Spring in Florida is a lot like summer in other places and so the gear we’ll be bringing will be a LOT different than what we hauled with us on our last road trip. We’ve also learned a good bit about our travel habits and needs since then and will be bringing less stuff. Goodbye, kitchen sink! If you’re heading out on the road for a spring adventure in the south, give our spring road trip packing guide a look.
Van Life Essentials:
Kelty Tru.Comfort 20 Degree Double Wide Sleeping Bag– it’s a 20 degree bag so most of the time we will be sleeping on top of it for added cushioning and comfort.
Leatherman Sidekick Multitool
Black Diamond Cosmo Headlamp
Nalgene BPA-Free Water Bottle
Igloo Cooler
Reflective Car Windshield Sun Shade – Keeps the sun out and then temperatures down.
First Aid/Emergency Kit – Band Aid’s, swabs, scissors, knife, etc. This little kit even has a bottle opener and fishing line in it.
Crazy Creek Original Camp Chairs – Good for sitting on our laying out on a wet picnic table. We’ve even used them on the beach.
National Geographic Road Atlas – Adventure Edition
Clothing Essentials:
Bathing suit
Flip flops
Hat
Towel
Sun glasses
Sunscreen
Button down shirt
Shorts
T-shirts/tank tops
Rain jacket
Workout Essentials:
HOKA ONE ONE Women’s Clifton 4 Sky/Blue/Surf/The/Web Running Shoe 6 Women US
Running shorts
Tights
Running tank top
Sports bra
Socks
Garmin Forerunner 935 Running GPS Watch
Cooking Essentials:
Pot
Pan
Coffee grinder
GSI Outdoors Ultralight Coffee Drip (Reusable)
Travel mug
Coleman two-burner stove
Propane canisters
Lighter
Dish soap
Sponge
Snapware Tupperware
Utensils
Plates + bowls
Bottle opener/wine key
Cutting board
Photography Gear Essentials:
Fuji X-T2
16 mm lens
35 mm lens
BLACKRAPID Backpack Breathe
BLACKRAPID Wrist Strap
Tripod
Optional items:
Surfboard
Skateboard
Snorkel + Mask
Fins
Wetsuit
Booties
Dry bag
Mesh bag for dunking all your gear in fresh water
Journal
Yakima Backswing Bike Rack Pivot System (to read the full review, head HERE.)
Thule Bike Rack
Spring Road Trip Packing Guide Recap
Some things to consider regarding our packing guide:
- We are traveling in a Ram ProMaster Van with a Wayfarer Conversion Kit. Some of you may have vehicles or vans much bigger than ours. If so you’re going to be able to bring a lot more stuff than us. If not, you may be forced to downsize and declutter like we did. Read more about our process here.
- There’s just two of us. We cut down on the number of things we bring on trips because we can share almost everything except shoes. Oh and because we don’t mind getting a little grungy (read here about how we keep ourselves clean on the road.)
- Traveling in the south in the spring allows us to bring a lot less gear than other places and other seasons.
All packed and ready to go but still need a couple of suggestions on where to go and what to do? Click here to see our list of must see and do National Parks! And here to see one of our favorites places on the west coast.
What do you think about our van life spring road trip packing guide recommendations? Would you bring anything different or leave any of our gear suggestions at home? We’d love to hear from you. Please leave your comments below!
Great idea with the road atlas. It’s almost as if I’d forgotten about them! It’s too easy to get pulled into your device innocently checking directions.
Thank you! It’s come in handy so many times…especially when we lose a signal.