Who this is for:

Anyone who’s opened Instagram or YouTube and thought “I need all of this… don’t I?”

Let’s slow that right down.

The biggest beginner mistake

Buying gear before understanding why you need it.

Overlanding content often pushes:

• extreme setups
• expensive solutions
• gear-first thinking

In reality, experience should drive gear — not the other way around.

The only question that matters

“What problem am I solving?”

If a piece of gear doesn’t solve a real problem you’ve experienced yet, it can wait.

The beginner gear framework (simple & calm)

🟢 Tier 1: Must-haves (start here)

These cover comfort, safety, and self-sufficiency.

Food & Water

• Enough food for the trip (+ a little extra)
• Drinking water
• Simple cooking method (stove or cold food)

Sleep

• Sleeping bag or bedding
• Mat or mattress
• Whatever helps you sleep well

Clothing

• Weather-appropriate layers
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm layer (even in summer)

Navigation

• Phone with offline maps
• Charging cable / power bank

That’s it.

Anything beyond this is optional early on.

🟡 Tier 2: Nice-to-have (After a few trips)

These improve comfort and efficiency once you’ve got experience.

• Better storage or organisation
• Lighting (headtorch or lantern)
• Simple camp chair
• Upgraded cooking setup

Notice how none of these are extreme.

🔴 Tier 3: Wait until later

These are not beginner requirements, despite how often they’re shown online.

• Winches
• Maxtrax-style recovery boards
• Roof tents
• Heavy vehicle modifications
• Complex electrical systems

They have their place — just not yet.

Budget matters (and that’s OK)

Expensive gear:

• doesn’t make you more capable
• doesn’t make trips safer
• doesn’t replace experience

Plenty of people overland happily with:

• basic tents
• second-hand kit
• borrowed gear

Use what you have. Upgrade intentionally.

A better buying habit

After each trip, ask:

• What annoyed me?
• What didn’t work?
• What would make this easier next time?

Buy after answering those questions.

Your takeaway

You don’t need the “perfect setup”.

You need:

• the basics
• curiosity
• and a willingness to learn