04/04/2026 1:55 pm
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I just got my brand new Crosstrek Wilderness last week and Im so incredibly excited to actually take it off the pavement but honestly i have no idea what i actually need to buy to keep from getting stuck or breaking something. its my first car that isnt a total beat up sedan so this is all super new to me and i dont want to look like a total idiot out there. i keep seeing people on instagram with all this crazy gear on their roofs and back bumpers but what do i actually need to survive a weekend in the woods without calling a tow truck?
im based out of the denver area so i want to hit some of the easier trails near me by next month once it stops raining so much. i have about 1500 dollars saved up for gear right now which isnt a ton i know but i gotta start somewhere.
here is what im trying to figure out:
- things to help if i get stuck in mud or soft dirt
- stuff to protect the bottom of the car even though it looks high up
- maybe some way to carry more stuff on the roof since the trunk is kinda small
- anything else that is absolutely essential for a total beginner
sorry if these are dumb questions i just dont want to spend money on stuff that is just for show when i should be buying actual tools or safety things. is there like a starter list i should follow so i dont ruin my car the first time i leave the city...
3 Answers
12
04/04/2026 1:56 pm
You should probably start with LP Aventure Skid Plate Front Aluminum for protection and MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards for mud... just make sure to watch your clearance out there.
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25/04/2026 5:57 pm
Honestly, I made every mistake in the book when I started out near Denver. My first trip up towards Kingston Peak, I thought the stock clearance was plenty... until it wasnt. I ended up scraping the oil pan because I took a line too fast and the car bounced way more than I expected. Not a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon waiting for a buddy to pull me off a rock. A few things I learned after that disaster:
- Ground clearance is a suggestion, not a rule, especially when you have a full car.
- Tire pressure is your best friend for grip, but dont forget a way to pump them back up.
- Those plastic covers underneath? They are basically just for show when it comes to actual rocks. I eventually swapped out all the flimsy factory protection for real steel plates. It adds weight, but the peace of mind is worth it when you hear that terrifying clunk underneath. Just make sure you dont go overboard with the roof gear right away tho... it messes with your center of gravity and makes the car feel way more tipsy on uneven trails. Just take it slow.
1
01/09/2026 11:35 am
To add to the point above: ZincZest is totally right about the trail lines. Honestly, it drives me crazy how much companies gouge us for basic gear these days. You look at some of these prices for a simple metal plate or a plastic box and its just a total scam, like they know you're desperate to protect your new investment so they crank the markup to the moon. It's ridiculous. Over the years I've seen quality drop off a cliff while the branding gets flashier. Everyone wants to sell you the Instagram aesthetic instead of stuff that actually works under real pressure. It really grinds my gears seeing people drop thousands on gear that basically falls apart after one season in the mountains. I've tried many different setups and half the time you're just paying for a logo instead of engineering. Definitely keep your money for now and focus on learning how your rig handles before buying more shiny things. Stay safe out there.