Ultimate overland gear list: must-haves for your kit
Short answer: our ten-category starter kit weighs ~192 lb and runs about $2,170 in mid-tier picks—on a D40 that leaves ~1,028 lb remaining payload with two occupants.
Ten categories, editorial brand picks, checklist order, and payload math below.
Updated 2026 · last reviewed 2026-06-01 · 8 min read
Getting a new overlanding rig is one thing. Knowing what overlanding gear to put in it is another. This overland gear list cuts through the noise: ten must-have categories with three proven brands each. New to the hobby? Read what is overlanding first, then build your kit from here. Mid-size truck? See Nissan Frontier (D40) specs for payload context before you load up.
Overland gear checklist
Priority order for a weekend trail rig or starter overlanding kit. Jump to each section for brand picks.
Remaining payload on a Nissan Frontier D40 as you complete the starter checklist
D40 payload impact — buy phase by phase
Uses editorial D40 payload (1,520 lb) minus two occupants (300 lb). Highlighted cells fall below our safe threshold.
Buy phase
Added weight
Running gear
Remaining payload (D40)
Stock (2 occupants)
—
0 lb
1,220 lb
After recovery boards
17 lb
17 lb
1,203 lb
After hi-lift or bottle jack
32 lb
49 lb
1,171 lb
After portable air compressor
18 lb
67 lb
1,153 lb
After water storage
58 lb
125 lb
1,095 lb
After sleep system
34 lb
159 lb
1,061 lb
After portable power
14 lb
173 lb
1,047 lb
After recovery straps
12 lb
185 lb
1,035 lb
After comms
5 lb
190 lb
1,030 lb
After offline navigation
—
190 lb
1,030 lb
After first aid
12 lb
202 lb
1,018 lb
After rtt overland upgrade (optional)
216 lb
418 lb
802 lb
After fridge upgrade (optional)
43 lb
461 lb
759 lb
01
Recovery Boards
When your tires spin out in sand, mud, or snow, recovery boards slide under your wheels and give you traction to drive out. They're the single most useful recovery tool for solo overlanders — no second vehicle required. Buy these before anything else.
MAXTRAX
The original and still the benchmark. Australian-made, incredibly durable, and used by expedition teams worldwide.
A hi-lift jack can lift your vehicle out of a rut, winch you forward with a strap, or spread two objects apart. It's one of the most versatile tools you can carry — and one of the most dangerous if you don't learn to use it correctly. Watch a tutorial before your first trip.
Hi-Lift Jack Co.
The original. Made in the USA since 1905. There's a reason it's become synonymous with the tool itself.
Airing down your tires dramatically improves traction on dirt, sand, and rock. An onboard compressor means you can re-inflate before hitting the highway — without hunting for a gas station 40 miles from the trailhead. Non-negotiable for serious off-pavement driving.
ARB Twin
The gold standard for onboard air. Fast, powerful, and built to last decades. A serious investment that pays off.
You need more water than you think — for drinking, cooking, washing, and emergencies. Plan for at least a gallon per person per day, plus extra. Purpose-built overlanding water containers are durable, stackable, and won't leach chemicals into your supply.
Rotopax
Modular, mountable cans that attach to roof racks, spare tires, or bed rails. The most versatile water storage system available.
How you sleep defines your whole trip. Rooftop tents (RTTs) set up in under two minutes and keep you off the ground — away from moisture, insects, and wildlife. Ground tents are lighter and more affordable. Neither is wrong, it depends on your style.
iKamper
The most popular hardshell RTT on the market. Opens with one hand, packs tight, and has a genuinely comfortable mattress.
Phones, cameras, lights, a fridge — modern overlanding runs on electricity. A portable power station gives you a reliable power bank that can be recharged via solar panels, your vehicle's alternator, or shore power at a campsite.
Jackery
The most recognizable name in portable power. Excellent solar integration and a huge range of capacities to match your needs.
When recovery boards aren't enough, a kinetic recovery strap and a friend's vehicle can pull you out of almost anything. Quality matters here — cheap straps snap under load and become dangerous projectiles. Don't skimp on this one.
Bubba Rope
The most trusted kinetic recovery rope in the overlanding community. Stores energy like a bungee for a smooth, powerful pull.
Cell service disappears fast in the backcountry. A satellite communicator lets you send messages, share your location, and call for emergency rescue from anywhere on Earth. This is the one piece of gear you hope you never need — and will be glad you have if you do.
Garmin inReach
The industry standard. Two-way satellite messaging, SOS, and GPS tracking with an affordable subscription plan.
Google Maps stops working the moment you leave cell range. Offline navigation apps with downloaded topo maps let you navigate trails, find water sources, and plan routes without any signal. Download your maps before you leave — not at the trailhead.
Gaia GPS
The most comprehensive trail maps available on mobile. Used by hikers, overlanders, and search & rescue teams alike.
You are the first responder when you're miles from cell service. A well-stocked kit and the knowledge to use it is as important as any recovery gear. Take a Wilderness First Aid course if you're planning remote trips — it could save your life or someone else's.
Adventure Medical Kits
The best-organized first aid kits for backcountry use. Sized by trip length and group size — start with the Backcountry series.