Bearfoot Theory is home to a wealth of knowledge ranging from Van Life, Outdoor Travel, Gear and more. Bearfoot Theory was created by Kristen Bor, who is part time living out of her 4×4 Sprinter Van. Check out their website and learn about the Bearfoot Theory lifestyle and adventures.
Visit them online at www.BearfootTheory.com
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SPRINTER VAN TOUR - My 3rd Custom 4x4 Sprinter Van Conversion (Built by Outside Van)
In July 2022, I got a new custom 4x4 Sprinter Van conversion built out by Outside Van in Portland, Oregon. This is my third Sprinter camper van since 2016, and over the years I've learned a lot from each van build about what works and what doesn't. I've learned the pros and cons of having a bathroom, the importance of having enough storage for big AND small gear, and I've gotten to experiment with three different layouts which gives me a lot of perspective to share with you here.
This van was built on a 170" 4x4 2500 Mercdes Sprinter Cargo Van chassis. It seats three people to accommodate my growing family (yes I'm pregnant, although I wasn't ready to disclose that when I filmed this video). It has a fixed platform bed, a huge galley with tons of counter space, tons of storage for outdoor gear and everyday items, and we utilize the swivel seats to create a dining area and workspace with a pop in table.
It has a 630 ah Lithionic lithium battery system, 310 watts of solar, and a secondary alternator that can power the living area and keep us unplugged and off the grid indefinitely.
For water, we have a 28 gallon freshwater tank that lasts us anywhere from 7-10 days if we aren't using the shower.
For a written account of the details of this van conversion and all of its components, visit this page on my website:
https://bearfoottheory.com/outside-van-sprinter-conversion-tour/
How did I end up with a Sprinter? Back in 2015, I had recently launched my outdoor travel blog called Bearfoot Theory and was doing a lot of solo travel in the Western US. At the time, I was traveling out of my Subaru, but after a creepy experience camping in Nevada, I decided I needed a vehicle that I would feel safer sleeping in. I also wanted a vehicle that I could more efficiently work out of since my new career path had me spending a lot of time on the road. That led me to my first Sprinter Van, and I've never looked back.
In this video, I give a thorough tour of my new Sprinter van and talk about how and why it's different than my previous two custom Sprinter Van conversions.
Thanks to Nate Fillnow Films for filming and editing this video 🙂 -
Open Roads Fest 2022 - Van Life Gathering Recap
From July 15-18, 2022, over 300 vans gathered at the beautiful Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall Idaho for an action packed camper van festival packed with outdoor activities, workshops, and social events for van lifers, tent campers, and the road-trippin’ community.
Open Roads Fest is all about bringing the aspiring van lifers and the van life community together for a weekend of learning, inspiration, and outdoor adventure. We hosted over a dozen educational sessions on all aspects of van living - from off-road driving to building a DIY electrical system, and tips for solo vans life. We also showcased a variety of van builders and van related companies and gave festival goers the opportunity to tour hundreds of both professional and DIY van conversions.
Open Roads attendees also enjoyed world-class single track bike trails, free Hydrus paddle board demos on Jug Mountain’s private reservoir, yoga, hiking, live music, community bonfires and breakfasts, happy hours and more – right from the festival grounds. With the help of our amazing volunteers, the folks at Jug Mountain Ranch, and so many more, we threw what turned out to be an epic get together in celebration of life on the road.
Now with the second year under our belts, we are remembering the top highlights from this epic weekend. Watch the full recap that showcases highlights, interviews, and all of the action from 2022.
Want to join the fun next year? Subscribe to updates here: https://openroadsfest.com/subscribe
👉 Website: OPENROADSFEST.COM
👉 Social: instagram.com/openroadsfest
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Filmed and produced by Travis Enck
Organized by: Kristen Bor (bearfoottheory.com) -
Van Life: Tips for Traveling in a Van in a Winter Climate
Do you want to use your camper van for skiing or winter sports? In this video, we share tips for living and traveling in your van during winter. In addition to needing to stay warm, you'll need to know how to maintain your water pipes in order to prevent them from freezing.
In this lesson, we cover:
• How to keep your van warm in cold climates
• How to stay entertained during the long evenings
• Things to be aware of when looking for campsites in winter
• Gear you should have on hand in case for driving in snow
• How to maintain your van's water tanks in winter
FIND THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/van-life-winter
SUBSCRIBE TO COURSE UPDATES HERE:
https://bit.ly/van-life-roadmap-subscribe
EXPLORE ALL LESSONS HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/category/van-life-road-map -
Van Life: Tips for Living in a Van with a Dog
We share important tips if you want to live in a van with your dog (or cat!). We hear a lot of concerns about how to keep your pets safe, comfortable, and happy on the road, and fortunately, it's not that hard. In fact, we'd argue that van life is the best life for dogs when done properly.
In this lesson, we cover:
• How to adjust your van lifestyle so it's dog-friendly
• Tips for camping with your pet
• Keeping your van cool when traveling with your dog
• Options for visiting places that aren't dog-friendly
• Tips for keeping your van clean with a messy dog
➡️ FIND THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/van-life-with-pets
SUBSCRIBE TO COURSE UPDATES HERE:
https://bit.ly/van-life-roadmap-subscribe
EXPLORE ALL LESSONS HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/category/van-life-road-map -
Van Life: Safety Tips for Protecting Yourself and Your Belongings
Learn about staying safe and secure while you’re traveling in your van. For many people, safety on the road is their biggest concern when it comes to van life. But while living in a van does require a few extra safety precautions, it’s not as dangerous as many people think.
➡️ FIND THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/van-life-safety-tips
In this lesson, we cover:
• The importance of trusting your gut and staying aware of your surroundings
• Tips for safe camping in urban areas
• Ways to deter theft and criminals
• Extra safety options like alarms and defense tools
SUBSCRIBE TO COURSE UPDATES HERE:
https://bit.ly/van-life-roadmap-subscribe
EXPLORE ALL LESSONS HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/category/van-life-road-map -
Van Life: How to Find Community on the Road
Learn tips and resources for building community on the road. Many van lifers who are just starting out worry about making friends and connecting with like-minded people while traveling around. While it can take some extra work to build those relationships, meeting like-minded people on the road can be one of the best things about van life.
➡️ FIND THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/van-life-finding-community
In this lesson, we dive into:
• How social media can help connect you with other van lifers and people with similar interests
• Van life gatherings and events to attend
• Tips for connecting with people while you work remotely
SUBSCRIBE TO COURSE UPDATES HERE:
https://bit.ly/van-life-roadmap-subscribe
EXPLORE ALL LESSONS HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/category/van-life-road-map -
Van Life: Tips for Living in Less than 100 SQ FT with your Significant Other
Get advice for managing relationships on the road. Van life can be both extremely rewarding and greatly challenging for relationships, whether it’s with a significant other in the van with your or friends and family who might not ‘get’ van life.
➡️ FIND THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO HERE: https://bearfoottheory.com/van-life-with-significant-other
In this lesson, we cover a few tips for keeping relationships happy and healthy on the road. We talk about:
• Carving out alone time for yourself and your partner
• Sharing van life responsibilities equally
• Communicating your needs clearly and effectively
• Calling and texting friends and family often to keep them up to date with your adventures and location
SUBSCRIBE TO COURSE UPDATES HERE:
https://bit.ly/van-life-roadmap-subscribe
EXPLORE ALL LESSONS HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/category/van-life-road-map -
Van Life: How to Leave No Trace and Minimize your Impact
Learn about the 7 principles of Leave No Trace and how they relate to van life. The Leave No Trace movement serves to protect our favorite natural spaces and resources by offering guidelines on proper behavior in the outdoors, and it's imperative that van lifers be familiar with them in order to minimize our collective impact.
➡️ FIND THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO HERE: https://bearfoottheory.com/van-life-leave-no-trace
In this lesson, we discuss how these principles relate to traveling in a van including:
• How to camp on hard, durable surfaces so as to not disturb the environment
• What it means to respect wildlife
• How to safely enjoy campfires
• How to dispose of waste (human and other) properly
SUBSCRIBE TO COURSE UPDATES HERE:
https://bit.ly/van-life-roadmap-subscribe
EXPLORE ALL LESSONS HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/category/van-life-road-map -
Van Life: Internet Access and Staying Connected
In Module 4 / Lesson 5 of the Van Life Roadmap, you'll learn tips for staying connected on the road. While many people are drawn to van life because it allows for easy access to the outdoors and a way to get off the grid for extended periods of time, staying connected with friends and family is important. Or if you work remotely, internet access is a necessity.
➡️ GET THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/van-life-internet-access
In this video, we talk about the best ways to access the internet from your van. We cover:
• Hotspot options for your cell phone
• Booster devices to boost cell phone signals
• The best places to find public wifi
SUBSCRIBE TO COURSE UPDATES HERE:
https://bit.ly/van-life-roadmap-subscribe
EXPLORE ALL LESSONS HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/category/van-life-road-map -
Van Life: Where to Fill up Water, Find Dump Stations, Showers, and More
Learn how van lifers find essential amenities on the road such as showers, fresh water, and dump stations. Whether you have a full bathroom in your van or you’re using a pee jug and baby wipes, you’ll need to locate one or all of the above at some point along your van life travels.
➡️ GET THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/van-life-filling-water-showers-dump-stations
In this lesson we cover:
• How to find places to refill your water tanks and to dump your toilet
• Where to go for a hot shower
• Tips for showering in public spaces
• Alternatives to daily showers
SUBSCRIBE TO COURSE UPDATES HERE:
https://bit.ly/van-life-roadmap-subscribe
EXPLORE ALL LESSONS HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/category/van-life-road-map -
Van Life: Travel Planning Apps and Tips
In this video, you'll learn easy travel planning trips tips and ideas for finding things to do while you’re camping and living van life.
➡️ GET THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/van-life-trip-planning-tips
Find out:
• The best travel planning, hiking, and biking apps for discovering outdoor adventures and trails
• How to find local amenities like good restaurants
• Where to go for a locals perspective on the best things to do
SUBSCRIBE TO COURSE UPDATES HERE:
https://bit.ly/van-life-roadmap-subscribe
EXPLORE ALL LESSONS HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/category/van-life-road-map -
Van Life: Stealth Camping Tips
Learn how to stealth camp in your camper van. If you plan to live in your van full time OR if you think you'll be spending time in cities or driving across the country, chances are that you may need to stealth camp in an urban area at some point.
➡️ GET THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/van-life-stealth-camping
In this lesson, we discuss:
• How to make your van appear non-suspect when parked on neighborhood streets so you blend in
• Safety tips for stealth camping
• Best places to look for stealth camping spots
SUBSCRIBE TO COURSE UPDATES HERE:
https://bit.ly/van-life-roadmap-subscribe
EXPLORE ALL LESSONS HERE:
https://bearfoottheory.com/category/van-life-road-map