This overland checklist is for those planning, or starting, an off-the-beaten path adventure. It was created with the assumption that some people might not be able to live full time on the road, but are working to create a lifestyle that will support that dream.

For those who only have 3 days here and there to give, we got you.

Here are some ways to help you get started.

 Note: We have not received compenstation for any of the products listed in this article. 

A few items to consider before you start:

1. This overland checklist is to help prepare you for longer adventures. This list will give you a great starting point for the supplies you need to consider for your journey.

2. This basic supply list assumes you have a capable rig for what you want to do.

3. Know before you go! Do your research on the terrain/weather of your destination. You’ll need to adjust your equipment and provision amounts depending on the duration of your trip, but with this setup you are good for many days.

4. Bring a journal to help fine tune your overland checklist! Each time you go out make a note of:

The things I had that I don’t need
The things I needed and I didn’t have

By doing this, your list gets better and more refined every time you go out.

 

The Foundation: Three Cases Method

Your list will naturally consolidate and improve over time, and for us, the pack list consolidated to three prepacked cases. The advantage of a prepacked case method is that you can get out of town and into the great outdoors in 20 minutes!

The overland checklist three categories are:

1. Dry goods
2. Kitchen and camp utilities
3. Comfort

This configuration packs tight. And remember… Organization will keep you sane.

 

The Starter Overland Checklist

First things first. Let’s go over the basics needed.

Water (1-2 gal. per person per day depending on environment)
Cooler/Fridge (cold foods according to your meal plan)
First Aid
Tent/Sleeping Shelter
Map/GPS/Tablet or Satellite Comms
Clothes
Bedding (pads, sleeping bags, pillows)
Camp Kitchen
Table
Chairs
A tool kit for your vehicle
Recovery Gear (winch, straps, traction boards)

Once you have the basics covered you can drill down into the case method.

 

Case 1: Dry Goods

The dry goods case is our pantry. This list is the easiest to change up and make appropriate for you. Our shopping trip before heading out of town is for fresh items like fruits, pastry treats for a ‘special’ breakfast for kids, vegetables of all sorts, cheese, proteins, etc.

Canned Soup
Canned Black Beans
Canned Kidney Beans
Canned Tuna
Canned Chili/Hearty Stew
Canned Whole Tomatoes
Canned Tomato Paste

Dry Pasta
Spaghetti Sauce

Spices: Salt, pepper, steak rub, garlic salt
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Steak Sauce
Sriracha Chili Sauce
Cholula Hot Sauce

Coffee

Cereal
Instant Oatmeal
Almond/Soy Milk
Dried Fruit
Energy Bars
Nuts

Peanut/Almond Butter
Small jar of jelly
Hot Chocolate
Hersey Bars
Marshmallows
Graham Crackers

Tortillas
Chips
Salsa

This list is the framework we shop from when we take inventory of our “pantry”. We always try to pack things that will pair well with fresh vegetables and protein.

 

Case 2: Hardware

This is the ‘nuts and bolts’ of a base camp set up case, plus your cooking supplies. Consider how compact and packable you can make these items.

Lantern/Lights
Compact Stove – We highly recommend Fore Winds single burner stoves
Trash Bags
Propane
Insect Repellent
Eating Utensil Sets – Cliff Set is our go to
Wet Ones
GSI Pinnacle Camper Kit (pots, pans, plates, cups)
Thin Plastic Cutting Board
Coffee Filters & Pour Over Kit
Water Purification kit
Fire Bag (lots of ways to start a fire – wet, dry, strike, lighter, fuel, gels, etc.)
Cooking utensils
Knife X 2
Paper Towels
Boo Boo First Aid Kit
Bottle/Can Opener
Aluminum Foil
Napkins
Kleenex
Paper Plates
Toilet Paper (Mountain Money)

 

Case 3: Camp Comfort

This is our case for all the things that make campfires memorable.

Folding Chairs
Stuff sack blankets
Extra beanies and gloves
Pocket warmers

A general reminder: Pull from the resources you have and make sure the resources you pack are right for your needs. Meaning, you don’t have to go out and buy this entire list. Many of these items can be found around the house. You’ll be surprised at what you do and do NOT need.

 

Additional Inspriation

And for those really looking for a starting point, here’s how we typically plan meals assuming a three day excursion.

Day 1

Dinner

Chips & Salsa
Easy to heat up canned chili/stew
Saltine Crackers
Carrots/veggie with hummus

Day 2

Breakfast

Cold Cereal w/ Almond Milk
Apples w/ Almond Butter
Coffee

Lunch

Flour Tortilla rolled with lunch meat, cheese, veggies & Cholula (or PB&J!)
Chips & Salsa
Trail Mix
Apples w/ Almond Butter

Dinner

Hunk of meat
Red Potatoes in Foil/with canned tomatoes, can of beans, veggies and seasoning
Broccoli w/ garlic salt and pepper

Day 3

Breakfast

Fruit
Instant Oatmeal
Pastries

Lunch (on the road)

 

Create Your Own Kit

We have used Plano cases in the past, and are a great solution for our pack three cases method. They offer an incredible value. You can get them here.

Any advice based on your experience? Let us know in the comments.

Updated October 24, 2022