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

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 way of (fairly than pile up on prime like a daily out of doors rug), and it folds down small for simpler storage.

I upgraded to the Dometic Go Camp Desk this yr and it’s been considered one of 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 out of doors 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 car, does nicely in windy situations, and packs down small for simple portability. And it’s straightforward to arrange too! Learn my full evaluate of the MoonShade awning for all the small print. *Save 10% by utilizing the code BEARFOOTTHEORY at checkout*

I’ve tried so many various chairs through the years. The Helinox Sundown Chair strikes one of the best 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 gentle but nonetheless sturdy for the street. I’ve used mine since 2017 and might’t consider how nicely it’s held up! The blankets are available in a number of completely different supplies together with recycled artificial (probably the most sturdy), a hotter NanoLoft artificial, and down. Since they’re water and dirt-resistant and may be thrown into the wash – which is particularly nice when you have canines.

If you happen to’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 Large Sky Nap Mattress between the 2 entrance seats. He appears to find it irresistible, and one of the best half is it’s completely machine-washable, which is a should for van life.

There’s a brand new bathroom that’s rapidly 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 perfect half is the stable waste compartment can be utilized with useful 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 one of the best van bogs right here.

The transportable 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 gentle turns off.

Laundry day is considered one of my least favourite chores as a van lifer. This intelligent Scrubba Wash Bag permits you to wash a couple of gadgets 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.

If you happen to’re shopping for a present for a van lifer who likes to cook dinner, that is one other nice desk possibility that Ryan and I take advantage of. The GCI Out of doors Slim-Fold Cook dinner Station is extremely straightforward to arrange (it simply folds open and closed) and packs up flat so you possibly can retailer it in a slender area. I really like the way it has a number of ranges and tiers to provide you area to whip up connoisseur meals.

I really like this Magma Nesting Cookware set. It comes with every thing you might want to cook dinner, together with a 12″ pan and several other pots. All the pieces nests collectively completely so it takes up loads much less area. It’s straightforward 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 desire the chrome steel model because it doesn’t scratch when issues transfer round in your drawers.

I not too long ago 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 chrome steel set is sturdy and every thing nests collectively for simple storage — it comes with a plate, a dish, and a couple 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 desserts to bread to casseroles, this compact “oven” is the proper 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 dangerous style, it acquired me occupied with what else is perhaps within the water we’re filling our van up with. The Clearsource Extremely is a three-stage water filter that reduces or removes the entire nasty stuff and dangerous chemical compounds, and our water tastes so a lot better!

For these moments once you crave a private escape or must zero in on work with out distractions, these Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones are a godsend. I really like with the ability to pop on my favourite music, podcasts, or a meditative monitor – 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. Constituted 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 mountaineering. You’ll be able to carry this pod in your mountaineering 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 mountaineering or hanging out at camp. Most not too long ago, we used ours whereas watching whales from our van on the Olympic Peninsula, and I used to be so comfortable 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 really like my Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat. It’s just a little lighter than a conventional yoga mat, taking over 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, which means that there are not any dangerous chemical compounds, and it has a slip-resistant floor for once you get sweaty.

Typically you simply need to Netflix and Chill (even in a van). This versatile iPad/Pill holder makes it extremely straightforward to observe your favourite reveals from wherever in your van. We clamp this to considered one of our overhead cupboards and use it to carry our iPad to simply watch our favourite reveals from mattress. It’s versatile and may be clamped to a wide range of objects, and has a versatile arm so you possibly can transfer the iPad to the best angle.

After we are staying at a longtime campsite with a picnic desk, Ryan and I really like busting out this desk prime ping pong set. It doesn’t take up any room in our van, and is a enjoyable option 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 well after a protracted day on the path. I even take pleasure in utilizing this after a giant day of driving to work out a number of the stiffness from sitting. This specific mannequin is sufficiently small that it received’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 e book lovers on the street – plus the Paperwhite model is waterproof! A bit identified trick: If in case you have a library card, you possibly can lease books without spending a dime utilizing the Libby app. I really like with the ability to obtain books for offline use, and the battery life lasts for weeks. You can even take pleasure in audiobooks by pairing Bluetooth headphones to modify seamlessly between studying and listening.

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

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

I really like with the ability to take off my mountaineering boots and slip on these heat North Face ThermoBall Traction Booties. They’re so comfortable for mozying across the campsite and far simpler to placed on than regular sneakers when I’ve to let the canines 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 after 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. In addition they are available in a males’s model.

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

Benchmark Street Atlases are my go-to paper maps and make an awesome present for van lifers. They present recreation actions, have categorized listings, and present public land possession traces and backroads. In addition 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 should 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 an important piece of security gear. Airing down your tires earlier than driving on gentle surfaces (like sand) helps you keep away from getting caught, nonetheless, you want a option to air again up your tires once you get again to pavement. This transportable ARB Air Compressor that comes on this instrument field makes this very straightforward, and it can be used to explode your bike tires.

Waking as much as a lifeless automobile battery isn’t enjoyable, however once 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 at all times carry a transportable automobile battery bounce starter – which requires no different car for a bounce!

I take into account the Garmin InReach Mini 2 to be important for all van lifers. It is a two-way communication machine that can be utilized even once you don’t have cell service. I carry this after I’m mountaineering and it’s at all times 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 option to bounce ourselves. Fortunately, I used to be in a position to make use of my Garmin to textual content my Dad the small print of the place we have been so he might name assist for us.

I’ve this Birdie Alarm on my keychain, and I feel 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 help kits, and I at all times carry one in my van. I really like that it’s compact sufficient to be tossed wherever within the van, however contains all of the first-aid necessities you might want to hold readily available. My Medic additionally gives refill packs so you possibly can simply restock any of the gadgets that you’ve used. It is a nice van life present, particularly for van lifers who wish to get off the crushed path.

A folding shovel is one thing that will get extra use in a van than you most likely suppose. A shovel is nice in case you get caught and must dig your self out and can be used to comply with Go away No Hint tips for responsibly utilizing the lavatory outside. 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 every thing 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 may also match their area. I personally at all times respect an REI present card!