Living in an RV or van means every inch matters. As I discussed in an earlier article, designing clever space-saving van life hacks is a great starting point. However, finding the right gear can make the ultimate difference between feeling cramped or comfortably at home on the road.
Space is limited, so every item you bring along has to be carefully considered. That’s why compact camping gear designed to fold, nest, or serve multiple purposes is a game-changer for travelers.
In general, look for cookware that stacks neatly, tables and chairs that collapse flat, or organizers that tuck away when not in use. These clever designs help keep your living space tidy, organized, and easy to navigate—without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
By reducing bulk and cutting down on clutter, you free up room for what really matters: enjoying the adventure. No bulk, no fuss—just smart, space-saving solutions that work seamlessly with your mobile lifestyle and keep your travels both practical and fun.
Let’s take a look at some of the key products that will help you stay lean, mean and supremely organized.
Multi-Function Utensils and Cookware
For most of us, our van or RV kitchen essentials are among our biggest space challenges. We should always be seeking utensils that double as more than one tool—like sporks, foldable handles, and stackable bowls.
It’s also important to consider your camping or hiking needs beyond your vehicle. Here are a couple of our favorites that are not only space-saving solutions while on the road, but are also adaptable to your outdoor needs as well.
The Stanley Wildfare Nesting Four-Piece Two‑Cup Cookset is a standout space-saver—camping pot, lid/strainer, and two cups nest together into a tiny package that is completely BPA-free to help prepare your favorite healthy van or RV recipes anywhere the road takes you. Durable, easy to clean and ultra compact for around $20 with an outstanding 4.7-star review on Amazon.
Another great Amazon find is this complete 27-piece Camping Cookware Mess Kit from THTYBROS, which includes everything you’d ever need for 2-4 people. At a total of just 3.6 pounds, it’s a marvel of compact design.
Kettle, non-stick pots & pans, stainless steel plates, forks/knives/spoons, spatula, storage bags, and quick-dry cleaning cloth. Each piece nests inside pots for maximum backpack efficiency and can serve as the foundation for the rest of your lightweight camping gear. At a list price of $59.99 with a 4.8-star Amazon review, this one is a steal.
Compact Seating Solutions for On and Off-Road
This is another typically bulky piece of gear that we never seem to have enough of. Trying to fit multiple chairs into a van or small RV is quite a chore, not to mention how weighty they can be if we are heading out.
However, it’s not enough to find the smallest and cheapest option – – you have no idea how many different chairs we’ve gone through because of a lack of long-term comfort or durability. No lie, this solution is going to get pricey if you need a lot of them, but with the right chairs, you will be able to save much more money in the long run.
We really like the Helinox Chair One above all others It packs down to the size and weight of a bottle of wine. And yet it still holds 320 pounds! A recycled‑polyester seat that is machine washable makes this a great sustainable choice, too. An easy‑setup aluminum alloy frame makes this a fast comfortable solution anywhere. For around $100, it has a 4.7-star review on Amazon for a reason — it’s a great value!
Lighting Option That Stows Flat
Lighting is another essential that doesn’t necessarily take up the most space, but it can be frustratingly difficult to keep organized properly. Again, we look for a versatile camping lantern that will be more than sufficient indoors, but can easily be taken outdoors so that we don’t need to double up on our gear.
The Solar Lantern Helix Emergency Rechargeable LED Lantern is an amazing collapsible lantern that you just need to open up and turn on anywhere you need it. It will also light up to a 100 sq. ft. indoor space with a soft, diffused ambient light—ideal in small spaces like tent or van interiors.
This lantern flattens to as little as 0.25 inches thick and weighs just a few ounces. This super light and solar rechargeable camping and hiking essential has a 4.8-star review on Amazon — and for $25 we definitely agree!
All-in-One Lightweight Power on the Go
For other power solutions, be sure to look for foldable solar panels, compact battery packs, and multi-port charging stations let you stay powered up while minimizing cable tangles and bulky devices. These tools have come a long way and prices continue to decline. The all-in-one solution from FlexSolar 100W gets our nod and has a 4.6-star Amazon review. With a list price of $119.99, at the time of this writing it’s on sale for just $74.69 — complete no-brainer.
I’m going to offer all the details for this one, because it is quite a marvel and I can’t recommend it enough. At just 4.1 pounds (1.85 kg), this 100W solar panel is designed with portability in mind. It folds down to a compact 12.99 x 10.43 x 2.17 inches and comes with a convenient carry bag, making it easy to stow in your RV, van, or backpack. When unfolded, it expands to 45.47 x 26.18 inches, offering ample surface area to capture sunlight while maintaining a slim 0.59-inch profile for maximum efficiency without bulk.
Versatility is one of its strongest assets. Outfitted with 18W USB-A, PD3.0 45W USB-C, and 100W DC outputs, along with a 4-in-1 charging cable that includes DC5521, DC7909, Anderson, and XT60 connections, it adapts to a wide range of devices. From smartphones and power banks to compact power stations, it ensures you’ll never be caught without power during an outing or unexpected emergency.
Engineered with premium monocrystalline silicon and protected by ETFE lamination, this panel boasts an impressive 23%+ conversion efficiency, turning more sunlight into usable energy. Built tough, its durable and weather-resistant materials guarantee reliable performance over time, even when exposed to challenging outdoor conditions.
To further enhance its durability, the panel carries an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, meaning it can handle rainstorms, dusty campsites, and rugged environments without skipping a beat. This resilience makes it a trustworthy companion no matter where your travels take you.
Whether you’re setting up camp, trekking off the beaten path, or preparing for an emergency, this solar panel blends portability, reliability, and efficient charging power. With it, your essential devices stay ready, keeping your adventures safe and stress-free.
Tiny Tools That Deliver Big Impact
Choose credit-card-sized multi-tools, folding utility knives, and clip-on lanterns or headlamps. They add utility only when you need it and disappear into drawers when you don’t. Here are some of our favorites.
The Leatherman Super Tool 300 is king for the widest range of needs. Durable and feature-rich—it’s also a legacy brand. Yes, it’s $100, but it puts 19 tools instantly into your hands. Knives, pliers, saws, wire stripper, bottle and can openers — you name it, this will do it. 4.8 stars on Amazon.
It’s also great to have something ultra light and compact. For that, we recommend the Gerber Dime 12-in-One Multi-Tools for under $30. These small keychain tools weigh just over 2 ounces, perfect for emergencies or minimalist carry. Multi-gear versatility (knives, pliers, screwdrivers, bit drivers) in a compact form—ideal for van-based repairs and simple camp or hiking tasks. Solid 4.4 star review on Amazon.
Below, I offer a recap of some of our other space-saving tips from previous articles focusing on the best camping gadgets to highlight other areas to focus on if you find yourself short on space.
- Sleeping Smart Without Sacrificing Comfort — Roll-up memory foam pads are a wonderful $50 solution, and inflatable mattresses can be tucked away into corners or under seating. Combine them with a compression sleeping bag and packable pillow to create a cozy rest area that disappears when you don’t need it — all for around $100 total. These tools give big comfort with minimal stored volume and are adaptable to many different situations.
- Utility Gear That Doubles as Storage — Convertible furniture pieces such as a foldable camping table with storage, stools with hidden compartments, collapsible bins and camp sinks, and over-the-door hooks will help keep gear organized and accessible without permanently occupying floor or shelf space.
- Clothing, Laundry and Personal Gear in Minimal Space — Use packing cubes or compression bags to reduce closet volume. For laundry, options like collective wash bags and clip-on drying lines offer clean clothes without a bulky hamper.
- Recreation Gear That Packs Light — Inflatable paddleboards or kayaks, foldable bikes, a high-quality collapsible fishing rod, and lightweight backpacks for thru hiking let you play big while packing small—ideal for adventure on the move without luggage clutter.
- Seasonal Gear That Stows Easily — Layered clothing designed to roll into compact bundles, and small portable solar fans or heaters that collapse or nest, adapt to the weather without dominating shelf space.
I hope this guide got your wheels spinning on some ways that you can maximize your small space. With the right compact gear, every corner of your RV or van can be both functional and comfortable, leaving you free to focus on your next great outdoor travel adventure.
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