Off-roading and camping are all about getting back to nature, freeing the mind, and leaving the chaos of modern life behind — and maybe also learning just how fulfilling dried fruit and nuts can be.
We love off-roading, but let’s face it – we got here in a car. It’s peaceful and quiet, and we’ll have a much better time with a few gadgets our ancestors would’ve killed for. Here are the four essentials you should grab for your next outdoor adventure.
1. Solar Panels
Solar panels are a fantastic way to make your trip more eco-friendly. Portable, folding panels are affordable, easy to transport, and extremely efficient – the technology has advanced leaps and bounds over the past decade.
Another huge advantage of taking solar panels off-roading is that they let you make use of nature’s resources without even needing to try hard to do it. Simply unfold the panels when you arrive and connect them to a compatible generator to harness the power of the sun. We’ve put them on top of our list because they enable most of our other tech recommendations!
You can also attach them to the roof of some larger vehicles and let them power up as you drive out into the wild. Discovering portable solar panels strategies & examples is a much better outdoor survival technique than looking into “10 Expensive Axes That Will Teach You That You’re Just Too Unfit To Chop Wood”.
2. Portable Solar Generator
A generator that will connect to your solar panels is a must-have item. Solar generators are increasingly affordable, while hybrid power supplies are also great – they can give you some backup if the sun doesn’t shine.
Solar generators tend to be much quieter than conventional models, which is a real advantage. While we fully approve of bringing tech on your camping trip, keeping noise to a minimum is desirable. A high-quality solar generator will produce almost no noise when it’s only being used to power a low-energy application like a mini-fridge. It can provide consistent power via your solar panels.
3. Mini-Fridge
Electrical refrigeration was one of the most life-changing technological developments of the 20th Century for ordinary people. It also revolutionized supply chains, but here we’re focusing on the mini-fridge in the back of your truck. That’s what will keep your sausages and burgers edible until you need them.
An icebox might work fine for a 1-night trip, but if you’re planning to spend an entire weekend in a temperate area, you’ll have warm beers and questionable meat for dinner on Saturday night. Don’t put yourself off camping forever by stubbornly avoiding technology – bring a mini-fridge, connect it to your solar generator, and marvel as the sun keeps your beer cold.
4. Windproof Lighter
Outdoor cooking is a fun, yummy activity for your adventure. Unfortunately, there are so many ways to turn it into a needless struggle. If you’re planning to cook on any kind of fire:
- Learn how to safely manage an outdoor fire before you leave home, and
- Bring a reliable flame.
Matches feel rustic, but they don’t enjoy any breeze. Make sure you’ve got a reliable, windproof flame to light your fire. This simple piece of tech could be the difference between a cold and miserable trip vs. a cozy, lovely time. Now, you can keep your fire roaring throughout your cooking, marshmallow roasting, and scary story sessions.
Final Thoughts
Getting out into nature is a wonderful experience. Feeling hungry, tired, and bored in the middle of nowhere is… less so. Take what you need to have a good time!