Essential Budget-Friendly Overlanding Gear: 5 Must-Have Items That Won’t Break the Bank

Overlanding is all about adventure, self-sufficiency, and experiencing the great outdoors. But outfitting your vehicle for the journey doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just getting started, investing in the right budget-friendly overlanding gear can make your trips more comfortable, efficient, and enjoyable.

Now, there is a lot of gear you need for overlanding, and a lot more you will want to buy. While we can’t discuss every single item you might need or want for your overlanding adventures, we can highlight a few. In fact, in this guide, we’ll highlight five must-have budget-friendly overlanding items that offer excellent performance without draining your bank account. These essentials provide comfort, convenience, and reliability, ensuring you’re ready for any adventure that comes your way.

Remember, too, that “budget-friendly” is in the eye of the beholder. Many of the items in this guide will be considered by some folks to be expensive; but relative to other items, the ones we’ve chosen cost less money than the competition. So, just bear that in mind as we get started!

Invest in an Affordable Rooftop or Ground Tent

If you’re looking for an affordable yet feature-packed rooftop tent for your outdoor adventures, the Tuff Stuff Ranger 65-inch 3-Person Rooftop Tent is an excellent choice. Priced at $1,549.99, this tent is designed for folks who want more room without breaking the bank. With an expanded footprint that adds 10 extra inches over the original Ranger model, it comfortably sleeps three full-sized adults, making it perfect for families or trips with your buddies.

The Ranger tent offers a large sleeping footprint of 65 x 96 inches, with an overhang option extending to 132 inches for added coverage. A 2.75-inch thick foam mattress is pre-installed inside, so you can get a comfortable night's sleep right off the bat. On top of all that, all bedding can be stored inside the tent when folded, which frees up storage space inside your vehicle for other gear.

This tent is constructed with 280G poly/cotton rip-stop fabric, so it’s made to withstand difficult outdoor conditions. The 420D Polyester/Oxford PU-coated rainfly adds an extra layer of weather protection, so you’re sure to stay dry, even during heavy rain. A 1-inch thick aluminum and fiberglass floor provides a sturdy base, too, and supports up to 800 pounds of weight. Other features include:

• Sliding aluminum ladder (which supports up to 300 lbs)

• Mesh-screened windows for ventilation and bug protection

• Under-tent storage hammock for extra gear

• Exterior shoe bag to keep dirty footwear outside

• YKK zippers with paracord pulls to reduce noise in windy conditions

• Heavy-duty 1000D PVC driving cover for protection when packed up

The Tuff Stuff Ranger is also designed to fit a variety of vehicles using the included stainless steel mounting hardware and brackets (which are compatible with crossbars up to 3.25 inches wide). Its aluminum 1-inch tubular frame ensures durability as well, while keeping weight manageable at 164 lbs.

In other words, if you need a roomy, durable, and affordable rooftop tent, the Tuff Stuff Ranger 3-person tent is a fantastic option that delivers comfort, quality, and convenience!

Of course, rooftop tent camping isn’t for everyone…

If you prefer a traditional ground tent, the MSR Hubba Hubba 3-Person Tent is a fantastic option for budget-friendly overlanding gear. Designed for three-season use, it provides the perfect balance of livability and lightweight design.

The rectangular floor plan offers ample space without a foot taper, making it comfortable for three people. With 46 inches of headroom, you can easily sit up and move around as well. The tent fabric is a mix of solid and mesh panels, allowing for ventilation while maintaining privacy.

Built with Easton Syclone poles, the Hubba Hubba is exceptionally sturdy, too. The DuraShield waterproof coating and taped seams ensure you stay dry, even in heavy rain. Its symmetrical design also makes setup quick and easy, so you can pitch camp efficiently after a long day on the trail.

Current Price Comparison:

• Tuff Stuff Ranger 65-inch 3-Person Rooftop Tent: $1,549.99

• MSR Hubba Hubba 3-Person Backpacking Tent: $349.99

Cooking on a Budget

If it’s an affordable, compact, and versatile cooking solution you’re after, the Safari Chef Camp Cooker is a game-changer. Weighing in at just 7.9 pounds, this high-pressure outdoor gas cooker delivers a variety of cooking options while keeping fuel consumption low.

Unlike traditional camp stoves that limit you to a single burner, the Safari Chef features four interchangeable cooking surfaces, including:

• A burner with a pot stand for boiling or heating liquids.

• A BBQ grid with a GreenGrill ceramic coating for healthier grilling.

• A flat grill plate for pancakes, eggs, and bacon.

• A lid/dome that doubles as a pot for stews, soups, and larger meals.

With this setup, you can cook anything from griddle cakes and burgers to stews and morning grits, all while using a single, lightweight cooker.

Space is always at a premium when overlanding, and the Safari Chef’s foldable legs and included carry bag make it easy to pack and transport. Despite offering a big 12-inch cooking surface, it folds down neatly and takes up minimal space in your vehicle.

At a fraction of the cost of high-end camp kitchens, the Safari Chef Camp Cooker is a prime example of budget-friendly overlanding gear. It delivers the versatility, fuel efficiency, and portability you want, making it an ideal choice if you want a reliable cooking setup without breaking the bank.

Current Price: $149.95

Get an Affordable Cooler or Fridge

The Viking Series 45 QT Cooler is a rugged and budget-friendly solution for keeping food fresh while overlanding. Inspired by the spirit of the Vikings, who thrived in one of the harshest environments on earth, this cooler is designed to withstand extreme conditions without breaking the bank.

For starters, this cooler is constructed using roto-molded resin, which means it’s made as a single piece. This double-walled unit offers unmatched durability and insulation. This means it can handle rough overlanding terrain, extreme temperatures, and heavy use without compromising performance.

With polyurethane foam-filled insulation and a freezer-style sealing gasket, the Viking Series 45 QT Cooler keeps ice frozen for up to 7 days—a crucial feature for long off-grid trips. Whether you’re overlanding in the desert, the mountains, or somewhere in between, your perishables stay fresh.

This cooler isn’t just tough, though—it’s also packed with features that make overlanding easier:

• Leak-proof drain plugs (large and small) let you easily remove excess water.

• Stainless steel bottle openers double as lock plates for added security.

• Durable EZ Lock Latches ensure a tight seal while being easy to open.

• A 20-inch fish ruler on the lid is perfect for anglers measuring their latest catch.

Unlike many other coolers in its class, the Viking Series 45 QT Cooler comes with bonus accessories at no extra cost, including a cutting board/divider, hanging basket, and cup holder—perfect for keeping food and drinks organized on the road.

Though powered coolers offer longer cooling capabilities, they also come at a premium price (one of our favorite powered coolers, the National Luna Legacy Smart Fridge/Freezer, is $1,465). So, if you want budget-friendly overlanding gear, it’s hard to beat a Viking cooler!

Current Price: $279.99

Invest in Portable Energy Solutions for Your Overlanding Adventures

Photo by CL Shebley via Shutterstock

A portable power station is an invaluable investment for overlanding. These handy gadgets offer a reliable and efficient way to keep essential devices charged and powered while off the grid. Whether you're using it to power lights, recharge cameras, or run a portable fridge, a power station ensures you have access to electricity without needing a traditional power source. 

One of the primary benefits of a portable power station is the ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously. Most power stations come equipped with a mix of outlets, including AC, DC, and USB ports. Some models even offer solar panel compatibility, allowing you to recharge your power station during the day while you’re out exploring, ensuring you’re always ready for the next leg of your adventure.

In addition to being versatile, portable power stations are also increasingly budget-friendly, with options available for less than $500 for folks who want reliable power without spending a fortune. Many of these budget-friendly units provide sufficient wattage to power essential gear, making them a perfect entry-level solution.

Water Storage and Filtration are a Must

When you're overlanding, having a reliable source of water is essential for staying hydrated, cooking, and cleaning. While there are many ways to transport water, jerry cans remain one of the most efficient and budget-friendly options for water storage. Their durable design ensures that they can withstand the rough and unpredictable terrain typically encountered on overland trips, making them ideal for any off-grid adventure.

The Front Runner Plastic Jerry Can is a great choice. It offers a 20-liter (5.3-gallon) capacity and is constructed from food-grade polyethylene, which is both BPA-free and safe for storing drinking water.  The 20-liter capacity is large enough to provide ample water for several days of overlanding, while still being manageable for handling and storage.

At only four pounds, the Front Runner Jerry Can is lightweight and compact, too, making it easy to store in your vehicle without taking up valuable space. It’s designed to fit in most NATO/Wedco-style jerry can holders, which are commonly used by overlanders for a secure and stable fit during travel. And with a top-fill opening, it’s easy to refill and a protected tap at the bottom offers convenient water dispensing. 

When it comes to water filtration for overlanding, having a reliable and lightweight system can make all the difference, especially when you’re far from civilization. The Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter System is a perfect option because it’s a compact, ultralight, and effective way to ensure you have access to clean water on the go.

This little guy weighs just 3.3 oz, so it’s one of the lightest and most portable water filtration systems available. This makes it ideal for folks who are trying to minimize the weight of their gear while still ensuring a high level of water quality. Its hollow fiber filter allows for an impressive filtration rate of up to 3L per minute, meaning you won’t be wasting time waiting for clean water on your adventures.

The system is designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind. It includes a 1L QuickDraw reservoir, which is made from durable, taste-free material that is both reliable and easy to use. The wide mouth and handle make it incredibly easy to fill at any water source, whether it's from a river, lake, or stream. The reservoir is also compatible with a wide range of bottles and reservoirs thanks to its inside/outside dual-thread design, which allows you to create your ideal setup by attaching the filter to various bottles and tanks. This flexibility ensures that you can tailor the system to your needs, no matter what type of container you prefer.

Current Prices:

• Front Runner Plastic Jerry Can: $73.95

• Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter System: $49.95

A Better Overlanding Kit Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank

Photo by anatoliy_gleb via Shutterstock

When you want to get into overlanding, it's essential to make smart choices about where to spend your money. While high-end gear can be tempting, it's often possible to find budget-friendly options that deliver a good level of performance and reliability. By focusing your budget on must-have items like a durable tent, for example, you can ensure that your gear will support your adventure without breaking the bank.

Spending wisely on essential gear helps you stretch your budget further, too, enabling you to invest in more items and upgrade your overlanding experience over time. The key is to balance quality and cost, making sure that you’re purchasing equipment that will keep you safe, comfortable, and self-sufficient while on the road. By focusing on reliable, affordable options, you can maximize your gear collection and enjoy all the benefits of overlanding without overspending.

A better overlanding experience awaits—get in touch with us today or come by our facility just off I-20 in Abilene to learn more about the items featured in this guide. We have a large inventory of other budget-friendly overlanding items, too, and we’re happy to help you stretch your budget as far as it’ll go. Overlanding is more fun with the right gear, and we’ve got the gear to make your adventures all the better! That’s why BTR (pronounced better) is in our name!

Cover Photo by EvaL Miko via Shutterstock