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​Montana's tough landscape and brutal winters demand more from your Subaru than almost anywhere else. From the icy mountain passes in Glacier County to the wide-open prairies around Great Falls, Big Sky Country tests the capabilities of any vehicle. Wild temperature swings, abundant snow, and varied terrain can catch you off guard. If you have the right gear in your Subaru, you'll turn a good car into one that tackles backcountry roads effectively.
Why Montana Subaru Owners Need the Right Accessories
December's weather stats show why you need cold-weather gear for your Subaru Outback. With highs in the thirties and lows in the twenties combined with several inches of wintry precipitation, accident rates jump 42% compared to summer driving. Black ice can form on bridges and in shady spots, and deer, elk, and moose cross the road during dawn and dusk.
Essential Winter Accessories for Montana Driving
Here are some necessary items for driving in snow and ice.
All-Weather Floor Mats, Liners, and Interior Protection
Montana winters can harm car interiors with road salt, slush, mud, and sand that can ruin factory-installed carpets in one season. Rubber floor mats offer excellent water resistance, durability, easy cleaning, good grip, and affordable pricing for work vehicles. For tough conditions, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mats are 100% waterproof, odorless, nontoxic, eco-friendly, extremely durable, and resistant to cracking or deforming.
Material choice matters with Montana's extreme temperatures. TPE stays flexible in hot and cold conditions, while PVC gets stiff and cracks in cold climates. Quality seat covers and cargo liners protect your entire Subaru, saving you thousands at trade-in while handling muddy dogs or spilled drinks from ski trips.
Remote Start, Heated Accessories, and Cold-Weather Comfort
Remote start systems transform Montana winter mornings. Prewarm your vehicle from inside your home while the heating system defrosts the windows. Heated seats and steering wheels warm in seconds, keeping you comfortable during early commutes before the engine heats up. Engine block heaters prevent freezing when temperatures fall below zero and other cars won't start.
Emergency kits save lives in Montana. Essential items include a weather radio, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, blankets, food, water, and tools. Winter-specific additions include traction aids, road salt, extra clothing, an ice scraper, a phone charger, jumper cables, and a compact shovel.
Off-Road and Adventure Accessories for Montana Terrain
Montana hides numerous off-road trails for the adventurous. Check out the Blacktail-Wild Bill Trail in Flathead National Forest; it's the northernmost Jeep Badge of Honor trail in America. History buffs love Wickes Road with its 130-year-old abandoned train tunnel. Most trails let you camp wherever you want on Bureau of Land Management land, and some lead to gorgeous spots, such as Elk Lake or Conklin Lake.
Navigating Montana's mixed terrain means enhancing your Subaru while keeping it safe from damage. Miles of gravel roads can throw rocks at your undercarriage and surprise you with random potholes or fallen branches. Some Forest Service roads can have steep climbs, while others boast loose surfaces that shift under your tires. Some roads and trails close seasonally, and maintenance standards vary considerably.
Skid Plates, Underbody Protection, and Recovery Gear
When you're driving over rocks, stumps, and other material in Montana's backwoods, protecting your Subaru's undercarriage becomes a priority. Steel skid plates weigh about 50% more than aluminum ones. That weight difference can take up nearly 10% of your car's payload capacity, which is significant when you're packing camping gear, coolers, and your family. Don't forget to pack recovery straps, tow hooks, and emergency tools.
Roof Racks and Cargo Systems for Outdoor Gear
You'll also need plenty of space for all your outdoor toys. The factory crossbars on a 2026 Subaru Outback can handle 150 pounds while moving and up to 700 pounds when parked, enough for casual weekend trips but not if you're hauling heavy-duty outdoor gear. Aftermarket crossbars bump weight capacity up to between 165 and 220 pounds of dynamic load, depending on which brand and model you choose.
Platform racks are worth the additional expense. Systems such as the Rhino-Rack Pioneer or the Yakima LockNLoad carry about 220 pounds while moving and over 600 pounds when stationary. They'll hold cargo boxes for a two-week camping trip, ski carriers for winter fun, bike mounts for singletrack adventures, or even rooftop tents. Just remember that these systems affect your aerodynamics and make your Subaru taller, meaning you'll use more gas and your car might not fit in your garage.
Interior Protection for Everyday Use
Don't overlook your Subaru Outback's interior when you're considering upgrades and accessories.
Seat Covers, Cargo Management, and Pet-Friendly Accessories
Replacing damaged seats can cost $800-$2,000 per seat, depending on the complexity of the repair, and a clean interior can boost your resale value by 15%-25%. PRP Seats offers custom covers with safety compliance, making them compatible with original equipment manufacturer features such as heaters and airbags. If you're a dog owner, Orvis offers water-resistant seat protectors with a nonslip backing and adjustable straps for front bucket and rear bench seats. For pet safety, choose impact-ready kennels and harness systems using NASCAR-inspired technology that lock into seat belt buckles. Look for models that fold for storage and feature padded mats plus breathable mesh walls.
Choosing the Right Accessories for Your Subaru Outback
Each Subaru model shines with different add-ons tailored to its strengths. If you drive the electric Solterra, battery warmers are essential. Battery performance drops significantly in cold weather, cutting into your range and reliability when you need it most.
The 2026 Outback lineup, excluding the Wilderness trim, uses identical roof rails. The outdoor-focused Wilderness boasts rails with higher weight limits and stronger crossbars for serious off-road adventures.
Choosing the right add-ons for Montana driving means thinking about both what you need and what quality level makes sense. Factory parts go through extensive testing for fit and performance, while aftermarket parts might cut corners, especially with safety-related parts such as those affecting airbags or crash protection. Stick with genuine Subaru parts for best results and to keep your warranty intact.
Many Subarus surpass 200,000 miles when maintained properly, and cars with original components typically bring more at trade-in time. Professional installation matters too, especially if you're in a small town where the nearest dealer might be hours away.
Find the Perfect Subaru Accessories for Your Montana Adventures
For straight talk about what accessories make sense for your Montana driving habits and professional installation that won't let you down, swing by our dealership in Great Falls. Our friendly, knowledgeable team knows Montana driving because they live it every day, just like you do.
black suv on snow covered ground by Nick Pryde is licensed with Unsplash License
