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Food, water & sleeping: Keep it simple

Overlanding 101

An interview with

An interview with

Food, water & sleeping: Keep it simple

January 29, 2026
5
min read
by
Charles Forman
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Who this is for:

Anyone worried that overlanding will feel uncomfortable or exhausting.

It doesn’t have to.

Comfort matters more than aesthetics

You don’t need:

  • fancy camp kitchens
  • complex systems
  • Instagram-worthy setups

You do need:

  • to eat well
  • to drink enough
  • to sleep comfortably

That’s what keeps trips enjoyable.

Food: Easy wins for beginners

Think:

  • simple meals
  • minimal prep
  • low clean-up

Good beginner options:

  • one-pan meals
  • pre-prepped food
  • sandwiches and wraps
  • hot drinks you enjoy

Eat enough. Hungry decisions are bad decisions.

Water: Don’t overthink it

Basics:

  • bring more than you think you need
  • separate drinking from washing water if possible
  • keep some accessible while driving

Running out of water turns small problems into big ones.

Sleeping: This is personal (and important)

The “best” sleep setup:

  • is warm enough
  • feels familiar
  • helps you rest

Options:

  • tent
  • vehicle
  • borrowed setup
  • basic bedding

Poor sleep ruins trips faster than bad weather.

Temperature reality check

Nights are often colder than expected.

Always pack:

  • a warm layer
  • something to block wind
  • insulation from the ground

Even in summer.

Your takeaway

If you:

  • eat properly
  • drink enough
  • sleep well

Everything else feels easier.

If you’re ready to start overlanding — or start properly — you’re welcome here.

👉 Join explmore and begin your journey

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Charles Forman
Charles is the founder and curator of explmore. He is also the proud son of Alec and Jan Forman, the authors of the book Strangers Like Angels - With a Devil or Two to Boot and the inspiration behind the creation of explmore. He has spent the majority of his life living outside his original passport country. Today, when he is not running the operations behind explmore you will find him hiking, camping and enjoying the outdoors (overlanding of course) with his family.
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