I’ve been living the van life since 2018, starting in a cozy Chevy Astro and then leveling up to a roomier Sprinter van in 2021. Along the way, I’ve gathered a bunch of van life essentials that have become my absolute must-haves.
This list includes both my personal faves and items that have worked like a charm for other van dwellers. If you’re just starting out in the campervan lifestyle, I hope this extensive list of van life essentials will help you on your journey. Happy travels!
I created a FREE Van Life Essentials Checklist.
Van Life Essentials: Kitchen
If you’re thinking about living in a camper van, you’re going to be doing tons of cooking. Some people build complete kitchens inside their vans with a 12-volt fridge, countertop and sink, but we do most of our cooking outdoors with a table, pressure cooker and two burner stove.
Here are the van life essentials we can’t live without when it comes to food and cooking.
- MSR Alpine Nesting Bowl
- humangear GoBites Uno Spork
- Organic Bamboo Cutting Board
- Hydro Flask
- JetBoil Summit Skillet
- A Good Knife
- Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
- Collapsible Water Container
- Platypus Water Filter
- Pakt Nesting Coffee Kit
- Wacaco Nanopresso
- Radius Outfitters Kitchen Organizer
- ARB Portable Fridge Freezer
- Insulated Plates
- Camp Roll Table
- Klean Kanteen Food Container
- GSI Outdoors Two Burner Stove
- 1Zpresso Coffee Grinder
We love using backpacking bowls in our campervan because they are really easy to store! These MSR nesting bowls barely take up any space, and are made with high-quality stainless steel.
We also have two stainless steel MSR plates in our van.
These lightweight camping sporks are great for both backpacking and as one of many van life essentials for your van kitchen. We keep two of these on hand at all times. What's really cool is the edge of the spoon is sharp; you can use it to cut your food.
We used these while backpacking the John Muir Trail as well. They are hardy and well-made.
When cooking inside our campervan, we use wooden cutting boards on two stools both to chop our veggies and to set our hot stove. We usually use bamboo because it's hardy and antimicrobial.
Good cutting boards are a van life must-have! You can also choose a smaller plastic cutting board, but we like the feel and look of wood.
I absolutely love my Hydro Flask for both cold and warm beverages. The 32-ounce size is the perfect fit for small spaces inside a campervan or a sailboat, and it's also what I like to take hiking.
The Hydro Flask keeps drinks hot and cold for hours. I can't tell you how amazing it is to take an ice cold sip of water on a hot hike, or drink hot tea while spending hours on night watch on our sailboat. The flask is stainless steel with a BPA-free powder coating.
If you'd like another pan to add to a pressure cooker, we'd recommend this JetBoil Summit Skillet. This pan is perfect for the van lifer with limited space as it includes a nesting handle and spatula.
This lightweight non-stick pan is perfect for pancakes, eggs and grilled cheese sandwiches. Varied wall thickness ensures even heat distribution, and the nonstick coating is made with eco-conscious, PFOA-free ceramic.
I've owned this exact Wustof knife for 10 years and it never fails to disappoint. I use it in both my campervan and on my sailboat and its my one and only knife! It's perfect for chopping, dicing, slicing and even using as a paring knife, very carefully.
With a small space like a campervan we think it's important not to have too many of the same thing, making this knife one of our top van life essentials.
If you haven't used a pressure cooker before, you are missing out. This is one of our top van life essentials for cooking fast and easy meals while living in a van.
We've made everything from chili, to chicken soup, to chili mac, to mashed potates in this handy device. We also cook steel cut oats in the mornings!
It cooks food very quickly, which means we use less propane! We love our stovetop pressure cooker so much we have one in our van and one on our sailboat.
We use this plastic collapsible water jug all the time when we're in our Astro van. The container folds to flat when not in use and then puffs up when full of water.
It's easy to set on the edge of a table to wash dishes, boil water for coffee or wash your hands. This jug is BPA-free, so you don't have to worry about nasty chemicals.
Having a water container of some type is a definite van life must have, especially if you don't have big water storage tanks.
Sometimes when you're out boondocking in your campervan in remote areas, you'll need to get more water. We often go to crystal clear streams up in the mountains to refill our van's water jugs.
This Platypus Gravity Water Filter is really easy to use, and filters water faster than any other filter we've seen. The flow rate is 1.5 liters per minute, or 2 liters in less than 90 seconds.
This water filter was built for backpacking, so folds down into a small size, one of those perfect van life essentials.
We're loving our Pakt portable electric coffee kit for van life. The Pakt Coffee Kit nests together in one small package, and includes an electric kettle, holder for your coffee, coffee cup, and stainless steel filter. You'll need 110-volt power inside your van, though, the electric kettle takes 500 watts. We love this item as we can use it both inside our van, or we can bring it into a hotel or our family's house to have our own coffee anywhere.
If you're super into coffee like me, you won't want to miss this portable espresso maker. I bought the Nespresso pod adaptor, which makes a quick shot of coffee a breeze.
We just love this small kitchen organizer from campervan supply company Radius Outfitters. It holds all of our plates, silverware and cooking tools and is easy to hang from the van. Radius has lots of cool van organization stuff so be sure to check them out!
Use the coupon code WAYWARD10 to get 10% off your order!
I'm not lying when I say this portable refrigerator from ARB totally changed my life while living in my van. I no longer have to deal with food ruined by melting ice, let alone race to a store to grab new ice.
A portable refrigerator should be on your van life packing list as it allows you to go off-grid for days. The best thing is this 12-volt fridge is energy efficient, too - mine only comes on for about 10 minutes per hour.
You can connect it to a portable solar generator, an inverter tied to your solar system, or a cigarette lighter.
It's pure bliss accessing cold drinks and food after a long hike.
We love these insulated stainless steel plates and use them for every meal. They don't scald your hands or lap when you put steaming heaps of food on them. Plus, they help keep food warm in winter.
These are definitely one of our top van life essentials when it comes to cooking and eating in our van!
We absolutely love our Camp Roll Table from REI. The legs detach and it folds down into a rectangular bag, really easy for storage. This is an upgrade to a much smaller table we used to own, and it makes all the difference. Not only can we fit our two burner camp stove, but also cutting boards, plates, etc. The perfect size for camping!
We just added these Klean Kanteen Insulated containers to our van life repertoire, and really like them so far. We use them for mostly hot foods like ramen, oatmeal, stews and soups. They keep hot foods cold during chilly evenings and are great for eating out of during road trips.
Be aware that these can be tough to open if you add boiling water and then seal them. It took a pretty firm twist for me to open the lid.
This awesome van life gift idea will keep all your ingredients cold for up to 25 hours and hot for 7.
This is the two-burner camp stove we now use in our Sprinter van, a wonderful upgrade from using a one-burner stove. This stove from GSI has better simmer control than most camp stoves we've seen and is really easy to clean and use. Highly recommend as part of a van life essentials list!
I started grinding my own coffee beans back in 2022, and it sure made a world of a difference. I get such fresh-tasting coffee every morning, and this makes enough for about two pour-over cups of joe. If you're looking to get into manual coffee grinding, this is a great pick for van life!
Van Life Essentials: Sleeping
A lot of people with larger vans will choose a different sleeping setup than what we have. Since our Chevy Astro van’s back bench seat folds down, we use that as our campervan bed, resting our feet and lower legs on two stools.
Now that we have a Sprinter van, we installed Flarespace Flares and a Lightweight Bed Panel System. We used camping mats and sleeping bags at first, but we recently upgraded to Sailrite marine foam for our campervan mattress.
Here’s what we use in our van, and I’ll also add links to what some other van lifers like for their sleeping van life must-haves.
- Warm Sleeping Bags
- Hot Water Bottle
- Ear Plugs
- Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
- Rumpl Puffy Camping Blanket
- RoamRest Custom Camper Van Mattresses
This super warm REI Joule sleeping bag is what I use to stay warm on chilly nights while living in a van. The Joule itself is no longer available, but there are plenty of warm backpacking sleeping bags to choose from at REI.
If you're planning on van camping in chilly temperatures, you'll want a bag that's at least rated to 21-degrees. I've slept comfortably at temperatures around freezing in my van using just this sleeping bag and wearing a wool hat.
If you're camping in really cold climates, you might like to have a hot water bottle to bring to bed with you. This multi-functional bottle is an easy-to-use heat source and comes with a cozy knit cover.
Put the hot water bottle by your chilly feet to have an extra comfortable night. This water bottle is insulated with an anti-leak design.
A noisy campground is a real drag when you're sleeping in a van. Sometimes, even chirping birds have woken me up way too early! That's why earplugs are essential for my van life packing list. These foam ear plugs feel great and block out all sorts of noise, even a snoring partner!
We know it can be hard to sleep in a camper van, especially during those summer months when sun cracks the sky really early. We own two of these silk eye masks, and absolutely love them. The silk feels great on the skin, and the headband keeps the mask secure.
They come in a variety of colors and patterns - which makes it easy for two people who are living in a van!
Nothing is better than a cozy blanket to wrap around yourself when reading a book while living in a van or sitting outside with morning coffee.
These Rumpl Puffy Blankets are light and packable, fitting into a small, waterproof stuff sack when not in use.
These awesome blanket are made with the same warm synthetic materials found in premium sleeping bags and puffy jackets, and are durable, waterproof and resistant to odors.
While we don't own one of these blankets yet, we've heard many people say its one of their top van life essentials.
We haven't personally used the Roam Rest campervan mattress, but this is what my writer Sierra Eberly uses in her Promaster van, and just loves it. Roam Rest has many types of mattresses or can even build you a custom mattress for your campervan!
Van Life Essentials: Power
There are a few different routes you can go when adding power to your van. It all depends on just how much power you need. A van with fancy appliances like hot water heater, air conditioning or induction cooktop will need way more solar power.
In our Sprinter van, we have three solar panels on the roof, four Battleborn lithium-ion batteries, and a 3000-watt inverter. However, when we first started out in the Chevy Astro van we used a 300 watt inverter like the one below that plugs right into the cigarette lighter.
You can use a portable power station like a Jackery 500 with a solar panel, or install an entire solar setup in your van.
Here are a few options when it comes to powering your van.
- BESTEK 300 Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter
- Solar Controller
- Goal Zero Yeti
- Solar Panel for Goal Zero Yeti
- Flexible Solar Panels
- 1500 Watt Inverter
- Lithium Ion House Batteries
If you don't want to go with a crazy expensive inverter, this 300 watt pure sine wave inverter is one of those perfect van life essentials.
This handy pure sine wave DC to AC power inverter can be plugged into your cigarette lighter and is powerful to charge things like laptops and tablets. The inverter also comes with a couple of USB plugs for your phone. It could be a life-saver if you're out in the woods and want to watch a movie or do some work on your computer.
Another item you'll need to complete a solar setup in your campervan is a solar controller. This regulates the amount of solar energy your solar panels are sending to your batteries. We use the Go Power solar controller and have had amazing success with this entire system. The LCD digital display shows solar array charge current system battery voltage and battery capacity.
We also love the handy little USB charger.
If your van isn't set up for an elaborate solar system, you might want to consider a simple portable power station as a good piece of van life gear. The Goal Zero Yeti is a great piece of van life gear.
You can charge this portable power station with solar panels, a wall outlet or your car's cigarette lighter.
If you're going with a Jackery 500 or any other solar generator, you'll need a way to charge it. You can use this 100-watt solar panel and either set it up on the ground or attach it to your van's roof.
Keep in mind it does take many hours to fully charge the Jackery using solar only, so plan accordingly. You can set up the solar panels during the day on the ground, or mount them to your campervan's roof.
We have two Go Power flexible solar panels mounted on the roof of our Chevy Astro van, and just love our setup. We only have 100-watts of power, which is perfect to power our ARB fridge, our Fantastic Fan and our electronics like cameras and computers
We use a 1500 watt inverter to go with our Go Power solar panel and battery setup. This inverter may be a little too high-powered for our needs, but we love that its flat and compact. This is a pure sine wave inverter, making it perfect for charging devices like computers which can be damaged with a modified sine wave.
We use lithium-ion batteries in our Sprinter van camper, which are amazingly light and powerful. Battle Born Lithium Ion batteries are popular among van lifers as they have longevity, unlimited mounting capabilities and are cost-effective. These weigh ⅓ the amount of lead-acid batteries, keeping your van build lighter.
Van Life Essentials: Connectivity
We all know how important it is to stay connected while living in a car. I’ve tested several devices that keep me connected when I’m on the road so I can check email and run this website!
I’d deem ways to access van life internet as my top van life must-haves as I need to run a business on the road.
Here are my favorites.
- Google Fi Phone Plan
- Visible Wireless Unlimited Data, Talk and Text
- Starlink Satellite Internet
I used the Google Fi international phone plan for many years, which is a pay-as-you-go service. The base rate for this phone plan is just $20 for unlimited texting and phone calls. Plus, texting remains FREE anywhere in the world! You also get billed $10 per gig of data used, no matter where you go.
There is an unlimited plan for data, which doesn't make as much sense as Visible for a mobile hotspot. I think where Google Fi really shines is for international travel because you don't have to get a local SIM card.
Visible is a really affordable, unlimited phone plan that is popular among van lifers. I started using it and so far, have been happy with the plan and service. Visible's base plan is just $25 for unlimited data, talk and text in the United States, or you can upgrade to a $45 per month plan to use your phone in Mexico and Canada. I have been using mine in Mexico and it works great!
Starlink has been a game changer of us and plenty of other van lifers who work remotely. You can choose a Regional or Global "Roam" plan to use Starlink wherever you travel. We've been using Starlink for one year, and find that it offers very fast, high-speed internet as long as you aren't parked underneath trees!
Van Life Essentials: Keeping Clean
Staying clean is a HUGE part of living in a van, especially when you’re living in close quarters with someone else. See our blog post about 11 ways to stay clean in your campervan for more ideas.
Here are our top van life must haves for showering and staying clean.
- Living Proof Day Dry Shampoo
- Shampoo Bar
- Hand Sanitizer
- Insect Repellent
- Sea to Summit Solar Shower
- Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
- Brondell GoSpa Travel Bidet
- Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap
- Portable Toilet
- Turkish Towels
- Scrubba Laundry Bag
Pair some good dry shampoo for a day when you aren't able to wash off using water when living in a van. In fact, I've found that dry shampoo is sometimes even better for my hair than regular shampoo.
This dry shampoo from Living Proof is my favorite so far.
We are trying to get away from using so many plastic items, which is why I started using shampoo bars. I just love the Ethique shampoo bars and conditioners, which are also mild enough to use on the body and for shaving. These bars have a wonderful scent, are vegan, 100% compostable and are equivalent to 3 bottles of shampoo! One bar lasts us months, with two people using it
It's always good to keep some hand sanitizer in your campervan when out on a road trip. You'd love a spritz of this lavender-scented Dr. Bonner's sanitizer after touching a gas pump or going grocery shopping. This simple, effective formula kills germs with organic ethyl alcohol, water, organic lavender oil and organic glycerin.
You're most likely going to get mosquito bites when living the van life, especially during the summer months. We love this Buzz Away mosquito repellant as its DEET-free and made with essential oils. This bug spray keeps both mosquitos and ticks at bay, has no harsh chemicals, artificial preservatives or toxins.
A solar shower should definitely be on your van life gear list. Finding van life showers can be hard when you're living in a van full time, which is why we recommend investing in a solar shower.
All you have to do is set the solar shower in a sunny place in your campsite, and the water gets really warm. We also set the shower on our van hood to warm it up on a sunny day.
We've used this all over the place, and nothing feels better than a warm shower after a sweaty hike in the backcountry.
Biodegradable wipes are definitely a must-have for those living the van life. These Wilderness Wipes from REI are amazing for helping a camper feel clean and refreshed. Plus, these baby wipes are 100% compostable!
Wilderness Wipes are pH balanced for human skin, and are even compostable after use. The wipes contain aloe vera and Vitamin E. The perfect "shower" for those days when finding water isn't convenient.
This travel bidet is one of the best things we've bought for our campervan, sailboat and backpacking! It helps you feel clean when you're out camping without a shower for a few days.
We also think it's great that you don't have to use as much toilet paper when using this van life essential.
It's also really easy to store.
We are obsessed with using Dr. Bonner's soap. Dr. Bronner's Liquid Pure-Castile Soap offers organic and vegan ingredients for a rich, emollient lather and a moisturizing after feel.
We use it both for washing dishes and ourselves! It can be used for pretty much anything, and is biodegradable. A great soap! (Just don't use it near a stream!)
While we don't have a portable toilet yet, it's something we are definitely considering for the future. Having a camping toilet on hand is great if you have to get up often in the middle of the night. Portable toilets are small and compact, easy to hide under a bed or in a storage container. You will then just need to empty the toilet's cassette in a public bathroom.
I used to think microfiber towels were a van life essential but I've totally changed my mind after using these Turkish towels.
The towels are lightweight and way more absorbent than microfiber.
On a recent van camping trip, my partner Tom reached for my Turkish towel way more than his microfiber, so I ended up ordering him one off Amazon! I think this is a van life must have you should definitely add to your list.
You can also use a Turkish towel for picnicking or sitting on the beach.
We just love this "Scrubba" laundry bag. A super easy way to wash a few articles of clothing when in our campervan or on our sailboat.
The Scrubba features a flexible inner washboard to give your clothes a wash as good as any machine can do. You just fill the bag with water, add your clothes, and roll the bag against a hard surface. The bag can also double as a dry bag or storage bag!
Van Life Essentials: Electronics
There are a few electronic devices that make great campervan gear. Here are our top favorites!
- Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- Kindle Paperwhite
- Apple iPad
I can't tell you how often we use our Bluetooth portable speaker. It's great for our sailboat and for our Chevy Astro campervan combined!
A Bluetooth portable speaker is small enough to store but packs a big punch for music. Who wants to listen to music from a smartphone speaker?
We use the Sony XB-20 with Extra Bass and it's been more than enough to play our favorite hits.
I take my Kindle Paperwhite everywhere I go, from my van to my sailboat. This newest version of the Kindle is waterproof, making it great for living a life outdoors. I typically download books using my library, so all the books I read and store on my Kindle are free!
My iPad is an absolute van life essential I can't live without. Since storage space is at a premium in a campervan, I've found teh iPad to be an all-purpose tool the size of one magazine.
I use my iPad to download Netflix shows and documentaries we can watch in remote places when we have no internet. I also use my iPad to store all my cookbooks as I have no room in a van for any type of book.
The iPad also comes in handy finding free campsites using sites like iOverlander, Free Roam and The Dyrt Pro Membership (click here for a FREE 90-Day Trial!)
Plus, I download magazines from my library and read them on my iPad! This is really a multi-use device.
Outdoor Camping Gear for Van Life
Here’s some gear to make your campsite cozy and comfortable!
- Luci Solar Lantern
- MOON LENCE Camping Chairs
- Fairy Lights
- Nemo Patio Blanket
- USB Powered Headlamp
The LUCI inflatable solar lantern is perfect for lighting the space outside your campervan on warm summer evenings. An adjustable bottom strap and fixed top strap lets you hang this lantern anywhere, from a tree branch or your tailgate.
The LUCI solar lantern works for 24 hours between charges and folds down to a very small size, just 1-inch thick for easy campervan storage. You'll get a full charge in just 7 hours in direct sunlight.
We love that this light has three different settings, and is also waterproof!
This camp chair by Moonlence folds down to just about one foot long and six inches wide, a great option for someone with little space. It's really comfortable and yet another way we expand our campervan's living room.
This compact camping chair can hold up to 242 pounds and only weighs two pounds.
We've used this for sitting around a campfire and on the beach. I won't go anywhere with this van life necessity.
We think fairy lights add a wonderful twinkle to your campsite or the interior of your camper van. These MPOWERED Luci string lights charge with the sun's rays, and last up to 20 hours on a single charge. Enjoy an 18' cord and 20 little lights. Perfect for van dwelling!
I've been searching for the right outdoor blanket for months, and finally stumbled on this gem at REI. What I love about this blanket is that it has a fully waterproof bottom that resists dirt, sand and water. The mat also rolls up, keeping the dirty bottom on the inside and the colorful pattern on the outside. This ensures our van stays clean. We are so grateful we stumbled on this mat and now use it everywhere - it's even perfect for a yoga mat or two!
I just love my USB-powered headlamp. It lasts for weeks on one charge, and it's SO NICE not having to deal with batteries. I can't imaging going back to a battery-powered headlamp now. Highly recommend!
Campervan Gear for Safety
Living the van life means you’ll often be heading down remote roads in search of that perfect boondocking spot. But what if your vehicle breaks down? What if you get a flat tire? Here’s some of the top safety gear you should add to your van life packing list.
- Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit
- Portable Air Compressor
- Fix-A-Flat Aerosol Tire Inflator
- First Aid Kit
- Wasp Spray
- Fire Extinguisher
- 12-Volt Jump Starter Box
- Magnetic Spare Car Key Holder
- Tire Puncture Repair Kit
- Garmin inReach Mini
A Roadside Emergency Kit is a campervan essential if you're planning on doing a lot of off-roading, boondocking, and camping far from other people. This roadside emergency kit contains jumper cables, a safety hammer, seatbelt cutter, tow rope, LED flashlight, reflective warning triangle, elastic rope and tie rope, rain coat and snow shovel.
We love going down bumpy dirt roads to find out-of-the-way boondocking spots, which means we've gotten several flat tires. Having a portable air compressor on hand has been a lifesaver for us! An air compressor also helps inflate and deflate tires before attempting rough dirt roads. This particular air compressor works well in SUVs, trucks, vans and RVs. It plugs right into your cigarette lighter, making filling tires a breeze.
Fix a Flat is another item you should add to your van life packing list. You never know when you're going to unexpectedly blow a tire or run over a nail. Fix A Flat fills the inside of your tire with a foam that plugs holes and rips until you're able to make it to a tire repair shop. We've also used this when blowing tires in our Chevy Astro. We have truck tires now, and you might know why.
An all purpose First Aid Kit is really important to have in your campervan so you can deal with any emergencies as they arise. You just never know when you or your loved one might get hurt when out hiking, skiing or bicycling. This adventure first aid kit from REI was made for the outdoor enthusiast and has bandages, medications, blister treatment, splinter forceps and safety pins.
If you're worried about personal safety when out and about in your campervan, you may want to carry around a can of wasp spray. This is used often among sailors worried about pirate attacks, as wasp spray has a powerful 20-foot jet spray. We don't recommend using this on a person unless you are feeling extremely threatened and can't drive away for any reason. But just having this on hand might give you some peace of mind.
We'd definitely recommend having a fire extinguisher in your campervan so you quickly douse out flames should trouble emerge. One of our van life friends actually had an engine fire when she was driving down the highway. A fire extinguisher ensures engines fires or any other fires don't completely destroy your van. A definitely campervan essential for safety!
You never know when you might accidentally leave your headlights on all day while you're out for an awesome hike. A drained battery is no fun, especially when all you want to do is head back to your campsite. We recommend having a 12-volt jump starter to give your dead battery a lift.
I'd be embarrasssed to admit how many times I've locked my keys inside my Chevy Astro van! This has resulted in way too many phone calls to AAA Roadside Assistance. Hence, a magnetic stash case for an extra pair of keys became a major campervan essential for me, which I've used tons of times already.
All a van life has to do is place the magnetic key holder somewhere on the undercarriage of their vehicle so they're never locked out again!
Tire puncture plugs have saved us on more than one occasion when we've gotten a flat tire in our Chevy Astro van. One time we were on a remote road in the Mojave Desert and popped TWO TIRES at once. Tom had to use 4-5 tire plugs and our air compressor to get us back to our campsite, then on the road to a tire repair shop.
Tire plugs are definitely a van life essential!
When going off-roading or to remote boondocking locations, a satellite communicator is a must-have. The Garmin inReach Mini satellite communicator allows an overlander to send texts and emergency SOS calls. The tracker allows friends and family to watch a route in real time as well.
We've heard one too many tragedies from people who haven't had a Garmin InReach, including a couple who recently punctured two tires in Death Valley. The two tried to walk to safety, but one perished. A tragedy that could have been avoided with a Garmin or other type of satellite communicator.
More Van Life Essentials to Check Out
Some van life essentials don’t neatly fit into a single category. Here are more items you might want to add to your campervan packing list!
- Mr. Buddy Heater
- Head Lamps
- Sun Clothes
- Smart Wool Base Layers
- Packing Cubes
- Nocs Provisions Compact Binoculars
- Fan-Tastic Vent RV Roof Vent with Thermostat, Model 3350
- VanMade Gear Window Shades
- Moon Shade Portable Awning
- EvaPolar Swamp Cooler
Sometimes, it can get chilly inside your camper van as the temperature outside dips. If you don't want to stay huddled beneath your sleeping bag or blankets all evening, try out a tiny van heater.
A propane heater like the Mr. Buddy heater is popular among van lifers as it doesn't use up any battery power.
However, these heaters create carbon monoxide in your campervan, so it's important to leave a window cracked and have a carbon monoxide detector.
It's definitely worth investing in good headlamps when you're living in a van full-time. Both of us wear these around everywhere after dark. This Black Diamond headlamp has a variety of bream strengths, and both spot and flood modes. These lightweight and compact headlamps are perfect for both van life and backpacking.
We definitely look dorky when out hiking when living out of our van, but we don't care! It's important to cover up to prevent UV exposure and overheating. We both wear sunshirts like these ones from REI. We both also own comfortable hiking pants and wear sun hats every day.
Another thing we both own and consider a campervan essential are smart wool base layers. This lightweight merino wool keeps you warm in the cold, and ventilated when it starts to heat up. We also love that merino wool doesn't trap odors, and dries very quickly. We both own merino wool sweaters and long johns. I also love my merino wool T-shirt!
Fitting things into the small space of a campervan can be tricky, which is why compression packing cubes are an absolute must when it comes to van life. We like using a variety of sizes to better fit stuff in drawers and cabinets.
Packing cubes are also good for towels, shoes, gear and other loose items.
I'm totally in love with these lightweight, waterproof binoculars. They are small, rugged and easy to throw into a backpack for a day hike. The color and clarity are also outstanding - plus the image is way more stable than our other binoculars of a similar size. If you're looking for compact binoculars, these are the ones we use and recommend.
We can't live without our Fantastic Fan. This amazing device goes into the roof of your campervan to draw cool air in and pump warm air out. Perfect for hot summer evenings. We love the setting where we pull air into the campervan, and it rushes through the side windows right next to our face. A great ventilation device and absolutely necessary campervan gear.
We are totally obsessed with these insulated window shades from VanMade Gear. The front windshield shade is a perfect fit and locks in using the two visors - no drilling or attachments needed. We also ordered the driver and passenger side windows and they secure into the space with magnets! I've noticed the shades really keeping the heat out of the van, plus the black adds an extra level of stealth. You can choose black or reflective fabric for the outside, and a few different colors for the interior.
I highly recommend these shades!
While we don't have an awning yet, maybe van lifers swear by the MoonShade portable awning. What's cool about this awning is that it's REALLY lightweight and you can easily fold it up and pack it down when not in use. Plus, you can attach it to various anchor points, such as a tree or fence if you don't want a campervan awning.
The EvaPolar is what we've been using in our van. It's small and creates a cool breeze.
Weight: 4 pounds
Cooling: 5-10 degrees below ambient temperature
Power Draw: 12.5 watts
Power Source: Cigarette lighter or 120-volts
Van Life Camping Apps and Guides
There are definitely some apps and books that are essential to our van life adventures. Check these out!
- Try the Dyrt Pro for Free!
- 5,000+ free camping locations
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We hope you find this detailed list of van life essentials helpful for your campervan journey.
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I love this! My wife and I are trying to figure out how we can somehow achieve van life with 2 dogs and 4 cats haha.
Great list! I am so happy I splurged for the Yeti, only have to change ice once a week.
That’s amazing. I think everything Yeti does is quality.
My 50 dollar Coleman 5 day holds ice for (at least) 6 days. We camped for Thanksgiving and still had ice 6 days later. Very similar performance in Oregon when I headed up for the eclipse out near John Day Fossil Beds and then drove through Oregon and the lava beds near 395 on the way home. I didn’t endurance test that trip since we were out in the middle of nowhere – once an ice restock was available, we took it.
The most important cooler thing I’ve done is save a few of the big widemouth plastic jars that nuts come in from Costco. Once they’re empty, fill them with water (not all the way to the top!) and freeze them. Instant, non-pooling block ice. I have a half-dozen; they occupy the bottom of the cooler, giving me a level platform to put food on.
On the road, once they’ve finished melting, the containers can be refilled with party ice – and you still won’t be fishing your food out of sludge.
Great idea, I’ve always used milk jugs but wide mouths and flat tops sounds way better. Now all I need us a Costco membership.
We’ve been using Costco nuts containers for ice for years too. I love them!
You know, I’ve always wanted to get one of those Scooby Doo vans and drive it along the coast. I’ve actually seen a van with a paint job like that.
hahah that would be HILARIOUS. I totally remember that van. Apparently, when my Dad first moved to Portland in 1980 he lived in a blue van. Original van life 🙂
I would definitely want some kind of porta-potty; there are some fold-up varieties that take very little space.
Interesting idea……I personally wouldn’t use a potty in my van but I know a lot of people like them!
Why wouldn’t u use a potty in a van? I been living in a van for years and always use one, I put plastic bags in it and just throw them away… Stop being a snob..
LOL I didn’t know preferring to go to the bathroom outside was snobby! I’d take a bush over the inside of my van any day. Just personal preference.
Some people don’t want to sleep with “an odor”. If you’re okay with that fine. Don’t be so judgmental.
I want to do this because I can not afford to rent anymore and hope to save a little money to move up to something a little better. I am 53 now and hope that I have a comfortable van life by the time I retire. Just the little things…
I am considering starting with my ford freestyle.
Happy Van life….
Good luck!! A lot of people really enjoy van life 🙂
Good article & an excellent way to articulate. Keep it up. Keep up the great work!
Hi Kristin! I follow you on Insta and am stoked to see your rad and extensive vanlife blog! I love the BPA-free collapsable water jug suggestion– finding collapsable items has been essential in fitting everything into my van home– bowls, to-go containers, cups– if it collapses, I’m in! Thanks & I look forward to future articles!
USA is a beautiful country, trust me, but paying mortgage and high rent, makes life miserable.
Boonducking is the solution.
The only problem is how and where to find safe spots for sleeping and using a decent toilet/disposable units. How is done this anyway?
First, get your windows tinted as dark as is legal. You can sleep anywhere, shopping centers, residential neighborhoods, etc. No one will see in and it will look just like a parked car. The toilet is a very personal decision. Some need the porta potty. I don’t have the space for one. I will buy one of those units that has 3 legs that fold out, and a bag repository, but I don’t have one currently. They fold up small when not in use. Some use a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat. It all depends on your sensibilities. Personally, I would only use one inside the van if were raining cats and dogs in the middle of the night. Who wants to sleep with “an odor”? Being an older man, I have a pee jar for use during the night. Or sleep in a 24 hour Walmart/grocery store parking lot and run inside if you need to.
Just to clarify, I prefer window tint to curtains. Just my preference.
Great article, thanks for the gear tips!
Thank You Thank You <3
You’re welcome!
Wow! Thanks for all the great info, ideas, cautions, suggestions, and the best gear to have! Truly amazing and complete! We’re retired; me, a Veteran Army Engineer [Viet Nam Era], General Construction Contractor, a piping design engineer, and also have been a Computer Architect [a busy life, LOL]. My wife is a “semi-retired” Dr. of Psychology so she still treats patients via TeleHealth.
I only mention my “experience” because you have enlightened me [us], in ways I never conceived! Your experience on the road in your Van Life is invaluable! I have made a list or links you have suggested for just about everything I can think of.
I purchased a low-mileage 1998 Ford E-250 “High Top” Van that was designed for non-emergency medical use. A conversion was started by a previous owner who really had no idea how to build it so I’m basically starting fresh – correcting the problems with the build and adding a complete [if necessary] off-grid rig.
Now that we’ve received the Covid vaccines and booster we’re ready to hit the road! We were quite concerned that we might unknowingly carry and infect our grand and great-grandkids. We feel good now to travel! Again Thank You! I will continue to follow your adventures! Ha, sometimes the old adage is true, “Too soon old – too late smart”. Thanks for the “smarts”!
You are so welcome! I’m really glad you found this list helpful and I hope you get to travel soon 🙂
Did you actually live in a camper van for 2 years? It’s amazing to find someone who has turned the van into a home. Such a great list of van life essentials can only come from someone like you.
It’s been more than 2 years now – 4!
I loved the advice you provided. I am a 72 year old newbie to van conversion and travel.
Thanks for the comprehensive list Kristen!
I was concerned if I’m ready to go out yet but I realized I actually have 90% items on this list and a few more other items of my own.
Happy camping!
Thanks exciting! Yay!