Adventure Travel: What do I really need?

 Overlanding vs. Off-road Camping: Finding the Right Balance

Introduction: What Even is Overlanding?

When people hear "overlanding," they often think of massive rigs decked out with light bars, winches, recovery boards, and all the Instagram-ready accessories. But is that really what it's all about? Is it just for show, or is there a real purpose behind all that gear? The truth is, it's a mix of both.

We've been off-road camping since around 2017, and over the years, we've learned that not everything the industry tells you is "essential" actually is. We've gone through the cycle of buying all the gear, only to later strip things down to what we truly need. So, let’s break it down: what is actually necessary for overlanding, and what is just overkill?

The Gear Trap: Do You Really Need All That?

Early on, social media convinced us that we needed every possible piece of equipment—rock sliders, winches, skid plates, massive tires, and an array of extra fuel cans—just to hit even the most basic trails. But over time, we realized that we were hauling around a ton of extra weight and unnecessary gear.

At a certain point, we asked ourselves: Are we bringing all this stuff because we truly need it, or because someone online told us we did? After years of trial and error, we’ve figured out what’s actually useful and what’s just expensive eye candy.

Overkill vs. Practicality: Breaking Down the Essentials

1. Winches: Do You Really Need One?

A winch seems like a must-have when you first get into off-road camping, but in reality, most people rarely use them. If you're traveling alone into extreme backcountry, then yes, a winch can be invaluable. But if you're sticking to well-traveled trails and traveling with friends, a simple tow strap and some D-ring recovery points are usually enough. We’ve done plenty of trips without ever actually needing to use a winch for recovery.

2. Tires: The Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Upgrade

If you’re going to upgrade just one thing on your vehicle, make it the tires. Good all-terrain tires can take you much farther than a lift kit or fancy suspension. That said, there’s a fine balance: bigger isn’t always better.

We initially went with oversized, heavy-duty E-load tires, thinking they were necessary. But in reality, they were overkill for our lightweight vehicles, leading to a rougher ride and unnecessary fuel consumption. A good set of all-terrains (rather than mud-terrains) is more than enough for most overland and off-road camping adventures.

3. Suspension: Nice to Have, But Not Essential

A suspension upgrade can improve ride quality, but stock suspension combined with a small lift (such as a spacer lift) is often sufficient. If your factory suspension is still in good shape, start with tires before considering a full suspension overhaul.

4. Extra Fuel Cans: Not Always Necessary

Jerry cans are another item that looks great on Instagram but often goes unused in real-world overlanding. In most parts of the U.S., you’ll find gas stations within 10 miles of trailheads, making extra fuel unnecessary for weekend warriors. Unless you're planning deep backcountry travel, a full tank before hitting the trail is usually enough.

5. Underbody Armor: When Is It Worth It?

Many factory vehicles come with basic skid plates, which are often enough unless you plan on serious rock crawling. Instead of immediately upgrading all your underbody protection, take your truck out and see what kind of terrain you actually tackle. You may find that your stock armor is sufficient for your style of travel.

The Key to Overlanding: Experience Over Equipment

Overlanding and off-road camping should be about getting out into nature, not about how much gear you can strap onto your vehicle. The best way to figure out what you need is to start simple. Take a basic camping trip with what you have, and only upgrade when you actually find a limitation.

What Do You Actually Need to Get Started?

Here are some recommended products to help you get started:

• Reliable 4x4 Vehicles
• All-Terrain Tires
• Basic Camping Gear (Tent, Sleeping Bag, Cooking Setup)
• Water and Food Supplies
• Recovery Strap and D-Rings
• First-Aid Kit At the bare minimum, here’s what we recommend:
• A reliable 4x4 vehicle (or even a capable 2WD, if you know its limits)
• A good set of all-terrain tires
• Basic camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, cooking setup)
• Water and food for the duration of your trip
• A recovery strap and D-rings if traveling with others
• A solid first-aid kit

Everything else is a nice-to-have, but not necessarily a must-have. The key is to get out there, test your setup, and modify as needed based on real-world experience rather than internet hype.

Vehicle Experience: Every Vehicle Can Find an Adventure

Over the years, I’ve had a wide range of vehicles—2 Toyotas, 4 Jeeps, 2 Subarus, 1 K5 Blazer, and 2 Pajeros—and through all of them, I’ve learned that every vehicle has its own strengths and can find an adventure somewhere. Whether it’s rock crawling, deep backcountry exploring, or just finding a quiet place to camp, the right vehicle is the one you have and are willing to take out into the wild.

Final Thoughts

Overlanding doesn’t have to break the bank. Social media and marketing will try to convince you that you need thousands of dollars’ worth of gear before you can even think about going off-road. But in reality, all you need is a decent vehicle, good tires, and a sense of adventure.

Take your time, build your setup based on what you actually need, and most importantly—have fun. Overlanding and off-road camping are about the journey, not the gear.

Got thoughts? Drop them in the comments below! Let’s keep the conversation going.