The ultimate travel gear lists for solo travelers and females, adventurers, hikers and cyclists in US, Asia and Europe.
I have to admit when it comes to finding the best sustainable metro crossbody bags out there — it is tough to find something that fits with my lifestyle. Here’s reviewing the ALPAKA Metro Crossbody bag!
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Read MoreHiking has become the most common past time for people coming out from the pandemic and those seeking more connection with nature. But is upgrading to AllTrails+ (or Pro) really worth it? Here’s my honest review.
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Read MoreWhat to bring on a day hike or short hike? You’re probably wondering, aside from a good pair of shoes, food, water, phone, GPS system, what should you bring. Here are some of the day hiking essentials.
Read MoreA camping fridge is probably the most important item when you’re overlanding on a trip in a campervan or hitting the trails.
It’s not as simple as replacing it with a cooler in the back of your vehicle and grabbing whatever you want because let’s face it that cooler box will turn into an icky pool of foul-smelling liquid and all your food will turn soggy and wet!
Having the ability to keep food frozen allows you to camp and stay put for longer period of time without having to worry about supplies. And if you’re stuck in a remote place, it is quite the hassle to even rely on Plan-B!
There’s no denying that the hefty price tag of 12V camping fridge is not a luxury option for everyone, unless you absolutely have to in swelling temperatures.
At the end of the day, your best camping fridge investment boils down to how often you camp/stop, where you are at, and what you prefer to eat when on the move.
🏕️ p/s if you’re looking to rent a campervan, I highly recommend checking out Escape Campervans! It’s much more fun going on a road trip with this compared to a RV!
here are the best camping fridges 12v or not if you’re on a campervan, road or trail
Due to maximum efficiency and capacity, you can store an incredible amount of fresh food and drinks in the Dometic CFX3 thanks to the internal compartment design.
The CFX3's robust design and ExoFrame construction is built for tough outdoor use. Think of it as a top of the line build for all your van trips, camping nights and road trips!
The CFX3 eliminates the dairy compartment, which means more room for all your favourite foods. This really is a lifesaver in every situation when you’re on the road! You can organize the space with a removable wire divider and enjoy a more even distribution of cool air with the extended evaporator on all inner walls of the unit.
Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? The ARB Zero Dual-Zone Fridge Freezer has the perfect solution to keep your food, drinks, and frozen goods sorted.
The ARB is built around convenience and personalised configurations making it quite the breeze when you’re overlanding.
Quick-release lids, DC-power inlets front and rear, AC power conveniently positioned on the front for a quick connection, even pouring a drink is easy with the anti-slip lid inserts that have a provision for your glass and bottle.
The compartment divider is removable allowing you to convert your dual-zone into a single zone. It is also suitable for medium to large SUVs, wagons and trucks and the likes.
If we’re talking about efficiency and an amazing fridge setup for your overlanding journeys, the ARB element wins hands down!
The new ARB Elements Weatherproof Fridge Freezer is constructed of stainless steel and offers a fully weatherproof exterior. Engineered to withstand the harshest conditions and tough enough to permanently mount in the back of an open ute.
The main interior difference in the new Elements Weatherproof 63QT Fridge Freezer is the full height evaporator that also extends around what has previously been referred to as the ‘dairy section’.
With the added surface area of the evaporator, the entire cabinet area will have a uniform temperature. The ARB can essentially run for a week and months no matter the weather and terrain!
If you’re looking for a well-made sturdy and portable fridge, the Aspenora 54-quart runs perfectly well for week-long trips!
The aluminium core design makes the portable compressor fridge run more efficiently, and the 1.57 inches thick insulation enables the refrigerator to maintain 10 hours of cooling after the power is turned off.
It is large in capacity and has a better space utilization, stores more food for your family outdoor travelling.
This is the daddy of coolers! Engineered for sturdiness and performance, the lightweight Igloo BMX stands up to tough conditions and goes wherever you want. It has durable construction with reinforced base and kick plates for increased strength and protection.
You can use it all the time on multi-day road trips due to its MaxCold body with 20% thicker foam and insulated lid providing advanced cooling performance and up to 4-day ice retention.
Take it with you if you don’t want to break the bank and want something for 3-4 days!
Think of this just like a home fridge- but in a portable cooler package!
The Mobilcool MCF40 allows you to refrigerate your food on the go without depending on ice to keep things cold.
You can bring homemade snacks and lunch on a road trip, make one-pot camping meals, cook seafood with fresh veggies on the next camping trip, or bring some cool friends to the nearest waterfall.
It weighs 25 lbs with ergonomic handles and can hold 48 cans, 50% more capacity vs traditional ice chests of the same size.
Large enough to hold 85 cans and tall enough to hold 2-liter bottles upright, the Coleman cooler is the trusty brand of cooler that you need for your camping and road tripping needs!
You can have plenty of space for refreshments for a whole group of people. Whether you're headed on an overnight camping trip, to a tailgate party, or out to a BBQ, this is made to last!
It has leak-resistant channel drain for easy draining without tilting the cooler and it has a 5-day ice retention at temperatures up to 90 °F but can even last up to one week!
If you’re looking for a portable freezer that can go further on your overland trips, the AstroAI portable freezer is incredible. With 12/24V DC and 100V to 240V AC adapter, you can use it at home, car, and outdoors (with a portable power bank) and save energy while on the go!
You can adjust the temperature to switch the freezer to a fridge, which is favourable for outdoor using.
It is easy to use with only four buttons. With three-levels of battery protection mechanism- Low, Medium, and High, you can opt for an energy efficiency mode.
Talk about smart tech usage and controlling your temperatures all on the app! Just like a home refrigerator, GO12 provides a temperature control range from 0°F to 50°F.
This is great for car camping if you’re not aiming for an elaborate setup and want all your drinks and light food being kept chilled. The detachable partition design makes it easy to comparmentalise, the GO20 provides 2 separate zones for refrigeration and freezing, which can be operated with 2 digital panels at the same time.
Also has two functional modes from MAX Mode for fast cooling and ECO Mode for energy saving, which is designed for outdoor limited energy usage.
Sometimes we need a powerful camping fridge that takes care of all our modern conveniences.
SetPower has known to offer value, and good quality portable car refrigerators from 12 to 45 liters, which ultimately covers all your need when you are on the road but have been fed up with buying ice to keep storage food frozen.
You can choose what works best to your needs and capacity — between mini size portable refrigerator FC12 or large capacity RV45 according to your camping, or a couple of day off-gird excursion as needed.
It’s not a Dometic freezer but still does a pretty good job in running under 30 degrees. Overall, the construction, materials and value are solid and presents excellent cooling performance, even at extreme ambient temperatures and with minimal power consumption.
The Norcold portable refrigerators are perfect for short trips as it works as a 2-in-1 product, having both freezer and refrigerator compartments, and was designed for big families, long trips or just big appetites.
The exterior is made of strong, corrosion-proof plastic, ensuring its durability. Two heavy-duty removable handles help with maneuvering the unit, while the reversible and removable hinge makes it easy to change the way the refrigerator opens.
NRF 30 comes with a stainless-steel interior which prevents stains and improves cooling. The separate refrigerator-only section prevents freezing of selected items, while the removable wire basket is easily removable, for fast cleaning.
If you are looking for top of the line cooler that will lasts you for days on an epic road trip, the Stanley coolers is worth buying!
This cooler can keep your food and drinks cold for 4 days, even under sweltering conditions. The durable, leak-free design and extra height is built to accommodate 2-liters, longnecks, fifths, and magnums so everything fits comfortably and stays protected. Close it up and use the top as a table, step stool, or seat.
You can also pair this with a full adventure kitchen set. The stainless steel pot and 3-ply fry pan are built to perform like pros, ensuring that food heats more evenly. With all the tools needed to prep, cook, serve and clean up, you may even keep this set in your kitchen for everyday use.
Also Read: The Best Pop-Up Tents For Effortless & Easy Camping: Large To Small
Switch food from the freezer into the fridge area the night before to thaw your food.
Do not waste your power. Use the thickest power cable possible to ensure minimal electrical resistance and maximum voltage supply.
Avoid car battery to power camping fridge — this will drain your car battery before it’s too late.
Be smart with your packing and choose the food you’re going to eat first when you stack it.
Keep your cooler away from the sun
Temperatures are important and make sure you adjust them to maximise power usage. When driving, set it to the coldest degree and lower it as you arrive at your destination.
Drinks in cans cool faster than those in bottles.
Always carry spare fuses for your camping fridge / freezer.
Allow hot food to cool before putting them in the fridge to avoid your fridge overworking
Keep your camping fridge as full as possible. An empty fridge is less power-efficient.
Also read: 20 No-Cook Delish Camping Food Ideas and Meals
Tell me in the comments which camping fridge has been useful for your journey on the road or trail
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Here are the best paid and free hiking apps that can be used across any hiking trails regardless of whether you’re an iOS or Android user.
Read MoreKettles can make all the difference when going camping, but nobody wants to hike up a mountain with a household appliance strapped to their backpack! Whether you’re out for an overnight trip in the woods or car camping with your friends, one of these options should suit your needs.
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Read MoreThe first time a tent pole broke on me was when I was camping in Kyrgyzstan and we had to find makeshift tools and pieces to put it together.
Camping for the first time as a beginner can be intimidating. I was stumbling in Central Asia trying to find the right place to be hidden away from the highway.
Even scrutinising all the essentials from what kind of tent, sleeping bag and camping gear I should have thought can be a ginormous task.
I recall reading obsessively about all the camping tips and tricks for beginners to avoid making a mistake.
We are now seeing the busiest camping season and rightly so as people want to come outside to enjoy nature and take a breather from two years of staying indoors.
Here’s where I’ll cover the best camping guide, tips and tricks for beginners.
I’ll share how to plan your first camping trip, safety basics and some tricks to ensure your camping experience is not a “task” but an enjoyable process as you learn and unlearn new techniques.
🏕️ p/s if you’re looking to rent a campervan, I highly recommend checking out Escape Campervans! It’s much more fun going on a road trip with this compared to a RV!
Million dollar view at kolsai lake in kazakhstan. Here are the best camping tips and tricks for beginners
Not many of us are lucky enough to get an experienced camper to show us the ropes. You could start small with an overnight camp in your car. Here are ways to strike out on your own if you’re a beginner camper:
Get a tent (a no-brainer for this). But instead of getting one, how about loaning it out from your friend.
Pack all your clothes for an overnighter and adjust accordingly to the temperature. Pro-tip: check the weather app!
Find the right type of packable camping food. If you don’t want to cook, here’s a list of no-cook backpacking or camping meals you can take with you.
Camp close to home: in case, you don’t feel safe and feel like you’d need a few days to dip your toes in the world of camping, this is a great method to gain some confidence!
Prepare mentally: There’s a lot of lists of what to buy and what to take, but the biggest preparation is all mental. Give yourself some pep talk and tell yourself there’s a first for everything!
Understanding what’s your camping style is the first way to determine how you should go about planning your trip. Maybe you’re not keen on roughing it out and prefer a glamping style or you’d like to learn some survivalist techniques before going for a full-fledging camping trip.
Tent Camping: Broadly speaking, tent camping can be parked into any form of camping. This type of camping usually means using the facilities provided at a campground at a national park or designated camping area. This is the most common type of camping setup for people who are travelling and want to be close to nature.
Backcountry camping: If you love going on backpacking trips or a long hiking trip, and want to take all your gear with you to switch off and just be in the wilderness, then backcountry camping would be more your style. This is a great choice for people who want to navigate through mountainous terrain and spend some nights in the wild.
Car camping: Perhaps the most easiest type of camping where you park your car at a specific area and carry all your gear with you. You could use a variety of tent setups and convert the backseat of your car to carry all your supplies.
Glamping: In Asia or in summers where the heat can be unbearable, glamping comes in as a welcome respite! Whether it is tree houses, canopy tents or luxury camps with a shower and all the latest modern day essentials, glamping can be a great way to dip your toes in the surroundings without sacrificing your comfort! It may not be the cheapest way to get outside but it is definitely aesthetically pleasing for a holiday vacay without ignoring nature’s benefits!
When you’re planning your first camping trip even though it is a one-nighter, doing your homework upfront is highly important to avoid experiencing setbacks with dealt with an emergency. I did research and make sure I had the basics covered and had a rough idea of what I’ll be up against.
Tent: If you’re starting out camping as a beginner, a spacious tent of up to a “3-person tent” and a three-season tent would be ideal. You’ll want to think of the conditions. Will there be snow, sand, wind or rain? A 4-season tent may be slightly more bulky, so the best way is to find the right one that fits your camping setup. A pro-tip: try setting up the tent before camping, test it out in your yard or living room. You’d want to ensure you’ve got this as much as possible!
Sleeping Bag: We all know how important is a sleeping bag! The biggest factor when choosing one is rainfall and humidity. My camping trips are always somewhere cooler, I would recommend choosing a down sleeping bag or a 3-season sleeping bag that gives you some breathability when camping!'
Sleeping Pad: Don’t make that mistake of skimping on a sleeping pad! I once bought a thin pad that provided no insulation and felt like I was sleeping on rocks! You want the bag and pad to work in tandem. Sleeping pads with proper foaming will reflect all that warmth to you.
Emergency Blanket: I learnt this trick when I was camping in sub-minus temperatures and it was raining hail! The emergency blanket served as a giant foil wrapper that packs to the size of a sandwich bag actually saved my life! These blankets are known to extract a lot of heat. These add atleast 10-15 degrees of warmth.
Hammock: There are times when there’s a nice little river and two trees next to it making it perfect to lounge around and read a book. It is packable and often lightweight making it quite easy to pack it around with you!
Headlamp/lighting: While a flashlight is OK but having a proper headlamp frees you from having to hold one and it is also really nice to set the mood before you take time to build a campfire.
Stove: A two-burner propane camp stove is the best beginner camp stove to cook your meals and prepare your morning coffee! Don’t forget to bring a lighter and some fuel canisters and test it out before going for your trip.
Camping kitchen utensils: You don’t really need a lot but some simple cutting board if you’re chopping stuff, or mug and cutlery are good enough on a trip in the outdoors.
Camp chair: If you’re car camping and don’t need to trek, bringing a camp chair is nice to sit by the fire and enjoy the view
Also Read: The Best Pop-Up Tents For Effortless & Easy Camping: Large To Small
What to wear when camping? don’t wear cotton!
Cotton kills when backpacking or camping. If you get wet, you’ll be cold and feel really icky about your camping experience. Choose wisely and invest in synthetic or wool baselayers. It is lightweight and wool baselayers like Merino are usually extremely lightweight and odour-free for days.
It is also important to get a down vest or a down jacket which can be easily condensed and be carried anywhere. Along with this, be sure to bring a rain jacket!
Read more: What To Wear Outdoors: In Summer, Spring, Fall & Winter
Let’s just say we won’t be showering for a day or two and if you do camp in campground facilities, the very least you should bring with you is biodegradable soap, toilet paper and your own toothbrush.
Carry with you your own microfiber towel as well.
Bring a small bottle of hand sanitiser and avoid using your hands when sharing food. Keep it clean and don’t leave any trace behind.
1. Choose a spot that is isolated
Always try to camouflage yourself and remain hidden when you’re camping to avoid attracting attention.
Pick a site that’s away from the usual campground so you don’t have to deal with onlookers. Also, if you are away from the camp facilities, you don’t need to deal with people constantly going to the trash cans or bathrooms.
2. Camp near a water source if you’re backpacking
Try to camp near a running creek, river or lake to gather water and do your dishes.
Make sure you filter your water or boil it if you’re going to consume it! The general rule is to set up camp 200 feet away from the water to keep it clean and away from any contaminants.
If you’re next to a lake and it is freezing temperatures, try to find a hill and camp away from the lake. It gets pretty cold camping next to the lake and you don’t want to be stuck in that situation.
3. Be prepared for whatever comes your way and invest in a small first aid kit.
You’d need antiseptic, ibuprofen and some plasters. You never know when you’ll get a crazy headache or wake up with a injury. Also, depend on where you’re camping, do pack a bear spray and a pepper spray just in case for safety measures!
4. Bring games and mini-card games
If it is your first time camping outside and if you’re with someone, it’ll be nice to have some mini card games to destress from all that setting up and waiting time in the afternoon sun. A mini-sized deck of cards won’t save your life but will help put you in the right mood.
5. Try new things as much as possible
It is your first time camping and chances are you’re still figuring out the ropes, this is your best chance to test that new skill you learned online such as making campfire, cooking a full-blown meal and other survivalist techniques you wish to master out in the wild!
6. Be critters-ready
To ensure no food is left out, the best way you can do is stash away leftovers in the car (that’s if you’re car camping), but if you have no other choice, find a way to keep your food away from animals (especially bears).
You could sling a bear bag (made of bear-proof fabric) over a high tree branch to be at least 200 feet away from your campsite.
Some of the most rewarding places and views in the world are in your million dollar tent where you spend the night beneath the stars. Whether you want to escape to the mountains or find a coastal campsite, the world has some of the stunning places to visit.
1. Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
Courtesy: Newzeland.com
We all know how stunning New Zealand for otherworldly landscapes. Mount Cook is the highest mountain in South Island and the gateway to the best outdoor landscapes. Views can go on for miles in this side of this world.
2. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Scotland
Courtesy: Nationalparks.uk
Nothing can be more breathtaking than being in the Scottish highlands. The stunning peaks and villages in Trossachs are the perfect scene to stop for a camping trip. Being in the wild has never felt this stunningly beautiful!
3. Zion National Park, USA
Some of the most stunning places are in the Southwest and Zion National Park with its rugged and expansive canyon makes it one of the best places to trek and enjoy the best of Utah’s views in proper campsites. It is a red-rock wonderland and known to be heaven on earth!
4. Kyrgyzstan
If you love camping in the wilderness in the steppes with stunning backdrop of the Tien Shan mountains, Kyrgyzstan is the place to be. With 90% being mountains, Kyrgyzstan attracts travellers who love remote locations and are big fans of wild and vast spaces with endless roads and tracks. I camped at Lenin Peak Base Camp and even a cold blue alpine lake called Kol-Tor making it one of the most unforgettable trips!
5. Ladakh, India
If you fancy being on the highest roof of the world and love all things related to Buddhism including monasteries, prayer flags and being in a raw place with unobstructed views of the mountains, then Ladakh might just be the best place to camp. It’s harsh but the mountains and stunning mooscapes feel like you’re in Mars!
If you managed to get out there and complete your first camping trip, share with me in the comments below how it went!
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The best road bikes under $2000 for men and women vary quite a bit. How do you decide if a carbon or aluminium road bike is right for you? or if you want an endurance or racing road bike? Here’s where I identify the best road bikes to purchase in 2021.
Read MoreLet’s talk about padded cycling or bike shorts for women — we have come a long way in fit, size and design. If you’re new to the cycling world or have already been few years into your journey, you would know that fit is everything. Here is the full list of recommended women’s cycling shorts for all sizes.
Read MoreWith the vast majority of products catered towards either beginner’s stuff or expensive, high-end stuff, it is hard to sort of strike a balance. Here’s where I dug deeper and found the best women’s cycling or bike kit featuring jerseys and bib shorts that are actually flattering and not ugly.
Read MoreSo, what to wear hiking when you’re outdoors and in summer, spring, fall and winter? And why is appropriate outdoor clothing so important? The key reason is “comfort” and protection against elements such as hypothermia. Wearing the right clothing that’s suitable for changing altitude, terrain and alpine areas are critical.
Read MoreWith so many options on the market, how would you even start choosing a pair of hiking shoes? Here are the 12 best hiking shoes for beginners.
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Read MorePart Travel. Part Misadventures. Part Documentary. All Goat-friendly.
Heya! I am Pashmina. In 2016, I quit my job to travel solo to the Himalayas for 3 months and start my own thing. Today, I am a content creator who spends most of my time chasing the great outdoors instead of somebody else’s life. My goal is to share stories and inspirational tales for people to live more adventurously and travel responsibly. Learn more about me here.
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