We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
General van life gear, accessories, and must-haves
A van slide-out step or retractable running board is one of the most practical upgrades you can make to your van life rig, cutting down the awkward high-step entry that wears on your knees over thousands of ingresses and egresses. The best
Van window vent deflectors and rain guards are one of the most underrated upgrades you can make to your build — they let you crack windows for airflow even during rain without soaking your interior, and they reduce wind noise significantly
A flat tire on a remote forest road at dusk is not a hypothetical for van lifers and overlanders — it's an eventual certainty. A quality tire plug kit gets you back on the road in under ten minutes without waiting for a tow truck that may b
Hanging a hammock between two trees after a long drive is one of the genuine joys of van life — but doing it wrong can damage trees, leave you crashing to the ground, or get you kicked out of dispersed camping spots. Tree saver hammock stra
Getting stuck in sand, mud, or snow is one of the most frustrating — and potentially dangerous — situations any overlander or van lifer can face. Choosing the right traction boards means the difference between a self-recovery that takes fiv
A retractable side awning is one of those van life upgrades that shifts your entire relationship with the outdoors — suddenly you have a covered outdoor room that deploys in under a minute, shades your cook station from afternoon sun, and t
A hot cup of coffee or tea in the morning is one of those small rituals that makes van life feel less like roughing it and more like intentional living — but a standard household kettle is useless when you're running off a 12V system. The 1
Van organization is an ongoing negotiation — you're fitting a full life into 60–80 square feet, and everything needs a place that keeps it secure while the van is moving. Cargo nets and straps are the unsung heroes of van storage: they keep
Sleeping in a van with open windows on a warm summer night sounds idyllic — until the mosquitoes find you. A single mosquito inside your sleeping space can ruin a night's rest more effectively than any other van life inconvenience. Van wind
Your tires are the single most critical safety system on your van — they're the only part of the vehicle touching the road. Yet tire pressure is one of the most neglected aspects of van life maintenance, partly because checking pressure man
If there is one tool that earns its place in every van life kit, it is a quality multi-tool. The Leatherman name has become synonymous with this category for a reason: their tools combine genuine utility with lifetime-grade build quality in
Paracord is the Swiss Army knife of van life cordage. Originally developed as suspension lines for US military parachutes, 550 paracord has found its way into every corner of outdoor living — from clotheslines and gear lashing to emergency
