Gift Ideas for the Camper or Overlander In Your Life

[@oscarjohnson5549]

For anyone wondering - Jackery 500 will power a cpap machine for 3-5 nights without charge If you get the DC style plug. Still probably get at least 3 nights with the regular. If you are are overlanding and moving often, plugging it in while driving should replenish the nights use!

[@TheTamrielDrunkard]

Whenever I get asked what I would like as a gift, I have no idea what to say. Now I'm just gonna to link this video. Thanks!

[@mtnman4766]

Hi Donald. Still in the middle of this episode but just had to tell you how I cracked up when you made the chainsaw starting noise! I logged and was in the timber industry in various ways for many years. Gotta say that was worthy of the guy in the Police Academy movies 🤣🤣🤣. Really enjoy your adventures. Who knows, I’m just about 70 miles south of you and we might meet up sometime. I’d enjoy that. Safe travels!

[@swidahooverlanding2867]

Thanks for the ideas! See you on the trails. George.

[@utahjohnnymontana3373]

12volt electric blanket? I'm sold!

[@largemarge1603]

Donald is my favorite spokes-model.

[@aMAYSingLife]

I agree on all of those items.. great job bringing together the “top” list.. I think you sold me on the electric blanket…. Been thinking about one of those for this winter camping season…

[@softroadingthewest]

Omigosh...dude...total game-changer. I wish I had got one of these sooner. As it happens (spoiler alert) my Mr. Heater Buddy stopped working on my trip this past week in the high desert of southeast Oregon. SO glad I had added the 12v blanket to my kit!

[@aMAYSingLife]

@@softroadingthewest oh man I bet you really needed it on that last trip. I bet that blanket was a total changer for sure. Cold can just make things miserable. At least you guys are back in fire time. Can’t wait to see your episodes coming up of that trip. Sounds like you guys had a great run

[@izrador2264]

Great idea for a video Donald! Also, you're doing it early enough before Christmas to be effective!

[@wvadv]

couldn't agree more about electric chainsaw. i've since donated all my gas saws. the charge will outlast me processing firewood! oh, you answered my question if you had a rescue beacon.

[@softroadingthewest]

I now actually have the SpotX for satellite communications. I lost my Garmin somewhere in Utah and replaced it with the SpotX, which was a little less expensive and has a built-in keyboard (like an old Blackberry phone). The Garmin would bluetooth-pair with my phone so I could type a message on my phone and send it with the Garmin, but if for whatever reason the phone wasn't working, it was an absolute nightmare to try and compose a message on the Garmin itself. I've been using the SpotX for about 2 years now (I send daily I'm okay+location messages to family when I'm out solo) and it has been working great.

[@om617yota8]

Great list, thank you sir. Big mug of tea, fire in the wood stove, and a Softroading episode. Great way to start the morning.

[@vince4316]

Where do we get the new stickers?? Cool vid

[@softroadingthewest]

They are available on my website. KZbin may not let me post the URL so I'll spell it out... softroadingthewest dot com slash store

[@johnhuff393]

Good morning from Godley Texas, great gift ideas for the novice to the well seasoned outdoors person. All items were well presented without bias. Thanks. Stay safe 😎

[@izrador2264]

Funny we met here, my family is in Weatherford!

[@johnhuff393]

@@izrador2264 It is a small world indeed.

[@erichughes9098]

Thank you Donald for the ideas 😎👍

[@jerryandjamie2up]

Hey Donald, My wife and I agree 100% on the fridge. We bought one after watching your first video about it and you are right it has been a game changer. Thanks for the video. We just started using an electric blanket and that is a great addition as well. Keep up making the great content.

[@jasonmoore6448]

Agreed. I don’t even want to think about how much I’ve spent on ice over the years trying to keep my perishables cold…or the food I’ve thrown away because water broke through and ruined them.

[@frankansley7941]

Thanks Donald, that is a good list of items for anyone. I like the electric chain saw I have seen you use several times. Take care and be safe

[@RebelViking912]

Good stuff. That 12volt electric blanket - I may have to pick one of those up.

[@madcratebuilder]

12V blankets and usb hand warmers have changed cold wx camping for me. Have the list less fridge and power station. I have usb and 120V off the truck, still using the Pelican cooler.

[@kyletapia4046]

I definitely need to look into a battery chainsaw and I love my Jackery!

[@windidiot]

Birds! 🐦🦅🦆🦢

[@RVingwithG]

YOU ROCKED IT! ! !

[@chakaula8642]

SPOT ON... Good job! Aloha

[@gerryhartung736]

Another super video. And, it didn't feel like watching tv ads. Great presentation.

[@diggerdog6649]

Good suggestions Donald.

[@stevecoscia]

Informative video. Just bought three items featured here. Nice synopsis.

[@DIY_AUTO_PHOTO]

Great list of items !! and it is so ture about shovel its a must !! I am actually about to upload new video for money where I worked on the roof rack that I got Idea from you and few posts on Xterra forums and one of the items I am putting there is a $16 Lows shovel and I love it ! its cheap and effective ! and like you said I wont worry if its getting stolen ( hopefully it wont lol ) sometimes expensive gear is not the right thing anyway

[@tjkrueger2655]

That's more or less the same list I'd come up with... the rechargeable headlamps have been a cheap but essential piece of gear as I get into the wilderness for astrophotography. Nothing worse than finding your aaa batteries have run down at 1am, and a 2-pk of nice LE rechargeable headlamps on amazon run $20-ish. Getting a 500w power bank and a 50qt 12v cooler has been a game changer too... these are perfect gift ideas

[@ElectricDanielBoone]

Great video! Fire starters, shovel and the satellite coms unit are my favorites. Love my battery saw too. Axe and a hatchet for firewood. More folks need to use a shovel to bury their doo doo and women to bury their TP! My saw is a Greewoorks 40v 16" I use a lot, but a 12" 20v like yours would be plenty. Heck, my 8" battery pole saw is probably good enough for firewood, it reaches up to higher limbs and its not as heavy.

[@freelander.1]

Nice video mate, good to know the gears that you use!! Cheers 🍻

[@mikepierson3097]

Awesome video, Donald! Thanks for putting this list together. It’ll be a great resource to share to others!

[@sierramantrvlnus]

Yay!

[@justinneely8045]

Thanks Don! Wishing you safe adventures this winter.

[@gringo3009]

Nice practical ideas.

[@taco472]

Hahaha, how’s that gas chainsaw go again ❓Lol . Great list. 👍

[@DonnieDispersed]

I might have to look in to a 12v blanket so I don’t have to run my diesel heater as much 👍

[@softroadingthewest]

It was a lifesaver on the trip I just returned from, as my Mr. Heater Buddy quit working on day 1 and I went the week without heat. Slept great thanks to the blanket, which I only needed to run sporadically to stay super cozy. Which diesel heater are you using and are you happy with it? I can probably get the Mr Heater Buddy running again, but it cranks out so much condensation that I'd really like to move to something that generates a more dry heat.

[@TommyKinsey1972]

Thanks Donald! Keep up the good work. I hope to be ordering a Forester Wilderness soon!

[@KristopherEbarb]

Great ideas!

[@51Wence]

Great video Donald. I never thought of the electric blanket before. This could be a game changer for keeping the Mrs. happy and getting her out camping in the fall and winter.

[@softroadingthewest]

I put it to the test this past week and LOVED it. I wish I had thought of it myself a few years sooner!

[@richardburguillos3118]

Well so I guess I can blame you for some of the stuff I’ve been collecting over the years… let’s see… I have 4 of theHand Warmers, two for my wife and two for myself, covers two pockets and one hand in each. They work great! Next a Gazelle T4 Overland tent and Big Buddy Heater. Oh yea, a set of traction boards and shovel. Fire extinguisher… recently I picked up an ICECO refrigerator…. Oh and the claymore light… The list goes on and on… Thanks for all the great recommendations and for testing this stuff out for us! My Xmas list is going to have a few more items like that bright rope light and… well I have to work on the list…

[@missouritimberwolf3677]

Awesome ideas. Thank you Donald.

[@yakinkate7946]

Great list!

[@ecrissman]

Great list! I’ll definitely be adding some of these as gift ideas, or when I need to gift myself😁

[@gregjoubert5118]

Great video! Always enjoy your content. Be well!

[@inakilrg]

Awesome list . I just sent it to wife , so she can get some inspiration. Have you tried a hand chain saw ? I got one for 15 bucks and it’s amazing how fast it cuts …

[@norsefalconer]

Great list! I love my Jackery 300, and will add the hand warmer to my wish list. Plus, I'd like to suggest adding a link to a fire extinguisher. They're relatively inexpensive, and when out in the wilderness, can prevent many fires from becoming out of control fires. Especially important, non-optional, really, if cooking, or heating with flame, in confined spaces with limited exits.

[@softroadingthewest]

That's an excellent idea I didn't even think about as I don't touch them on each trip, yet my extinguishers are always present in my vehicle. An absolute must-have for sure!

[@Cruzinsusan5101]

Nice video!

[@danhohman]

I loved this list Donald! Thank you for putting it together! I absolutely love my usb hand warmer purchased based on your original review. Tossing it down to my feet in my sleeping bag has been a game changer! I use the Jackery 300. It’s been the perfect compromise between my budget and my needs! I bought my fridge based on your original review. It has worked flawlessly! I’m amazed at how much it will hold. The Jackery 300 has been the perfect companion to this fridge. I can go 2 days without charging. Now I’ve got to put that electric blanket on my wish list!

[@softroadingthewest]

Glad to hear these items have all worked well for you Dan! I've been happy with mine!

[@MR-mw6ic]

Great video, very informative. Thank you for this information!👍

[@fkb9490]

Unfortunately we don’t seem to be able to buy the Jackery products in Europe. 😕

[@om617yota8]

There's a four stroke chainsaw available online at Lowes, for someone that wants gas but not two stroke mix. Tabletop review on my channel.

[@softroadingthewest]

That's good to know! Running off the same gas as the rig would make a huge difference.

[@richekay]

I really enjoyed the video. You provided some fantastic gift ideas. Any recommendations on an air compressor? I'm sure you have a video somewhere about one, but couldn't find it. TIA, Richekay.

[@softroadingthewest]

I've never done a video on compressors. I've had zero issues with my Viair compressor over the past 4 years. The specific model would depend on the tire size you have. I have the Viair 88p, which I originally got for airing up my Subaru Forester tires. It's a little undersized for the 31s on my truck, but for the moment I'm still getting by with it. The Viair 300 or 400 probably make more sense for a 4x4 truck.

[@richekay]

@@softroadingthewest Thanks, so much. I have a dodge promaster that isn't set up for off-road, but I drive down some not so great rural roads that could have flattening effects. I will check out the Viair that you mentioned. Richekay.

[@mustdodiving5263]

Nice vid…thx… how long does the blanket stay on till it turns off? Thank u

[@softroadingthewest]

The one I got doesn't have a timer, it just stays on. When I find myself adequately warmed, I just reach over and switch off the 12v output of my Jackery. I do think a timer makes good sense but I wasn't impressed by the reviews of many of the timer-equipped versions, whereas this one was well reviewed and at a good price to boot. I just got home from a weeklong high desert overland trek and used the blanket every night...loved it!

[@nivlem131303]

hello Donald, how about the couple of black boxes on top of your pro 4x? mind if I ask what are they? thank you!

[@softroadingthewest]

Those are Pelican 1520 (I think that's the number). I got them used off eBay for about half the price of new. More details in my roof rack video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKrJiWB-gN2dgZo

[@pnwtim503]

Do you also have a propane fire pit for months when we have burn bans? Been considering adding one to the kit.

[@softroadingthewest]

I don't have one, but after some cold summer nights this year, I am definitely thinking of getting one for next summer, if I can find a compact enough model that generates some heat. I've camped with a few friends who have them and they are a blessing when camped at elevation during burn ban.

[@youngkim9286]

Hi Donald , it is awesome video helps a lot to all kinds of campers. I am searching a jump starter and a portable tire inflator(compressor?). I had $100 bought from Costco CAT combo but it failed to start V6 Toyota 4 runner engine 2 times and inflator useless after 4-5 times used. Any recommendations or ideas ? Thanks 🙏

[@Furniture121]

If you have cordless power tools look at a high pressure inflator from the brand you use. I have a Ryobi inflator that takes the One+ batteries, and it has been great.

[@wdinternational]

Inflator : viair or ep auto brand. Jump pack : nico. I would not recommend a combo device that does both

[@stanbyme7874]

I’ve got Viair for Subaru Crosstrek with KO’s. Separately I’ve got NOCO Boost charger. I don’t like "all in one, does it all" things. I’m a 60 yr old female alone on road. It’s important to be self sufficient so I feel safer.

[@youngkim9286]

@@Furniture121 thank you for your advise 👍

[@youngkim9286]

@@wdinternational thank you for your advice 👌😊

[@devinford5678]

Recently purchased a 2012 Nissan Titan! Opinions on the Titan?

[@gobear83]

Great video… how’s the welding coming ?

[@softroadingthewest]

I've made a few little functional items, and I used the welder to modify my factory skid plate to accommodate the winch mount. Over the coming weeks I'm hoping to get a bit more ambitious tackling the front bumper build...we'll see how that goes. :-)

[@adolfo206]

good info, thanks...what about navigation? and trip planning? do you have any videos on what you use for navigation?

[@softroadingthewest]

I don't have any videos on it myself but I run Gaia GPS, planning via the website from home on my desktop computer and running the app on the trail on an iPad mini. Perhaps I'll get around to a video one day, but in the meantime there are a lot of videos already out there, that's how I learned about it myself. :-)

[@adolfo206]

@@softroadingthewest Yes, a video with your presentation style would be awesome! Thank you and safe travels. :)

[@dragthatsht]

You got a problem with Canada Gooses, you got a problem with me!

[@softroadingthewest]

LOL :-)

[@thewiredfox2691]

Such a shill! Hawking all your Amazon products! Such a sellout, with all those Grizzly Granola references you made around the 2:30 mark, I just can't take it! (This is a sarcastic post, although I am surprised you didn't market Grizzly a bit more during the snack section.) ;-p

[@thewiredfox2691]

I didn't know about the lower cost of a fridge. I might have to check those out and put one on my Xmas list.

[@softroadingthewest]

LOL :-)

[@hangtough503]

Who hit the thumbs dow button accidentally 5 times? 😂😂😂. D😎🇺🇸PDX

[@chrisnesbit6823]

Just a little bit of concern: make sure the electric blanket and other gear is (legitimately) UL listed (and tested) product.

[@stanbyme7874]

Lol.. I’m 60. Every time someone says "electric blanket" it strikes fear! The 60’s-70’s must’ve had some doozies because seriously, I would NEVER use one. (I also don’t swim after eating, crack my knuckles or hold a sneeze🤣)

[@pala4833]

Any recommendations in the, say, $427 range?

[@thewiredfox2691]

That is humorously specific. What do you want that costs exactly $427? ;-p

[@pala4833]

@@thewiredfox2691 Donald's undying friendship.

[@pala4833]

If not, engagement a step above "Epic video!" :: "Thanks for watching." ;-)

[@softroadingthewest]

@@thewiredfox2691 It IS humorously specific, because @pala4833 is a comedic genius who makes me laugh week after week...thereby earning my undying friendship.

[@pala4833]

@@softroadingthewest I love that the window still has a little smudge on it.

[@dennischeslock7782]

Hay Donald, I just got to laugh, all or some of the stuff you show on this video I have. Or it out of my price range like the Jackery and the Gopros. Every thing else I always have. The real problem is that I'm the only over lander in my family that goes out camping. 😁😆😀😂😎 Dennis from Delaware

[@agentorange1556]

I’m curious how does one go about getting sponsors or items given to them for review and usage? Is it something that companies reach out to you about or can a person go out and request them?

[@softroadingthewest]

Everything I have received and reviewed, those companies have reached out to me. I know some influencers will reach out to companies that interest them, and that can work if you have the numbers. The only time I ever reached out to a company was to ADF here in Oregon for their SH Forester grill light mount. Ultimately that was a fairly low-value item for the amount of time the video production required...I would have been better off just buying it...but I was happy to see an Oregon company making a vehicle-specific item for the SH Forester and wanted to share the information with my viewers. I receive offers to review products almost daily, and I decline 99% of them because they just don't make sense for me or my channel. I only accept items I think truly make sense within the context of what I do on this channel and which I think my viewers could find interesting to learn about.

[@cramias1]

I had a rechargable hand warmer that I liked quite a bit, but started to wonder after awhile about the wisdom of literally surrounding a lithium-ion battery with heating elements, it seemed like a recipe for thermal runaway. A few electronics youtubers have done teardowns on these things and they seem like the epitome of dodgy chinese electronics. I've since switched over to catalytic-based hand warmers (the zippos are a good name-brand example) and its helped my peace of mind

[@BirdPhish]

Actually a pretty timely list for Xmas considering supply chain issues....Xmas 2022 bahaha

[@lindalewin6586]

How about a video for your family showing things you’d like to have, but don’t!