Best Amazon Purchases for Overlanding in 2021
As you probably have already discovered, there’s not much you cannot buy on amazon.com these days. It is almost a game to see what sort of curveball request you can lookup Amazon and I’ve learned to not be surprised when that oddity can be delivered in 2 days or less.
I wouldn’t normally recommend Amazon as the go-to place to find overlanding gear, but we went through our Amazon purchases from 2021 and realized that we’ve bought some fun items that repurposed really well for overland travel. So without further ado…. Here are 10 Amazon purchases for Overlanding in 2021 that have been game changers for us:
These Little Squirt Bottles You want to make tacos, but don’t have space in the fridge for all those condiment jars? Or you just need a small amount of salad dressing and don’t want to lug around the whole bottle? These squeeze bottles are game changers. Easy to clean, nice and secure so they won’t leak, and a great way to pack a small amount of your condiment de jour for the road.
Headrest storage bags There are some really nice options to buy headrest storage on the market, but it’s hard to argue with the price point on these. While I will spend the money to buy a good Blue Ridge Overland Gear bag when it’s something that will endure lots of use and abuse, I also don’t mind saving some money on the little things, like headrest storage. Pair these with velcro MOLLE pouches to stash first aid, recovery gear, or other needed items in a convenient location.
Roll bar side storage bags Using the space between the back seat and the roll bar cage is a great way to squeeze in some storage for small items. We use these bags to carry our sheets, towels, rain gear, and toiletries close at hand, but still out of the way. Pro tip: use some spare paracord to make DIY zipper pulls to make these bags more user friendly.
Toilet paper holder When you gotta go isn’t the right time to be digging around for your toilet paper that you know you left right over….. too late. Keep the TP close at hand and easy to dispense in this clever holder. We attached ours to the side of the above storage bags, so it’s always in the same spot and staying clean.
Collapsable stools Sometimes you just need a quick chair. Camp chairs, for all their comfort, aren’t always the fastest to setup and break down, so enter the collapsable stools. They are easy to carry and deploy, and also double as a nice side table. We’ve used ours on the beach, to go fishing, and for quick lunches on the side of the trail. Can also double as a step stool!
Automotive cloth tape I discovered this stuff earlier this year and it’s a total game changer. Forget regular electrical tape that leaves wires gummy and gross. This stuff is easy to use, looks great, and is super durable. We’ve wrapped all of our external wiring for things like our solar panel and rooftop tent in this cable wrap, and it’s a game changer. You’re welcome.
Undercarriage pressure washer We invest a lot into our rigs, so we should invest the time to keep them clean. That’s one of the best ways to minimize the rust and damage that can occur from driving wintery roads, near the ocean, on sand, and of course… mud. Spray the undercarriage of your vehicle with a light dilution of a chemical degreaser, let it sit for a few mins, and then rinse with this pressure washer. You’ll be amazed how clean your Jeep will be afterwards.
Limb risers Those wires that come up from the front hood of Lola and connect to our windshield are called limb risers. They are designed to help lift overgrown tree brush or shrubs off the trail and above your vehicle so it doesn’t smack the front of the windshield. There aren’t any kits that are designed for a no-drill installation onto a Jeep JL, so be prepared to add a few holes to your rig to install the kit. But they do work and help!
Magnetic Mic Driving and trying to get your microphone for your GMRS radio / CB radio down can be tricky. Retractors sag and are clunky. Enter magnetic mic. Mount this on the back of your radio for a solid and secure way to hold the radio, but also access it with ease. These magnets are super strong, so your radio won’t fall down while you are cruising down a washboard road.
Light dimming stickers Lauren is super sensitive to light in the room when she is trying to sleep. These stickers are a nice way to black out little lights in our rooftop tent (like the status indicator light on our Hard Korr LED strip in the tent) or to dim a light that is otherwise too bright. These stickers are an easy and effective way to dim or darken a light, and can save you from some annoyance trying to cover everything in your life ;-)
What have you bought from Amazon in 2021 that has been a useful/ valuable overlanding purchase? Drop us a comment!