Are you dreaming of hitting the open highway, touring to new locations, and residing a minimalist life-style? If that’s the case, van life could also be simply what you want! Dwelling in a van is a singular and thrilling method to discover the world and expertise a way of freedom and journey.
Nonetheless, earlier than you hit the highway, you’ll must ensure you have the appropriate gear to make your van life expertise snug, protected, and pleasant.
The Bearfoot Principle group has over 10 years of collective expertise touring in all sorts of vans and on this weblog publish, we’ll discover the highest van life necessities that can assist you put together to your journey and benefit from your time on the highway. From cooking and security gear to storage options and out of doors furnishings, we’ve obtained you coated with all of the must-have gadgets to your van life journey.
Van Kitchen Should-Haves
Camp Range
Eureka Ignite Plus
This has been my go-to van range for years. I like that it has an auto-ignition button (no lighter wanted!), wonderful simmer capabilities, and might match two 12-inch pans. There’s additionally a barely smaller model out there that matches two 10-inch pans.
Cooking Desk
GCI Out of doors Slim-Fold Prepare dinner Station
I want to prepare dinner exterior every time doable to benefit from the outdoor, have more room, and forestall a smelly van. This desk packs down flat for simple storage and has tons of counter house and hooks to your kitchen gear.
Nesting Prepare dinner Set
Stanley Even-Warmth Camp Professional Prepare dinner Set
Storing pots and pans in a van might be tough so I like this nesting set that features a pot, a frying pan, and a saucepan plus utinsels. Plus, it’s induction pleasant for these with induction stoves!
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Espresso Maker
Aeropress Go Journey Espresso Press
Go away the Keurig (an excessive amount of energy!) and glass French Press (too breakable!) at dwelling and begin your mornings utilizing the Aeropress. This journey espresso press will change your mornings!
Water Filtration System
Clearsource RV Water Filter
It’s tremendous vital to have a water filtration system in your van if you happen to refill from public water sources like campgrounds and fuel stations that will have previous or rusty pipes. I simply put in this in my third van and am happier with the peace of thoughts.
**Save $25 at checkout by utilizing the hyperlink under. Low cost utilized at checkout**
Small Cooler
RTIC Tender Pack Cooler
Heading out for a paddle? Lounging on the seashore? It’s all the time good to have a small cooler to stash snacks and drinks in exterior of your van fridge and RTIC retains every part chilled for hours.
On a regular basis Van Necessities
Sturdy blanket
Rumpl Blanket
I’ve used Rumpl blankets in my van since 2016 they usually’re an absolute important, particularly in case you have canines. Canine hair doesn’t stick to those blankets (simply shake em’ exterior the van) they usually’re absolutely machine cleanable.
Moveable Bathe
Geyser Techniques w/ Heater
For those who don’t have a everlasting bathe in your van however nonetheless need the luxurious of scorching showers, that is for you. Geyser Techniques makes use of lower than 1 gallon of water and has an inside scorching water heater. It’s good for rinsing off your self, your pets, and your gear with out losing a ton of water.
Moveable Energy Station
EcoFlow RIVER Professional
BFT group member Courtney absolutely powers her lights, fan, and electronics utilizing the River PRO, however a transportable energy station can also be nice to have as backup even in case you have a extra strong system. We love EcoFlow as a result of it prices from 0-80% in lower than 1 hour utilizing an AC outlet, which is considerably quicker than different manufacturers.
Emergency Rest room
Cleanwaste Go Wherever Foldable Rest room
Public lands are getting restricted as a result of trash and human waste being left behind. For those who don’t have a everlasting bathroom system in your van, we strongly encourage you to journey with an emergency bathroom when going #2 outdoor simply isn’t doable, like crowded dispersed campsites or delicate desert landscapes.
Van Gear For Your Out of doors Dwelling Area
Camp Chair
Helinox Sundown Chair
I’ve tried lots of camp chairs over time and I hold coming again to this one. I like the supportive excessive again and that it’s comparatively light-weight at 3lbs 4oz. It’s packable and might be simply saved within the van.
Out of doors Mat
CGEAR Sand-Free Mat
Having an out of doors mat is crucial for holding dust, mud, and sand out of your van (or at the very least making a buffer 😉). We love this one as a result of it’s extra packable than a conventional rug and it filters out high-quality sand and dust.
Out of doors Desk
REI Co-op Camp Roll Desk
In order for you a multi-purpose desk, this can be a nice choice that rolls as much as the dimensions of a big camp chair. It has adjustable legs so you may simply prepare dinner, eat, or play video games on it.
Awning
MoonShade Moveable Awning
Having an awning is crucial if you happen to’re touring in scorching, sunny locations. We love our MoonShade as a result of it’s transportable and might be arrange in your facet or again doorways, plus it packs down small. We even examined it in windy situations and the MoonShade holds up!
String Lights
MPOWERD Luci Photo voltaic String Gentles
Create some camp ambiance with these MPOWERD string lights! These are a good way to brighten up camp and better of all, they’re charged by the solar (or a USB). We particularly love having string lights at camp when burn bans imply no campfires.
Moveable Fireplace Pit
LavaBox
Wish to have a protected campfire, even throughout burn bans out West? We journey with this small propane hearth field that’s comparatively compact and packs into itself for simple cleanup and it’s been good for Go away No Hint protected campfires yr spherical.
*Use the code BEARFOOT at checkout to get 10% off*
Van Life Clothes Necessities
Climbing Boots
Oboz Sypes Low Waterproof Climbing Footwear
I like these mountain climbing boots as a result of they’re light-weight, breathable, carry out nicely in all types of terrain, and might double as city footwear with out trying an excessive amount of like mountain climbing boots.
Sandals
Teva Common Path Sandals
These are an important alternative for van life as a result of they’re versatile and sturdy sufficient to deal with varied out of doors actions, together with mountain climbing and water sports activities. Their snug design and adjustable straps additionally make them straightforward to slide on and off.
Packing Cubes
REI Co-op Packing Dice Set
Packing cubes are important for staying organized within the van. As a substitute of getting to tug out a bunch of garments searching for a selected merchandise, you may simply seize the dice you want. I’ve one for tops, one for bottoms, one for lingerie… you get the concept.
Solar Hat
Wallaroo Sedona Hat
Having a hat is nice for solar safety when mountain climbing and spending time outdoor, however let’s be actual – we additionally love that sporting a hat can conceal how lengthy it’s been since we final washed our hair. I’ve worn the Sedona hat for years and it’s held up nicely on all my adventures.
**Get 20% off Wallaroo hats with code BEARFOOT20**
Cozy Layers
Selk’Bag Wearable Sleeping Bag
We obtained Selk’Baggage final summer time and are completely hooked. For those who’re somebody who runs chilly, this can be a van life important for these chilly nights at camp. It even has pockets to retailer your telephone and keys!
Out of doors Slippers
REI Co-op Camp Dreamer Booties
Out of doors slippers are additionally a sport changer for consolation within the van – these really feel like sleeping baggage to your ft! I like slipping these on to stroll our canines at evening or throughout chilly mornings and the rubber sole retains them protected.
Should-Have Restoration & Security Gear
Restoration boards
Max Trax
Some dispersed tenting roads are sandy or turn out to be muddy after rain so having a method to self-recover if you happen to get caught is vital. These are our #1 must-have restoration accent!
Battery Leap Starter
Hulkman Leap Starter
Having a battery soar starter is crucial for van life as a result of it permits you to simply jump-start your automobile with out having to depend on exterior help, which is vital if you happen to plan to camp in distant areas.
Moveable Air Compressor
Viair Air Compressor
With the miles we placed on our vans, tire stress is one thing to watch intently. Airing down your tires earlier than driving on mushy surfaces (like sand) helps you keep away from getting caught, nonetheless, you want a method to air again up your tires once you get again to pavement.
Satellite tv for pc Communication Gadget
Garmin InReach Mini 2
Having a two-way satellite tv for pc communication gadget for van life offers final peace of thoughts, particularly if you happen to camp usually in locations with out service. A couple of years in the past, our Sprinter battery died in winter once we had been camped someplace with out service, and I used to be capable of message my Dad with our location so he might attain out to AAA for us.
Folding Shovel
Gerber E-Device Folding Spade
Having a shovel is a multi-functional van life important. From digging catholes to make use of the toilet to digging your self out if you happen to’re caught to placing our campfires, a shovel is a should. We love this one as a result of it folds down for simpler storage.
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector
Dwelling and sleeping in a small house the place you’ll have a heater, fridge, or range that makes use of propane means you should set up a carbon monoxide detector to keep away from a doubtlessly harmful scenario. We love this one as a result of it has a digital show that updates each 15 seconds for essentially the most correct studying.
Important Van Life Memberships
Campsite Finder
The Dyrt Professional
The Dyrt is a very helpful app for locating campsites (each paid and free) and their Professional membership additionally offers you entry to offline maps, map overlays for NFS/BLM land, reductions on campgrounds, and extra.
**Use our hyperlink to get 30 days FREE of The Dyrt Professional (Word: Use the code “Bearfoot” if signing up on cell.)**
Campsite Finder
Harvest Hosts
Keep at greater than 2,300 distinctive properties corresponding to wineries, farms, breweries, museums, and extra with a Harvest Hosts membership. You too can add on Boondockers Welcome which provides entry to 3000+ non-public properties throughout the US as nicely.
Climbing Path Finder
AllTrails+
That is our favourite app for locating native trails whereas touring. The free model offers fundamental capabilities like looking for close by trails and getting instructions to the trailheads, however the Professional model has lots of further options (like offline maps), that are particularly useful when tenting off-grid.
**Use the hyperlink under to get a FREE 7-day trial of AllTrails+**
Annual Park Cross
America The Stunning Nationwide Park Cross
Plenty of van lifers hit the highway to discover America’s Nationwide Parks. Get monetary savings on entrance charges by shopping for an annual cross which permits you limitless entry for 12 months out of your buy date.
Are we lacking any van life necessities from our record? Tell us within the feedback!
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