If you are planning on an Overland adventure, you are probably worried about packing the right stuff for your trip. So, what items should be included in an Overland trip checklist?
Typically, you would need an Overland rig, proper first aid, a spacious tent, plenty of water, and a cooler to keep your food cool. But these are just some of the many essentials for your Overland adventure. In this article, we will discuss more on it and learn exactly what you need to pack for your upcoming Overlanding tour.
Overlanding Checklist- What do you need?
Whether you are Overlanding for the first time or whether you already have some experience in this department, it is crucial to first create a checklist that includes all your essentials. This way, you know for certain that you aren’t missing out on anything and all your necessary items are in the vehicle for the times you need them the most.
But what are these items and why do you need them? Although we discussed some of the basic necessities for your Overlanding adventure in the previous section, there’s more to it. In this part of the article, we will learn about this checklist in greater detail.
Dry items
Food is one of the first and crucial things needed for your survival. So, while packing for your Overland adventure try adding ample dry goods that aren’t limited to fruits, pastries, and puffs. Typically, your list should include at least some or all of the following items. Of course, you can tweak it depending on the kind of food you eat.
- Ramen noodles or any other cup noodles
- Soups and beans
- Chili or any form of stew
- Canned fish (preferably tuna)
- Plenty of fruits, dry fruits, and nuts,
- Energy bars
- Canned tomatoes (you never know when you need them)
- Any form of tomato, pasta, or spaghetti sauce.
- Additionally, you can also add sriracha, hot sauce, and soy sauce to this list.
- Plain pasta or noodles
- Your preferred type of milk if you are carrying a mini freezer
- Your preferred cold cuts of meat if you have a freezer
- Olive oil
- Regular spices like salt, pepper, sugar, onion and garlic salt, Mexican or Italian seasoning, et al
- Teabags and coffee
- Any form of bread spread like peanut butter, cheese spread, and jelly
- Hot chocolate
- Marshmallows/ Graham Crackers/ Chocolate
- Chips and Crackers
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
As mentioned already, you can tweak this list depending on the type of food you eat. But if you include all or at least most of these items, you’re pretty much covered for your upcoming adventure.
Sleeping Arrangements
Now that we are done listing the food, it’s time to figure out what sleeping gear you would need. First, you would need a sleeping bag. You can check them out on Amazon here. However, even before you get this, it makes sense to check the climate of the area. If you are traveling to a mountainous region, prepare yourself for the cold you are about to experience. The same applies to any other region at a higher than usual altitude.
Next, you need to carry a foldable and compressible sleeping mattress. You will find many of these both online and offline and they are incredibly comfortable regardless of where you choose to sleep. To make your slumber even more comfortable, it is best to carry a travel-sized pillow as well.
Third, you will need a liner for your sleeping bag. Ideally, this should be made from cotton as it will ensure that your bag is fully clean and can be used independently even on the warmest nights.
Finally, get some mosquito nets as well. If you are carrying a camping tent, you wouldn’t need a mosquito net because it already comes pre-installed. But if you aren’t, it makes sense to get a separate net to keep insects and mosquitos at bay, when you are having the night of your life right under the open sky.
Survival Tools
In an Overlanding adventure, the key is to survive amid all odds. So, it goes without mentioning that you would absolutely need a bunch of survival tools. Some basic tools for this job include wrenches and screw-divers. Additionally, you can also carry a bunch of vise grips and plying tools. With so many tools in place, we often miss out on the right gear. That is why it is crucial to get a Leatherman multi-tool kit that will include all your necessities. Leatherman has some of the best kinds of toolsets, so you might want to check their site to see what tools work best for you.
Other than the tool kit, you would need a Swiss-army knife that is basically an amalgamation of multiple knives. Depending on the knife kit you’ve got, it will also include a survival knife. To keep the knife sharpened, make sure you have a knife sharpener as well.
Next, you would need Quicksteel or some brand of epoxy. This is vital because it will help patch up existing holes and will prove incredibly useful throughout the trip.
If you are worried about the durability of your tools, consider carrying a moderate-sized bottle of block sealer and super glue. You never know when you need it, and it is incredibly useful, to say the least.
Finally, and most importantly, make sure you have a proper backup engine, plenty of gear oil, and WD-40. One can is sufficient, but you can carry two for emergencies. Don’t forget to carry tiny and easily forgettable stuff like wires, tapes, and solid ropes. Make sure these are of varying sizes because you don’t know which size you would need.
Vehicle Recovery Tools
The moment you head for your Overlanding tour, you will get this unique opportunity to understand the limits of your Overlanding vehicle. That is why it is best to pack plenty of items for your vehicle recovery. One of the first things on this list would be winches. This is especially important if you plan to travel through extremely rugged terrain. With the right winch in place, your journey will be even more enjoyable and you can cross through any obstacle with absolute ease.
If you are planning to get a heavy-duty winch, check the battery limits as well and also make sure that the structure and the points of mounting on your winch are perfectly compatible with your rig. Your chosen winch should also have a solid pull line rating, so much so, that it is at least 1.5 times greater than your vehicle’s gross weight. Of course, you can tweak this as well depending on the budget.
After getting the winch, focus on getting a quality accessory kit. An ideal kit will come with a recovery strap, gloves (for heavy-duty use), and D-rings among other accessories. You should also get shackles, chains, and a proper storage bag that will accommodate the items.
Next, you would need a multipurpose toolset that includes simple tools like ax and shovels. If, however, you have ample space, you can also carry these items independently. If you are planning to explore any woody area, it makes sense to get a machete. You can also throw in a chainsaw for added security. Check your jacks and make sure it has a high-lift capacity and is extremely strong.
Finally, get the MaxTrax Recovery Boards. This way, you can cross through the muddiest terrains with minimal effort. Your tires won’t stick and even if it does a simple placement of the boards will get you going again.
Other Items
In addition to the mentioned items, you will also need a couple of extra things like your clothes, a rucksack to carry all of it in, another dry bag to carry your undergarments and equipment, two to four sets of cotton clothes (that can be washed conveniently), one full set of semi-casual clothes for your evening adventure, two to four pairs of shorts, a fancy hat to protect your head, sunglasses to go with the hat, woolen items, and waterproof jackets if you are traveling to a cold area, sandals, boots, towels, and any relevant toiletry set.
Other than this get your first aid box and make sure you have ample sun scream, detergent, lip balm, after-sun cream, and a light moisturizer among others.
Also carry extra water bottles, adaptors, torches, headlights, copies of your passport and other legal documents, photos, an alarm clock, proper, paper maps, and a notebook if you like to take notes.
Bottom Line
Now that you know what to pack for our Overland adventure, wait no further and pack your bags already! Because our checklist mostly includes easily accessible items, you will experience no trouble finding or packing them. Also, regardless of everything else you pack, don’t forget to pack a first-aid kit because you never know what turns up during the trip. Additionally, it also makes sense to get a food cooler regardless of the season you have chosen for the Overland adventure. This way, you at least have a bunch of cold foods that can be consumed on the go.
Once you follow these simple pointers, your Overlanding adventure will be better than ever and perhaps the most fulfilling one of your entire life!
