Blog / Technical advice / Travelling by van: what is vanlife?

Travelling by van: what is vanlife?

Vanlife is a lifestyle where people choose to live in a converted vehicle. The movement has been around for over 70 years, but has gained in popularity thanks to social networking. Interested in travelling independently in a van or camper van? In this article, Speck-Sports takes a look at some practical information, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of organising a road trip in a van, with family or friends.

Who are the vanlifers?

What are the disadvantages of vanlife?

Initial cost

Buying a vehicle is very expensive. What's more, you have to think about fitting it out so that it's suitable for sleeping, eating, washing, etc. It's important to note that this is a long-term investment that will save you money in the future.

Limited comfort

Space in a van is very limited and you have to find ways of adapting your equipment. What's more, you'll be dependent on amenities and you'll need to plan specific stops (rest areas and campsites, service stations, etc.) to provide yourself with water, electricity and other essentials.

When travelling in a van, you need to be astute in arranging the vehicle to maximise storage space. Basic sleeping, eating and washing facilities should also be included. What's more, you need to make a choice and pack less luggage for your road trip.

Maintenance and repairs

To function properly, like any other vehicle, the van requires regular maintenance and sometimes you need to make repairs, even during your trip.

It's important to take these drawbacks into account before embarking on your adventure.

The essentials for a road trip in a van

Equipment

At Speck-Sports, we have a selection of camping equipment suitable for van road trips. We have equipment for sleeping, cooking, hydration, hygiene and comfort.

Whether you're looking for solutions for comfortable sleeping, easy cooking, safe hydration or optimum hygiene and comfort, we've got everything you need. We offer a wide range of tents, sleeping bags, stoves, cooking utensils and personal hygiene products to meet all your needs. What's more, we also offer vanlife equipment, such as tents and awnings for cars and vans, and camping furniture.

Hydration

When travelling by van, it's important to have a source of drinking water for drinking, cooking and washing. However, drinking water is not always readily available on wild camping sites or at rest areas. That's why it's possible to opt for water treatment solutions, such as filters in the form of flasks, straws and even larger containers, such as tablets. These solutions allow you to filter your water and make it drinkable by eliminating bacteria and viruses.