Best Overlanding Gear for Beginners in 2026

Overlanding bridges the gap between off-road driving and camping. Instead of racing through trails you travel at a relaxed pace through remote areas and camp along the way.

Roof Top Tent

A roof top tent gets you off the ground away from water mud and critters. Modern RTTs from iKamper Roofnest and Smittybilt set up in under a minute. Budget around $1,200 to $3,000 for a quality RTT.

Portable Fridge

A 12V portable fridge replaces the traditional cooler. Dometic and ARB make compressor fridges that maintain consistent temperature for days off your vehicle battery.

Water Storage

Carry at least 5 gallons of water per person per day. Rotopax containers mount to your roof rack. Add a Sawyer gravity filter for sourcing water from streams.

Recovery Gear

At minimum carry a kinetic recovery rope rated bow shackles traction boards and a compact shovel.

Navigation

Download offline maps using Gaia GPS or OnX Offroad before heading out. A Garmin inReach satellite communicator is strongly recommended for remote areas.