How I Organize All the Gear in My Van

Spring is here! The days are getting longer, the sun feels warmer on my skin, and there’s a familiar buzz of possibility in the air. For me, this time of year always brings a strong urge to refresh and reset—starting with cleaning out my closet, dusting off old gear, and making room for new adventures. There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling forgotten treasures out of storage and remembering the stories they carry—mud-caked boots from last season’s hikes, a slightly scuffed climbing helmet, or the camp stove that powered countless morning coffees.

Today, I’m going to show you how I organize my gear so I’m always ready for whatever the season throws my way—be it an impromptu climbing trip, a weekend camping getaway, or just a long trail run in the desert. With the right system, packing becomes less stressful and more spontaneous, so let’s dive in!

Van Packed  

To start, my van is always packed and ready—my little home on wheels, prepped for adventure at a moment’s notice. I like to think of it as my mobile basecamp. I keep my two water jugs full at all times: one with clean drinking water and the other for washing dishes, brushing my teeth, and quick rinses after dusty hikes. Having those filled and ready means I never have to delay a trip because of a last-minute water run.

Inside the cupboard, I’ve got the essentials for cooking on the road—lightweight kitchen utensils, durable dishes, and a small stash of my favorite herbs and spices. Even when I’m miles from the nearest grocery store, I can whip up something warm and nourishing. A drawer is dedicated to a full spare set of toiletries—everything from toothpaste to sunscreen—so I don’t have to think twice when it’s time to hit the road. The idea is to minimize the mental load of packing and make spontaneity easy.

I don’t keep perishable food or clothing in the van—those are the variables I pack right before a trip, based on the weather, the activities I have planned, and how long I’ll be gone. That way, I can keep things fresh and intentional while still saving time and energy where it counts.

Gear in the Van  

Under the bed is where most of my adventure gear lives, neatly organized in bins and duffels—ready to grab and go. This space is prime real estate in the van, so I make sure it’s used efficiently. I keep separate sections for each of my main activities: rock climbing, backpacking, yoga, and trail running. Whether I’m stationary for a while or traveling full-time, these are the ways I stay connected to the landscapes around me—and to myself.

My climbing backpack is always fully packed and ready to roll. Rope, harness, shoes, chalk bag, belay device, tape, and a few snacks—everything has its place. That way, if a friend texts me about working their project or chasing evening shade at the crag, I can literally just grab my pack and go. No scrambling, no digging through piles of gear. It’s a small system that makes a big difference, especially when golden hour light or perfect climbing temps are fleeting.

The same goes for my trail running kit—hydration vest, headlamp, and layers packed and waiting—so whether I’m chasing a sunrise run or just need a reset on a dusty desert trail, I’m ready in minutes. Keeping my gear dialed gives me more freedom to say “yes” to the last-minute adventures that tend to become the best stories.

Rock Climbing  

My cams are racked on a gear sling, organized meticulously by size—from the tiny finger pieces to the dreaded number 4’s. I keep them in order not just for efficiency at the crag, but because there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing a clean, color-coordinated lineup of gear. Alongside the cams, I throw on a few shoulder-length slings and a handful of extra locking carabiners—just in case.

The rest of my kit lives in my climbing pack, ready to roll. Two pairs of climbing shoes—one aggressive pair for steep sport or bouldery moves, and a comfy pair for long trad days—go in first. Then my harness, helmet, and chalk bag follow. I usually toss the rope on top of everything, coiled and ready, because let’s be honest—no matter how well I pack, the rope always ends up on top anyway.

In the front compartment of my pack, I keep a small but thoughtful collection of “just in case” essentials. Extra tape and my crack gloves live there for desert climbing days. A lightweight windbreaker stays tucked in for sudden gusts or chilly belays. I also stash a wag bag (because Leave No Trace always), a mini tube of sunscreen, a pair of trauma shears, and a few emergency protein bars—my go-to backup when I forget lunch or end up climbing longer than expected. There’s always chapstick in there too, and a few ibuprofen tablets rattling around in a side pocket, because sometimes climbing hurts. 

This little setup means I’m ready for most conditions and nearly any kind of sticky situation—whether it’s a weather shift, a last-minute bail, or just an unexpected need for snacks and tape. It’s peace of mind in a backpack.

Backpacking  

All of my backpacking gear lives in one big storage bin under the bed—my ready-to-go kit for hitting the trail. Inside, I keep my ultralight backpack, sleeping bag and liner, two sleeping pads (my inflatable, and my trusty Z Lite), ultralight tent, trekking poles, camp stove with fuel, wag bags, extra toilet paper, a bear box, and a few leftover freeze-dried meals.

It’s all packed and organized so I don’t have to think twice. When a trip comes up, all I need to do is grab some weather-appropriate clothes, fill up my water bottles, and throw in a few snacks. With everything dialed, I can head out the door fast and spend more time on the trail, less time packing.

Running  

My running gear is refreshingly simple compared to the rest of my setup—which is probably part of why I love it so much. There’s something freeing about knowing that all I need to hit the trail is my running vest, a good pair of shoes, and a filled water bladder. 

To keep things quick and easy, I store my water bladder already tucked inside my running vest, ready to be filled. In the chest pocket, I always stash a snack bar, a tube of chapstick, and occasionally a shot block or two if I’m heading out for a longer effort. Running doesn’t require much, which is part of the magic. It’s the most accessible way I know to reconnect with a landscape, and having my gear packed and waiting means I never miss an opportunity to get out and move.

Final Items  

Finally, in the back of the van, I keep two of my favorite non-essential—but soul-essential—items: my ukulele and my yoga mat. They’re always within easy reach for those quiet moments when I want to strum a song at sunset, or when my body’s craving a good stretch after a long hike or a big climbing day. The ukulele is light and cheerful, the perfect travel companion, and the yoga mat doubles as a place to stretch, breathe, meditate, or just lay back and stare at the sky.

That’s it! I try to keep my setup as simple and accessible as possible. The less time I spend digging through bins and rearranging gear, the more time I get to actually enjoy the reasons I packed all this stuff in the first place. For me, it’s all about reducing friction—so that when inspiration strikes, whether it’s for an impromptu climbing session, a last-minute trail run, or a quiet moment of music and movement, I’m already halfway out the door. 

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Cover photo credit: Kaya Lindsay