Opt for Multipurpose Items:
On a basic level, when you are picking out your gear, there are a few things to keep in mind. For a baseline, Brad Kowitz advises that your gear should be durable, compact and lightweight; this is especially important as you get more experienced and take on longer trips. Another tip he adds is to have items that can be used for more than one thing. This "can save space and weight in your vehicle, which is often a very important consideration when overlanding because all that extra weight can cause wear and tear on your vehicle."
Start Small (and Skip the Instagram-Famous Items):
Sometimes, we get caught up in what we see on the coolest-looking trucks on social media, and we immediately think that we need to get it for the trails. One of those items that Kowitz finds to be overhyped is roof racks.
"Most people buy and install a roof rack thinking they will use it for more storage, but unless they are actually doing long expeditions, it's not really something they need and most folks end up not using it," Kowitz notes. In an ideal scenario, Kowitz instructs new people in the industry to start small. "You don't to have all the latest and greatest gear and equipment to have a great adventure." Since no one is forcing you to jump right into things, "start with essentials like safety and recovery gear, a way to store and prepare food, and some shelter."
Speaking of shelter: rooftop tents are another example of overused products that might surprise you. "Rooftop tents are really popular and a lot of people have them, but they can be pretty expensive, they add wear and tear to your vehicle (due to their weight), and they shift your vehicle's center of gravity, something that could come into play when maneuvering on trails," says Kowitz. "I also recommend that people who are just getting into overlanding find out how much they are actually going out, how much time they spend off-grid, and what other modifications they're making to their vehicle before making the investment in a rooftop tent," Kowitz adds.
But don't be discouraged if you are dying to sleep on the top bunk. "If you're going out several times a month, you haven't added too much extra weight to your vehicle with other modifications, and you aren't doing a lot of technical trails, a rooftop tent might be right for you," he says.
Don't Skimp on the Essentials:
Having reliable gear should come first and foremost when going off the grid. This is not the time to cheap out on equipment as you can easily find yourself in a situation many miles away from people or cell phone reception. There will be challenges along the way, so preparing for the worst is necessary. Things break, tires go flat, and you will get stuck in the mud, but that's all part of the adventure.Our expert especially sees safety as the number one priority, and maybe holding off on some bigger modifications might be necessary. "When people buy an off-road vehicle, they're excited to make all these modifications to get it ready for the trail and overlanding," Kowitz says. "But the very first things that I tell everyone they should get are a first aid kit (and know what's in it and how to use it), a fire extinguisher, recovery gear, and a good, extensive tool bag. Cool lights and modular drawer systems can be nice, but they aren't going to do you any good if you break down on the trail or, worse, get injured. Safety first!"
Experience Is King:
Like anything else, you will only get dialed in by putting some time in on the trails. Trial and error are just going to be a part of the experience. "Everyone's needs are different, so what works for your buddy or that guy on YouTube isn't necessarily going to work for you. You might be camping with kids, or maybe you bring your pets, or maybe you're a little older. All of those variables are going to change how you overland and what you're going to need. Only you can figure that out and the best way to do that is by getting in your vehicle, hitting the trail, and overlanding," Kowitz notes. "Just by getting out there, you will figure out what you actually need and what you really want to make your off-grid travels enjoyable."
