Best VAN LIFE Gear - Top 12 Essential Items We Can't Go Without

Van life gear + For your chance to win a Sprinter van conversion and support a great cause, enter at www.omaze.com/exploringalterna...
After 7 years of part-time van life, we're sharing a dozen of our favourite van life gear with you! No affiliate links, just items that we genuinely love and use all the time when we're on the road. The best part is that most items cost less than $100!
01:08 - Black & Decker Handheld Vacuum
01:33 - Motomaster Cordless Work Light (magnetic flashlight)
02:08 - Ivation Portable Battery Powered Outdoor Shower Head
02:46 - Reflectix Sun Shade
03:13 - Magnetic Eyebolt Hooks - Heavy Duty
03:40 - MSR Stainless Steel Folding Pot
04:16 - Electric Battery Powered Bug Racket
04:45 - OPOLAR USB 5 Settings Desk Fan
05:36 - Slime Heavy Duty Tire Inflator
06:20 - Autotrends USB Air Purifier
07:36 - Hygrometer and thermometer
08:01 - Ivation 13 Pint Desiccant Dehumidifier
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
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STAY IN TOUCH!
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Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
Facebook: / exploringalternativesblog
Instagram: / exploringalternatives
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COMMENTS
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We want our channel and our comments section to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to watch and contribute. For this reason, comments that are inappropriate or hateful will be reported and/or deleted.
Please discuss and debate with respect, and report inappropriate or hateful comments directly to KZbin.
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CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives
#vanlife #livinginavan #vanlifegear

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for watching! For your chance to win a Sprinter van conversion and support a great cause, enter at www.omaze.com/exploringalternatives

[@gggusc11]

No Glock?

[@leanbean8376]

@@gggusc11 IKR!! I'm sure there's a sh!t load of women that would love that, alone w/few guys!😄...

[@username27328]

From my personal vehicle dwelling experience, I would also recommend 1. battery jumper 2. battery charger 3. socket set to work on car stuff 4. gloves 5. Baby wipes 6. Odorless ziplock bags 7. bio degradable soap There are many more useful tools for van living/ camping but so much of it depends on personal preference. Best of luck to you all

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Those are great tips, thanks for sharing :) :)

[@username27328]

@@ExploringAlternatives my pleasure, keep up the helpful content

[@Slugcat317]

i didnt even know a battery jumper existed thanks

[@Sagittarius-A-Star]

#7 is the most important item. At least for me. Mosquitoes love my blood, it is really incredible. So, one day in Thailand, I bought one of those things. It was one of the happiest days in my life.

[@SkoolieBoyQue]

I'm a truck driver and I've found this list to be super helpful. Camping gear makes living on the road manageable. Thanks for the list!

[@scottmuc2112]

I commend you for designing an informative thumbnail image and the decision to not use affiliate links. I feel this really builds up your authenticity. Keep up the great work!

[@MoPoppins]

I don’t mind affiliate links, if they’ve already established their integrity, and have proven the products to be of solid quality.

[@serenityjewel]

I need the freaking links! I don't want to keep looking for the stuff he's talking about. It's a pain.

[@bangalorebobbel]

Amazing list of items. From our experience: Key for running any electrical items is definitely the USB capability, as you showed with several items. Everything should run/charge on USB only. Torches, fans, cameras, toothbrush, name it, everything runs on USB only, meanwhile even our laptops charge via USB. No more several sets of different spare batteries, loads of different chargers running at different voltage etc. - just rechargeable items only charged by USB. Additionally to the main van power source we keep also always some small power banks ready (usually in the 20.000-26.000mAh range) - they are very handy when we are outside of the vehicle/on a walk as well as inside as backup or when the power cords are too short ... We do not use electrical dehumidifiers in the van but have set up moisture absorbing granulate boxes. Works absolutely amazing, keeps the humidity always automatically at 50-60%. Only thing is these boxes should be kept in a trayer or so where it doesn't matter if they splash in curves ... ;-) The granules are cheap and easy to refill, the resulting liquid can be put in the sink. They are also extremely helpful if we keep the van parked alone over a longer period of time - completely maintenance free, no electricity required, no fear of short circuit/fire etc. There are also small containers available in case you want to keep them in a cupboard, but in our van it is not required since the cupboards are all open at the wall side for ventilation. Magnetic holders and carabiners are fine, as you demonstrated. We use also plenty of simple S-hooks for hanging up keys, caps and other stuff somewhere ...

[@Faithful_Tribe]

You guys are my favorite vanlife people. You’re real, kind, sweet-natured, and humble. Or at least it comes off that way to me. Thanks for the quality conversations/demonstrations/interactions. God bless.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks so much Faithful Tribe :) :)

[@jenrao9548]

They absolutely are in “real life” too! :)

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Aww thanks Jen ;)

[@evelyncmawk3871]

This is the most wonderful, short and demonstrated video. Thank you for sharing.

[@steadmanuhlich6734]

Very good video. Nice list of gadgets I have not seen mentioned in other similar videos (lists of things van lifers like). Happy Trails!

[@amandanicole3999]

Awesome video as usual! I can tell a lot of thought and effort goes into them ❤️

[@MellowNomadicAdventures]

Really great items for living full-time in a van! Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelhorton6166]

You didn't mention the satisfying "pop" when you actually hit the insect with the racquet! So many times the insect dodges but with the racquet, you KNOW when you hit the insect!

[@shannondoahmalloy]

Super helpful video -- and not just for vanlife! I go car camping a lot and many of these would be really handy

[@rutyael18]

Nice to see you guys. Very informative. That is your style and it works. Thank you.

[@stacypearce3945]

Didn't read all comments so somebody probably already commented, BUT, as for the bug thing...the one I have sits on a stand, but its the light that is Everything!!! You just set it up and it attracts in 1 minute!!! Love it

[@jocelynelangis777]

Fantastic useful indispensable gadgets that you showed here. Thanks for sharing. I really loved the magnetic lamp, dehumidifier, shower installation and the littles magnets where do they come from? So practical. Nice organized van that is for sure!

[@grantbratrud4949]

Very useful and informative video! And well-done qua video moreover. It's apparent the providers sincerely want to help... and they know what they're talking about!

[@mamemckee2190]

Great! Thanks for sharing what has worked for you.

[@JuliaSugarbaker]

Wow, this is AWE-SOME ! Great episode. Thanks

[@weston.weston]

Such a great idea for a video, I appreciate these suggestions!! I added it to my watch list so that I can return to it periodically because I didn't write down the suggestions but want to recall and purchase several of these items.

[@simplybeingme]

I love this video so much! Full of information!

[@justanotherday5531]

Thanks for the video. Great information!😀

[@ArtistInNewHampshire]

We use a Black and Decker wet/dry Dustbuster in our Roadtrek Sprinter motorhome. Works great!

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

These are great videos. Very helpful for viewers and content creators alike 👏

[@RakshadaShirley]

I recognize the smoky air of Kamloops! I really questioned visiting there this past Summer. I will look into getting an air purifier. I love the fan and air pump. I don't have the shower set up like you do so that will be one of my next upgrades. I have the small vacuum but have yet to remember to use it. Thanks for the video.

[@adventuresingreyce4771]

Your video was very helpful. Definitely getting the air purifier. The dehumidifier is an excellent idea. Thanks for your research and tips!

[@lindasteinbrenner8065]

Good info! Thanks!

[@Jmmondeau]

Excellent advice thanks.

[@cathythompson8734]

Useful, thanks for sharing.

[@marywrong7041]

Thanks for sharing.

[@vickilindberg6336]

Thank you for a practical, concise presentation.

[@venice8725]

Wow these are AMAZING recommendations!!! Thank you

[@joyglocker8318]

Thanks it's very helpful as I am at the beginning of converting my van and thinking and planing a lot.....

[@secondhandrose6214]

Just tried to order the Opolar and went through the whole process... Reminds me of Omaze ... They don't ship to Quebec. This is getting old. Thanks for sharing though, these are great ideas!

[@johnniewalker7628]

The bug zapper and flashlight are must haves! The dehumidifier is not needed. Just use van’s air conditioner or heat with recycled air on. I recommend a small pressure cooker, we use it to cook rice and vegetable everyday.

[@davej7458]

Pressure cooker is a winner.

[@cathylynnpietranton]

Thanks Matt for sharing.🙂

[@jjca_travel]

Good stuff!

[@TheGreatMandalore]

This is an amazing episode! I hope you'll do more with more expensive stuff (solar panels, portable batteries, etc)

[@LincolnWorld]

You can get a USB extension cable to allow you to give the fan more distance. It may also run from a smartphone battery pack. If so, then you can practically put it anywhere.

[@BrittneyM7777]

I can vouch for #7. Electronic bag zapper!! I have a pink one from tractor supply ($7) and it is amazing! Everyone should have one! Flys, gnats, and I got a couple bees in the house with one small zap

[@XGigabowser51]

With all those USB devices, and your limitation with fan placement, it might be worth it to invest into some USB extension cables. Lots of em on Amazon and such.

[@KeluargaRansel]

Very useful gears.

[@brbernard123]

It was so great to see you guys again! Would love an update on what you have been up to!! :)

[@mimiseeyou]

Check out RV “hour shower” on KZbin. I ordered all the parts. Now I have to figure out how to make it 😂 but recycles your water with a filter… so you can shower for an hr with like 2 gallons.

[@sofiahubbard4570]

Hello There. Thank You Much for sharing such an importand gear with all of us!

[@edwardroche2480]

A lot of neat stuff there I live on a little houseboat in the Gulf of Mexico in the keys and I've been out on this boat for 23 years. There are a lot of little things that make a life a whole lot easier and more comfortable. Cannot overemphasize Good batteries good solar panels and a good inverter. I run a small refrigerator freezer off of the Sun. It runs all day when the sun's out and shuts down at night and in the morning everything's chill Frosty Freezy. Some of that food in their has not thawed out for over 6 months

[@robertgreno9942]

You might try putting the windshield reflective cover on the outside of the van using the magnetic studs to further reduce solar heat gain

[@LifeBetweenTheDash]

Super products. Thx

[@GinaKayLandis]

I think I also saw your water filter! I have a Berkey and plan to take it with me on the road for travel. Thanks for your suggestions!!

[@pixelukulele401]

You can get usb extension leads, so you could have more places to move your fan to. If you haven't discovered these already. 😊

[@shamsshams20261]

Thanks for the recommendations and do you know something? I installed a boat foot water pump in the sink, here in Spain nobody knows it for campers (only boats)and thanks to you for an excellent video that you explain it, I decided to install it.... Ah! I love your whale. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheMCvamp]

Love this vid

[@yorukkizigeziyor]

Very nice video ☺👍

[@rss608]

Never used a dehumidifier on our travels because we have roof ac. This does make sense for cold weather travel. have used most of the other stuff and would recommend them too except the magnets. they will cause havoc with ones electronics. recommend purchasing a battery load tester and JB Weld to carry on board.

[@0HARE]

These are all useful products that I will probably purchase. Thanks for the quality review.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks Allen, glad it was helpful!

[@guylamullins3602]

I had one guy teach me how to cook canned foods by clipping a Vice grip to the can and just placing it on the camp fire.

[@amandawilcox9638]

Gayla, with the lioff or a couple of holes poked, right?!

[@macoyzcamp7912]

Wow ..thanks for the very helpful ideas because we are camper also..

[@terribels]

I have a 20sqm home, and I also don't have a heater in my shower. I basically just use a bucket, a water dipper, and heat some water in my electric kettle. I heat it twice, and then use the heating time to prepare my clothes (if I'm going out), or get breakfast.

[@rigerige1803]

Your youtube content are awesome ✌️

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thank you so much 😀

[@clrobinson1776]

I don’t remember what they’re called, but you can get a USB “extender” cord. USB to USB. I think I got mine @ BestBuy.

[@alexlarson833]

Awesome! Thanks for the tips👍👍 I’m also entering the contest for the van 🤞🤞🤞

[@12vLife]

4:21 +1 on the bug racket! I'm in Florida.

[@hawaiidogs9277]

Ty

[@Oscubasteve]

Get the black n decker fly swatter from Lowes...best 10bucks spent

[@mohammadrezaahi4480]

Very nice

[@Sparxdd]

How has traveling been through the pandemic? how has covid changed your business? I would love to hear the tidbits you two have learned in this time. awesome video!

[@patponce]

Thanks for making this list: Very useful! Where did you get the little magnets? We have a hard time finding some with a little loop like yours. Thanks!

[@pabzbisayangvloger7941]

Wow thank u information

[@Nate_The_Great69]

I just use the handheld vacuum for the flys.

[@manikariestya]

#6 Seagull products, I bought some of their items, the quality is good, the prices are slightly more expensive than Zebra.

[@mimiseeyou]

Alright nomads, let’s sling the links here for others: we are all ordering 😂

[@georgesideropoulos6704]

Lol

[@Caitlin1928]

I've never heard of a portable shower like that before. A lot of van lifers could totally use that! I also didn't know there were electric fly swatters out there. What is so special about them that they need a battery for?

[@liddlekiddle1962]

Hi, great video! I'm wondering what solar-powered generator you two are using. Thanks!

[@TURKTURKiYE]

thanks , from ISTANBUL

[@wisnuardianto5028]

Just want the van. Thats it

[@agilityig]

Fantastic video. I have several of these things already for my van, but there are quite a few that I’m going to search for. One thing I need to get is a fire extinguisher. Any thoughts or links for a good one for the van? I have a Transit also.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Oh yeah, we forgot to mention that! We just got a pretty basic small one from Canadian Tire. We also have a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector. Thanks for watching :)

[@andylin6560]

for humidity try using cat litter in old socks

[@sandrafromtexas1957]

wondering if you also have a link to the overhead lights you used in your van. I would like to do a van conversion also using the Inergy products. What did you do to get your lights to plug into the Apex,Kodiak, or Flex DC/1500

[@mli3793]

A tip is if you want to heat alot of water easily like in a bucket. Just get one of the portable electric heaters or coil heaters. As long as you don't touch the water while it's on its much easier

[@tjslam26]

Pretty good tip. I have one but not sure if it is indeed unsafe to put your hand in the water while it's on. I would never try though.

[@mli3793]

@@tjslam26 Most of them have safety layers of rubber or similar material

[@serenityjewel]

I need the freaking links! I had to look for at least an hour for some of the stuff you're talking about. It was a pain.

[@silvarainbowsparkle]

Hello, people, don't forget about cable extenders. Find out what the name lf the usb plug is and then just get an extension cable (make sure you check wheter it is male or female) :)

[@koltrasten]

Get a battery-powered tire compressor from Xiaomi instead. It's cheap, tiny, durable and really easy to use (it can use either PSI or BAR so you don't have to do the math on the road) it's a real no-brainer for vanlife/overlanding

[@Malumbrus]

I have the same vacuum haha

[@mimiseeyou]

Anyone have the model #? All the ones I’m seeing look flimsy and clunky.

[@almamdani6564]

I appreciate it that there are no financial incentives to taint the recommendation.

[@mishu3271]

FYI - the air filter is not hepa. It is carbon infused like the ones found in better car filters.

[@propergander1162]

This is so useful for us in the UK , their are many of us being made homeless by our government's madness . Many of us already live in vans bur at the moment we can't drive them as we have no fuel 🤔

[@docink6175]

you can by usb extension cords for your fan

[@missirritated4872]

I wish i could start this journey

[@caroljahnke5034]

Where did you get your water jug?

[@melusine826]

My van has fibreglass shell, not metal though i wish it was

[@campingblog]

What a wan, great video.

[@clarkspiemuncher24]

do you have a link to the fan please

[@AbideinChristFully]

some items are missing in description...and links would be useful. Good ideas though!

[@Whigu]

5:30 I think that it's better that way because you can always use USB extension cords when needed.

[@haripriyaparamanik]

Want to see a "day in a life "video. Please

[@buuuuuuuuuuuuuu]

dehumidifiers and air purifiers are essentials?

[@janetdupree6353]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (five-star rating)

[@brianrichard1768]

Ozone generator after trip will remove all odors.

[@jonjon9270]

What is the name of that solar powered generator?

[@geoffpriestley7310]

If you pick the insect racket up do it by the handle . It hurts if you get hold the other pass it to your partner and she " accidentally " presses the button