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11 useful gifts for your friend living #VanLife

What to get the person with limited space and daily access to incredible adventures?

Useful gifts for your friend living #VanLife

Photo Credit: Getty Images

With rents increasing by dizzying amounts and mortgage rates flying sky-high, it's no wonder your most adventurous friend scooped a remote job and started living the van life. Yes, it does mean you'll have to take a pause from enviously scrolling through their IG feed to find them the perfect space-saving gift (after you find their most recent address, of course!). 

With limited space and a tiny trash can, it's important to be mindful and consider eco-friendly or experience-based gifts your van life friend will actually use. If it sounds like a big ask, don't worry. We've rounded up our favorite gifts that'll enhance a road trip of a lifetime without a big impact on the planet.

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National Park Pass: America the Beautiful

Why It's Cool
What better gift for the U.S.A. roamer than a year of free entrance fees to all National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands? For just $80, they'll get access to over 2,000 sites and some of the most beautiful places in the country managed by federal agencies.

$80

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National Park Pass: America the Beautiful; van life useful gifts

Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop

Why It's Cool
A lightweight, easily storable induction stove is the perfect addition to any tiny kitchen. Whether they have a solar setup or a traditional outlet, your traveler will be thrilled at easy access to hot meals!

$58.99

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Portable Induction Cooktop

Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Hip Pack - Del Día

Why It's Cool
For trips out of the van, this colorful hip pack is a winner made from fabric remnants that would otherwise have been thrown away. Even better, cotopaxi is B Corp Certified, Climate Neutral, and boasts an array of benefits for its employees!

$40

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Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Hip Pack, Van life; van life useful gifts

Light My Fire Biobased Cutting Board + Strainer

Why It's Cool
In tight spaces like a van, space and multipurpose is everything. This mini cutting-board-slash-strainer made of bioplastic fits the bill perfectly.

$4.99

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Jenni Earle Keep Going Bandana

Why It's Cool
We love Jenni Earle's 100% cotton bandanas — handmade in the Carolinas — whether it's for warming up on a cold morning or just looking the part of a carefree traveler.

$34

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Scrubba Wash Bag Untouched

Why It's Cool
Touted as the "world's smallest washing machine," the Scrubba untouched washbag is a pocket-sized, updated version of a washboard. More effective than hand-washing and using way less water than a conventional washing machine, it's a van life win — and this is an undyed and unbleached version.

$49.95

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Scrubba Wash Bag Untouched, van lif; van life useful giftse useful gifts

Harvest Hosts Subscription

Why It's Cool
Give the gift of not having to overnight in a Walmart parking lot! This unique subscription gives you access to over 4,000 unique camping locations with no fees. Available across the U.S. and Canada!

$99/year

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Harvest Hosts Subscription; van life useful gifts

GOpure Pod Water Purifier

Why It's Cool
Having access to clean water when traveling is critical. These tiny water purifiers are good for two weeks of use in any small water container and purify the water within the first two minutes.

$57.45

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GOpure Pod Water Purifier; van life useful gifts

superzero normal, oily, fine hair shampoo + conditioner bars + free savior bag

Why It's Cool
Why take up space with bulky liquid containers while on the road when shampoo and conditioner bars exist? Gift these plastic-free and cruelty-free vegan bars for on-the-go hair washing.

$55

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Fine hair shampoo, van life useful gifts

Nordhus Design Swedish Dishcloths

Why It's Cool
When space is limited, even the most functional items should look cute! Colorful, 100% biodegradable sponges in place of single-use paper towels fit the bill.

$25.99

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Nordhus Design Swedish Dishcloths; van life useful gifts

Voited Soul Slipper

Why It's Cool
Van life inevitably means a blurring of indoor and outdoor living, and these eco-conscious camping slippers work either way. They're made of recycled water-repellent fabric and will stand up to the nomadic lifestyle.

$45

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Slipper, van life useful gifts

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