So, you’re ready to trade your lease for a license plate and hit the road. The dream is vivid: waking up to ocean views, brewing coffee in the mountains, and living with less. But if you’ve spent any time scrolling through social media, you might think you need a six-figure custom build and $5,000 worth of "technical" camping gear to do it right.

That’s not true. In fact, overspending on fragile gear is one of the biggest mistakes new van lifers make.

Trading rent for the open road—proof that van life doesn’t need pricey gear to feel like freedom. Source

Real van life is about durability, adaptability, and keeping your footprint small—both environmentally and financially. You need gear that can take a beating, serve multiple purposes, and not end up in a landfill next year. At Earth Ragz, we’ve been turning textile waste into rugged, road-ready goods for years. We know that the best gear isn’t always the newest "space-age" invention; sometimes, it’s the time-tested stuff that just works.

This guide helps you pack exactly what you need to live comfortably, stay clean, and save money.

3 Controversial Truths About Van Life Gear

Before we get to the packing list, let’s clear the air about what you actually need versus what the internet tells you to buy.

1. "Technical" gear is often just expensive plastic. Outdoor retailers love to sell "high-performance" synthetic blankets and jackets that cost a fortune. While they have their place in extreme mountaineering, for van life, they are often overkill. They are slippery, melt near a campfire, and feel cold against the skin. You are living in a van, not summiting Everest. You want comfort, not just survival specs.
2. You will be dirty, and that’s okay. No amount of gear will replicate a hotel shower. Embracing van life means redefining your hygiene standards. You don’t need a built-in shower cubicle that takes up 20% of your living space; you need a system that works with the resources you have.
3. Second-hand and recycled is better than new. The most sustainable product is one that already exists. When you do buy new, look for companies "closing the loop" by using recycled fibers. Buying a $40 recycled hoodie that lasts five years is smarter than buying a $150 virgin polyester fleece that sheds microplastics every time you wash it.

1. Bedding & Comfort: The Foundation of Good Sleep

Your bed is your sanctuary. If you can’t sleep well, van life becomes miserable fast. The goal here is "versatile layering" rather than one giant sleeping bag.

The Mattress

Skip the cheap air mattress; it will pop. Most full-timers use a simple memory foam topper cut to size. It insulates you from the cold storage below and doesn’t transfer motion when your partner moves.

The Blanket Layer

This is where many people overspend. You might see ads for "technical puffy blankets" (like Rumpl) that cost upwards of $100. While they pack down small, they have downsides: they slide off the bed easily, they aren't breathable, and they feel like sleeping in a plastic bag.

The Authentic Alternative: The Mexican Blanket - For a third of the price, a heavy woven blanket is often a superior choice for van life. Earth Ragz blankets are thick, breathable, and stay put. They add actual weight (which helps with sleep anxiety) and rugged texture to your build.

Cozy, durable, and made from recycled fibers—these woven blankets bring comfort from campsite mornings to lakeside afternoons. Source

• Why it works: It’s a bedspread at night, a picnic rug at lunch, and a yoga mat in the morning.
• Eco-Wins: Ours are made from recycled textile remnants, meaning we divert waste from landfills to keep you warm.
• Value: At roughly $35–$45, you can buy two for the price of one technical blanket—one for the bed, one for the campfire.
• Note: Since we weave these from recycled fibers, colors can vary from what you see online, making every blanket unique to your rig.

Pillows

Don’t use camping pillows. They are small and lumpy. Bring your real pillows from home. Your neck will thank you after a long drive.

2. Clothing: Layers That Last

Space is limited. Every item of clothing needs to pull double duty. You need pieces that hide stains, resist odors, and keep you warm without bulk.

The Hero Layer: The Baja Hoodie

You’ve seen them before—maybe you call them "drug rugs." Let’s correct the record on that. The Baja hoodie is a piece of West Coast heritage, originally adopted by surfers in the 60s and 70s who needed immediate warmth after getting out of the cold Pacific ocean.

Easy warmth and road-trip comfort—this Baja hoodie brings that relaxed, lived-in van life vibe wherever you wander. Source

It is arguably the ultimate van life garment.

• Durability: Unlike a delicate down jacket, you can wear a Baja while chopping wood, fixing your engine, or hiking through brush. It doesn't snag easily.
• Breathability: The woven structure traps heat but allows airflow, so you don’t get sweaty and clammy while driving.
• The Look: It fits the bohemian, road-trip aesthetic perfectly. It says "I’m here to relax," not "I’m late for a zoom call."
• Sustainability: Earth Ragz Bajas are woven from a blend of cotton, acrylic, and polyester recycled fibers. They are tough, washable, and get softer with every wear.
• Note: As with our blankets, because these are made from recycled fibers, colors can vary slightly.

Footwear

• Slip-ons: You need shoes you can step into without hands for those 2 AM bathroom breaks. The Baja Sandals Slides are perfect for this.
• Hiking Boots: For the actual adventures.
• Wool Socks: Essential for cold nights.

3. Personal Hygiene: Staying Fresh Without Plumbing

You don't need a plumbed shower to be clean. Here is the realistic hygiene kit.

The Shower Solution

• Solar Shower Bag: A simple black bag filled with water and left in the sun/on your dashboard heats up surprisingly well. Hang it from your back doors for a rinse.
• Gym Membership: This is the secret weapon. A nationwide membership (like Planet Fitness) gives you unlimited hot showers and clean toilets for about $25 a month.

The "In-Between" Clean

• Biodegradable Wipes: For the days you can't shower. Wipe down the critical areas (pits and feet) before bed to keep your sheets clean.
• Dry Shampoo: Extends the life of a hair wash by 2-3 days.
• Dr. Bronner’s Soap: The classic van life soap. It’s concentrated and biodegradable. Use it for dishes, body wash, and even laundry in a pinch. Warning: Even biodegradable soap hurts waterways—always wash 200 feet away from streams or lakes.

A van-life essential—concentrated, biodegradable, and ready for dishes, showers, or laundry when you’re off the grid. Source

The Toilet Situation

• The "Pee Bottle": It sounds gross now, but it is a standard reality of van life.
• Cat Hole Trowel: If you are dispersed camping (boondocking), you need a sturdy trowel to bury waste properly.
• Scrub Bags: Earth Ragz bags are great for organizing these toiletries. Their breathable fabric prevents that musty "damp towel" smell from building up in your storage bins.

4. Kitchen & Cooking: Zero-Waste Dining

Eating out every meal will drain your bank account. You need a kitchen that can handle real cooking.

Cookware

• Cast Iron Skillet: It’s heavy, but it’s indestructible. It retains heat well (saving propane) and is non-stick without the toxic chemicals.
• Propane Stove: A simple 2-burner camp stove is sufficient.

Reusables (The Earth Ragz Ethos)

• Cloth Napkins/Rags: Paper towels create a massive amount of trash, which is a pain to store and dump. Buy a stack of durable cloth rags. Use them, wash them at the laundromat, repeat.
• Reusable Produce Bags: When you shop, skip the plastic. Our Market bags are perfect for holding apples, onions, or dirty laundry.
• Silicone Food Bags: Great for leftovers. They take up zero space when empty.

5. Relaxing: The Outdoor Living Room

When you live in 60 square feet, the outdoors becomes your living room. You need to define that space to make it comfortable.

The Ground Cover

Dirt is the enemy of a clean van.

• Outdoor Rug: Place a mat right outside your sliding door. It catches the mud before you step inside.
• Picnic Blanket: Use your Earth Ragz Camp blanket here. Unlike "technical" blankets that slide around on the grass, the weight of a woven blanket flattens down tall grass and creates a stable, cozy surface for reading or stretching.

Turn any patch of grass into an outdoor living room with a sturdy woven blanket that stays flat and comfy for lounging. Source

Furniture

• Camp Chair: You don't need the most expensive one, but avoid the $10 gas station chairs that break in a week.
• Yoga Accessories: If you practice, a Svaroopa Yoga Blanket (which we specialize in) is a great prop. It can be folded into a bolster for meditation or used for warmth during Savasana.

The Ultimate Checklist (Copy & Paste This)

Here is your consolidated shopping list. We’ve highlighted where Earth Ragz provides a sustainable, affordable solution.

Sleeping

☐ Memory foam mattress topper (cut to fit)

☐ Earth Ragz Blanket

☐ Real pillows from home

☐ Wool socks (for sleeping)

Clothing

☐ Baja Hoodie (The essential durable outer layer)

☐ Waterproof shell jacket

☐ Slip-on camp shoes (Baja Sandals Slides)

☐ Hiking boots

☐ UV-protective sunglasses

☐ Wide-brim hat

Hygiene

☐ Solar shower bag (3-5 gallons)

☐ Quick-dry microfiber towel

☐ Biodegradable soap (Dr. Bronner’s)

☐ Trowel (for cat holes) + Toilet paper

☐ Hand sanitizer

☐ Gym membership card (Nationwide membership like Planet Fitness)

Kitchen

☐ 2-Burner propane stove

☐ Cast iron skillet (10-inch)

☐ Cooler or 12V Fridge

☐ Reusable textile bags (For groceries/storage)

☐ Cloth rags (Replace paper towels)

☐ 5-gallon water jug

Safety & Tech

☐ Carbon Monoxide detector (Crucial)

☐ Fire extinguisher

☐ First Aid Kit

☐ Portable power station (Jackery/Goal Zero)

☐ Headlamp + extra batteries

Living

☐ Camp chair

☐ Yoga Blanket (For stretching/meditation)

☐ Window covers (insulation/privacy)

Ready to pack?

Van life is about stripping away the unnecessary so you can focus on the experience. You don't need to go broke to go green. Start with the basics, choose materials that last, and respect the environments you visit.