The Ten Essentials for Overlanding
- Written by Evelin Weiss
Overlanding can be quite an amazing and thrilling experience – but for it to be successful, you might want to be sure that you bring the right gear with you.
No matter if you are a boy scout, a hiker, an overlander, or pretty much any kind of adventurer, there will be 10 essentials that you have to bring with you. So, as an overlander, here is what you need to focus on:
- Overlanding Essentials Bag
To begin with, you should always have a go-pack bag with your overlanding essentials. Here you should add a compass and GPS navigation, a map, a first aid kit, a knife, and fire-starting gear. Sun protection and a lantern or clip-on light are also necessary.
- Car Navigation
You may have a hand GPS, but as an overlander, you might want to equip your car with some sort of navigation as well. This way, even if your old GPS fails on you, you will still have a backup.
- Portable Generator
When you are in the middle of nowhere, you don’t want to deal with drained batteries. This is why you should carry a portable generator with you to kick-start your engine. Plus, that extra power might help you as you are camping.
- Shelter
When you are overlanding, the chances are that you will have to camp quite often – in which case, you will need shelter. Even if your vehicle is quite spacious, if the weather is good, a tent is essential to have, as it will increase comfort.
- Extra Food
As you are overlanding, you will go way off the beaten track, far from any food shops. In this case, it’s a good idea to stock up on extra food. Go for canned food or energy bars, as they are durable and great in a pinch.
- Extra Water
Water is one thing that you cannot go without. Plus, seeing that you will also need it for washing the dishes or personal hygiene, you must carry some extra gallons with you.
- Extra Fuel
It happens. Even the best of us can run out of fuel at the most inconvenient moments. That being said, when you are far away from civilization, calling a row truck might not be easy. This is why you should pack some extra fuel as well.
- Recovery Equipment
When you go off-road, you tend to get stuck quite a lot. This is why you need to pack recovery equipment such as winches, traction mats, or hi-lift jacks to get you out of a bind.
- Tools
You never know when your car might need some maintenance, so make sure that you have a toolbox with you. You should also make sure you bring spare tires, spare parts, or anything that you might need for car maintenance.
- Communication Devices
In the event of an emergency, you should always have with you some flares, signal mirrors, two-way radios, and so on. Make sure that you also keep your phone charged, so don’t forget those extra batteries.
Overlanding can be a very fun experience. You just need to pack right for it so that you can enjoy it to the fullest.
