Getting Around Ohio State | Freshman Essentials

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★ Top pick · if you only buy one thing

WinterTypically $60 to $120

Insulated waterproof boots or shoes

Dry feet on long winter walks

From November on, slush sits between your student and every class. Warm, dry feet make the difference between winter being background noise and a daily fight.

Why it matters at Ohio State

Ohio winters mean real snow and slush on walks that often run 20 minutes or more between buildings, so warm, dry footwear beats stylish sneakers.

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01.

Mobility

2 picks

MobilityTypically $30 to $70

Durable everyday backpack

Daily gear for a huge campus

Why it matters at Ohio State

Classes are often scattered across a campus that takes real minutes to cross, so a sturdy, weather-resistant backpack matters daily.

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MobilityTypically $200 to $400, plus about $30 for a helmet

Commuter bike with helmet

A faster way across campus

Why it matters at Ohio State

Biking cuts cross-campus travel time compared to walking, and a helmet is essential on busy shared paths between classes.

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02.

Safety

2 picks

SafetyUsually $25 to $50

Heavy-duty bike lock

Protects their main ride

Why it matters at Ohio State

Bikes left unlocked on any busy, walkable campus are an easy target, so a quality lock protects a student's main way to get to class on time.

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SafetyUsually 15 to 30 dollars

Bike lights (front and rear)

Visibility once the sun sets early

Why it matters at Ohio State

Early winter sunsets mean students are biking home in the dark well before dinner, so a set of clip-on lights keeps them visible on shared paths.

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03.

The small stuff that matters

3 picks

HealthUsually $25 to $40

Insulated water bottle

Cuts bottled water costs

Why it matters at Ohio State

From sweaty September walks to freezing January treks across a mile-plus campus, an insulated bottle keeps drinks hot or cold between the few chances to refill.

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WinterUsually under $15

Waterproof rain and snow backpack cover

Keeps laptops from getting soaked

Why it matters at Ohio State

Columbus weather flips fast, and a soaked backpack ruins laptops and notebooks, so a rain cover protects gear between buildings.

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WeatherUsually 15 to 25 dollars

Compact travel umbrella

Everyday rain cover, not just for game day

Why it matters at Ohio State

Columbus weather flips fast outside of game days, and a compact umbrella covers the daily walk to class when a poncho feels like overkill.

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Just as important

What we’d skip

A curator who never says “don’t buy” isn’t curating. These are the things Ohio State makes unnecessary.

A car for freshman year

First-year students living on campus can't get a parking permit at all, and CABS buses are free to ride. There's no workaround to plan around here.

Rain boots and snow boots

One insulated, waterproof pair covers slush, rain, and snow, and dorm closet space is the scarcer resource.

Skateboard for winter

Wheels are great until the first ice. The bike and boots combination outlasts the season.

How we chose these 8

Every pick starts from Ohio State’s housing policies, residence halls, and climate. If we can’t explain an item in one sentence, it doesn’t make the list. No filler, no padding.

Read exactly how we build each list → · All Ohio State guides