35 Sensible Items All Van Lifers Want (2024) – Bearfoot Principle

An out of doors mat is one thing that each van lifer wants. A sand mat retains sand and dust from getting tracked inside and creates a pleasant “patio” area for hanging out. This CGear Sand-Free Mat is what I take advantage of as a result of it permits sand and dust to filter by means of (somewhat than pile up on prime like an everyday outside rug), and it folds down small for simpler storage.

I upgraded to the Dometic Go Camp Desk this yr and it’s been one in all my favourite gear additions. It folds in half for simple storage and the stable bamboo prime has a pleasant elegant really feel whereas nonetheless being sturdy sufficient for prolonged outside use. Plus, its adjustable leg top means you possibly can swiftly transition from a cooking station to a espresso desk, and even downsize it to a kiddo’s play desk.

In case your favourite van lifer doesn’t have an awning, the MoonShade Awning matches on practically any automobile, does effectively in windy situations, and packs down small for simple portability. And it’s simple to arrange too! Learn my full overview of the MoonShade awning for all the main points. *Save 10% by utilizing the code BEARFOOTTHEORY at checkout*

I’ve tried so many alternative chairs over time. The Helinox Sundown Chair strikes the most effective stability between packability, weight, and luxury with the excessive again. It solely takes about 30 seconds to arrange, and even van lifers with the smallest vans ought to have room for this superior chair. For extra suggestions, see my publish of my favourite camp chairs.

Rumpl Blankets are my favourite van life comforters as a result of they’re snuggly and delicate but nonetheless sturdy for the highway. I’ve used mine since 2017 and may’t imagine how effectively it’s held up! The blankets are available a number of completely different supplies together with recycled artificial (essentially the most sturdy), a hotter NanoLoft artificial, and down. Since they’re water and dirt-resistant and will be thrown into the wash – which is particularly nice if in case you have canine.

Should you’re touring with a canine in your van, it’s good for them to have a snug area of their very own. My canine Charlie likes to hang around in his West Paw Huge Sky Nap Mattress between the 2 entrance seats. He appears to adore it, and the most effective half is it’s completely machine-washable, which is a should for van life.

There’s a brand new bathroom that’s shortly turning into a favourite amongst van lifers: the Trelino Composting Rest room. It’s extra compact than your conventional composting bogs, plus it doesn’t require any outdoors venting or an influence supply. The most effective half is the stable waste compartment can be utilized with helpful baggage for simpler cleanup. That is the bathroom I’m planning to have in my new truck camper we’re getting quickly. Take a look at my full roundup of the most effective van bogs right here.

The moveable Mr. Buddy Heater is a superb present for van lifers that don’t have warmth of their van. This heater runs on 1 lb propane cylinders, so there’s no fear about draining your van battery on a cold evening. It additionally comes with a number of auto shut-off security mechanisms, like turning off if it will get tipped over, if it detects low oxygen ranges, and if the pilot mild turns off.

Laundry day is one in all my least favourite chores as a van lifer. This intelligent Scrubba Wash Bag lets you wash just a few objects of garments with out having to go to the laundromat. You merely fill the bag up with heat water and a little bit of biodegradable cleaning soap, then ‘scrub’ your garments clear on the washboard nodules.

Should you’re shopping for a present for a van lifer who likes to prepare dinner, that is one other nice desk choice that Ryan and I take advantage of. The GCI Outside Slim-Fold Prepare dinner Station is extremely simple to arrange (it simply folds open and closed) and packs up flat so you possibly can retailer it in a slender area. I like the way it has a number of ranges and tiers to present you area to whip up gourmand meals.

I like this Magma Nesting Cookware set. It comes with the whole lot it is advisable to prepare dinner, together with a 12″ pan and a number of other pots. Every little thing nests collectively completely so it takes up so much much less area. It’s simple to scrub and the handles are removable, making them even simpler to stash away. Plus, this cookware is induction-friendly for these with an induction range of their van. I choose the stainless-steel model because it doesn’t scratch when issues transfer round in your drawers.

I just lately ditched the plastic dinnerware I’d be utilizing in my van for years for one thing extra non-toxic, and I’ve been actually impressed with the Snow Peak Tableware Set. The stainless-steel set is sturdy and the whole lot nests collectively for simple storage — it comes with a plate, a dish, and a pair of completely different sized bowls.

I actually miss having an oven in my van. Nonetheless, with the Omnia Oven, you possibly can bake proper in your stovetop! From pizza to truffles to bread to casseroles, this compact “oven” is the right present for the van life baker in your life.

We added a Clearsource RV Water Filter to our van final yr after a number of experiences with closely chlorinated campground water. Other than the unhealthy style, it acquired me desirous about what else could be within the water we’re filling our van up with. The Clearsource Extremely is a three-stage water filter that reduces or removes all the nasty stuff and dangerous chemical substances, and our water tastes so significantly better!

For these moments while you crave a private escape or have to zero in on work with out distractions, these Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones are a godsend. I like with the ability to pop on my favourite music, podcasts, or a meditative observe – all whereas sustaining the concord of shared area with my associate Ryan.

The Hyperlite Digicam Pod is what I take advantage of to retailer my digicam within the van. Comprised of ultralight, sturdy, and weatherproof materials, it permits me to throw my digicam in a drawer with out having to fret about it getting banged up. It additionally doubles as a digicam bag whereas climbing. You possibly can carry this pod in your climbing bag or clip it to your hipbelt for simple entry.

Binoculars are a enjoyable present for van lifers – it’s nice to have a pair whereas climbing or hanging out at camp. Most just lately, we used ours whereas watching whales from our van on the Olympic Peninsula, and I used to be so completely satisfied to have them. These Nocs Provisions binoculars are compact, waterproof, and fog proof. They arrive in enjoyable colours and have a sturdy housing too.

I like my Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat. It’s somewhat lighter than a conventional yoga mat, taking on only a bit much less room. But it’s nonetheless cushioned sufficient for stretching and yoga at your campsite. It’s made with licensed OEKO-TEX supplies, that means that there are not any dangerous chemical substances, and it has a slip-resistant floor for while you get sweaty.

Typically you simply need to Netflix and Chill (even in a van). This versatile iPad/Pill holder makes it extremely simple to look at your favourite exhibits from anyplace in your van. We clamp this to one in all our overhead cupboards and use it to carry our iPad to simply watch our favourite exhibits from mattress. It’s versatile and will be clamped to quite a lot of objects, and has a versatile arm so you possibly can transfer the iPad to the appropriate angle.

Once we are staying at a longtime campsite with a picnic desk, Ryan and I like busting out this desk prime ping pong set. It doesn’t take up any room in our van, and is a enjoyable method to kill time, particularly when our little man is napping in our van.

Most van lifers are fairly lively, and this Ekrin therapeutic massage gun will assist them get better after a protracted day on the path. I even get pleasure from utilizing this after a giant day of driving to work out a number of the stiffness from sitting. This explicit mannequin is sufficiently small that it gained’t take up a bunch of room, and it comes with a compact carrying case for simple storage. Plus the battery lasts for over 4 hours on a single cost!

Bodily books take up a LOT of area in a van, so switching to a Kindle eReader is ideal for ebook lovers on the highway – plus the Paperwhite model is waterproof! A bit of recognized trick: You probably have a library card, you possibly can hire books without spending a dime utilizing the Libby app. I like with the ability to obtain books for offline use, and the battery life lasts for weeks. You too can get pleasure from audiobooks by pairing Bluetooth headphones to modify seamlessly between studying and listening.

I like having a Trash Grabber for once we hit upon an in any other case nice campsite that’s suffering from rubbish. It makes it simple to choose up trash with out having to the touch something gross. It’s foldable so it might simply be stowed away in a drawer, and it’s a pleasant method to give again to the general public lands that van lifers depend upon.

Ryan and I found pickleball once we have been doing van life in Florida, and it’s since turn into one in all our favourite sports activities. There are courts in every single place, the gear takes up little room, and it’s a good way to train on days we aren’t climbing. It’s additionally a enjoyable alternative to satisfy different folks while you journey. Present a pair of pickleball paddles to your favourite van lifer, and I guess they’ll be hooked.

I like with the ability to take off my climbing boots and slip on these heat North Face ThermoBall Traction Booties. They’re so cozy for mozying across the campsite and far simpler to placed on than regular footwear when I’ve to let the canine out very first thing within the morning.

Let’s face it, these lengthy hours behind the wheel on a van journey can take a toll on our legs. These CEP Ultralight Compression Calf Sleeves have been important for me on these lengthy driving stretches (particularly once I was pregnant). Not solely do they assist enhance circulation, however in addition they fight that heavy leg feeling, making your journey extra snug and fulfilling. Additionally they are available a males’s model.

Ryan and I acquired caught in our van on a sketchy move in Colorado as soon as, and instantly after, I invested in these Max Trax Restoration boards. These boards may also help you self-recover when you get caught in sand, unfastened dust, or mud, which is admittedly essential if you’re miles from assist (and particularly when you don’t have cell service).

Benchmark Street Atlases are my go-to paper maps and make an incredible present for van lifers. They present recreation actions, have categorized listings, and present public land possession strains and backroads. Additionally they differentiate between 2wd and 4WD roads which is essential if you’re looking for secluded campsites. They’re tremendous helpful to have for every state you’ll be touring in, particularly when you plan to drive on distant dust roads the place you don’t have cell service.

I’ve an onboard air compressor in my van, but when your favourite van lifer doesn’t, it’s a necessary piece of security gear. Airing down your tires earlier than driving on delicate surfaces (like sand) helps you keep away from getting caught, nevertheless, you want a method to air again up your tires while you get again to pavement. This moveable ARB Air Compressor that comes on this software field makes this very simple, and it may also be used to explode your bike tires.

Waking as much as a lifeless automobile battery isn’t enjoyable, however while you’re out on Nationwide Forest land with out one other automobile in sight? That may be actually scary. I do know as a result of it’s occurred to us. For peace of thoughts, we all the time carry a moveable automobile battery soar starter – which requires no different automobile for a soar!

I take into account the Garmin InReach Mini 2 to be important for all van lifers. It is a two-way communication gadget that can be utilized even while you don’t have cell service. I carry this once I’m climbing and it’s all the time accessible within the van. Final winter, Ryan and I woke as much as a lifeless automobile battery in below-freezing temperatures in Idaho – and we didn’t have cell service or a method to soar ourselves. Fortunately, I used to be ready to make use of my Garmin to textual content my Dad the main points of the place we have been so he may name assist for us.

I’ve this Birdie Alarm on my keychain, and I believe it’s an particularly nice present for solo van lifers. Within the case of an emergency, you press a button and it units off a loud siren and blinking lights to assist deter an assault.

My Medic makes my favourite first assist kits, and I all the time carry one in my van. I like that it’s compact sufficient to be tossed anyplace within the van, however consists of all of the first-aid necessities it is advisable to preserve readily available. My Medic additionally presents refill packs so you possibly can simply restock any of the objects that you’ve got used. It is a nice van life present, particularly for van lifers who prefer to get off the crushed path.

A folding shovel is one thing that will get extra use in a van than you in all probability suppose. A shovel is nice in case you get caught and have to dig your self out and may also be used to comply with Go away No Hint tips for responsibly utilizing the lavatory open air. This folding Gerber shovel is nice as a result of it takes up little or no room, weighs lower than 3 kilos, and has a serrated edge for digging the place the bottom is hard.

For the adventurous van lifer who appears to have the whole lot they want, or the beginner simply beginning their van life journey, an REI present card permits them to get no matter they may want that will even match their area. I personally all the time respect an REI present card!