Why does Kristi recommend a portable fire pit instead of traditional campfires?
A smokeless portable fire pit like the Solo Stove is useful when smoke triggers breathing issues or allergies, when you want a short fire without a hours-long commitment, or when camping on non-traditional sites where you need to ensure the fire burns out safely and responsibly.
At a glance
Length
11 min
Channel
Kristi Roams
Video from
Apr 2026
Rating
⭐⭐ Great video · 2/2
Best for
Full-time van dwellers and serious campers upgrading their outdoor setup
What this video answers
Why does Kristi recommend a portable fire pit instead of traditional campfires?
Is the Kelty loveseat heavy enough to be a problem in a van?
Do the magnetic bug screens work well for pets?
What's the advantage of a portable espresso maker in van life?
Are traction boards and recovery shovels necessary if you only camp at established campgrounds?
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What This Van Life Gear Video Actually Shows
Kristi Roams, who has owned seven vans over her traveling years, walks through the outdoor gear she actually uses and relies on in her Sprinter van conversion with her dog Sammy. Rather than showcasing trendy equipment that looks good online, this video focuses on practical items that solve real problems: staying comfortable at campsites, managing recovery situations, and maintaining daily routines like making coffee while mobile.
The video takes place at various campsites and outdoor settings where her van is parked. It's aimed at full-time van dwellers, people planning their first conversion, and weekend campers who want to upgrade their setup with gear that genuinely improves functionality and comfort without cluttering a small living space.
Key Moments
Essential Gear Highlighted in This Van Life Video
Portable espresso maker (OutIn brand) — compact, battery-powered option for making coffee on travel days or at remote campsites without bulky equipment
Kelty loveseat — lightweight two-person seating that fits in a van and creates a comfortable outdoor gathering spot for both owner and dog
Folding camping blanket with storage pouch — large enough for two people or solo use, helps with temperature regulation at night
Solo Stove Mesa XL — smokeless portable fire pit that works for short evening fires without committing to hours-long campfires or risking smoke issues
Magnetic bug screens for doors — removable mesh screens with strong magnets that keep insects out while maintaining airflow and creating a visual boundary for pets
Recovery gear including traction boards, leveling blocks, hatchet, and folding shovel — practical tools for van stability and emergency preparedness on uneven terrain or BLM land
What to Know Before Choosing This Gear for Your Van
Leveling blocks are essential for most campsites, as uneven ground affects sleep quality, cooking ability, and appliance function
The portable espresso maker works with either espresso pods or ground coffee and can run on hot water or battery-powered heating mode, offering flexibility depending on your power setup
Traction boards are heavy and bulky to store; consider magnetic mounts for the van's exterior to free up garage space
Bug screens are magnetic and removable, allowing you to keep your van's interior clean when not in use, unlike permanently installed options
The magnetic strip light runs on batteries and includes motion-detection mode, useful for nighttime trips outside the van at state parks with facilities
All gear mentioned has been tested over multiple years of full-time van life, meaning durability claims are based on actual long-term use rather than short-term testing
Frequently Asked Questions About Van Life Outdoor Essentials
Why does Kristi recommend a portable fire pit instead of traditional campfires?
A smokeless portable fire pit like the Solo Stove is useful when smoke triggers breathing issues or allergies, when you want a short fire without a hours-long commitment, or when camping on non-traditional sites where you need to ensure the fire burns out safely and responsibly.
Is the Kelty loveseat heavy enough to be a problem in a van?
No — Kristi specifically notes that the loveseat is not that heavy and is compact enough to fit in the back of a van, yet durable enough to have lasted several years of full-time travel.
Do the magnetic bug screens work well for pets?
Yes. The video shows that the magnetic screens create a visual boundary that helps pets understand their limits while allowing excellent airflow, and the strong magnets ensure they stay secure even if you accidentally drive away with them attached.
What's the advantage of a portable espresso maker in van life?
Maintaining small routines like a daily coffee ritual supports long-term van life sustainability. A compact, battery-powered espresso maker eliminates the need for bulky equipment or excessive power draw, while still delivering the quality ritual without complicated setup.
Are traction boards and recovery shovels necessary if you only camp at established campgrounds?
For established state parks and formal campgrounds, these items may rarely be needed. However, if you explore BLM land, uneven terrain, or sandy areas, they're considered a "better safe than sorry" investment to prevent being stranded.
This video delivers real value because Kristi bases every recommendation on years of actual van life experience—she's owned seven vans and tested these items through real seasons and conditions, not just a weekend trip. The focus on comfort and functionality without unnecessary complexity makes it genuinely useful for both beginners and experienced travelers.
What stands out most is her honesty about trade-offs, like acknowledging that traction boards are heavy and bulky before recommending them anyway, and her explanation of why certain gear matters beyond surface appeal. If you're building out a van or looking to improve your camping comfort, this is worth your time.
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After owning 7 vans, these are the outdoor camping essentials that I actually use all the time in van life. These aren’t just things that look good online. They’re practical items that make campsites more comfortable, more functional, and easier to enjoy day to day.
Whether you’re planning a camper van conversion, traveling full-time, or just looking to improve your camping setup, these are simple accessories that make a real difference without overcomplicating your gear.
The espresso machine featured in this video was gifted by OutIn. Their portable espresso maker is designed to provide a simple way to make coffee without bulky equipment, which fits well with van life and camping setups. As always, I only share my honest opinions and products I actually use in van life. @outin.official
Use my link below with code KRISTI5 for extra 5% discount.
🚐 In this video:
0:00 Intro
0:52 Portable Espresso Maker
2:00 Camping Loveseat
2:27 Folding Table
2:57 Outdoor Blanket
3:43 Outdoor Mat for Sammy
4:02 Portable Fire Pit
5:27 Leveling Blocks
6:08 Traction Boards
7:02 Hatchet + Shovel
7:55 Outdoor Light
8:47 Bug Screens
10:15 Final Thoughts
🕶️ VIDEOS TO WATCH NEXT:
Van Life Upgrades That Actually Matter: https://youtu.be/lbAQ-sYjwYc
Van Life Mistakes I Didn’t See Coming: https://youtu.be/_2Ce6Hg4J7k
✔️AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER:
This video is NOT sponsored but some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to use them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I would use for myself or Sammy in van life.
Video transcript for “Van Life Outdoor Gear That Actually Made a Difference (Zero Regrets)” Accessibility
A full written transcript of this video, provided for accessibility. Select any timestamp to jump the video to that moment.
Hi everyone. Welcome to today's video. My name is Kristie and I am traveling in this converted Sprinter van with my dog Sammy. After owning several vans, I've definitely figured out what gear actually makes a difference in van life and what things I just wouldn't want to travel without. For today's video
though, we're switching it up and we're taking things outside, which honestly is just where van life is best lived. Some gear really makes van life more functional. Some make it a lot more comfortable. And some are just practical necessities that you need for everyday van life or if you get find yourself in
a pinch. One of the things that makes van life more sustainable long term is having small routines that feel normal. And for me, one of the most important things is my daily coffee. So, the first item on my list today is this portable espresso maker. Outon sent me this espresso maker to try. I was super
excited because I've been looking for a simple way to make espresso that really also fits with van life where space is really at a premium and so is power. I really love this because it's compact, it's easy to use, and it doesn't require a complicated setup, which honestly makes it really perfect for travel days,
so many outdoor activities. You could take this hiking, you could have coffee outside or go to the beach. And it's super flexible. You can definitely use it with hot water, but it also is battery-powered and has a built-in heating mode. So, it's very flexible depending on your setup. It works with
espresso pods or ground coffee, which makes it super easy to use without a bunch of extra equipment. Now that I have this espresso made, which smells fantastic and looks amazing, the best thing to do at your campsite is to have a few pieces of comfortable furniture that you can use to hang outside. And my
go-to trusty chair has always been my Kelty low love seat. So, let's check that out. So, I love this Kelty love seat for a fruit few reasons. One is that it's not that heavy. It's pretty compact for being a love seat that I can put in the back of my van. And it's also really comfortable and I have found it to be
pretty durable as well. Like I said, I've had it for several years and it's held up really well. It gives both me and Sammy a place to sit together around the campsite. >> [snorts] >> Along with having a comfortable chair, I find there's two other things I really enjoy having around my campsite. One is
a little side table. I got this one at Walmart. It's their Ozark Trail brand. It was fairly inexpensive and I've also had this for a number of years and it's held up great. Super compact and portable. It just folds up into this little bag. And it gives me a place to set down food or
drinks while I am around the campsite. The last comfort piece of gear that I always have in my van is a camp blanket. And I like the ones that can fold into their own pouch like this. This one in particular is great because it is definitely big enough for two
people or sitting around the campsite, I can easily just put it around myself and stay warm, which I absolutely love. I get cold all the time and having this camp blanket is a lifesaver, especially at night. I can also sit with it with Sammy and it's super easy to wash and dry. One item I
have that's especially for Sammy is this outdoor mat. It helps keep him clean and honestly, he doesn't really like to to lay on the dirt anyway. So, it creates a comfortable place for him to be outside with me, relax, and have a consistent zone that's his no matter where we're staying. Once I have my outdoor area set
up, especially in the evening, then next natural thing of course is to potentially have a fire. I enjoy having fires and sitting outside as I'm sure many of you do as well, but there's one thing that I always travel with that I really like having in the van. And that is a small portable Solo Stove.
I've had this portable Solo Stove now for a couple of years and I always travel with it for a couple reasons. One is I like that it's smokeless. Sometimes the smoke around the campfire really bothers my breathing and my allergies. Using the Solo Stove really helps keep the smoke to a minimum. The other thing
is sometimes I just want to sit outside for a short period of time and I don't really want to commit two or three hours to having a big fire in a fire pit. So, this really comes in handy. And then the third reason is if I'm not at a traditional campsite, let's say a state park, I want to make sure that if I ever
have a fire, that I'm doing so responsibly and safely and something that I know can burn out and I can put away at night. As much as I love the outdoor comfort upgrades and quality of life like the portable espresso maker, the love seat, the blanket, and also the little side table, there's also some
practical items that are also equally as important for van life. So, let's take a look. So, the first thing I want to show you is my leveling blocks. These are Camco leveling blocks. There's a few different styles of leveling blocks that you can use in van life, but I highly recommend having them. Most campsites
aren't level and having your van on a tilt can really affect several things. Sleeping quality, the ability to cook, and maybe some various appliances that you might have in your van. Find a good set of leveling blocks. These have worked out really well for me. I've been using these for quite some time and
they're super easy to use. This little guy just comes off and then you can pull them apart just like LEGO pieces. So, super easy here. Along with leveling blocks, it's also good to have some practical items for van life for recovery, should you need it. So, I've got these Rhino USA traction boards. So,
let me take these out and show them to you. Okay, so these traction boards are great to travel with if you're ever in uneven terrain, you're out on BLM land, or maybe some sandy areas. It's not something I've had to use yet and hopefully [laughter] I won't have to, but in this case, I feel like it's
better safe than sorry. They are a little bit heavy and bulky, so I am considering getting magnet mounts for the side of the van and then that way I can free up space in my garage area for these. They feel heavy duty, they feel like the quality is really good, and the reviews on them have been really
positive. So, I grabbed a set to carry along with me just in case. Two other small but meaningful items to have in your van when you're traveling, also from Rhino USA, I've got this folding shovel. So, this just collapses really easily and unfolds. It also has a
pick on one end and a shovel on the other. So again, something that you may not have to use every day, but is a good piece of gear to have in your van. The other item to have is a hatchet. I have this one from Fiskars and it's 17 in and when I tell you they advertise one strike splits, it's definitely true.
It's great for chopping down firewood for starters at your campsite. And another tool that is just handy to have in van life. One item that is a small but meaningful piece of gear that I really enjoy having for the van is this magnetic strip light. It has three options on the side. It can be either
turned off, turned on all the time, or auto, which means it has motion detection and will turn on when it senses that all of the time on the outside of the van near this door and that helps me when I'm taking Sammy out at night so that I can see or if I need to use the restroom in the middle of the
night and I'm at a state park that does have bathrooms. It is magnetic, so it's great. It just magnetizes to the outside of the van. Um it's made by Energizer and I've accidentally left it on the van and driven away. Luckily, it didn't fall off. So, the magnets hold really well and are super strong, which is
important. And then the last item, which is a bit of an indoor outdoor item and upgrade, are my bug screens. I got these from Living in a Bubble and a lot of you really like them. I've got a number of comments about where they're from and asking for more information. These are wonderful. They are magnetic and so
all along the tops here, they have magnets which just snap right on to the outside of the van. They do a really good job at not only keeping all the bugs out, but letting in really good airflow and it helps create a visual barrier when I'm traveling with Sammy so he knows his boundaries.
I liked this one so much, it also magnetizes here in the middle, that I purchased the bug screen for my rear door as well. It's the same concept. The only difference is that down the middle is a zipper instead of a magnet closure. And that's been great for when it's a little bit warmer or I just want to have
like a really nice view out the back of the van. Having both of these bug screens has been a very good purchase and I think fairly economical considering the cost of fully installed bug screens. I like the option to be able to remove this and have the interior of my van just be nice and
clean when I'm not using the bug screens. Sammy has been so good this entire video. He has just been sleeping in bed. Such a good boy, bud. Yeah. Okay, that's a wrap for today's video. Those are all of my van life essentials outdoor edition. If you have any questions or you have gear of your own
that you find really useful, leave those in the comments and see you in the next video. Thanks.
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