Most of my adventures begin in roughly the same place: the driver’s seat of my Toyota Tacoma.
Whether I’m heading out for a mountain bike ride, hike, paddle, trail work day, camping trip, or some poorly defined adventure that seemed like a good idea when I left the house, the Tacoma is usually base camp. Gear gets tossed in the bed, bikes go on the rack, and somewhere along the way the pavement generally gives way to a road that makes me glad I drive a truck.
But some gear never gets loaded.
It’s already there.
Over the years, I’ve figured out that a handful of relatively simple items are useful often enough that there’s no reason to take them out of the truck. They aren’t necessarily exciting pieces of outdoor gear, but each has saved the day, or at least made it considerably more comfortable, more than once.
This isn’t a list of emergency equipment. There are other things that always stay in the Tacoma, including a complete first-aid kit, tie-down straps, a Silky Saw, a come-a-long, and a tow strap. Those are the things I consider part of being prepared when heading into the woods or down Arkansas backroads.
These five are different. They’re the things I reach for again and again.
1. A Good Headlamp
My current choice is a rechargeable Petzl Swift LT, and it may be the most frequently used piece of gear on this list.
The obvious reason to carry a headlamp is that adventures don’t always end when you think they will. Rides take longer. Hikes get delayed. Campsites need to be set up after dark. Something falls under a seat at the worst possible time.
But a headlamp is useful well beyond planned nighttime adventures.
I’ve used one while working on bikes, digging through gear in the dark, checking something under the truck, walking around camp, and countless other times when having both hands free was far better than holding a flashlight in my teeth.
I prefer a rechargeable headlamp because I can top it off whenever necessary rather than wondering how much life is left in a set of batteries. It helps that it uses USB-c, the same as my smartphone. The important part is remembering to charge it occasionally. A rechargeable light with a dead battery is just a strangely shaped piece of plastic strapped to your forehead.
If you’re going to leave one light in your adventure vehicle, make it a headlamp.
2. A Handheld Compass
Yes, I have a phone.
I also have GPS devices, mapping apps, and plenty of other modern ways to figure out where I am. But there’s still a Brunton handheld compass living in my truck.
A compass doesn’t need a cell signal. It doesn’t need a satellite connection, charging cable, software update, or battery. It just points north.
That simplicity is exactly why I keep one around.
Most of the time, navigation today is incredibly easy. Pull out the phone, open a map, and there’s a little dot showing exactly where you are. That convenience can also make it easy to forget basic navigation skills.
A compass is useful for getting your bearings, confirming the direction of a trail or road, working with a paper map, or simply answering the question, “Which way are we actually going?”
It also weighs almost nothing and takes up virtually no space.
Learn how to use one, then leave one in the truck.
3. A Hammock
My ENO hammock is probably the least essential item on this list and possibly my favorite.
Not every piece of adventure gear has to solve a problem.
Sometimes you just need a place to stop.
A hammock can turn two conveniently spaced trees into a lunch spot, reading room, afternoon nap location, or place to hang out while waiting for everyone else to finish whatever they’re doing.
I’ve found that having one in the truck encourages me to slow down occasionally. That’s not always my strong suit.
They’re small, light, and easy to stash behind a seat or in a gear box. Toss in the straps and you’ve got an instant place to relax almost anywhere appropriate hammock use is allowed.
Some adventure gear helps you go farther or faster. A hammock reminds you that you don’t always have to.
4. A Quilt or Blanket
There is always a Wise Owl quilt or blanket in the Tacoma.
The specific one changes. Sometimes it’s a lightweight camping quilt. Sometimes it’s an old blanket that has simply been promoted to permanent truck duty.
It doesn’t really matter.
A blanket is one of those things that doesn’t seem particularly important until suddenly it’s exactly what you need.
Throw it over your shoulders when the temperature drops. Wrap up after getting caught in cold rain. Use it as an extra layer while camping. Put it on the ground for a picnic. Protect gear from getting scratched. Pad something fragile. Give it to someone who’s colder than they expected to be.
Arkansas weather makes this particularly useful. A warm afternoon can become a surprisingly chilly evening, especially during the shoulder seasons or when you’re spending time in the mountains.
A blanket isn’t high-tech gear, and that’s part of its appeal.
It just works.
5. A Towel
Douglas Adams had it right.
Always know where your towel is.
Mine happens to be a Sea to Summit backpacking towel, and it stays in the truck because outdoor recreation in Arkansas has an uncanny ability to involve water, even when water wasn’t originally part of the plan.
Creek crossings. Rainstorms. Mud puddles. Sweat. Wet dogs. Paddling trips. Spilled drinks. Damp bike seats. Muddy feet.
Eventually, something is going to need drying.
A highly absorbent towel takes up very little room and can be used repeatedly. It’s also one of those pieces of gear that you may go weeks without touching, then use three times in one weekend.
I’ve never regretted having a towel in the truck.
I have regretted not having one.
The Gear That’s Already Packed
There’s a temptation with outdoor gear to concentrate on specialized equipment. The perfect bike tool. The ultralight backpacking stove. The newest GPS device. The latest technical clothing.
I like that stuff, too.
But some of the most useful gear is remarkably simple.
A light. A compass. A place to lie down. Something to keep you warm. Something to dry you off.
None of these items takes up much room, and none requires much thought before heading out the door. That’s the point. They’re already in the Tacoma, waiting for the next adventure.
Over time, the truck has become more than transportation. It’s the gear locker, changing room, repair stand, lunch spot, occasional shelter, and starting point for a lot of good days outside.
Having a few essentials permanently packed means there’s one less excuse not to go.
Load the activity-specific gear, grab some food and water, and point the truck toward somewhere interesting.
The rest is already packed.
What is a priority piece of gear that you keep at the ready? Tell us in the comments below.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!