ESSENTIAL GEAR FOR LONG-TERM OVERLANDING

At STARS Overland, we’re passionate about great gear—but we also know that when you're planning a serious adventure, like driving through Central Asia, or across Africa, you need to focus on the essentials. With countless gear options on the market, how do you choose what’s truly necessary for long-term overlanding?

We break it down into three core categories:

1. Vehicle & Mechanical Essentials

2. Logistics & Support Gear

3. Liveability Essentials

Let’s explore each category and help you build your own overlanding gear checklist.

 

VEHICLE & MECHANICAL ESSENTIALS

Phase 1: The Basics

Every overland vehicle needs three foundational elements:

· Durable tires

· Reliable suspension

· Mechanical dependability

Tire failure is one of the most common breakdowns on the road. Choosing the right set of overlanding tires is critical—check out our guide: How to Pick the Right Wheels for Your Overland Vehicle

Suspension upgrades are another must-have. A quality suspension system improves ride comfort, reduces driver fatigue, and enhances vehicle reliability. Learn more in our post: Suspension Upgrades for Overland Vehicles

Finally, mechanical reliability is non-negotiable. Invest in preventative maintenance and research common failure points for your vehicle platform. The more reliable your rig, the fewer surprises on the trail. Find out our checklist for maintenance: Stars Overland’s Essential Vehicle Maintenance Guide.

Phase 2: Upgrades & Safety

Once your basics are covered, consider performance upgrades:

· Brake upgrades: see our range of PowerStop brakes for tough and heavy-vehciles

· Re-gearing for heavy loads

· Lighting systems: bumper-mounted, reverse lights, headlight upgrades – See our range of Offroad lighting systems.

· Back-up cameras like the Garmin BC35

· Protective gear: bumpers, skid plates, rock sliders – See our Armor & Protection Products

These upgrades improve safety, visibility, and off-road capability—especially when traveling through remote or rugged terrain.

LOGISTICS & SUPPORT GEAR

Logistics gear keeps your trip running smoothly and supports both vehicle and crew. Here are our top picks for overland logistics essentials:

· Tool kit (see our post: The Ultimate Overland Tool Kit Essentials)

· Recovery gear: winch, super siphon, chainsaw, axe, bow saw, jerry cans – see our range of Recovery gear.

Communication tools: · satellite comms, Starkink, Garmin InReach, mapping software

· Power solutions: solar panels for fridges, devices, and batteries – see our Power Solutions equipment

· Emergency gear: fire extinguisher, bug-out bag with food, water, shelter, and firestarter

These items ensure you're prepared for breakdowns, emergencies, and unexpected detours.

LIVEABILITY ESSENTIALS

Liveability gear makes life on the road comfortable and sustainable. Start with the basics you'd take on a backpacking trip—then build up.

Kitchen Gear

· Efficient stove & Cookware: discover our Biolite Energy Stoves & Fire and Cooking sets

· Fridge: portable fridge/freezer units – see our range of robust fridge/freezers

· Fuel: propane bottles and stove fuel

· Water filtration: Water Filter or similar

Interior Living

· Lighting: rechargeable headlamps or interior LED lights – we have multiple rechargeable lighting solutions for you!

· Storage systems: Rubbermaid totes, drawer systems (we can fabricate your custom drawer system!).

· Bed systems: Goose Gear bed platforms or similar

Sleep Systems

· Sleeping pad: NEMO Equipment

· Sleeping bag: remember: ratings are for survival, not comfort: See our range of sleeping bags. 

Clothing

Layering is key:

· Base layer: moisture-wicking

· Mid layer: fleece or insulated

· Outer layer: waterproof shell or insulated jacket

Adapt your clothing system to the climate and season for maximum comfort and safety.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This guide is a starting point for building your overlanding gear setup. Your final list will depend on your vehicle, experience level, budget, and travel goals. Some gear is universal—like medical kits and recovery tools—while others are more personal.

We’d love to hear from you! What gear do you consider essential for your overland adventures?

SHARE YOUR JOURNEY

Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, we’d love to hear your story!

Tag your adventures with @STARSOverland to be featured on our social platforms (Instagram and YouTube).

Until next time, stay curious, stay inspired!

STARS Overland Tribe