If you, your friends, your family, etc. have started to adopt van life (or even if you’re already pros!) then this guide to gifts for van life will help you immensely.
It can be difficult to determine what is suitable for this unique way of seeing the world, so follow along as we go over the best van life gifts.
With everything that happened in 2020, it is no wonder that so many travel lovers are adopting van life!
Van life means that people are choosing to travel slowly by means of a van that they can live and sleep in.
This gives immense freedom and independence, while also promoting minimalism since you have to travel with whatever you can put in your van.
Many also travel volunteering when they need to take a break from van life.
Some of the biggest things to keep in mind when looking for van life gifts are size, durability, and practicality for a minimal lifestyle.
These might make picking something feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some of our suggestions for van life gifts!
Fun & Useful Gifts For Van Life Under $30
Games – $5 to $32
No wifi needed for these fun and compact games! They are perfect to take along for some off the grid fun. They could also come in handy if you get stuck in traffic!
Audible membership – $15 for 1 month, $45 for 3 months, $90 for 6 months, $150 for 12 months
The ultimate gifts for van life are digital because they weigh nothing. Giving an audible gift membership means your van life friends can listen to what they want without carrying around the physical books. Being able to listen to books is also a great way to spend a long road trip.
LifeStraw water filter – $17
This water filter is small and mighty because it can filter 1,000 gallons/4,000 liters without iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals. It does not require batteries and has no moving parts and weighs only 2 oz./56 g.
The New Camp Cookbook – $20 ($9 for Kindle version)
A great guide for those wanting to step up their van life meals. This cookbook is especially suited to making great food in a minimal environment!
Jersey slumber silk sleep mask – $9 or Joseche sleep headphones Bluetooth eye mask – $23
Sleep masks can be an amazing but affordable gift because it helps in such versatile situations that van lifers can find themselves in. The one with Bluetooth headphones is great because it will drown out loud sounds which are great for being in an urban setting.
Cacala pestemal Turkish bath towel – $23
Many travelers use lightweight camping towels, which is usually okay for short term use, but not a long term item. Turkish towels fit both needed categories of being ultra-light while still feeling like a real towel. Plus they are cute and stylish!
Anzazo car essential oil diffuser – $30
As you can probably imagine, living + sleeping + eating + driving in the van will create some interesting smells. If they don’t already have some oils, pair some essential oils with this compact car diffuser for one of the best van life gifts that you could give.
Fun & Useful Gifts For Van Life Over $30
Air plants – $22 + Mkono air plant frame – $22
Finding ways to decorate can be difficult in a van. With these lightweight air plants and versatile frame, you can add a pop of green without adding unnecessary weight.
MOONLENCE ultralight foldable camping chair – $33
These are extremely high-quality chairs that weigh almost nothing (2lbs/907g) and can hold up to 242 pounds/110kg. Along with being versatile and portable, they come in a few different fun colors too.
Wekapo inflatable air sofa – $38
You can thank me later for introducing you to these insanely cool inflatable couches! They comply with van life because they are versatile, lightweight, inflatable, and don’t require a pump. They also come in funky patterns and colors. Watch out, you might end up ordering one for yourself and one for your van lifers!
Safetywing travel medical insurance – $40 for 4 weeks
I know what you’re thinking, insurance… really? Yes, really. Many don’t see travel insurance as ‘useful’ but that is because you only need it when it is too late. It isn’t a question of if something bad happens, but when it happens. Find out more by reading 12 tips to find the best travel insurance.
Though it costs $40, this gift gives the coverage of thousands of dollars and peace of mind. The best part? It is a digital gift that won’t take up any physical space! Check out Safetywing’s affordable insurance here.
Luci solar string lights – $45
These are the ultimate twinkly lights for adventure seekers. These are 18 ft string lights that are solar-powered and last up to 20 hours on a single charge. They are waterproof, only weigh 11.3 oz/320g, can charge electronic devices, and have a 1-year warranty included.
Wonderboom 2 Bluetooth speaker – $65 + homemade Spotify playlist
If you are looking for something useful and personal, then look no further! This wireless Bluetooth speaker is specifically made for outdoor use and weighs only 15 oz / 425g. It is waterproof, dustproof, and can float, making it one of the perfect gifts for van life. Pair it with a homemade Spotify playlist to make the present even more memorable.
Omnia oven – $67
This portable oven means you can bake on any type of burner – gas, electric, kerosene, or camp stove – or even on a grill. Having pizza, brownies, cakes, bread, casseroles, etc. is still possible for van lifers!
ENO hammock – $70
Hammocks are great van life gifts because it gives another option to sit outside of the van. Being able to enjoy an incredible view only gets better when you also relax in a hammock. ENO hammocks are the best of the best & are super light & compact.
Fun & Useful Gifts For Van Life Over $70
Teva Ember Moc slippers – $75
These slippers are suited to the outdoors because they are water-resistant but super comfortable with EVA-foam midsole for lightweight cushioning and collapsible heel for easy on/off.
WACACO nanopresso portable espresso maker – $80
This is a great gift for van lifers that need their coffee fix but don’t want to be weighed down with bulky kitchen equipment. This portable espresso maker does not need a battery or electricity, comes with a protective case, and weighs only 12oz/336g.
Chaco sandals – $66 to $120
Not your ordinary sandal. These are the highest quality and most durable adventure sandals that I have ever found. Not only is the brand committed to being sustainable and eco friendly, but their funky colors & designs are out of this world!
The shoes are beyond comfortable & great for most situations: hiking, water-sports, swimming, casual wear. Their versatility makes them great gifts for van life, plus they last for 5 to 10 years of use making them worth every penny!
Kindle + unlimited Kindle membership
Getting a Kindle reader is one of the most useful gifts for van life because it is a high quality but low weight item with so much potential. Having thousands of books at your fingertips will give immense entertainment options while off-grid. Pair it with the unlimited Kindle membership for the ultimate gift.
KODAK Luma 150 Ultra Mini Pocket Pico Projector – $219
This pocket-sized projector can transform an ordinary night into a movie night anywhere you want with 1080P HD quality.
It can connect to cameras, storage drives, PCs, laptops and other compatible devices. It can also go wireless with mobile-to-projector mirroring via Airplay & Miracas and it has a 2.5-hour battery life.
Rumpl down puffy blanket – $249 or Theraplume outdoor blanket – $37
When you think of gifts for van life, you might not think of blankets as an exciting present. In reality, there will be inevitable cold nights and you want to be prepared. Unfortunately, traditional blankets can weigh a lot to be good at extreme temperatures.
The Theraplume blanket is lightweight but still high quality and durable. It has the capability of being worn around you, it is okay to wash, and it is made from a material that is resistant to tearing/ripping.
The Rumpl blanket is a lightweight outdoor blanket that is filled with responsibly sourced down feathers. The blanket is washable and dryer safe and has a DWR coating making it water, odor, and stain-resistant. It repels dirt, sand, spilled drinks (pretty much everything you throw at it), and includes a ‘cape clip’ to make it wearable.
Amazon gift card – any amount
I hope that after reading about these amazing products for van life gifts, you have gotten some clarity on what you should purchase. If you are still completely stumped, give them anything they want through an amazon gift card!
Tips For Choosing Gifts For Van Life
Let’s go over some tips that will help you decide what gifts for van life that you should be getting.
Size & Weight Of Van Life Gifts
Whatever you are thinking of purchasing, size should be part of your decision. Even though there is a range of small to large vans, generally, vans are always going to be much smaller than a traditional apartment or house.
“We have had to downsize quite a lot and had to evaluate our belongings and question whether they are completely necessary on the road.” – Mel & Chris
If you are looking for van life gifts for a smaller van then you will need to consider size even more so. If need be, consider digital gifts like audiobooks or maybe some travel insurance to cover them on their adventures!
Durability Of Van Life Gifts
Another factor is the quality of van life gifts. Some would describe van life as ‘rough’ in the way that it is not easy or perfect. There are a lot of compromises for living in such a small place.
This can mean giving up some comforts that non-van lifers take for granted (yes I’m talking about long hot showers). Gifts for van life should be durable and of high quality to be able to keep up with this type of lifestyle.
“We have swapped our regular cups for stainless steel mugs which are a lot lighter and also don’t break easily!” – Mel & Chris
Buying cheap products can be a huge waste as they tend to be unreliable since they will break easier. Make sure to buy from brands that put quality as a top priority so the gift adds value to their way of life.
Practicality Of Van Life Gifts
Even if you purchase gifts for van life that are compact and durable, you still need to make sure that they are practical. Deciding what is practical will be based on a general level of usefulness and how much power it consumes but it can also depend on who you are buying for!
Purchasing a mini espresso maker will not be helpful for those who do not like coffee (obviously!).
“We have to be space, weight and power consumption conscious so things really have to have a specific purpose for us.” – Mel & Chris
Thankfully, there are so many fun but still useful gifts that you can get in all price ranges. Getting van life essentials that are durable, practical, and the right size, will make the best gifts!
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