When one of the most prominent voices in the outdoor travel community trusts you to build not one, but two of their custom rigs, it’s the ultimate compliment.
Kristen Bor, the founder of the massive outdoor travel blog Bearfoot Theory, recently shared an incredibly thorough, honest review and video tour of her third custom 4×4 170″ Outside Van Sprinter conversion—affectionately named “Wombat.”
Having spent 6 to 8 months a year living full-time on the road since 2016, Kristen knows exactly what works and what doesn’t. After a nightmare experience with an inexperienced builder on her first van, she turned to us for her second and third builds.
Here is what Kristen highlighted about her experience living in an Outside Van:
What She Loved Most About the Build
The Floor-to-Ceiling Closet: Positioned right in front of the permanent platform bed, Kristen called this massive storage unit “clutch” for keeping food, gear, and everyday essentials perfectly organized on long-haul trips.
Sileather Wall Panels: Kristen raved about our use of eco-friendly, vegan Sileather on the walls. Because it’s completely waterproof and stain-resistant, she noted that dog hair doesn’t stick to it and cleanup is as simple as a quick wipe-down.
Unmatched Cabinet Durability: Built using 13-layer marine-grade plywood and premium Wilsonart laminate, Kristen emphasized that cabinetry is one of Outside Van’s greatest strengths: “The cabinets were incredibly durable and able to withstand some pretty rocky roads without showing any signs of damage.”
A Quiet, Rattle-Free Ride: Thanks to our specialized internal structural infrastructure, sound dampening, and insulation, Kristen noted the van was incredibly quiet on the highway with absolutely zero cabinet rattles over rough terrain.
The Reality of Evolving Layout Needs
What makes Kristen’s review so valuable is her transparency about how life changes impact a layout. “Wombat” was originally designed with a single DOT-approved captain’s chair behind the driver’s seat to serve as a workspace and future-proof the van for a potential baby.
However, once her son arrived, the realities of traveling with two adults, two dogs, a baby, a travel crib, and a car seat made the open floor space feel tight. It’s a great reminder that the “perfect layout” completely depends on your specific stage of life, and why modular flexibility is so critical when designing a mobile home.
