Nothing beats the feeling of hitting the open road in your overlanding rig. With the sun out, the wind blowing through your hair, and the open landscape stretched out before you, it’s easy to feel like you’re on top of the world. But before heading out, having the right accessories can make all the difference.
The best overlanding accessories are a rooftop tent, sleeping gear, awnings, recovery gear, and lighting. These essentials will help you make the most of your overlanding adventures and ensure you’re prepared for whatever the road throws at you.
To help make your overlanding experience smooth sailing, here is my complete guide on the best overlanding accessories, from essentials to nice-to-haves. Let’s get started!
My Top Overlanding Accessories
Having been an overlander for years now, I know how important it is to have the right accessories for your rig. From essentials that will keep you safe to fun extras that make life on the road more enjoyable, having the right gear can make all the difference. In my opinion, the best overlanding accessories fall into four main categories:
- Sleeping gear
- Recovery gear
- Awnings and tarps
- Lighting
Let’s take a closer look at each category, and find out what essentials you need to make the most of your overlanding adventures.
Sleeping Gear
One of the best things about overlanding is that you can take your home with you wherever you go. That’s why having quality sleeping gear is essential for any overlander. After all, what’s the point of hitting the open road if you’re not going to get a good night’s sleep? Right?
A roof top tent is one of the best investments for your overlanding rig. Not only will it keep you safe and dry in case of bad weather, but it will also provide a comfortable place to sleep after a long day of driving. Click on the link to read my in-depth guide on buying a roof top tent for trucks and overlanding.
When it comes to sleeping gear, there are two essentials that every overlander needs: a comfortable mattress and a good sleeping bag. For mattresses, I recommend the AYGOGO SUV Air Mattress as it’s portable and affordable. If you’d rather get a sleeping bag, I recommend the oaskys Camping Sleeping Bag as it’s impossibly compact while remaining super comfortable.
A comfortable mattress is an absolute must-have. Not only will it make sleeping in your rig more comfortable, but it will also help you avoid back pain. You can fit your mattress with a set of sheets or use a more minimalist approach and just use a sleeping bag. I prefer the latter, as it’s easier to store and keeps me warmer at night.
Recovery Gear
Nothing ruins an overlanding trip quite like getting stuck. It delays your journey, wastes time, and can even be dangerous. A flat tire, a broken axle, or a faulty winch can all put a damper on your plans. That’s why you must always have a good set of recovery gear with you.
The essentials for overlanding you’ll need for recovery include a shovel, a winch, a Hi-Lift jack, and a tire repair kit. These will help you get unstuck and back on the road in no time. A portable tire inflator will come in handy, too, as it can help you fix a flat tire without having to change the whole tire.
If you’re serious about overlanding, you should invest in a good set of off-road tires. They provide excellent traction in wet or muddy conditions and can help you get out of sticky situations.
Awnings and Tarps
The great outdoors is one of the best things about overlanding. But sometimes, you just need a little bit of shelter from the sun or rain. The scorching sun can make it difficult to enjoy your time outside, and a sudden downpour can damage your plans. But don’t worry. An awning or tarp will provide you with the shelter you need.
A good awning can provide shade on hot days and can even be used as a makeshift shelter in case of rain. Awnings feature a waterproof fabric that keeps you dry and can be set up in minutes. They come in various sizes, so you can find one that’s just right for your rig.
Tarps are another excellent option for providing shelter. They’re lightweight and easy to carry, making them ideal for day trips. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even use a tarp as a makeshift tent. Just make sure you pack some rope to tie it down securely.
When choosing an awning or tarp, remember a few things.
- The size of your rig. A bigger rig will need a bigger awning or tarp to provide adequate shelter.
- The weather conditions. An all-weather awning or tarp is a good choice if you’re planning on doing a lot of off-roading in inclement weather.
- The weight and portability. Heavy equipment can be a pain to carry, so choose an awning or tarp that’s lightweight and easy to pack up.
- Ease of installation and removal. You don’t want to be fumbling around with complicated gear when you could be enjoying your time outside. Look for an awning or tarp that’s easy to set up and take down.
Lighting
Off-road driving can be tough enough during the day, but it can be downright dangerous at night. Besides, when you set up camp for the night, you’ll want to be able to see what you’re doing. You don’t want to fall and hurt yourself or trip over a rock and break your gear. That’s why having a good lighting system on your rig is essential.
Camping lanterns, flashlights, and headlamps are all excellent choices for lighting up your campsite. Lanterns provide a wide light area, making them ideal for setting up camp at night. Flashlights are great for exploring your surroundings, and headlamps free up your hands to work on tasks without holding a light.
When choosing a lighting system, there are a few things to remember.
- The battery life. You don’t want your light to die in the middle of the night. Choose a light with long battery life, or pack extra batteries just in case.
- The light output. The last thing you want is a dim light that doesn’t do much to illuminate your surroundings. Look for a light with a high light output so you can see clearly.
- Extra features. Some lights come with additional features like a red light mode which can help read maps or preserve night vision and charging ports that allow you to charge your devices.
I understand that all of these accessories and essentials can add up to be a hefty chunk of change, if you’re interested in overlanding on a budget you can read more about it in another one of my articles.
Additionally, here is a comprehensive list of my personal recommendation for overlanding essential items and accessories:
- Map
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Stove
- First-aid kit
- Battery bank
- Extra phone
- GPS
- Extra food and water
- Clothes for all weather conditions
- Firestarter
- Flashlight
- Toolkit
Final Thoughts
Overlanding is a great way to explore the world and experience all that nature has to offer. But before you hit the road, ensure you’re prepared with the essentials. Good off-road tires, an awning or tarp, and a lighting system are all essential for any overlanding adventure. So pack up your gear and hit the road!