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

An outside mat is one thing that each van lifer wants. A sand mat retains sand and filth from getting tracked inside and creates a pleasant “patio” house for hanging out. This CGear Sand-Free Mat is what I exploit as a result of it permits sand and filth to filter by way of (somewhat than pile up on prime like a daily 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 among my favourite gear additions. It folds in half for simple storage and the strong bamboo prime has a pleasant elegant really feel whereas nonetheless being sturdy sufficient for prolonged outside use. Plus, its adjustable leg peak means you may 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 suits on almost any automobile, does properly in windy situations, and packs down small for simple portability. And it’s straightforward to arrange too! Learn my full overview of the MoonShade awning for all the small print. *Save 10% by utilizing the code BEARFOOTTHEORY at checkout*

I’ve tried so many alternative chairs through the years. The Helinox Sundown Chair strikes the very best steadiness 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 submit of my favourite camp chairs.

Rumpl Blankets are my favourite van life comforters as a result of they’re snuggly and comfortable but nonetheless sturdy for the street. I’ve used mine since 2017 and might’t consider how properly it’s held up! The blankets are available a number of totally 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 in case you have canines.

Should you’re touring with a canine in your van, it’s good for them to have a comfortable house 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 adore it, and the very best half is it’s completely machine-washable, which is a should for van life.

There’s a brand new rest room that’s shortly changing 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. One of the best half is the strong waste compartment can be utilized with helpful luggage 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 very best van bogs right here.

The transportable Mr. Buddy Heater is a good reward 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 among my least favourite chores as a van lifer. This intelligent Scrubba Wash Bag lets you wash a number of 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 cook dinner, that is one other nice desk possibility that Ryan and I exploit. 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 may retailer it in a slender house. I really like the way it has a number of ranges and tiers to present you house to whip up gourmand meals.

I really like this Magma Nesting Cookware set. It comes with every little thing you should cook dinner, together with a 12″ pan and a number of other pots. All the pieces nests collectively completely so it takes up lots much less house. 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 little thing nests collectively for simple storage — it comes with a plate, a dish, and a pair of totally different sized bowls.

I actually miss having an oven in my van. Nonetheless, with the Omnia Oven, you may bake proper in your stovetop! From pizza to truffles to bread to casseroles, this compact “oven” is the proper reward 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 bought me fascinated with 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 the entire nasty stuff and dangerous chemical substances, and our water tastes so a lot better!

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

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

Binoculars are a enjoyable reward for van lifers – it’s nice to have a pair whereas mountain climbing 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 joyful 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 somewhat lighter than a standard 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 aren’t any dangerous chemical substances, and it has a slip-resistant floor for if you get sweaty.

Generally you simply wish to Netflix and Chill (even in a van). This versatile iPad/Pill holder makes it extremely straightforward to look at your favourite exhibits from anyplace in your van. We clamp this to one among our overhead cupboards and use it to carry our iPad to simply watch our favourite exhibits from mattress. It’s versatile and may be clamped to quite a lot of objects, and has a versatile arm so you may transfer the iPad to the proper 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 better after an extended day on the path. I even take pleasure in utilizing this after an enormous day of driving to work out a few 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 house in a van, so switching to a Kindle eReader is ideal for guide lovers on the street – plus the Paperwhite model is waterproof! Slightly identified trick: When you’ve got a library card, you may hire books free of charge utilizing the Libby app. I really like having the ability to obtain books for offline use, and the battery life lasts for weeks. It’s also possible to 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 hit upon an in any other case nice campsite that’s affected by rubbish. It makes it straightforward to choose up trash with out having to the touch something gross. It’s foldable so it could 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 change into one among 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 mountain climbing. It’s additionally a enjoyable alternative to satisfy different individuals if you journey. Present a pair of pickleball paddles to your favourite van lifer, and I guess they’ll be hooked.

I really like having the ability to take off my mountain 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 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 once I was pregnant). Not solely do they assist enhance circulation, however additionally they fight that heavy leg feeling, making your journey extra snug and fulfilling. Additionally they are available a males’s model.

Ryan and I bought 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 might help you self-recover if you happen to get caught in sand, free filth, or mud, which is absolutely vital in case you are miles from assist (and particularly if you happen to don’t have cell service).

Benchmark Highway Atlases are my go-to paper maps and make an amazing reward for van lifers. They present recreation actions, have categorized listings, and present public land possession traces and backroads. Additionally they differentiate between 2wd and 4WD roads which is vital in case you are looking for secluded campsites. They’re tremendous helpful to have for every state you’ll be touring in, particularly if you happen to plan to drive on distant filth 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 vital piece of security gear. Airing down your tires earlier than driving on comfortable surfaces (like sand) helps you keep away from getting caught, nonetheless, you want a option to air again up your tires if you get again to pavement. This transportable ARB Air Compressor that comes on this software field makes this very straightforward, and it will also be used to explode your bike tires.

Waking as much as a useless automotive battery isn’t enjoyable, however if you’re out on Nationwide Forest land with out one other automotive 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 automotive battery leap starter – which requires no different automobile for a leap!

I think about the Garmin InReach Mini 2 to be important for all van lifers. This can be a two-way communication machine that can be utilized even if you don’t have cell service. I carry this once I’m mountain climbing and it’s at all times accessible within the van. Final winter, Ryan and I woke as much as a useless automotive battery in below-freezing temperatures in Idaho – and we didn’t have cell service or a option to leap 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 may name assist for us.

I’ve this Birdie Alarm on my keychain, and I believe it’s an particularly nice reward 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 support kits, and I at all times carry one in my van. I really like that it’s compact sufficient to be tossed anyplace within the van, however contains all of the first-aid necessities you should preserve readily available. My Medic additionally presents refill packs so you may simply restock any of the objects that you’ve got used. This can be a nice van life reward, particularly for van lifers who wish to get off the overwhelmed 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 have to dig your self out and will also be used to observe Depart No Hint pointers 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 every little thing they want, or the beginner simply beginning their van life journey, an REI reward card permits them to get no matter they may want that may also match their house. I personally at all times respect an REI reward card!