Top 7 Items for 7°C Weather in B.C.

  

 

  

At 7°C, winter tires should go on the car, but here’s some other items you may need too

Sometimes, the year-round exemption from shoveling driveways makes Lower Mainlanders smug. But taking good (read: no snow) road conditions for granted means we’ve failed to prepare for slick, wet streets, freezing rain, or car trouble on a road trip along the Coquihalla. Here are seven essential items to keep in your car (or just to have on hand) when the temperature dips below 7°C.

Boots

Unless you’re a mountaintop regular, it’s tough to justify dropping a few hundred dollars on footwear you only need once a year. Instead of buying rain and snow boots, opt for something mid-weight and waterproof like these calf-high options from Merrell or Sorel, with solid grips and a little coziness to the lining. If temperatures really get frigid, make up the difference by doubling up on socks.

Cozy socks

For many Vancouverites, winter boots consist of un-insulated Hunters or Native lace-ups. Keep a spare pair of knee-high wooly socks — like these from Anthropologie or Roots — in the trunk for unexpected treks or for while you’re cheering on your partner at an outdoor soccer match. Your toes (and calves) will thank you.

Hat

Your skull doesn’t have an extra layer of fat under the skin for insulation, but it’s continuously receiving warmed blood from your heart to keep the all-important brain online. So keeping warm all over starts with a good hat, like this retro beanie from Mec.

Mitts

To conserve heat, our bodies prioritize organs in the torso at the expense of the extremities. Be sure to have mitts ready for wearing while you scrape the windshield, or for taking an impromptu walk with the dog. A waterproof option like these mitts from Mec are perfect for the wet West Coast, where the rain can bite just as coldly as snow.

Food and water

Your body copes with the cold much longer when it’s hydrated and has calories to burn. Keep a large bottle of water and box of granola bars or other non-perishables in your emergency bag. You never know when wet driving conditions will cause delays, so you’ll be grateful for snacks if you have to be on the road longer than expected.  

Blanket

Even if an all-nighter in your car is unlikely, this emergency blanket from Canadian Tire is so inexpensive and lightweight, you’d be foolish not to throw it in your checkout cart.

Snowbrush Scraper

It may snow just once or twice a year, but visibility is essential to staying on the road. Be smart and clear your car windows for a full view of fellow drivers and other hazards with a snowbrush scraper from Canadian Tire.

Winter Tires

When the seasons change, so should your tires. Why? Treads on summer tires stiffen in cold temperatures, while winter treads remain flexible. Treads on winter tires are also deeper and designed to repel slush and snow. In the Lower Mainland or for a mountain road trip this year, be prepared with tires from Honda that best suit conditions.