variety of use cases. Haiphaik’s Emergency Roadside Kit is well-equipped with a nearly 12-foot-long set of jumper cables, a tow rope, a flashlight, gloves, assorted auto fuses, a durable little folding shovel, and a toolkit.

I’d probably supplement with a more robust assortment of tools if I planned on using them frequently, but for most people, the included toolkit will be fine. Plus it comes in its own hard-sided case.

I appreciate the wide range of gear here, and can’t think of many instances where I’d need more items than it provides. It has zip ties and a tubeless tire patch kit, and the jumper cables have coated clamps for extra assurance.

It’s worth noting the Haiphaik kit doesn’t come with any extreme weather gear, which I recommend buying separately if you live somewhere that gets bombarded with heavy rain or snow. The tow rope is also on the flimsier side, so I keep a heavy-duty option in the bed of my truck for whenever I need to tow something bigger than a moped.

Key Specs

Best For	Any kind of driver in a range of moderate-to-unpredictable conditions
Highlights	Jumper cables, shovel, basic tools, tow rope
Pieces	124
Weight	8.5 lbs.
Dimensions	12 x 8 x 4 in.

Pros

• Contains more than 200 bandages
• Includes skin protecting gels and creams
• Compact size fits in weird places

Cons

• Interior can be hard to organize and has a tendency to spill

This is also our top pick for our first aid kit buyer’s guide, which made it an easy choice to keep in my truck for both its compact size and huge assortment of first-aid supplies. This kit has over 200 bandages in a wide range of shapes and sizes for the smallest paper cut to larger scrapes and injuries. The variety of over-the-counter medication is also impressive, including aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, though I recommend restocking after use, as it does come with just six tablets of each.

The case is organized with easy-to-sort dividers, but it doesn’t have internal pocket closures, so smaller items have the potential to spill when you open the case. I keep this under the front passenger seat of my car and my partner keeps one in his glove compartment, pulling it out to stash in his pack during backcountry ski tours. I also appreciate that the durable nylon case is flexible to fit in funky-shaped spaces, but still abrasion-resistant and can handle getting banged around in the car.

Key Specs

Best For	Minor injuries and ailments
Highlights	Over-the-counter meds, bandages, scissors, burn cream
Pieces	299
Weight	1 lb. 4.8 oz.
Dimensions	9.5 x 7.25 x 2.9 in.

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Pros

• AAA-approved
• Air compressor is versatile for inflating other items
• Hard-sided case is durable and fits nicely under seats or in the trunk

Cons

• Not all kits come with air compressor, be sure to check the description

This car emergency kit is my top pick for long-distance travel, whether I’m on remote roads or crossing the country on the freeway… both situations where I regularly find myself. I am also a lifelong member of AAA, and appreciate the fact that it worked with Lifeline to approve these items in the kit.

I’ve found the items in here to be more durable and reliable compared to unvetted kits, and it has everything I need for minor breakdowns. There are a few different options here, but I recommend choosing the 68-piece kit, which includes an air compressor with an analog readout. It also has a pen-style tire gauge so I can see what I’m working with before I start inflating the tires.

The compact first-aid kit includes bandages, disinfectant, gloves, and a selection of over-the-counter medication. Along with the jumper cables, air compressor, and reflective signage is a small collection of screwdrivers and other hand tools for making minor repairs, helping clinch this kit as the best comprehensive option for extended travel.

I do wish that the first-aid kit felt slightly more robust and came in something other than a Ziplock bag, but you can always supplement with a zippered pouch and a few other items. The hard-sided case also has a little extra room inside for additional items, which I appreciate.

Key Specs

Best For	Long-distance road trips
Highlights	Jumper cables, air compressor, hand tools, first aid kit
Pieces	68
Weight	5 lbs.
Dimensions	12 x 6 x 8 in.

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Pros

• Compact kit fits in most glove compartments
• Spark plug socket tailored for vehicle use
• Eight sizes of hex keys

Cons

• Not the most comprehensive toolkit for non-vehicle use

When the time comes for a major repair requiring a dozen tools and the wherewithal to use them, I am not the person to call. But for minor repairs, a few tightening duties, or when your bumper falls off and needs to be ziptied, I will be there with this handy 56-piece set. This zippered toolkit fits under my front seat and includes everything from pliers to a drive ratchet handle and six sockets.

The hex keys have been handy for tightening my bike seat when I arrived at my cycling destination, and each tool is heat treated and has a chrome plate finish to avoid corroding after sitting for long periodsof time. I was impressed to see that despite the reasonable price, these tools all meet (or exceed) ANSI standards, and Appollo tests them against industry standards for hardness, torque, and usability.

Key Specs

Best For	Remote or out-of-service trips
Highlights	Pliers, sparkplug socket, cable ties, hex key
Pieces	56
Weight	3 lbs.
Dimensions	7 x 2.6 x 10 in.

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What to Consider

Follow expert advice for what to include in your kit.

Most people, myself included, don’t need the most expansive kit just because it has the most items. AAA is the industry leader in roadside assistance, and they recommend keeping the following tools and components in your car emergency kit. I add an air compressor because I have a propensity for driving over jagged rocks, and one of my tires always seems to be on the verge of collapse.

Keep in mind your items will also change based on weather and expected conditions, and use your best judgement when evaluating your own setup.

• Phone charger / external battery
• First-aid kitBlanketDrinking water/snacks
• Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
• Rags or paper towels
• WetWipesBasic hand tools
• Road flares or reflectors
• Ice scraperJumper cables
• Traction aid
• Spare layers
• Compact shovel

Again, these are just guidelines, and the items you use will vary depending on your own needs, your vehicle, and where you live. For example, if most of your driving is in warm-weather conditions, the ice scraper and fleece gloves might be overkill. Additionally, someone with a 3/4-ton pickup might want a tow rope with a higher weight capacity than someone who drives a Honda Civic.

I live in Montana and drive a half-ton pickup, but I frequently travel to the desert and find myself in remote places without cell service. For this reason, I have all of those items as well as a few spare tools, and I have to consider changing conditions when driving high-elevation passes.

If you live in a cold-weather climate, consider a winter-specific kit.

Winter car emergency kits have weather-specific items that include traction aids for on ice, road salt, blankets, spare layers, a shovel, an ice scraper, and sometimes a way to warm up. These kits are best for people who live in cold-weather areas, or who will be traveling during the winter. If you choose a winter kit, make sure to supplement it with other emergency items like jumper cables and flares.

Also consider whether you’ll be driving over passes and through mountainous regions. Even if the lower elevation weather is temperate, you can hit snow, ice, and storms on passes and other high-elevation routes. Lastly, be sure to check conditions on area-specific radar sites and pass cams to judge whether or not the road conditions are safe.

Learn in advance how to use everything in your kit.

I’ve had to remind myself of this plenty of times. Just having the kit isn’t worth much if you don’t know how to use it. This includes knowing how to use jumper cables, tow rope, basic tools, and a portable air compressor. If you’re overlanding, I recommend traveling in a group with at least one other vehicle.

Having another vehicle around means there’s someone to help you out when things go south, whether you need a tow, a jump-start, or medical attention. I’ve also listed the basic steps for tow ropes and jumper cables further down in this story.

How We Selected

Overlanding is an excellent arena for testing products in extreme conditions, and overlanding expert Jon Tuico gave PopMech his best tips for choosing items to keep in his off-grid kit. From there, I used my own experience road tripping and car camping to assign these cover-your-bases emergency kits. The items in these car kits have helped get me out of ditches, dig out from snowbanks, jump-start my truck and other people’s vehicles, and in one notable instance, reinflate my tire to get me 30 miles to the nearest paved road.

While you might need to pair some of these with gear you already own, or buy a few different options to cover your needs, these purpose-built emergency kits can make you safer (or just more comfortable) in the event of mechanical issues, inclement weather, or any other unexpected roadblocks.

I updated this guide in October 2025, making sure all the products listed have been evaluated in person. I didn’t end up changing my top picks and recommendations as much as I thought I might this year, but I did reconsider redundancy, and swapped out one of the kits for a tool set that will better serve a wider range of people. I also updated my experience after flats and breakdowns over the past year, and removed anything that wasn’t available or in-line.

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Car Emergency Kit FAQs

How to Use the Jumper Cables in Your Roadside Emergency Kit

Jumper cables require a second car with a working battery, or a charged portable battery pack with jumper cable inputs. Here are the steps to attach them.

• Position the cars so the hoods are close, but not touching. This will allow the jumper cables to reach both batteries.
• Turn off the ignition in both cars, open the hoods, and locate the batteries with markings for positive (+) and negative (-).
• Your jumper cables have four color-coded clamps: two black and two red. Attach the red clamps to the positive terminal on the dead battery, then the live battery.
• In the car with the charged battery, attach the black clamp to the negative terminal on the battery.
• Finally, in the car with the dead battery, connect the remaining black clamp to an unpainted metal surface. We like to use a bolt positioned away from the battery to help prevent sparks.

To jump the dead car, simply start the engine of the car with the working battery to help run charge to the dead battery. After a few minutes, try starting the car. If it doesn’t start, turn off the dead car’s ignition and try again after another three or four minutes.

Once you have the dead battery started, don’t turn off the car! You should let the engine run and drive the car for at least 30 minutes before you shut off the battery again.In the meantime, you can remove the black cable from the formerly dead car, then remove the black cable from the fully charged car. Afterwards, remove the red cable from the charged car and, finally, remove the red clamp on the formerly dead car.

How to Use the Tow Rope in Your Roadside Emergency Kit

Your car emergency kit should come with a strong tow rope. When you receive your kit, inspect the rope to make sure it doesn’t have any fraying or loose threading.

To tow a car, first secure one end of the tow rope to the towing vehicle (that’s the car that isn’t stuck), and look for a hitch or tow loop to secure the rope to—not the bumper or the suspension. If the car doesn’t have a clear hitch or loop, refer to the owner’s manual for the best place to secure the rope. You might need to get under the car to find a secure place to attach the rope, and make sure to use a strong knot like a bowline knot.

Next, secure the other end of the tow rope to the tow hook or loop on the stuck vehicle. Again, if it doesn’t have a tow hook, follow the same steps to find a secure spot.

The driver of the stuck vehicle should stay in neutral with the engine off, and both drivers should communicate with hand signals for stop and go. Keep a safe distance between the cars (with the stuck-car driver in the vehicle), only turning on the ignition if you need power steering or braking. The driver of the towing vehicle should slowly move forward, and both drivers should monitor the stuck car’s progress to avoid swinging or accelerating into the towing vehicle. Working slowly, the stuck car should gain traction and get back on the road.

Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.