{"id":979,"date":"2024-10-21T18:00:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T18:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/icupdrugtest.com\/?p=979"},"modified":"2025-06-23T13:16:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T13:16:16","slug":"van-life-gift-guide-35-practical-gifts-all-van-lifers-need-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/icupdrugtest.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/21\/van-life-gift-guide-35-practical-gifts-all-van-lifers-need-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Van Life Gift Guide: 35 Practical Gifts All Van Lifers Need (2024)"},"content":{"rendered":"
I\u2019ve lived in 3 different Sprinter Vans since 2016, so I know that finding the perfect gift ideas for van lifers can be difficult. What do you get the person who lives tiny and doesn\u2019t have a lot of storage space? <\/p>\n
In this 2024 Van Life Gift Guide, I\u2019ve rounded up the best van life gear I\u2019ve used over the last 8 years. These gifts are practical, multi-functional, and take up minimal room \u2013 ensuring your favorite van lifer will actually bring it with them on the road. <\/p>\n
From compact camp furniture to practical safety gear to fun outdoor games, I\u2019ve checked off every box to make sure there\u2019s something for every kind of van lifer in your life.<\/p>\n
I have a variety of gift guides for all types of adventurers. Here are the ones to check out.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAn outdoor mat is something that every van lifer needs. A sand mat keeps sand and dirt from getting tracked inside and creates a nice \u201cpatio\u201d space for hanging out. This CGear Sand-Free Mat<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n I upgraded to the Dometic Go Camp Table<\/a><\/strong> this year and it\u2019s 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\u2019s play table. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If your favorite van lifer doesn\u2019t have an awning, the MoonShade Awning<\/strong><\/a> fits on nearly any vehicle, does well in windy conditions, and packs down small for easy portability. And it\u2019s easy to set up too! Read my full review of the MoonShade awning<\/a> for all the details. *Save 10% by using the code BEARFOOTTHEORY<\/em> at checkout*<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n I\u2019ve tried so many different chairs over the years. The Helinox Sunset Chair<\/strong><\/a> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Rumpl Blankets<\/strong><\/a> are my favorite van life comforters because they\u2019re snuggly and soft yet still durable for the road. I\u2019ve used mine since 2017 and can\u2019t believe how well it\u2019s held up! The blankets come in several different materials including recycled synthetic (the most durable), a warmer NanoLoft synthetic, and down. Since they\u2019re water and dirt-resistant and can be thrown into the wash \u2013 which is especially great if you have dogs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you\u2019re traveling with a dog in your van, it\u2019s 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<\/strong><\/a> between the two front seats. He seems to love it, and the best part is it\u2019s totally machine-washable, which is a must for van life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n There\u2019s a new toilet that\u2019s quickly becoming a favorite among van lifers: the Trelino Composting Toilet<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s more compact than your traditional composting toilets, plus it doesn\u2019t 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\u2019m planning to have in my new truck camper we are getting soon. Check out my full roundup of the best van toilets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The portable Mr. Buddy Heater<\/strong><\/a> is a great gift for van lifers that don\u2019t have heat in their van. This heater runs on 1 lb propane cylinders, so there\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Laundry day is one of my least favorite chores as a van lifer. This clever Scrubba Wash Bag<\/strong><\/a> 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 \u2018scrub\u2019 your clothes clean on the washboard nodules. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you\u2019re 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<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n I love this Magma Nesting Cookware set<\/a>. It comes with everything you need to cook, including a 12\u2033 pan and several pots. Everything nests together perfectly so it takes up a lot less space. It\u2019s 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\u2019t scratch when things move around in your drawers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n I recently ditched the plastic dinnerware I\u2019d be using in my van for years for something more non-toxic, and I\u2019ve been really impressed with the Snow Peak Tableware Set<\/strong><\/a>. The stainless steel set is durable and everything nests together for easy storage \u2014 it comes with a plate, a dish, and 2 different sized bowls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n I really miss having an oven in my van. However, with the Omnia Oven<\/strong><\/a>, you can bake right on your stovetop! From pizza to cakes to bread to casseroles, this compact \u201coven\u201d is the perfect gift for the van life baker in your life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n We added a Clearsource RV Water Filter<\/strong><\/a> 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!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n For those moments when you crave a personal escape or need to zero in on work without distractions, these Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones<\/strong><\/a> are a godsend. I love being able to pop on my favorite music, podcasts, or a meditative track \u2013 all while maintaining the harmony of shared space with my partner Ryan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Hyperlite Camera Pod<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Binoculars are a fun gift for van lifers \u2013 it\u2019s 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<\/strong><\/a> are compact, waterproof, and fog proof. They come in fun colors and have a durable housing too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n I love my Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s a little lighter than a traditional yoga mat, taking up just a bit less room. Yet it\u2019s still cushioned enough for stretching and yoga at your campsite. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sometimes you just want to Netflix and Chill (even in a van). This flexible iPad\/Tablet holder<\/strong><\/a> 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n When we are staying at an established campsite with a picnic table, Ryan and I love busting out this table top ping pong set<\/strong><\/a>. It doesn\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n2. Dometic GO Compact Camp Table<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n3. MoonShade Awning<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n4. Helinox Sunset Chair<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n5. Rumpl Blanket<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n6. West Paw Big Sky Nap Bed<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n7. Trelino Composting Toilet<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/figure>\n8. Mr. Buddy Portable Heater<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n9. Scrubba Wash Bag<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n10. GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Cook Station<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
11. Magma Nesting Cookware<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n12. Snow Peak Tableware Set<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/figure>\n13. Omnia Stovetop Oven<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n14. Clearsource RV Water Filter<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n15. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n16. Hyperlite Camera Pod<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n17. Nocs Provisions Binoculars<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/figure>\n18. Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/figure>\n19. iPad\/Tablet Holder<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/figure>\n20. Table Top Ping Pong Set<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n21. Ekrin 365 Massage Gun<\/h2>\n