Nook Life: What We Pack
Nook was designed to adapt to your needs, whether you live in your van full-time or you’re just off for an afternoon hike. We understand that space is at a premium when traveling in a camper van, so when considering what to bring along on a trip, we use the very same philosophy that guides every Nook build:
Thoughtful design: It has to be multi-functional or exceptionally space-efficient and easy to use.
Built to last: Durable, high-quality materials that can withstand heavy wear and tear.
Conscious sourcing: Wherever possible, we give priority to eco-friendly creators, small-scale producers, and independent artisans.
Cabin Essentials
Compact Drinking Water Hose & Inline Filter: Every Nook comes with a 0.2 micron filter, but getting an inline hose filter is also recommended if your source is iffy. This will reduce sediment, chlorine, and foul odors in your tank.
Heavy-Duty Extension Cable: We put this in the essential bin as well. A 12 gauge 50ft outdoor rated extension cord is best. All Nooks come with a 30amp to 15amp adapter that plugs into the exterior power port so you can use a normal 15amp (house outlet) extension cord.
Eco-Friendly Cleaners: We recommend choosing cleaners that are biodegradable, especially for dishwashing if you are dumping your grey tank where the water won’t be treated.
Cleaning Tools: Leafted has a beautiful hand crafted broom that makes the chore of sweeping pretty enjoyable, and if you are looking for a vacuum we’ve heard good things about Fanttik V10 Apex and the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser.
First Aid Kit: Blue Ridge Gear makes great pouches that hold all of your first aid essentials and velcro to the panel inside your closet.
Bedding: HEST 50” sheets and double comforter happen to be the perfect size for the Lounge Bed. If you need an outdoor blanket Rumpl has awesome products that pack tight, won’t catch fire, and snap together so they can be worn like a cape which is lovely.
Quick-Dry Travel Towels: A fast drying towel is going to smell less, take up less space, and be dry in time for your next shower in the Utility Spa. Dry Fox makes towels in fun prints and patterns, several sizes and they have a great Zipper pouch for storing items on the beach or folding up compact.
Kitchen Wares
Cookware: Goso makes a great carbon steel pan that has a removable handle for easy stacking and storing and can be used with induction or over an open fire.
Durable Dishware: Stackable, lightweight, non-breakable plates, bowls, mugs, and glasses are key. Take a look at Snow Peak, Oxo, Hydroflask, Barebones and see what you like.
Cooking Utensils: Oxo makes a great line of cooking utensils designed for camping
Stove Hood: This is a nice to have if you are cooking a lot in a closed up Nook. Air Hood has in interesting product to take care of smoke, and smells that can overwhelm a van while cooking.
Coffee Time
Pour Over: The VSSL Nest kit packs a full grinder and pour-over setup into a beautiful, compact unit and makes a great cup of coffee.
AeroPress: If you prefer more of french press taste you cant go wrong with the classic Aeropress.
Storage & Organization
Modular Storage: Rux storage bins and bags are high quality, high capacity, and so versatile. They can be mounted to the top L-tracks of the Utility Spa and fit perfectly under the lounge bed.
Packing Cubes & The Pillow Trick: Use packing cubes to keep clothing tight, and try stuffing your bulky puffy jackets into throw pillow covers for double-duty storage.
Velcro Pouches: Blue Ridge Overland Gear’s velcro pouches are great for more than just your first aid kit. They pair well with the velcro panels in the kitchen and in the closet.
Outdoor Living/ Camp Setups
This is a huge component to your overall experience. We recommend:
CLIQ camping chairs, lightweight, sturdy and comfortable
Folding table from Snow Peak or REI
Hammocks from Kammok
Warm ambient string lights from biolight
Outdoor rug and some Kama Surfaces. This extends your living space to the outdoors, and helps reduce dirt and dust coming inside. The Kama Mat folds up nicely and is made to travel with you on all of your adventures- take it on a picnic, use it for morning yoga and your outdoor shower.
Headlamps & Lanterns: Nook’s Traveling Sconces are great for walking back to camp after your sunset hike, or when your dog needs to go out late at night.
Portable Fire Pit: Ignik makes a safe, and well designed gas fire stove that works as both a fire pit and a BBQ.
Recovery & Road Gear
Off-Road Recovery Kit: A solid shovel, MAXTRAX traction boards, and leveling blocks. You never know where the search for the next camp spot will take you.
Phone Mount: Offroam designed this mount specifically for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dashboards. Also check out Terra X Innovations who have created mounting rails for holding much more than just your phone.
Navigation Tools
The Nook Assistant: We built our custom assistant to help you locate spots on Harvest Hosts, KOA, Campflare, and Landtrust with zero stress. Be sure to check the map view—we’ve dropped custom pins for some of our team’s favorite personal campsites along the coast and deep in the backcountry.
National Parks Pass: A must-have when visiting national parks and some restricted forest service and BLM areas. It makes entry easier and is cheaper if visiting more than a couple times a year.
Our Go-To Apps: GasBuddy (for finding cheap fuel on long hauls), iOverlander (for off-grid spots), Harvest Hosts, and AllTrails (for finding quick dog walks or epic day hikes).