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Everything listed below has been tested, used, or considered the best and essential pieces of overlanding, gear storage, camping and cooking gear everyone could, should, or must use while adventuring off-road, navigating to a remote campsite, or exploring backroads.
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SEARCH ADVENTURE SUPPLY
GEAR STORAGE
So, where do I put all my stuff?
The eternal question of travelers for generations. Steamer trunks are no longer in fashion, fanny packs are back in style but not quite what we are looking for. We need something with uncrushable sides, heavy-duty levers and latches that “clun-clunk” when you snap them up for the night or lash them to your roof. We need waterproof, dustproof and a place to stick your sweet stickers.
Everyone has their preferred method of gear prep for a few nights out in the woods; for the 4-door 2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU, it takes a bit of planning and Tetris-like skills to fit everything, camp stove or stoves, sleeping bags, extra water bottles, camera equipment and everything else we might or might not need. Hard-sided overland storage boxes like the Pelican 1650 help make the arrangements easier to strap down and secure.
clun-clunk.
The Pelican 1500 series, specifically the redesigned Pelican Air 1535 with TrekPak Dividers, is my go-to for camera gear transport on and off the trail. The apocalyptic level protection you get from the carry-on compliant case is lighter than the Pelican 1510 but also more expensive.
Pelican is a rare example of a company standing by its older models just as firmly as its brand new line. The old stuff is still good stuff. Find them used for that already well-traveled look or start your own story.
If weight or having the newest in Pelican technology is not essential, go with the Pelican 1510 to save a few dollars but invest in the lid organizer. It's worth its (very little) weight in gold when struggling to find the little things you tend to squirrel away while setting up and breaking down camp.
Everything needs a home when banging around the backcountry.
Lid Organizer for Pelican 1510 Case
Cargo Straps for securing equipment and camping gear. Heavy duty.
Bungee cords, pound for pound one of the more useful items. Light duty.
WATER STORAGE
Water and storage of more than a few gallons will likely be the heaviest, awkwardest, but the most crucial decision you make on the trail.
Mayo Clinic's rough rule of thumb focuses on about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women. Our general rule is a gallon per person per day for drinking—water used for cooking and washing not factored. On more extended adventures, carrying a 5-gallon jerry can with water for bathing and washing up after meals is a good idea.
Waterborne sickness can be rare but ask anyone who has suffered from one, and they'll be the first to tell you NOT TO GET ONE -- that's why I separate my drinking water from everything else. Questionable gas station hose water goes into the jerry can while known clean or filtered water only goes into the bright blue, 7-gallon Aqua-Tainers. This strategy visually separates the two water sources.
Drink from blue, wash and clean from anything not blue. Don’t drink directly from streams unless you are 100% sure there’s no cow shit upstream, filter and question everything.
Detachable USB Rechargeable Batteries, Portable Outdoor Shower Head for Camping, Hiking, Traveling
Checkout this portable camp shower, the pump fits perfectly into a jerry can opening for easy camp cleanup and showering.
Portable Camp Shower, Camp Shower Pump with Detachable USB Rechargeable Batteries
DOMETIC GO Portable, Self Powered One Touch Hydration Water Faucet with Automatic Shutoff
LCI Plastic Water Can, Desert Sand, 5-gallon
Water Filter Kit for Camping and Backpacking, Compatible with Hydration Bladders and Water Bottles
Nalgene 48oz, 2 Bottle Pack
ESSENTIALS
The term "essential" is a loaded term, everything is subjective, but these are the items that we've found crucial to having a good time in the outdoors.
Engel 25 High Performance Cooler
Jetboil Zip Camping Stove
Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade, Serrated Edge
Jetboil Jetpower Fuel, 230 Grams
KA-BAR Becker BK2
Gerber 17.5-Inch Hatchet
Black Diamond - Spot 350
Gerber Exchange-a-Blade Saw
HAPPY CAMPER KIT
What you do in camp is your business, mostly. These are the most useful items to help us find, make and enjoy camp.
The list of self-explanatory items constantly grows and adapts, so check back often.
298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit
Coleman Propane Stove, 2 Burner
Level Single and Dual Wheels
Mosquito Head Mesh Nets, 3pcs
Stanley Nesting Cookware Set
Folding Toilet, perfect for camping
Nordic Ware Grill N' Shake Basket
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove System
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Camping Stove
BOOKS + MAPS
Maps are awesome(ly) helpful and essential to travelers; they are easy(ier) to use when your phone, tablet, or GPS is dead, dying, or spinning with no connection to help navigate backroads.
It's a big country; you should have a map to understand where you are going, planning on exploring, or in some cases, where you've been.
*Bonus, with most western states under severe fire burn bans, a little map reading by headlamp never hurt anyone, and speaking from experience, it kills some time in a fireless campsite. Please check with local state and county level services regarding burn bans in your area of travel.
