Author: Dylan

Is Van Life Worth It? (2022)

Post author By Dylan
Post date August 23, 2022

Is Van Life Worth It? (2022)

There’s no doubt that van life is becoming more and more popular. More and more people seem to be ditching their traditional lives in favor of a simpler, nomadic existence.

But is van life worth it? Is it worth giving up the stability of a traditional job and home for the freedom of the open road?

The answer to this question depends on the individual. For me, van life was most certainly worth it. In this blog post, we’ll look at the pros and cons of van life and help you decide if it’s right for you!

What Is Van Life?

Before we get into whether or not van life is worth it, let’s first take a look at what van life is.

In its simplest form, van life is about living in a van – duh! But there’s more to it than that. People who live the van life typically do so to pursue a more nomadic, minimalist lifestyle.

This means that they don’t have a traditional job or home – instead, they move around constantly, living in their van and working remotely (or not working at all).

Van lifers typically downsize their possessions considerably and live a simpler life. For many, the appeal of van life is the freedom it provides. They’re not tied down to one place and can go wherever they want, when they want.

Of course, this nomadic lifestyle isn’t for everyone. It takes a certain person to live comfortably in a van and deal with the tumultuous lifestyle that comes with it.

Pros Of Van Life:

Alright, now that we covered what van life is for you newbies out there, let’s take a look at some of the pros of this unique way of living.

#1. Great Way To Explore

One of the biggest advantages of van life is that it allows you to live a nomadic lifestyle and explore the country/world with a great degree of flexibility. Since you have a home on wheels, you can stay as long as you want in an area to get all your exploring in, and when you feel like you have done it all and are ready to leave, you can do so at the drop of a hat.

This makes van life an excellent way for travel lovers to explore on their own terms without being tied down to one place.

#2. Meet Other Like-Minded People

There are not too many people who have the guts to leave it all behind to go out and live the van life. If you take the leap and join this community, you will inevitably like-minded people and forge beautiful friendships during your travels.

#3. Down-Size And Live A Simpler Life

Van life allows you to live a simpler life in many respects. While life on the road comes with its own set of difficulties, you may find it more tranquil in many respects.

During van life, you can’t have all the worldly possessions you typically have in a standard home or apartment. Van life requires some heavy-duty downsizing which can help show that you don’t need the latest iPhone, Gucci belt, or 4K TV to be happy. During van life, you will likely find yourself treasuring relationships, experiences, and freedom more than your material possessions.

#4. Cheaper Lifestyle

Another benefit of van life is that it can be a much cheaper lifestyle than living in your typical home and apartment. A significant reason for this is that you are combing your rent and car payments into one! Also, if you have a sustainable van build, you won’t have to worry about paying for electricity.

Now take this with a grain of salt. If you are always going out to eat and are paying for all your campsite stays, the bills can rack up. But if you cook your meals and make it a point to only stay at free campsites, you can save a bunch of money!

The Cons Of Van Life

As I said, van life has its own set of difficulties, so let’s look at these and see if van life would be worth it for you.

#1. The Daily Logistics

The daily logistics of van life can become exhausting. Some of the things you need to think about on the day-to-day when van living include:

Where will you park
Where to shower
Where to use the bathroom
Where to refill your water
Finding wifi to work

It is easy to get decision fatigue from all of this. You need to decide if you can deal with the uncertainty of every day. If this sounds terrible, van life may not be worth it for you.

#2. It Can Get Lonely

Another con of van life is that it can get lonely. I have been solo van living for the past four months and I would be lying if I haven’t experienced bouts of loneliness.

However, I will say that technology makes this way more manageable. If I am lonely or just looking to talk with someone, I can pick up my phone and give someone a call. But if you constantly need to be surrounded by friends, van life may be difficult for you from time to time.

#3. Breakdowns

Many van lifers have dealt with at one point or another. A van breakdown can be stressful and expensive, and it is a con you need to be aware of and know how to deal with when out on the road.

If you want to learn more about how to avoid van breakdowns on the road check out my article “How To Take Care Of Your Van During Van Life And Avoid Breakdowns?”

#4. Living In Tight Quarters

Living in a van can get tight (I know, shocker). This can be a difficult transition for those used to living in larger spaces and the creature comforts that come with living in a larger area.

But I would also say that the purpose of van life is to get out and explore different areas. If you are a homebody, van life may not be worth it.

How Do To Decide If Van Life Is Worth It For You?

No question about it, it takes a certain type of person for van life to be worth it but is that you? You need to take the above pros and cons and see how your personality would handle it.

If you are still on the fence about it, you can go out and rent a camper van for an extended vacation and see if it is something you enjoy! A popular van rental option out there is outdoorsy.com, where you can rent campervans or RVs. The best part about them is that they have locations all over the United States near many national parks!

I Hope This Was Helpful! If You Are A Current Or Former Van Lifer Was It Worth It For You?

This Was A Collaboration Post: Big thank you to travel in Scandinavia for their contribution!

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Can You Hike In Gym Shorts? (2022)

Post author By Dylan
Post date August 23, 2022

Can You Hike In Gym Shorts?

Even if you are going for a day hike, you always want to ensure you have the right clothes. But what if you don’t have hiking shorts or pants? Can you hike in gym shorts?

Yes, you most certainly can.

I typically wear gym shorts for day hikes or scorching hot days backpacking where the trail is well maintained. That way I do not have to worry about my legs getting scraped by branches and bushes.

Many people think you must wear dedicated shorts or pants whenever hiking, but that isn’t true. A pair of gym shorts will work just fine.

I wear these shorts all the time. I love their built-in liner. It helps keep me comfy even on longer treks.

Let’s dive into some of the pros and cons of hiking in gym shorts!

Pros Of Hiking In Gym Shorts

Although they are not specifically designed for hiking, gym shorts are a versatile article of clothing that gets the job done on the trail.

#1. You Probably Already Own A Pair

One of the pros of hiking in gym shorts is that you most likely already have a pair of shorts in your dresser, so that you can save the cash you would’ve otherwise spent on a new pair of hiking pants or shorts!

#2. They Are Super Comfy

If I could, I would wear gym shorts every single day of my life. What’s not to like about them? They are comfy, cheap, and easy to hike in!

#3. Keep You Cool On Hot Hikes

If you are hiking in intense heat, a nice pair of hiking shorts will do a great job keeping you nice and cool when on the trail but guess what, so will gym shorts!

#4. Lightweight

Gym shorts of often much lighter weight compared to hiking pants. This is beneficial for those trying to shred some weight off, but it comes at the cost of leaving your legs exposed to abrasions from branches on the trail.

#5. Increased Range Of Motion Compared To Hiking Pants:

Another excellent benefit of using gym shorts compared to hiking pants is that they provide a bit more range of motion when compared to hiking pants. This increase in mobility can be beneficial when scrambling or climbing over downed trees when out on the trail.

Cons To Hiking In Gym Shorts:

#1. Less Protection Than Hiking Pants

One of the major cons to hiking in gym shorts is that you are much more susceptible to scratches and abrasions from brush on the trail. You can usually deal with these minor scratches, but they can be avoided entirely by wearing hiking pants.

#2. Not As Water Resistant Compared To Hiking Pants Or Shorts

Another major drawback to hiking in gym shorts is that they are not as water resistant and quick drying as hiking shorts or pants. While during a day hike, this isn’t a huge deal because you can get change when you go home. However, this can be a major pain point on backpacking trips, and you may be stuck with wet shorts for the next few days if you encounter rain.

Can You Wear Gym Shorts For Backpacking?

Yes.

However, I would suggest getting a pair of shorts made of quick-drying material. This way, should you encounter inclement weather during your hike. You won’t have to worry about hiking in wet shorts the following day!

Do You Like Hiking In Gym Shorts?

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase or a booking, I may earn a commission. Using these links DO NOT affect the cost of the product/booking. The price remains the same affiliate link or not. Thanks for supporting my small business!

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Backpacking Stove Vs Campfire Cooking When Backpacking:

Post author By Dylan
Post date August 16, 2022

Backpacking Stove Vs Campfire Cooking When Backpacking:

Whenever you enter the backcountry, you must have a way to cook your meals (unless you plan on cold soaking, but in my opinion, that’s gross).

So the common matchup when it comes to cooking while backpacking is the backpacking stove vs campfire. Unfortunately, it isn’t much of a contest. The winner is the backpacking stove.

If you don’t have one yet, I recommend just picking up a cheap one on amazon. I have used this backpacking stove for the past five years, and it has been working great. You can go into more expensive options like Jetboil, but if you are on a budget, the cheap one will work fine.

Alright, let’s jump into 7 reasons why you should use a backpacking stove instead of a campfire for cooking while backpacking.

What Is A Backpacking Stove?

While everyone should know what a campfire is, some beginners may be wondering what a backpacking stove is. Well, a backpacking stove is a portable cook stove where you use some form of fuel to create a controlled flame over which you use to cook your meals.

There are two major backpacking stoves: the canister and liquid fuel stove.

Canister Stoves

Canister stoves are the more popular option for traditional backpacking trips. They consist of a propane/butane mix fuel canister, an adapter that connects to the canister, and an ignition switch that creates a spark to light the fuel, producing a controlled flame. These stoves are essentially like the Bunson burners you used in chemistry class. Canister stoves are a fantastic option for backpackers due to their packability and convenience.

The only problem with this backpacking stove is that disposing of the empty fuel containers can be a pain and a bit less eco-friendly than liquid gas stoves. Also, these stoves can lose their utility at higher elevations when doing alpine ascents and mountaineering, but for standard backpacking, you should be fine with it.

Liquid Fuel Stove

Liquid fuel, although it is a bit bulkier than canister stoves. They are an excellent option for higher altitude ascents and mountaineering. The other major benefit of this form of backpacking stove is that it is way more eco-friendly because you can refill your tank every time you are low in fuel instead of throwing your empty canisters away.

Unfortunately, the decreased packability of these stoves makes them a less than ideal option for a standard backpacking trip. But, if mountaineering is your thing, then this may be an excellent option for you!

7 Reasons Why You Should Be Using A Backpacking Stove For Cooking While Backpacking.

More Leave No Trace Friendly

Compared to campfires, a backpacking stove is much more leave no trace friendly as it doesn’t require burning local plant life. Also, a fire can destroy the nutrients within the soil it is built on, which can be avoided by using a backpacking stove.

Less Risk Of Forest Fires

Since backpacking stoves have a self-contained flame, you do not have worry about embers flying outside of them. As opposed to campfires, where even though they are contained in a fire pit, they still run the risk of an ember flying outside the pit and catching aflame.

Easier And Faster Set-Up

When it comes to which one is faster to set up, it goes to the backpacking stove. Starting the flame on a stove can be done with a click of a button. In contrast, a campfire requires more time and effort gathering kindling, dry wood of varying sizes, and then a gradual and careful build-up until it is large enough to cook on.

You Can Cook Rain Or Shine

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of using a backpacking stove for cooking is how it maintains its functionality, rain or shine. All you need to do is find some cover from whatever gnarly weather you encounter and get cooking.

However, when it comes to building a campfire, once it starts to rain, your chances of success drop pretty close to zero. Once all of the dry firewood in an area gets wet, it is extremely difficult to get a fire going. Wet stuff doesn’t burn well…. who knew?!

Can use it almost anywhere

Some national parks don’t permit any campfires over a specific elevation, often due to the slower regeneration of trees in these areas. Also, depending on the weather conditions when you visit a region, a fire ban may be in effect, which would prohibit the making of campfires due to an increased risk of forest fires.

However, the nice thing about a backpacking stove is a tool that can usually be used anywhere regardless of the elevation restrictions or if a fire ban is in place (always verify local laws in regulations before backpacking).

Easier To Cook Using A Backpacking Stove

Using a backpacking stove makes cooking much easier because you have a small, controllable flame and a flat surface which you can easily place a pot for cooking

Now, if you have ever tried to cook in the backcountry using a fire, you would know that it can be much more challenging than a stove—the reason is that you do not have a stable area that you can use for cooking. For example, if you wanted to boil water, you would need a large backpacking pot that you could hang over a fire which is much more complicated than just putting one on a stove.

Another factor that makes cooking using a campfire more difficult is that you are much more likely to sustain a burn while cooking due to the unpredictable open flames.

You Can Just Turn It Off When You’re Done

Another thing I love about using a camp stove instead of a campfire is that when you finish cooking, all you have to do is flip a switch to turn off your flame.

However, with a campfire, you must ensure that the pit is cool to the touch to know the fire is truly out. This can require a lot of extra time waiting for your fire to go out entirely. While this may not sound like that big a deal, let me tell you, after a long day of hiking, sometimes after you eat, the only thing you want to do is just hit the hay.

What Are The Benefits Of Cooking Over A Campfire When Backpacking?

Okay, by now, I hope we are all on the same page. When backpacking, you should be cooking with a backpacking stove instead of a campfire. However, there are some benefits to using a campfire when camping worth mentioning, so let’s dive in.

Keep Bugs Away

Bugs can be the absolute worst! But did you know that the smoke from a fire can keep them away?

In areas where it is particularly buggy, I will make a campfire every chance I get to keep these pests at bay!

Keep Warm

Fire keeps you warm… You are welcome for that hot tip. But all joking aside, a campfire will do far more to keep you warm on those chilly nights compared to a backpacking stove.

Nice Atmosphere

There aren’t many better moments than having you and your friends gathered around a campfire shooting the shit, and having a good time.

Campfires are especially great for making new friends when backpacking solo. Invite whoever strolls into camp next to sit with you by your campfire and exchange some stories!

Great When Car Camping

Although campfires are not a practical option when backpacking, they can be great for car camping. Many car camping campsites have fire rings with grates installed, making it easy to cook your food on your open flame, unlike the more primitive fire rings commonly found in the backcountry.

Final Thoughts

Unless you are a mad man and want to soak your meals you need a way to cook when in the backcountry. While it does sound nice to use a campfire when in nature, in my opinion, it is just not a practical means of cooking your meals. Let me know how you cook your meals!

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