This list of essentials are items that we have used with confidence in our full-time adventures since 2019. In some cases, we have owned other brands of products, but their quality did not last. So this list provides you with time-tested products that will give you years of service. Under each category, in no particular order - you will see a brief description of why we feel the items are essential. Click on the corresponding image to get pricing, optional colors, or accessories (when available). Feel free to share the link to this page with those who might find it useful.
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Outdoor Essentials
Safety & Security Essentials
Navigation & Van Accessories
Entertainment Essentials
Active Gear Essentials
Household Essentials
Furry Friends Essentials
Outdoor Essentials
OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS Explained
Patterned Outdoor Rugs - These lightweight 100% recycled outdoor rugs are perfect for creating a cozy outdoor living space. They are great for cleaning your feet before entering your home, too. Available in many sizes and patterns, easy to clean and pack away during travels, plus they come with elastic bands to keep them rolled when stored.
Telescoping Poles - We have tried a few brands of telescoping poles, and these are the ones that withstand strong winds. They are lightweight and very easy to extend and compact. Use these with a sun shade on hot days or a tarp in rainy conditions to extend your living space.
Telescoping Ladder - This extending ladder is great for accessing your roof, tying a line to a nearby tree, or retrieving your kitten from a Ponderosa Pine - which we’ve done. This is a must-have on the road, and it is so compact and easy to store when not in use. Read our full review in our GEAR section.
Camp Chef Everest 2 - This is the best propane stove you can buy. We use ours outside when the weather is nice, and we don’t want to heat the van up by cooking indoors. You can use this stove indoors with proper ventilation, but we don’t recommend it.
Grill Utensils - The longer reach and stainless steel construction of these utensils has served us well when cooking on an open fire. Sturdy, comfortable, and easy to clean.
Reflective Guy Line - We use these guy lines for all sorts of stuff, and you will too! We love that they are reflective, so you don’t trip over them at night!! Not only that, but we even use these as part of our $100 awning hack that you can read about in our KNOWLEDGE section.
Sun Shade - We use this sun shade as an awning during the warm months. Creating shade is critical to climate control. It can also be used as a picnic blanket. Read all about our $100 awning hack in our KNOWLEDGE section!
Rechargeable Tactical Flashlights - We love these! A two pack of rechargeable flashlights that are packed with features. Waterproof, USB chargeable, magnetic for attaching to our van, UV light for checking for creepy crawlies, and a number of different lighting options make this an essential for sure.
Folding Camping Chair - These lightweight chairs’ breakdown into a small bag for easy storage. They are comfy and tough, and we use them all the time while out in the woods. They even have pockets for your phone and a cold beverage!
Heavy Duty Anchor Stakes - We have tried a number of stakes to keep our awning in place, and these are the only ones that stayed put in high winds and loose soil. Plastic stakes are crap and standard metal stakes are too thin to anchor into hard earth. Use these for peace of mind. Use a cordless drill to put them in place. We like the glow in the dark anchor points and use these to keep our pet tethers in the ground too!
All-Purpose Tarp - A tarp has endless uses. We lay it out for a clean place to work out outside, to lie on when working on the van, and as cover from rain and snow. This is a simple, inexpensive must-have!
100w Solar Suitcase - We have 730w of solar on our roof, which is usually plenty. It is nice to park in the shade when it’s really hot though, so we’ll set up this portable solar suitcase to help with our battery charging. It can also be used as a standalone solution for charging USB devices, as it has its own charge controller. This suitcase folds up flat and is easy to store when not in use.
Headlamp - We use these frequently when outside the van at night. And night starts early in the woods in winter! These should be considered as required equipment for nomads. A headlamp allows you to walk your pet, work under the van, set up your camp, and so much more, all with your hands free to complete the task at hand.
Survival Shovel - We have literally dug all four wheels of our van out of a pit of sand in the Mohave Desert with this shovel. You should own one of these. Also, indispensable if you own a composting toilet!
Campfire Grill - When you’re at an established campground, a fire pit typically has a grill for you to cook on. But what do you do when you’re out in the sticks and want to get your grill on? We use our Wolf & Grizzly camping grill. This grill is easy to set up and easy to clean. It is lightweight and comes with its own sturdy storage bag. This is a fantastic product that we originally backed on Kickstarter.
Safety & SECURITY Essentials
Safety & Security ESSENTIALS Explained
WIFI Security Camera - We have two of these security cameras in our van. They are easy to install on a wall or ceiling and are pretty unobtrusive at only ~4” tall. We like that we can see the interior of the van on our app while we’re shopping or on the trail - plus the camera has a loud alarm that will trip when motion is detected (when setting the “away” feature). Any “action” caught by the cameras is saved to the cloud and available to review on a phone app and download. These security cameras have tons of other features - some of which we’ll note in our Furry Friends section below.
Solar Outdoor Lights - We love, love, love these! Super bright LED solar-powered lights with motion detectors give us comfort at night when boondocking. We epoxied powerful magnets to ours, so we could place them directly on the sides of the van. You can also place these under the van to deter rodents. These lights have a number of customizations including brightness levels and other functions.
Bear Spray - A 30-foot stream of spicy peppery action. Better safe than sorry.
Self Defense Siren - With a blinding strobe light and siren that blasts up to 130db, this can be a useful gadget to have around the vehicle or on the trail. Sometimes all you need is a little distraction, and this will do the job.
Hatchet - Swinging a hatchet around like a medieval warrior can be pretty intimidating. Oh - and you can cut wood with them. In fact - 100% of the time we have used our hatchet, it was for splitting wood. They are also a blast to throw into dead trees on slow days. Consider this an entertainment bonus!
First Aid Kit - Accidents happen. Carry a first aid kit. We like this 200-piece kit, which should be able to handle most first aid situations. We have used ours countless times, from cuts in the kitchen to John getting a metal splinter stuck in his cornea! This kit also has a lightweight 50-piece travel kit in it to keep in your backpack when out adventuring.
Fire Protection - The last thing you want to see is your home going up in flames - so be prepared. We like this Extinguisher/Blanket set. The extinguisher comes with a wall mount, so it doesn’t bounce around while driving. Having the blanket is additional peace of mind in an emergency.
Smoke and CO Detector - You must have a smoke and carbon monoxide detector in your mobile palace. It’s so east to escape death’s cold grip when you have ample time to get to safety. We like this one because of its dual detection and replaceable batteries. Please install one of these.
NAVIGATION & Van Accessories
Navigation & Van Accessories Explained
Dash Cam - We like our dash cam for two reasons. The first is that it allows us to capture beautiful drives to share with our people. The other reason we like our dash cam is that it will record what has happened in the event of an accident. Having this documented can be really helpful for police and our insurance company. This cam has a ton of features as well - including vehicle monitoring while not in the vehicle.
Solar RV Backup Camera Wireless - Our van has a factory rear-facing camera, but it only works when we are in reverse. This WIFI camera system allows a rearview in all gears. It’s easy to install, has a wide field of view, and the monitor is large enough to easily see what’s behind us. This unit has night vision in addition to a standard camera, which makes it useful for night driving as well. For those that want side cameras too, you can link additional cameras to this monitor.
Tow Strap - We love cruising around the desert in the winter, but we do NOT love being stuck in the sand in the middle of nowhere. (This has happened TWICE!) Don’t make the same mistake we did and not carry a tow strap! We had offers of help from big trucks, but none of them had a tow strap. Now we carry our own. Available in many sizes. Make sure to get one that is rated for your vehicle weight!
Tire Chains for Snow & Ice - We keep a set of these with these at all times. Firstly, we like staying in snowy areas and having chains can be helpful in slick conditions. Secondly, some states require that you carry chains in mountainous areas, and you can be ticketed if you don’t have them with you.
Shore Power Hack - We use this little port to get AC power into our van when visiting campgrounds or a friend’s house. We installed ours at the rear bumper and the cord runs up the structural column at the back of our van to the interior. Looks clean and works like a dream! Learn more about our electrical setup in the KNOWLEDGE section of our site.
Tool Kit - Carry a tool kit. Everything rattles loose in a rig (especially if you DIY’d it). This one is a bare minimum to consider when looking at tool kits, so get something larger if you can afford it. Get a kit with metric and imperial sockets, plenty of drivers, and Allen wrenches. Don’t forget tools for electrical and plumbing needs too, along with tapes, hoses, etc… Often times it’s possible to wrench yourself out of a jam or keep that annoying thing from constantly falling out of the wall.
Mini Bubble Level - We use these mini bubble levels to help level our vehicle when parking for the night. They are placed perpendicular to each other in “T” shape and mounted in a small, level tray on our dash. This is a cheap and effective tool for sleeping well!
XL Leveling Blocks - We started out with the yellow leveling blocks, but were really unhappy with them. They did fine on pavement, but cracked easily when leveling on rough terrain. These XL Leveling Blocks have performed much better and have a clever storage system that keeps them together while on the move. Learn from our mistakes!
Window Covers - Window covers are essential to keeping the interior of your home as comfortable as possible. We have covers for every window on our van and use them in hot and cold climates to help keep us sane. Practically speaking, window covers that cover the outside of the window do a better job at maintaining interior temperatures, but they are a bigger pain to install, and strong winds can make them tricky to install and keep in place.
Road Atlas - While there are plenty of digital navigation tools out there, we find that there’s nothing better than thumbing through this large spiral bound atlas as we dream about our next destination. Perfect for rainy days. We recommend this Adventure Edition for nomads that like outdoor activities.
Entertainment Essentials
Entertainment ESSENTIALS Explained
USB Powered Game Console - Do we have to say anything here? All the old classic Nintendo games on one console that is powered by a single USB cord. AMAZING! You do need a monitor with an HDMI connection to see the games, but of course you’re getting a monitor for gaming! This is one of our favorite rainy day activities!
Roku Streaming Stick - Sometimes a movie or TV show is a nice way to relax or feel more connected to the outside world. When this is indeed the case, we reach for our Roku remote and flip through all of our streaming services in one easy interface. Our Roku is plugged into an external monitor that we often use for work, but it doubles as our entertainment screen when we want to veg. Learn more about how we use our external monitor in the KNOWLEDGE section of our site.
Kindle - Reading is awesome! Storing books in your mobile castle is not awesome! Get a Kindle and read any book you want, when you want! You can pre-load multiple books onto the device, so you’re not left out in the cold when you have no internet.
Portable Cornhole - We received this as a gift and love it! We have used it many times as an icebreaker when meeting fellow vanlifers on the road. The whole kit folds down into a small bag, which is easy to store. The “boards” are a bit bouncy, but this adds another element to the game.
Exploding Kittens - Sort of like UNO, but it has kittens and explosions. This is a fun, competitive game for two or more people. Brought to you by Matthew Inman, the genius behind The Oatmeal comic series. There are lots of expansion packs to keep this game fresh and fun.
Pandemic - We know you think we’re being funny here, but we bought this game in 2018 - before the actual pandemic. We love this game so much, that it made the cut as one of the few things that moved from the house to the van when we went full-time. A strategy game for 2-5 players that have to work together to save the world. Luckily, we work very well together and have saved the world many times - unlike the real world. This is a super fun and challenging game.
Bananagrams - A Scrabble like word game in a small, banana-like case. This is a fun game, as it’s part self play and interactive at the same time. Wordle and other word game fans will enjoy this. It does require a decent size flat area to play, though. (We think two of our suggested lap desks would work perfectly!)
Cribbage - A classic game packaged cleverly. We like that this set has two sets of cards that fit INSIDE the cribbage board for easy travel. The pins are metal and the board itself is nice looking. The two sets of poker cards can be hijacked to play endless card games as well. Great set!
Travel Battleship - John had this travel size version of Battleship as a child, which he used to play on family vacations. John still loves this game today!
Laptop Lap Desk - We usually work at our table during the day, but this lap desk is great for using a laptop in bed or in the passenger seat on long drive days. We love the cell phone stand, mouse pad and light weight of this desk. Plus - It has gel foam padding on the underside to keep your legs and cool and comfortable. Available in an assortment of colors.
RGB WiFi Led Strip Lights - Fun lighting can drastically change the feel of your space, and we really like this set. The lights are dimmable, have a range of settings and colors, and you can customize them with a phone based app. These are 12v, so they require minimal power and are really easy to install.
PieceMaker - The ultimate in peace, relaxation, and entertainment! This bong is made of silicone, so it travels really, really well and is easy to clean. This has been a staple in the van for the last year or so, and we couldn’t break it if we tried! A must-have for any camp fire.
Reading Pillow - We use our reading pillows daily while playing games, reading, and watching movies. They are soft, comfortable, and packed full of memory foam for mashing into all sorts of bed and seating configurations. Available in two sizes and colors.
ACTIVE GEAR Essentials
Active Gear ESSENTIALS Explained
Health Tracker - We’re a fan of health trackers and the Fitbit Charge 5 has worked well for us. There are certainly more expensive trackers out there with more bells and whistles (Apple Watch?), but this does everything we want at a reasonable price. Fitbit (now owned by Google), has done away with the social components of the tracker, which is causing some noise in the Fitbit community. But if you don’t care about sharing how many steps you took today, this is a great little device that is pretty tough and fairly weather resistant.
Resistance Bands Set - We do not have gym memberships, but we do enjoy being healthy! Traveling with a bunch of weights is silly, but this resistance band set has been a great way to stay limber and increase strength on the road. We like the variety of resistance bands, as it allows us to work out at the same time. Grab these and get your YOKE on!
Paddle Life Vest - Safety First! Our paddle vests keep us safe and comfortable when we’re paddling our kayak. Fully adjustable, with useful pockets for stuff, they are comfortable to wear on long floats. The exaggerated cutouts around the arms ensure that your arms don’t rub on your vest. We highly recommend these. Available in an assortment of sizes and colors.
2 Person Kayak - We love getting out on the water and have truly enjoyed this kayak. We have used it on many lakes and rivers, and feel quite comfortable in it going through Class 2 rapids and smaller. This is an all-inclusive set with oars, a pump, bag, and other accessories. For the price, you can’t beat it! The seats are movable and adjustable for one or two people, and they also sell a one-person model too.
Ice Cleats - Hiking in icy conditions can be treacherous! We once went on a hike in Missoula, Mt in the winter and literally ice-skated down miles of trail. We were lucky to not land on our backsides. After that hike, we invested in some ice cleats. These babies wrap around your hiking boots to give you a more sure footing in icy and snowy conditions.
Yoga Mat - We like that this one is twice as thick as most offered, making it great for outdoor workouts on uneven and rocky ground. This mat comes with a carrying strap and is offered in many colors.
Tire Slime - If you plan to ride your bike in the Southwest, you need to know about Goatheads. These nasty little things are insanely sharp and LOVE to pop bicycle tires. Slime was recommended to us by a friend that owns a bike shop. Adding Slime to your tires before you ride will save you a lot of walking. You can thank us later!
Bike Pump - Don’t get stuck with a flat in the sticks! We carry this lightweight bike pump with us on our rides. Fits Presta / Schrader / Dunlop heads and weighs a mere 5.3oz!
Trigger Point Massage Tool - We were first turned on to this weird looking tool by a friend that is a body worker (Hi Erin!). Once you get your hands on one of these, you’ll never give it up. This tool is great for getting at that those deep and hard to reach back aches. It’s not just for your back, though! These things work wonders on your thighs and calves after a long hike or bike ride. We love ours!
Acupressure Neck Pain Relief - Jess is prone to shoulder and neck aches that can cause headaches, so we gave this odd looking fellow a try and - we dig it! It doesn’t get much easier than lying down in bed with your head on this pillow and then feeling relief. Making subtle adjustments to the pillow’s position will hit different points in the neck and shoulders, and it feels marvelous! If you have shoulder and neck pain, you may want to consider one of these. Some insurances will cover the cost!
Hydration Packets - We heard about these from a fellow Vanlifer who swears by them to cure her hangovers! We have found them to be a fantastic way to stay hydrated in warm weather. Typically, we’ll each have one before a hike/bike ride and then followup with another one when we return to the van. Our favorite flavors are Lemon-lime and Tangerine, but if you like your beverages really sweet - give the other flavors a shot!
Camera Harness - Jess bought John one of these after watching him dangle one too many times from a dicey situation with one arm. Before John owned the harness, one hand was always dedicated to ensuring that his camera was safe while hiking and rock scrambling. But with this amazing harness, his camera stays securely locked in the harness, and he is free to use both hands when needed. This harness goes on every hike with us and John loves it! This harness will work with any camera that has a threaded mount on its body. Super strong materials, lightweight, and very comfortable - no neck strap rubbing!
15L Pack - We hadn’t heard of Dueter Packs, but after reading a ton of great reviews, we decided to pull the trigger on them. We’re sure glad we did! This bag is designed as more of a day pack - specifically for biking, but we use it all the time for hiking. The back support, shoulder straps, and hip belt make this a really comfortable bag to wear on long treks. Tons of storage pockets make this bag versatile, and it even has a rain screen and water bladder pocket (Bladder sold separately). We’ve had this bag for 3+ years and Jess still loves it!
32L Pack - We hadn’t heard of Dueter Packs, but after reading a ton of great reviews, we decided to pull the trigger on them. We’re sure glad we did! This bag is designed as a trail pack for a day or two out in the woods. The back support, shoulder straps, and hip belt make this a really comfortable bag to wear on long treks. Tons of storage pockets make this bag versatile, and it even has a rain screen and water bladder pocket (Bladder sold separately). The elasticated front pocket is awesome for jamming jackets and helmets into. We’ve had this bag for 3+ years and John still loves it!
Hydration Bladder - These hydration bladders are available in 1.5L, 2L, and 3L sizes. Great features keep the water in the bladder. Although they were designed for Dueter bags, they’ll fit nearly any backpack. Stay hydrated people!
HOUSEHOLD Essentials
Household ESSENTIALS Explained
Extreme Water Savings - This is our number one suggestion for Vanlifers. Get an Altered Nozzle! Water acquisition and use is critical to the quality of your boon docking experience, and this nozzle will save you OVER 98% of the water that a traditional tap uses. Don’t be one of those knuckleheads that gets an Instagram worthy industrial kitchen faucet. They are so wasteful and unnecessary!
Microfiber Bath Towel - These towels have been in use for nearly 4 years now. Lightweight and fast-drying, they are perfect for nomads. They are even nice for sun protection while sitting outside, as they allow air to easily move through them.
Silicone Food Storage Bags - Nothing is worse than throwing away endless plastic bags, so STOP doing that and use these reusable silicone bags instead. We put our leftovers in them, put snacks in them for hikes, add ice to them for ice-packs, and use them as dry-bags for phones and keys when on the lake or river. Having a variety of sizes has been key for us.
Travel Berkey Water Filter - We like staying out in the middle of nowhere, so we love being able to filter water from a creek, river, or lake. Read our full review in our GEAR section.
Wall Mount Powerstrip w/ USB - We use this powerstrip for charging electronic devices on the go! Ours is under our dashboard, so we can charge phones, cameras, and other items while driving (thus getting power from our van alternator). With 3 outlets and USB-A and USB-C ports - this handy little gadget works quite well for us.
Low Wattage Hairdryer - Hairdryers pack a significant electrical punch and can be a big drain on your batteries. This travel hairdryer for RV’s only runs at 1000w on high - which is fantastic compared to the competition! While we don’t use our hair dryer often, we’re happy to have it when we’re getting ready for a night out on the town, heat up some damp socks, or need to dry off a wet pet.
Car Seat Organizer - We have these on the back of our front seats, and they are PACKED with stuff! Super tough fabric makes them guiltless to jam-pack with binoculars, tools, maps, cleaning supplies, and on and on… A must-have and available in assorted colors.
Felt Storage Organizers - As a nomad - everything moves and makes noise while driving. We use these felt organizers to keep everything tidy and in place in our drawers and storage areas. These have been a lifesaver!
Cargo Nets - Cargo Nets are great for storage, and we like these because they have two layers of netting to create an interior pocket. There are countless uses for these, but we really love cargo nets on the inside of our backdoors for storing dirty shoes and items we want to have handy for outdoor use. Cargo Nets are also great when attached to the inside of cabinet doors, overhead on the ceiling, or anywhere else you want quick access to everyday items.
Pack of Binder Clips - While seemingly mundane, Binder Clips are an integral part of our everyday lives. With countless uses, it’s always nice to have a pack nearby. We use these to hang our towels outside, keep a towel in place over a window on a hot day, keep our chips fresh, organize papers in our glove box, and a myriad of other daily uses.
Fabric Protector - This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it deserves to be on this list. You WILL spill stuff on your upholstery, so do the smart thing and protect it before the inevitable happens. This spray has saved our seating cushions and reading pillows on many occasions.
Floor Tiles/Mattress Spacer - We use these in our shower to create a grippy surface that still drains well. Our shower is located at our rear doors, so we appreciate the tiles for creating a place to take off wet, muddy shoes and not track debris around the van. Some nomads use these as an inexpensive way to allow airflow under their mattress to thwart mold as well.
Cast Iron Scrubber - We love to cook on our cast iron outside when the weather is nice. This chainmail scrubber is fabulous for cleaning cast iron and retaining your pans seasoning. Just use a little hot water and scrub! That’s it!
Compostable Trash Bags - Buying compostable trash bags is an easy way to keep plastic out of landfills. These bags are made from vegetable products and fully compostable polymers and are much tougher than all the other compostable bags we have tried. Stock up on these via Amazon, as they are hard to find in grocery stores.
USB Cable Storage - If you’re like us, everything you buy these days comes with its own USB cord. To keep these out of a junk drawer and provide easy access, we use these USB cable organizers. Available in different sizes and colors, they are great on the dashboard, in the kitchen, and near your electronics storage.
WIFI Smart Plugs - There are endless uses for these. We like that you can set timers for each plug, so your heater or WIFI turns off and on at specified times. Since they're WIFI connected, you can manually turn plugs on and off on the go by using the phone app.
USB Air Chiller - This is essentially a swamp cooler, so it does NOT cool your whole rig, but what it does do is create a really nice cool breeze that will cool you down. This baby has 3 fan speeds, a LED mood light that can be turned off and on, and an adjustable vent that can be positioned right where you need it. If you read the reviews - the negative comments are true - the opening to pour in the water is small, the highest setting on the fan is a little loud, and the lid is a little fussy when removing and putting back on. Would we buy it again? Absolutely. The cooling power is real, and it is powered by USB, which makes it a really low power draw while attempting to stay cool in blistering heat.
Portable Rechargeable Fan - Climate control is everything, and this fan packs an impressive punch for it’s size! 3 speed settings and a timer make this a versatile fan, and the adjustable legs means you can place it exactly where you need it! This fan has a low power draw, so it is always on in our van during the warm months. You need one of these!
Shower Valve - Our shower turned on one day while we were driving to the Grand Canyon! Whoops!!! Never again with this all metal shower valve. Easy on/off to ensure that the shower stays OFF when not in use. No plastic parts. This is the real deal.
Magnetic Utensil Rack - We have one of these in our kitchen, and we put forks, knives, and spoons on it for easy access. The magnetic rack helps keep our drawers more organized, and we find that the rack reduces rattling junk drawers on bumpy roads.
French Press - This insulated French Press is what gets us out of bed every morning. The coffee stays warm for a long time and it is delicious! The stainless steel construction better suited for vanlife, as there is no glass to break, and it’s super easy to clean.
Collapsible Dish Rack - Dish racks are handy for …. drying dishes, but when they're not in use, they take up a lot of space. We like this collapsible rack, as we can smush it down and put it away when not in use.
Blender - This is a compact, yet serious blender. It runs at 900w, which is potentially high for some electrical systems, but you only have to run it for 10 seconds or so to get delicious smoothies and sauces. It is easy to clean and comes with a smattering of accessories. John is a smoothie guy and uses this fella many times per week. Available in assorted colors.
Handheld Vacuum - Your home is going to get dirty. We highly recommend a hand vac, and we really like this one. It’s rechargeable, lightweight, and has some fun accessories. The downfall of this one, is that its recharging base is not wall mounted.
Beeswax Food Wraps - Ditch the plastic wrap and foil for these amazing beeswax food wraps. We use them to cover a partial onion, open jars, and any other food product we want to stay fresh in the fridge. These are easy to handwash and store flat in a drawer. Available in many kitschy patterns.
Weighted Heating Pad - Heating pads are great for aches and pains, and they’re also great for warming chilly feet or your bed. The added glass beads in this heating pad adds snugly comfort and keeps the pad where you want it. With 9 temp settings and 11 auto-off options, you can get the heat you need and still ensure that you’re not going to drain your battery. Available in multiple colors.
USB Bug Catcher - Living in the sticks means lots of bugs. Flying bugs love the light emanating from our van at night, and we often have a sizable swarm inside the van when we shut it down for the night. This low-powered USB contraption attracts and sucks small flying insects into a canister for easy discarding the next morning. Don’t just believe us - this product has over 100k reviews online!
Fleece Lined Comforter - We prefer staying in colder areas over warmer ones, and this blanket does a great job at keeping us warm! It has the feel of a sleeping bag on the outside, but warm, cozy fleece on the inside. Machine washable and Dryer safe. Contains recycled content. Available in 3 sizes and a variety of colors!
Summer Blanket - This blanket is so light and comfortable and is the perfect option for those that still like to cover up in a blanket when it’s warm at night. The waffle weave is soft to the touch and breathes really well. Available in 5 sizes and loads of colors!
Microfiber Rags - We like these rags for cleaning, dish drying, and other utilitarian chores. They are soft, non-abrasive, and pick up more liquid than standard shop rags. These are re-washable, which we like, as it saves us from using a lot of paper towels. Available in 2 colors.
FURRY FRIENDS Essentials
Furry Friend ESSENTIALS Explained
WIFI Pet Monitor - As you may have noticed, this item is also listed in our Security section. We’re adding it here as well, due to the features it has specifically for pets. This WIFI cam has an intercom feature, so you can talk to your pets even when you’re not in your rig. It also has programmable “zones” that you can set, which will play an audio message. For example, if you set a zone around the kitchen counter, a self recorded message will play when pet activity is detected on the kitchen counter - like, “Stuart! Get the hell off the counter!” We use our camera often when we’re away from the van, so we can check on our pets. You should get one - its fun to spy on your pets!
WIFI Thermometer Hygrometer - We like to know what the interior temperature of the van is when we’re not near it. This smart device monitors the temperature and humidity inside your vehicle. We use the accompanying app to set up a maximum and minimum temperature for notifications. An alert will let us know when the van is above or below those temperatures. This helps us monitor the van temperature while we’re away, so our pets stay safe and comfortable. A must-have!
Cat Hammock - We travel with a cat, and he LIVES in his cat hammock. It was THE best purchase we have made for him, as he can stare outside and watch “cat TV” all day. We like this one because our cat hammock is on our sliding door window and this model folds up vertically when we open the door. Many hammocks do not fold, so you have to remove the hammock from the window to use the door. If you live with a cat in a small space, get them this hammock!
Collapsible Bowls - These are great for feeding and watering your pet on long hikes or on trips. The bowls come with carabiners, so you can attach them to the outside of your pack, and they are easy to store when not in use.
Dog Life Jacket - Sebastian (our dog) likes to go everywhere we do, and loves a good nap in the kayak. He’s not a strong swimmer, so we got him this life jacket, which he seems to genuinely enjoy wearing. It’s super snug which gives us peace of mind, and smothers Sebastian’s anxiety. Available in assorted sizes and colors.
Cat Harness - Our cat, Stuart, is a little Houdini and this is the most secure harness we have tried yet (this is our 4th product). We like how easy it is to put on him, and he seems to prefer the larger front leg openings. Some of the fuller styles that fit more like a vest matted his fur in his pits. The straps are reflective, which is a nice design consideration as well. This harness is available in multiple sizes and lots of colors.
Pet Tether - Available in multiple gauges for various sized pets and an assortment of colors, these are great for keeping our pets where we want them. We have a few sizes, so we can ensure that we are not encroaching on other people’s camping spots. We use our ground anchors (noted in our outdoor section) to secure them to the ground.
Rechargeable Light Collar - It can be quite a challenge to find our black dog or cat in the woods in the middle of the night. These illuminated collars are a godsend when on the hunt for your furry pal. We love that they are rechargeable and the light can either be set to “on” or “flash”, which we like to think makes them more visible to passing vehicles.
Skunk Odor Shampoo - Unfortunately, we can attest to the effectiveness of this product. Our pup loves skunks, but they don’t seem to feel the same way about him. You will need to do a couple of thorough shampoos, but a skunk sprayed dog in a van is far more tolerable after using this product. We found this to work as well as tomato juice. If you have other pet cleaning needs - check out Nature’s Miracle’s other products as well.
Hair and Lint Mitt - Sometimes we don’t want to vacuum ourselves with our hand vac, so we turn to this little miracle mitt to remove pet hair and lint from our clothes, upholstery, and bed. This thing works really well, and we like that we’re not creating garbage by using a lint roller. So if you live in a van, but don’t want to look like it - get one!
Calming Dog Treats - Our dog is a Nervous Nelly. We have found that he responds well to CBD/HEMP dog treats when we are travelling or in other stressful situations (which is generally everywhere). Follow the instructions based on your dog’s weight, and see their anxiety level decrease!
Anxiety Shirt - Our dog is anxious and aggressive. You’d love him! We find that this anxiety shirt helps him while we’re driving, during thunderstorms, and in new situations. If your little fella has anxiety, and you haven’t tried one of these - we highly recommend them!
Cooling Pet Mat - Perhaps the largest concern with traveling with pets in the summer is wondering how to keep them cool. We use ice water, a series of fans, and this amazing mat. This cooling mat uses patented technology that uses a cooling gel to absorb heat from your critters. It works quite well and both our cat and dog will vie for space on it when it’s hot outside. They work so well - you may want to consider getting one for you to sit on in your driver’s seat or on a camping chair.