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Stuff I Like

I consider myself a minimalist. I have extremely limited space. So the things I choose to bring with me in the van must really be good to earn their space in the van. Here are some of the things that are keepers..

Miscellaneous

  • Favorite little notebook for daily work notes
  • My new favorite face moisturizer
  • Can no longer live without these delicious sugar-free mints
  • These inexpensive bluetooth headphones are my favorite. I've been using them for years. I'm on my second pair. I like to give them as gifts.
  • Awesome LED shoes. I got some for Burning Man this year and loved them. I ended up getting some for my mom. They're quite comfortable.
  • This tiny recording device has revolutionized my world. I wear it daily and use it all the time. Love this thing! It has cool AI capabilities too, but I don't really use that. The recording functionality and ease of use is worth it alone.
  • Some other nomads taught me about using these spray bottles for doing dishes. One with soapy water and one with regular water. Works great! I've talked to people with full kitchen setups in their RV's who do dishes in this way because it is simple and effective.
  • I LOVE my tiny InstantPot. I mainly use it to make boiled eggs, beans and rice. Also sometimes potatoes and/or sweet potatoes. I'm on my second one. I wouldn't want to travel without one.
  • This Dometic GO water setup has been a complete game changer to me. I'd been looking for years for the right setup for my water situation. I wanted it to be super simple, as simple as possible. Everything I'd come across up to this point felt more involved that I wanted. Then I saw this at the Overland Expo in Bend last summer. I bought it on the spot and I love it. It's the perfect solution for my needs. A simple but elegant water faucet with a little tank that goes along with it.
  • Computer screen extenders. These things completely changed my world in the van. Fantastic working experience in the van now with these. I would never want to live without them now.
  • This solar shower. It took me 5 years of vanlife to figure this out. I'd been plotting to spend about $1,000 on a fancy outdoor shower for my van. Someone suggested this and I decided to try it for $25. It completely solved it for me 100%. This thing works way better than I ever could have imagined. I also use it for washing dishes sometimes. Game changer purchase for $25. Also takes up very little space in the van. No-brainer.

Camera Stuff

  • GoPro camera. I wouldn't mind having the latest greatest one, but the GoPro 8 is the one I bought about 6 years ago and it's fantastic. My favorite camera, just because it is small, rugged, and so beautifully simple.
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max. The camera on this thing is awesome. I love the way it handles low light. Best of all, it's almost always in my pocket, so it gets used the most.
  • GoPro clamp arm. I use this thing all the time. It's perfect. Works for Osmo Pocket and iPhone too if you have the correct adaptor mount.
  • DJI Osmo Pocket. Cool little gimbal camera. I like to use it for motionlapses. You can set the A point, then point the gimbal to whereever you want the shot to end, and then set the B point. Then you can have it take a photo every few seconds for an hour or so and make a 30 second video out of it. I have version one from about 6 years ago, but still works great.

Favorite Software for Mac

  • Cleanshot X. I use this every day and can't live without it.
  • Screenflow. Love this screen recorder.
  • Final Cut Pro. I'm using this for the longer form videos. I'm still getting to know this application, but I like it and I LOVE that you buy it one time and they don't make you keep paying a subscription. And they give free updates.
  • Capcut. I can't say I love this program. The license authentication for this is the worst I've ever seen anywhere. I use the desktop version for adding captions to short form videos. It does that better than anything I've seen. However, they keep raising their prices and I may bail on that subscription soon because it's now too expensive for my use case.

More coming soon

Exercise and Physical Health Stuff

For years, I called exercise in the van the "final frontier" because it took me the longest to figure out a way to make it work. Now that I'm six years in to this lifestyle, I've got it dialed in. I'll probably have to make a video on this.

Kitchen Stuff

Coming soon.

Computer Stuff

Coming soon.

Van Stuff

  • Magnetic insulated curtains.
  • Seat covers
  • Roof rack
  • Suspension
  • Onboard air compressor + air gun + train horn, etc.
  • AdventureWagon interior kit

More coming soon.

Clothing Stuff

Coming soon.

Basic But Critical Items for Vanlife

(doesn't really matter particular ones)

  • Robe. So great to have in so many situations: going to and from hot springs, showers, cold plunges, etc.
  • Flip-flops. Same as above. Also while showering.

11/23/25: Ok, that's enough for now. This is a work in progress...

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