Chris's Van Closet: A Vanlife Minimalist Wardrobe for Men
Vanlife means Chris and I have limited closet space, to sat the least. Especially when you account for the fact that our six crashpads take up more storage space than the rest of our possessions combined. We often think how much easier vanlife would be if we weren’t boulderers….
For me (Amber), paring down my closet was hard, a process that took several months of steady, gradual letting go. Read about some of my favorite vanlife clothing options for women over here. For Chris, who was always less attached to his clothes, making the final van closet cuts was easier. Still, we both generally followed a set of rules:
It has to be versatile above all else, able to be worn in either casual or outdoor situations.
It has to be low maintenance and not show dirt easily. Light colors are a no-no. For those who spend less time rolling the rocks and dirt than I do, this could be negotiable. It also has to be easy to wash in whatever weird scenario I find myself doing van laundry. Delicates and dry clean only items are off-limits.
It has to be easy to mix and match.
It has to be something we love to wear, both in terms of comfort and appearance.
This list contains some of Chris’s favorite items, the items that he considered the best vanlife clothes for men. Now, as rock climbers, we’re both highly active, and our clothing choices are designed to match. This list may not work for everyone, particularly if you’re a non-climber, but it should give you some idea of the types of items you want in your closet for vanlife.
*This post contains affiliate links.
Navigation for Vanlife Clothing for Men
BEST TOPS FOR VANLIFE
KUHL Spyfire Down Vest
If you’re looking for a layer-able down vest that doesn’t feel too clunky to cook up a mean three-course meal in a van, this is it (and yes, Chris has done that in it). It’s slim-fitting but just as warm as puffier brands, thanks to both the 800-fill ethically-sourced down and ultra-thin baffles which better traps heat.
For outerdoor wear, the MIKORTEX shell repels water and wind alike, with a reinforced front that providing lots of abrasion resistance for scuffles with the elements. It even has extra tough TUFFLEX softshell shoulder panels designed for carrying metal-edged skis safely. Chris wears this vest for rock climbing all the time and hasn’t managed to rip it yet!
Find men’s here: Kuhl / Backcountry / Steep & Cheap / Amazon / EMS
Find women’s here: Kuhl / Backcountry / Amazon / EMS
Chris looking cute (and just a little derpy), wearing four of the vanlife clothing items listed here: the KUHL Spyfyre vest, KUHL Vendetta hooded pullover, e9 Rondo pants, and Scarpa Crux approach shoes.
KUHL Vendetta Hooded Pullover
What Patagonia is to me, KUHL is to Chris, as he probably owns more KUHL gear than anything. He just a KUHL guy, I guess.
And of all his KUHL gear, he wears this more than anything, either as an outer on warmer, breezy days or as a midlayer on especially chilly ones. A simple hoodie that has all the softness of cotton and the moisture-wicking ability of synthetic fibers, this layer can handle anything, and it won’t thin or wear through like other, cheaply-made hoodies. Since KUHL designs come in lovely warm and earthy colors, any one you pick can easily pair with pretty much any outfit.
Find it here: Backcountry
Outdoor Research Winter Ferrosi Jacket
If any jacket has achieved cult status among climbers, it’s this one. So obviously it’s a staple in Chris’ closet. Half puffy, half windproof softshell, this jacket is the warmest and more durable synthetic midlayer of its kind. The exterior is a super soft stretch-knit fabric, while the tightly packed VerticalX provides ultra-breathable insulation.
This jacket really is one of a kind, providing all the weather protection of traditional softshells in a much more comfortable package. Chris loves it for climbing, hiking, or just sitting by a campfire.
It’s also easy to wash and can stand up to even the harshest laundromat machines.
Find men’s here: Backcountry / REI / EMS / Moosejaw
Find women’s here: Backcountry / REI / EMS / Moosejaw
KUHL Impakt Jacket
When Chris doesn’t want to look like he just got done with a chalk ball fight, he opts to wear the Impakt Jacket. More for casual use than anything, this slick-looking jacket is perfect for walking around town on a rainy day. It’s Polyester Softschell fabric is both windproof and water repellent. However, you can still wear it for light activities, thank to the grid-fleece side panels and 4-way stretch fabric.
Regardless of what you’re wearing this for, you’ll do it in style. This jacket looks and feels great, even if you’re not really the outdoorsy type.
Find it here: Kuhl / Backcountry
Pendleton Wool Flannel Shirt
Who doesn’t love Pendleton’s beautiful Made-in-the-USA wool clothing? Combine our love for Pendleton with our love for flannel shirts, and you get this cozy and durable button-down shirt (which I totally steal from Chris any chance I get). Made of Umatilla virgin wool, this shirt doesn’t itch and resists odors like crazy. Seriously, Chris can wear it for a week straight and it’ll still smell fresh and clean.
If you’re worried about washing this high-quality wool, don’t be; it’s entirely machine washable. Just make you sure you don’t put it in the dryer.
Find it here: Backcountry / Moosejaw
Outdoor Research Echo Hoody
Silky to the touch, this long-sleeve baselayer shirt is designed for activities in hot weather, or high-intensity activities in cooler weather… like rock climbing! However, as Chris has discovered, it makes a wonderful baselayer for just about any outfit, even low activity days in cold weather. Really it just feels wonderful against the skin, adding a pleasant tactile quality without any bulk or weight.
Whether you’re a beach bum or ski bum vanlifer, this top is one of the more comfortable and layer-able clothes for vanlife out there.
Find it here: Backcountry / REI / EMS / Moosejaw
BEST BOTTOMS FOR VANLIFE
Chris crushing a V9 in his favorite e9 Rondo Pants. You could say e9 = V9!
e9 Rondo Pant
Funky and brightly colored as only European climbing brands can pull off, Chris bought these pants when he decided he wanted to stand out more for climbing photos. Little did he know they would become his all-time favorite pants. Seriously, he wears these things ALL THE TIME.while they’re not great for around-town wear (between the goofy circular cut-out pockets and dumpy loose fit design), they are seriously amazing for any sort of activity where you want your legs to maximally mobile.
Designed for climbers by climbers, the cotton/elastane blend is designed to both maximize high-step mobility while being bomber durable if scraped against rocks. Chris is known for demolishing his pants and after almost a year of use, these still don’t have any holes in them. Brightly color me impressed!
Find it here: Backcountry / Amazon
prAna Santiago Slim Pant
*BEST ETHICAL OUTDOOR CLOTHING BRAND ALERT
Because his e9s aren’t the most inconspicuous of pants, Chris keeps the prAna Santiago pants on hand for casual occasions and rest days. A cotton blend with a little spandex, these are still capable of handling outdoor wear but just don’t have quite as much stretch as he would like from a climbing pant. However, they look like any other pair of chino pants meaning that appearance-wise, they’re perfectly versatile for all kinds of wear.
Remember, the best clothes for vanlife are those that can be worn in most situations. These pass that test with khaki colors.
Find it here: Backcountry / Amazon / Moosejaw
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pant
A lightweight softshell technical pant that doubles as a casual-looking slack (if you buy it in black), the Ferrosi pant pulls double duty between outdoor pursuits and town. Chris especially loves these for hiking, because they’re lighter and more breathable than either of the previously mentioned pants. With articulated knees, they allow lots of leg mobility and the DWR coating adds just a bit of water repellency if you get caught out in a light drizzle.
Oh, and they’re incredibly stretchy, and come in capri and convertible versions.
Find men’s here: Backcountry / Amazon / EMS / Outland USA / Moosejaw
Find women’s here: Backcountry / REI / EMS / Outland USA / Moosejaw
Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pants
*BEST ETHICAL OUTDOOR CLOTHING BRAND ALERT
A double-feature between Chris’s closet and Amber’s closet, that’s because they’re just so cozy we both had to have a pair. When it gets really cold in the can, these Synchilla Snap-T pants keep us warm, whether we’re just lounging about or sleeping. They’re made of a heavyweight 100% recycled fleece and unlike other cheaply-made fleece pants, they’re pill-resistant and backed by Patagonia’s Iron Glad Guarantee (which means they’ll repair any Patagonia item FOR LIFE).
Find men’s here: Patagonia / Backcountry
Find women’s here: Backcountry
BEST ACCESSORIES FOR VANLIFE
Suunto 9 Baro GPS Watch
The Suunto 9 is the most outdoorsy watch that doesn’t look like one. Its feature include like compass, distance graph, barometric storm alarm, altimeter, GPS and GLONASS navigation systems, a visual route mapper, step counter, and calorie counter.
It essentially contains all the navigation and fitness tracking power you could ever need in a nice looking bundle. Chris especially loves the large face that makes it easy to read.
It also has smartwatch capabilities and can synch to your iPhone to receive calls, texts, and push notifications. This is especially great if you love being highly active outdoors. Chris doesn’t even need to take his phone with him out bouldering, because everything he needs is right on the watch.
It’s a handy little van life gadget, for sure, even if you aren’t as outdoorsy as we are.
Find it here: Backcountry / Amazon / Moosejaw
Smartwool Merino 150 Beanie
Again, we have several beanies, but this is Chris’s favorite all-around favorite. Given its high level of breathability and light, soft merino wool makeup, it’s great for sleeping in without adding too much head construction or bulk. It’s also an excellent option for high output outdoor activities because it provides a lot of ventilation and maintains the ability to insulate even when it gets a little sweaty.
While definitely not suitable alone for really cold days, it’s super layer-able, either under a helmet, hood, or another beanie.
Find it here: Smartwool / REI / Amazon / Moosejaw
Outdoor Research Luminary Sensor Glove
A perfect all-around glove, these softshell finger gloves are insulated but not to the point that it’s difficult to perform finer tasks in them. They also feature a DWR coating on the stretchy softshell outer for water resistance. A great choice for all manner of outdoor and around-town activities alike.
Find it here: Backcountry / Amazon / Moosejaw
Image courtesy of Patagonia
Patagonia Arbor Classic 25L Backpack
*BEST ETHICAL OUTDOOR CLOTHING BRAND ALERT
We spend a lot of time walking around towns on rest days from climbing, and usually we like to have the option to carry stuff with us (whether it’s groceries, shower stuff, or our laptop to get some work done in a coffee shop). Since we only have one hiking-specific backpack, which stands out in casual settings, this slim and stowable vintage-inspired backpack is stylish while still being incredibly well-made (duh, it’s Patagonia).
With a built-in laptop sleeve and spacious 25L main compartment, we can spend entire days away from the van carrying all our essentials in this one pack. It’s even suitable for lighter outdoor activities, like if we want to take a picnic on a short and easy hike.
Find it here: Patagonia / Backcountry
BEST SHOES FOR VANLIFE
Teva Ember Moc
If you’ve read any of out other vanlife essential guides, you may be tired of hearing us swoon over the Teva Ember Mocs. Chris was actually the first to turn us on to these magical indoor/outdoor slippers. In fact, he loves them so much he has two pairs, one for in and around the van and one for going out. Excessive? Maybe. Regretted? Definitely not. Especially since they account for half his total shoes.
As a reminder, these are literally sleeping bags for your feet with a touch, grippy sole that makes them suitable for wear even on outdoor terrain. They feature a durable quilted and insulated upper, which is especially great considering the floor is the least insulated part of our van. The collapsible neoprene heel counter allows them to convert effortlessly between slides and secure shoes. Unless it’s an actual hike or hardcore approach, Chris literally wears these shoes everywhere.
Find men’s here: Backcountry / REI / EMS / Outland USA / Moosejaw
Find women’s here: Backcountry / REI / EMS / Outland USA / Moosejaw
Scarpa Crux Approach Shoes
Chris soloing a 5.8 flake to the summit of the Buttermilk Scramble in his trusty Scarpa Crux Approach Shoes.
If Chris isn’t wearing his Ember Mocs, he’s almost certainly wearing these (the last piece of footwear he owns is a pair of snow boots, which are necessary to have but don’t get work terribly often).
The Scarpa Crux approach shoes are a durable and incredibly supportive low rise lace-up approach shoe suitable for hiking, scrambling, working out, or just walking around. With Vibram sticky rubber roles, they’re even suitable for lower-level rock climbing. While not fully waterproof, the leather exterior does have a largely waterproof quality for brambling about in the wet brush.
Find men’s here: Backcountry / REI / EMS / Outland USA / Moosejaw
Find women’s here: Backcountry / REI / EMS / Outland USA / Moosejaw
Before You Drive Away…
That’s Chris, signing off through Amber. He felt weird writing about his own vanlife clothing choices so that’s why I did it for him (men, amirite?).
As always, we’ll close by reminding you that buying used outdoor clothing should always be your first resort. We’ve written some handy guides for finding used outdoor gear and clothing, both online and in one of the many used gear retailers across the U.S. However if you can’t find something sufficient used (remember it IS important that you truly love the clothes you keep for vanlife), this list should help. Just make sure you’re buying mindfully and buying something that will last you a long time.
Every piece of gear on this list (and on Amber’s best vanlife clothing list for women) is wear-tested, and we absolutely believe in the quality and craftsmanship of these pieces. Besides, you’ll appreciate the garment longevity once you’re officially a poor dirtbag who actually can’t afford to keep replacing cheaply make fast fashion!
For men and women both, a minimalist travel wardrobe is key.
**This post contains affiliate links to support the continued creation of these van life guides. This just means that if you purchase something from one of the links above, I get a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Read more here or reach out with more questions.