The hardest part of packing for van life isn’t deciding what to bring — it’s accepting what to leave behind. Space is brutally limited, and every single item has to earn its place. After living the lifestyle and talking to a lot of people who’ve done it longer, I’ve learned that most beginners massively overpack, then spend the first month quietly donating half of it to charity shops along the way.
This is the packing list I wish I’d had — organised by category, honest about what matters, and clear about what you can skip.
Before you buy anything, work out your budget for gear and setup using VanCalc’s free budget calculator — it’s easy to blow your savings on kit you don’t need.
The Golden Rule: If You’re Not Sure, Leave It
You can always buy something on the road if you discover you need it. You cannot easily get rid of clutter once your van is packed and you’re living in it. When in doubt, leave it out — the road will quickly tell you what you actually need.
Kitchen Essentials
Van cooking is simpler than home cooking, and your kit should reflect that. The essentials:
- Two-burner stove — a propane two-burner (~$89) handles almost any meal
- One good pan and one good pot — cast iron or quality non-stick. You don’t need a set.
- A sharp chef’s knife — one good knife beats a block of bad ones
- Nesting bowls/containers — for eating, prepping, and storing leftovers
- French press or pour-over — coffee matters more than you’d think
- Collapsible items — kettle, colander, washing-up bowl all come in space-saving versions
- 2-3 sets of utensils, plates, cups — resist the urge to bring more
The single best kitchen upgrade is a 12V compressor fridge (~$329). No ice runs, no soggy food, no mess — it changes daily van life more than any other single item.
Power & Electronics
Your power setup depends on whether you work remotely, but the basics everyone needs:
- Power station or solar setup — for off-grid charging. A Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro (~$899) is the easiest no-wiring option; a 200W solar panel (~$189) if you’re building a system
- Power bank — for phones and small devices away from the van
- Charging cables — bring spares, they fail constantly
- Headlamp — far more useful than a torch in a van
- String lights or puck lights — for ambiance and practicality
If you work remotely, add a signal booster (~$499) for staying connected in remote spots. See our guide to working remotely from a van for the full setup.
Bedding & Comfort
- A proper mattress — cut-to-fit foam, not an airbed. Your sleep quality depends on this.
- Season-appropriate bedding — a good duvet plus a sleeping bag rated lower than you expect
- Blackout curtains or window covers — essential for stealth and sleep. Reflectix (~$55) doubles as window insulation
- Two pillows max — they take up enormous space
- A warm hat for sleeping — sounds silly, makes a huge difference in winter
Climate & Ventilation
Two non-negotiables regardless of where you travel:
- Roof vent fan — a Maxxair (~$159) for summer and condensation control
- Diesel heater — a Vevor 5KW (~$120) for any cold-weather travel. Non-negotiable north of Spain in winter.
Water & Bathroom
- Water containers — fresh and grey. Collapsible ones save space
- Water filter — a Sawyer Squeeze (~$38) lets you fill from almost anywhere
- Portable shower — a pressure shower (~$139) for off-grid washing
- Portable toilet or system — even if you mostly use facilities, you’ll want a backup
- Quick-dry towel — microfibre, packs tiny
- Biodegradable soap — one bottle for body, dishes, everything
Tools & Repair
Things break on the road. A basic kit saves you from being stranded:
- Multi-tool and a small socket/spanner set
- Tyre inflator and pressure gauge — a 12V inflator (~$45) is essential
- Jump starter pack — don’t rely on finding another vehicle
- Duct tape, zip ties, gaffer tape — the holy trinity of van repairs
- Headtorch (yes, again — keep one with the tools)
- Spare fuses and basic electrical bits
- Traction boards if you go off-tarmac
Safety Gear — Don’t Skip This
- Carbon monoxide detector (~$32) — mandatory if you run any heater or stove
- Fire extinguisher (~$22) — small, essential
- First aid kit — a proper one, not a few plasters
- Satellite communicator (~$349) — for remote areas with no signal
Clothing — Less Than You Think
This is where people overpack the most. The reality: you wear the same few things on rotation and do laundry every week or two. A rough guide:
- 7 days of basics (underwear, socks, t-shirts)
- 2-3 trousers/shorts, layered for versatility
- One warm insulated jacket, one waterproof shell
- One “nice” outfit for when you need it
- Good footwear: one pair of trail shoes, one pair of sandals/flip-flops
- Merino wool base layers — expensive but worth it, they don’t smell and pack small
Everything packs into compression cubes. If it doesn’t fit in your allocated clothing space, something has to go.
What to Leave Behind
The stuff that feels essential but isn’t:
- A full wardrobe — you’ll wear 20% of it 80% of the time
- Multiple pans and a full crockery set — you need far less than you think
- Books (physical) — get a Kindle, save the space and weight
- “Just in case” anything — if you can buy it on the road, don’t bring it
- Bulky furniture or decor — every cubic foot counts
- Hairdryers, toasters, single-use appliances — they murder your battery and waste space
The Bottom Line
Pack for the life you’ll actually live, not the one you imagine. Bring the essentials that make daily life functional — good sleep, reliable power, the ability to cook and stay warm and safe — and leave the rest. You’ll be amazed how little you miss the stuff you left behind, and how much you appreciate the space.
Start lean. Add what you genuinely need as you discover it. A half-empty van on day one is a sign you’ve done it right.
→ Plan your van life setup budget for free at VanCalc
Related reads: Van Life for Beginners · Van Life Solar Setup · How to Find Free Camping in the US
