I bought Opal the 2013 Subaru Outback back in January of 2019. It was a scary decision to fork over so much money, but over time. I also realized she’s one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. Since then, I also started a new job, one that allows me to be remote most of the time. Since getting her, I’ve been slowly perfecting my live-and-work on the road setup. I’m not very handy. I honestly don’t really care to learn or acquire all the tools required for actual construction. I wanted to leave my car largely unmodified because I do use it for actual car things. So here’s my guide to a Subaru Outback build out without actually building anything out.
Table of contents
Why I chose a Subaru Outback no-build camping set up
I’m not a handy person. I don’t want to install anything permanent. There is no space for me to store a removable build. I haul around a lot of crash pads at any given time because more pads = more safety. I sometimes haul around people. Using my car for car purposes is nice. I also live in metropolitan area and I get stressed out about car break-ins. Having a no-build Subaru Outback build out makes it easy to change things up, carry things around, and pack everything away easily.
The Sleep System
Exped Megamat Duo
The most important piece of a Subaru Outback build out is your sleep system. I mean, nobody wants to not sleep and be tired and cranky all the time. The Exped Megamat Duo (Regular) fits perfectly in the back of the Outback when the seats are folded down. It inflates on its own, or you can pump it up by hand with the included pump in three minutes. If you’re drunk and you forget to pump up the pad (or if you forget the pump), it’s still pretty comfy. The seats don’t quite lay flat in the Outback, so you’re at a bit of a slant. This helps eliminate that a bit. Placing a few items (shoes, books, reflectors) underneath your feet also helps to level it out.
At $399.95, it’s a hefty chunk of change to shell out, but after a few nights of sleeping on this cloud, you’ll be glad you bit the bullet.
Buy the Exped Megamat Duo through REI for $399.95.
Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed
I’m a princess. I love double sleeping bags. And I especially love snuggling. This sleeping bag ticks off all those boxes. It’s great for if you thrash when you’re sleeping solo. It’s even better when you have someone to cuddle with. The zipperless design is fantastic for tug-of-war in the middle of the night; you won’t get hit in the face with a cold zipper. A foot vent lets you stick your feet out in the middle of the night if it gets too hot.
Buy the Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed from CampSaver for $280.
Mesh Back Window Covers
These window covers from Amazon fit most cars. They drastically reduce light in the car and keep bugs out when you crack the windows. Open your door, slide them over the window, and you’re good to go.
I have a set for the front ($12.99), complete with a hole to wrap around the front mirror. I also have a set for the rear passenger windows (also $12.99).
Windshield Sun Shade
A sun shade blocks out sun when your car is parked. It blocks out a good chunk of light when you’re sleeping in the back. The sun shade doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to work. I have this inexpensive generic, one size fits most sunshade for my windshield. Bonus: it packs up small.
Buy through Amazon for $12.90.
Rear Window Shade
I’m not sure how I went 6 years without finding a cover for the rear window, but I did. And I regret many minutes of that. With the YelloPro Window Sunshade, I’m no longer blinded by the sun or by errant headlights making their way to camp. It also keeps things cooler inside. It’s worth the $30.
Get the YelloPro Window Sunshade for $30.
Storage
SkyBox NX LG Roof Box
My favorite Subaru Outback build out hack is the roof box. For increasing your living space and the amount of things you have to shuffle around for bedtime, get yourself the Yakima Skybox 16. It fits a small crash pad (like the Organic Simple Pad) and whatever knickknacks you have rolling around that don’t need to be in the back of the Outback. My cooking setup and two camp chairs fit perfectly up top with space for small items.
Buy the Yakima SkyBox NX LG Roof Box through REI for $799.
Lighting & Power
Jackery Explorer 240
Sometimes you just need a little extra juice, or sometimes you’re working on the road. The Jackery Explorer 240 provides all that and more. It has pass-through charging capabilities. You can also charge it while you drive.
Buy through Amazon for $250. Not convinced? Read my full review of the Jackery Explorer 240.
BioLite Luci String Lights
Is it really a Subaru Outback build out if you don’t have twinkle lights? (Alternately, are you really doing #vanlife properly?) The BioLite Luci String Lights provide the sparkle. It’s a bit of a pain to thread it through all the little things in your ceiling. Even on the lowest setting, it provides a ton of light. You can recharge it via USB while you are driving, or plug it into a battery pack for hours of fun.
Buy the BioLite Luci String Lights for $59.95 for the 18 foot version. The 44 foot version is 99.95. Want something with a little less dazzle? The BioLite Inflatable Luci Solar Lantern does the trick for $59.99.
BioLite Solar Flex Light
I’ve also been loving the BioLite Solar Flex Light for strictly just needing light without any pizazz or razzle dazzle. It’s been so handy for reading in the car, getting ready for bed, and sometimes even evening sessions at the boulders. It’s also easier to set up than the string lights, since I just loop it through the oh sh*t handles of the car, instead of stringing it through every little hook.
At $39.95, it’s a much more affordable pick than the string lights. Both of them live in my car. Available at Backcountry.
Cook System
Dometic GO Hydration Jug
Every Subaru Outback build out needs some way of keeping you hydrated. The Dometic GO Hydration Jug is an aesthetic water carrier. It tucks nicely behind the passenger seat, even when it’s fully pushed back. It comes with a water faucet, too, for extra luxury, and if I’m being honest, the faucet comes with me everywhere because it just makes things so easy.
Buy through REI for $70. The water faucet retails for $100.
Otterbox Venture 25 Cooler
The Otterbox Venture 25 Cooler is the perfect size for a weekend-ish getaway. It keeps your food cold–provided you properly cool your cooler and store your food. It also doubles as an awesome table, leg rest, or chair.
Buy the Otterbox Venture 25 Cooler for $299.99. If this is still too bulky, try the Otterbox Trooper Cooler 20 for $249.99, though you lose all table and chair capabilities.
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Stove
The most essential part of being on the road is food. The Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Stove has been my go to for the last several years, bumping the Primus Tupike Stove (full review) off its spot as my camp stove. It has two burners, windscreens, and a piezo igniter. It also comes with a grill plate and a griddle plate.
Buy the Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Stove for $275.
Am I missing anything in this Subaru Outback build out? What would you change? I’m always tweaking my setup; I’d love to hear your thoughts.
5 comments
Excellent suggestions! I recently sold my Subaru Outback that I bought new in 2001. I had 200,000 miles of adventures, and I frequently slept in the back.
I’m 6’0″ tall, and I had to sleep on a diagonal, even with both seats down, if I wanted to straighten my legs. Overall it worked well though, and a Subaru Outback is a very good choice for long-term travel.
My ex is 6’2″ and we slept in the back frequently. He also had to sleep diagonally but it wasn’t uncomfortable for the two of us either :) Glad to hear my baby will last until 200k and beyond!
I spent one summer about 2 years ago sleeping in the back of my Subaru Outback on the weekends more than I slept in my own bed (14er season will do that to ya). Love the set up you have, I wish I would have thought of buying mesh panels on amazon rather than attempting to make my own!
I definitely spent so much time in the back of Opal or Ottie (Mac’s Outback). I am so not handy that making my own panels would have just taken more money and so much longer
All thoroughly practical, yesss even the twinkle lights. Thanks for sharing.