As I've spent the last year driving around the United States, I've slowly grown and refined what items I travel with to keep me safe, prepared, and having fun. This is a comprehensive list of what I pack for adventure trips, along with what I carry day to day. This more recent leg of the adventure has included traveling with my girlfriend, so I've doubled up on some supplies. Needless to say, I like to be prepared, but it's saved me a number of times. Many of the items below have direct purchase links. Let me know if this list was helpful!
Rooftop Box #1 - Thule Sonic Alpine
This is my core set of goods that I travel with the most, because ya never know when you'll have to set up camp, or dig yourself out of a sticky situation...
- REI Camp Folding Cots x2
- REI Flexlite Table
- REI Flexlite Chair x2
- REI Radiant Long 19° sleeping bag + generic 40° bag
- REI Ozark Trail inflatable sleeping mat
- Stratus Inflatable Sleeping Mat
- Sea to Summit Aeros pillow x2
- NorthFace windbreaker
- Katadyn Hiker PRO Water Filter System
- Manfrotto Trekking Poles
- Petzl Tikka XP Headlamp
- Princeton Tec Vizz Headlamp
- Bolt Cutters
- Machete
- Axe
- Shovel
- Emergency Kit + Snake Bite kit, heat pads, lighter, 5hr energy, Bear bells, 2 pairs work gloves
Rooftop Box #2 - Thule Sonic XL 635
This is more of a secondary adventure setup for the warmer months: (winter setup not shown)
- AquaGlide Chelan HB1 - Inflatable Kayak
- AdvancedFrame Sport - Inflatable Kayak
- Advanced Elements Xcelerator Pump
- Werner Kayak Oars
- REI Kingdom 6 Tent + ConnectTech Garage extension
- Seal Line Black Canyon dry bag - 40L
- Camaro gloves, Quicksilver boots, Head Marlin Purge mask
- Scuba fins + goggles
Inside the car was where things would get chaotic real quick if things didn't have a home. The goal was to get everything to fit snugly in the very back to keep as much space in the front and back seat area, otherwise it'd feel claustrophobic or take way too much time to locate something.
The bins below are pretty self explanatory, but let me know if you have any specific questions.
Daily driving items:
I like to be prepared, so at any given time I keep these items in the back. Everything fits within a small and medium sized bin, minus the gas and potable water cans.
From top left, row by row:
Paper towels, wet naps, sun block, glass cleaner, battery lantern, febreeze, microfiber towels, fix-it-flat tire filler, solar powered battery backup, hand/foot warmers, lighters, tissue, electric tire pump, energy converter, jumper cables, webbing straps, pens, string, hatchet, duct tape, flint, fire paste, vaseline, band-aids, pepto bismal, lint roller, bungee cords, gloves, twine, multi-tool, carabiner, emergency kit, fire kit bag, space blanket, latex gloves, flares, clamp, bug spray, matches, ice scraper, hex wrench set, screwdriver, scissors, zip ties, 5 gal gas, 5 gal water can.
A few snaps of the journey:
