35 Practical Gifts All Van Lifers Need (2024) – Bearfoot Theory

An outdoor mat is something that every van lifer needs. A sand mat keeps sand and dirt from getting tracked inside and creates a nice “patio” space for hanging out. This CGear Sand-Free Mat is what I use because it allows sand and dirt to filter through (rather than pile up on top like a regular outdoor rug), and it folds down small for easier storage.

I upgraded to the Dometic Go Camp Table this year and it’s been one of my favorite gear additions. It folds in half for easy storage and the solid bamboo top has a nice elegant feel while still being durable enough for extended outdoor use. Plus, its adjustable leg height means you can swiftly transition from a cooking station to a coffee table, or even downsize it to a kiddo’s play table.

If your favorite van lifer doesn’t have an awning, the MoonShade Awning fits on nearly any vehicle, does well in windy conditions, and packs down small for easy portability. And it’s easy to set up too! Read my full review of the MoonShade awning for all the details. *Save 10% by using the code BEARFOOTTHEORY at checkout*

I’ve tried so many different chairs over the years. The Helinox Sunset Chair strikes the best balance between packability, weight, and comfort with the high back. It only takes about 30 seconds to set up, and even van lifers with the smallest vans should have room for this awesome chair. For more recommendations, see my post of my favorite camp chairs.

Rumpl Blankets are my favorite van life comforters because they’re snuggly and soft yet still durable for the road. I’ve used mine since 2017 and can’t believe how well it’s held up! The blankets come in several different materials including recycled synthetic (the most durable), a warmer NanoLoft synthetic, and down. Since they’re water and dirt-resistant and can be thrown into the wash – which is especially great if you have dogs.

If you’re traveling with a dog in your van, it’s nice for them to have a comfy space of their own. My dog Charlie likes to hang out in his West Paw Big Sky Nap Bed between the two front seats. He seems to love it, and the best part is it’s totally machine-washable, which is a must for van life.

There’s a new toilet that’s quickly becoming a favorite among van lifers: the Trelino Composting Toilet. It’s more compact than your traditional composting toilets, plus it doesn’t require any outside venting or a power source. The best part is the solid waste compartment can be used with handy bags for easier cleanup. This is the toilet I’m planning to have in my new truck camper we are getting soon. Check out my full roundup of the best van toilets here.

The portable Mr. Buddy Heater is a great gift for van lifers that don’t have heat in their van. This heater runs on 1 lb propane cylinders, so there’s no worry about draining your van battery on a chilly night. It also comes with several auto shut-off safety mechanisms, like turning off if it gets tipped over, if it detects low oxygen levels, and if the pilot light turns off.

Laundry day is one of my least favorite chores as a van lifer. This clever Scrubba Wash Bag allows you to wash a few items of clothes without having to go to the laundromat. You simply fill the bag up with warm water and a bit of biodegradable soap, then ‘scrub’ your clothes clean on the washboard nodules.

If you’re buying a gift for a van lifer who loves to cook, this is another great table option that Ryan and I use. The GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Cook Station is incredibly easy to set up (it just folds open and closed) and packs up flat so you can store it in a narrow space. I love how it has multiple levels and tiers to give you space to whip up gourmet meals.

I love this Magma Nesting Cookware set. It comes with everything you need to cook, including a 12″ pan and several pots. Everything nests together perfectly so it takes up a lot less space. It’s easy to clean and the handles are detachable, making them even easier to stash away. Plus, this cookware is induction-friendly for those with an induction stove in their van. I prefer the stainless steel version since it doesn’t scratch when things move around in your drawers.

I recently ditched the plastic dinnerware I’d be using in my van for years for something more non-toxic, and I’ve been really impressed with the Snow Peak Tableware Set. The stainless steel set is durable and everything nests together for easy storage — it comes with a plate, a dish, and 2 different sized bowls.

I really miss having an oven in my van. However, with the Omnia Oven, you can bake right on your stovetop! From pizza to cakes to bread to casseroles, this compact “oven” is the perfect gift for the van life baker in your life.

We added a Clearsource RV Water Filter to our van last year after several experiences with heavily chlorinated campground water. Apart from the bad taste, it got me thinking about what else might be in the water we are filling our van up with. The Clearsource Ultra is a three-stage water filter that reduces or removes all of the nasty stuff and harmful chemicals, and our water tastes so much better!

For those moments when you crave a personal escape or need to zero in on work without distractions, these Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones are a godsend. I love being able to pop on my favorite music, podcasts, or a meditative track – all while maintaining the harmony of shared space with my partner Ryan.

The Hyperlite Camera Pod is what I use to store my camera in the van. Made from ultralight, durable, and weatherproof material, it allows me to throw my camera in a drawer without having to worry about it getting banged up. It also doubles as a camera bag while hiking. You can carry this pod in your hiking bag or clip it to your hipbelt for easy access.

Binoculars are a fun gift for van lifers – it’s great to have a pair while hiking or hanging out at camp. Most recently, we used ours while watching whales from our van on the Olympic Peninsula, and I was so happy to have them. These Nocs Provisions binoculars are compact, waterproof, and fog proof. They come in fun colors and have a durable housing too.

I love my Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat. It’s a little lighter than a traditional yoga mat, taking up just a bit less room. Yet it’s still cushioned enough for stretching and yoga at your campsite. It’s made with certified OEKO-TEX materials, meaning that there are no harmful chemicals, and it has a slip-resistant surface for when you get sweaty.

Sometimes you just want to Netflix and Chill (even in a van). This flexible iPad/Tablet holder makes it incredibly easy to watch your favorite shows from anywhere in your van. We clamp this to one of our overhead cabinets and use it to hold our iPad to easily watch our favorite shows from bed. It’s versatile and can be clamped to a variety of objects, and has a flexible arm so you can move the iPad to the right angle.

When we are staying at an established campsite with a picnic table, Ryan and I love busting out this table top ping pong set. It doesn’t take up any room in our van, and is a fun way to kill time, especially when our little guy is napping in our van.

Most van lifers are pretty active, and this Ekrin massage gun will help them recover after a long day on the trail. I even enjoy using this after a big day of driving to work out some of the stiffness from sitting. This particular model is small enough that it won’t take up a bunch of room, and it comes with a compact carrying case for easy storage. Plus the battery lasts for over 4 hours on a single charge!

Physical books take up a LOT of space in a van, so switching to a Kindle eReader is perfect for book lovers on the road – plus the Paperwhite version is waterproof! A little known trick: If you have a library card, you can rent books for free using the Libby app. I love being able to download books for offline use, and the battery life lasts for weeks. You can also enjoy audiobooks by pairing Bluetooth headphones to switch seamlessly between reading and listening.

I love having a Trash Grabber for when we stumble on an otherwise great campsite that is littered with garbage. It makes it easy to pick up trash without having to touch anything gross. It’s foldable so it can easily be stowed away in a drawer, and it’s a nice way to give back to the public lands that van lifers depend on.

Ryan and I discovered pickleball when we were doing van life in Florida, and it’s since become one of our favorite sports. There are courts everywhere, the gear takes up little room, and it’s a great way to exercise on days we aren’t hiking. It’s also a fun opportunity to meet other people when you travel. Gift a pair of pickleball paddles to your favorite van lifer, and I bet they’ll be hooked.

I love being able to take off my hiking boots and slip on these warm North Face ThermoBall Traction Booties. They are so comfy for mozying around the campsite and much easier to put on than normal shoes when I have to let the dogs out first thing in the morning.

Let’s face it, those long hours behind the wheel on a van adventure can take a toll on our legs. These CEP Ultralight Compression Calf Sleeves have been essential for me on those long driving stretches (especially when I was pregnant). Not only do they help improve circulation, but they also combat that heavy leg feeling, making your journey more comfortable and enjoyable. They also come in a men’s version.

Ryan and I got stuck in our van on a sketchy pass in Colorado once, and immediately after, I invested in these Max Trax Recovery boards. These boards can help you self-recover if you get stuck in sand, loose dirt, or mud, which is really important if you are miles from help (and especially if you don’t have cell service).

Benchmark Road Atlases are my go-to paper maps and make a great gift for van lifers. They show recreation activities, have categorized listings, and show public land ownership lines and backroads. They also differentiate between 2wd and 4wd roads which is key if you are trying to find secluded campsites. They’re super useful to have for each state you’ll be traveling in, especially if you plan to drive on remote dirt roads where you don’t have cell service.

I have an onboard air compressor in my van, but if your favorite van lifer doesn’t, it’s an essential piece of safety gear. Airing down your tires before driving on soft surfaces (like sand) helps you avoid getting stuck, however, you need a way to air back up your tires when you get back to pavement. This portable ARB Air Compressor that comes in this tool box makes this very easy, and it can also be used to blow up your bike tires.

Waking up to a dead car battery is never fun, but when you’re out on National Forest land without another car in sight? That can be really scary. I know because it’s happened to us. For peace of mind, we always carry a portable car battery jump starter – which requires no other vehicle for a jump!

I consider the Garmin InReach Mini 2 to be essential for all van lifers. This is a two-way communication device that can be used even when you don’t have cell service. I carry this when I’m hiking and it’s always accessible in the van. Last winter, Ryan and I woke up to a dead car battery in below-freezing temperatures in Idaho – and we didn’t have cell service or a way to jump ourselves. Luckily, I was able to use my Garmin to text my Dad the details of where we were so he could call help for us.

I have this Birdie Alarm on my keychain, and I think it’s an especially great gift for solo van lifers. In the case of an emergency, you press a button and it sets off a loud siren and blinking lights to help deter an attack.

My Medic makes my favorite first aid kits, and I always carry one in my van. I love that it’s compact enough to be tossed anywhere in the van, but includes all the first-aid essentials you need to keep on hand. My Medic also offers refill packs so you can easily restock any of the items that you have used. This is a great van life gift, especially for van lifers who like to get off the beaten path.

A folding shovel is something that gets more use in a van than you probably think. A shovel is great in case you get stuck and need to dig yourself out and can also be used to follow Leave No Trace guidelines for responsibly using the bathroom outdoors. This folding Gerber shovel is great because it takes up very little room, weighs less than 3 pounds, and has a serrated edge for digging where the ground is tough.

For the adventurous van lifer who seems to have everything they need, or the newbie just starting their van life journey, an REI gift card allows them to get whatever they might need that will also fit their space. I personally always appreciate an REI gift card!