6 Best Travel-Friendly Sports Gear for RV Living That Nomads Swear By
Stay active in your RV with these 6 travel-friendly sports gear essentials. Discover the compact, versatile equipment that full-time nomads swear by.
Living in an RV doesn’t mean giving up your active lifestyle; it just means getting smarter about your gear. The biggest mistake new nomads make is trying to cram their home-sized equipment into a space that demands efficiency. The key isn’t sacrifice, but selection—choosing gear that delivers maximum function with a minimal footprint.
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Why Compact Sports Gear is Key for Nomads
Every square inch in an RV is prime real estate. You quickly learn that for every new item that comes in, something else often has to go out. This forces a ruthless curation of your belongings, and sports gear is no exception. A bulky set of weights or a full-sized bicycle can monopolize an entire storage bay, space that could otherwise hold tools, supplies, or other essentials.
The challenge goes beyond just physical space. Weight is the invisible enemy of every RVer. Every pound you add brings you closer to your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), impacting fuel efficiency, handling, and safety. Heavy, awkward gear isn’t just hard to store; it’s a liability on the road.
That’s why the best gear for nomads serves a dual purpose: it performs exceptionally well and packs down intelligently. It’s not about finding a cheap, flimsy travel version of your favorite equipment. It’s about investing in well-designed products built specifically for the demands of a life in motion.
iRocker Inflatable SUP: For Water Adventures
A rigid kayak or stand-up paddleboard is a fantastic toy, but it’s a logistical nightmare for most RVers. Strapping one to the roof is often impractical, and a dedicated rack adds length and complexity. This is where inflatable stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) completely change the game.
The iRocker series is a nomad favorite for a reason. They are built with military-grade PVC, making them incredibly durable—you don’t have to worry about dings and scratches from being moved around in a storage bay. When you’re done, the board deflates, rolls up, and fits into a backpack-style bag along with the paddle, pump, and fin. You can literally store an 11-foot watercraft under your dinette.
This isn’t just about storage, it’s about access. With an inflatable SUP, you can explore alpine lakes, coastal inlets, and lazy rivers you’d never reach otherwise. It transforms a simple boondocking spot near water into a full-blown adventure basecamp. The stability of boards like the iRocker All-Around 11′ also makes them great platforms for fishing or on-the-water yoga.
Zizzo Folding Bikes: Explore on Two Wheels
Bike racks are a common sight on RVs, but they come with significant tradeoffs. They make you longer, can obstruct access to ladders or storage, and leave expensive bikes exposed to weather and potential theft. After years of seeing nomads struggle with rusty chains and cumbersome covers, I can tell you there’s a better way: folding bikes.
Zizzo has carved out a niche with affordable, reliable folding bikes that are perfect for the RV lifestyle. A bike like the Zizzo Liberte can be folded down in under 30 seconds and easily fits into a passthrough storage bay, the back of your tow vehicle, or even a large closet. This keeps your investment safe, clean, and out of sight.
Let’s be clear: these aren’t high-performance mountain bikes for shredding black diamond trails. But for exploring campgrounds, running errands in town, or riding on paved bike paths and gravel roads, they are absolutely brilliant. The convenience of pulling out a bike for a quick ride without wrestling with a rack is a freedom you have to experience to appreciate.
TRX Suspension Trainer: Full-Body Workout
Get a full-body workout anywhere with the portable TRX GO Suspension Trainer. This lightweight system includes indoor/outdoor anchors and access to the TRX Training Club App for guided workouts.
Finding a gym on the road can be a hassle, and many of us prefer the privacy and simplicity of working out at our site. But who has room for dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands? The TRX Suspension Trainer is the definitive answer, offering a complete, full-body workout in a package smaller than a pair of shoes.
The system consists of two heavy-duty straps, handles, and a simple anchoring system. Using your own body weight as resistance, you can perform hundreds of exercises targeting every muscle group. You can anchor it to a sturdy tree branch, a playground structure, or even the ladder on the back of your rig.
Its genius lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. There are no weights to store and no complex machines to set up. It provides a challenging workout for everyone from beginners to seasoned athletes, and its tiny footprint makes it a non-negotiable piece of gear for staying fit on the road.
Black Diamond Trekking Poles: Conquer Trails
Conquer any trail with these lightweight aluminum trekking poles, featuring secure FlickLock adjustability for quick length changes. Enjoy all-season stability and comfort with dual-density grips and interchangeable tips.
Hiking is one of the most accessible and rewarding activities for nomads. But if you’re tackling varied terrain, a good set of trekking poles is essential for saving your knees on descents and providing stability on uneven ground. The problem is that traditional, telescoping poles can still be long and awkward to store.
This is why collapsible, "Z-pole" style designs are superior for small-space living. Black Diamond is a leader in this category. Their poles break down into three short sections connected by an internal cord, folding up to the length of a ruler. You can stash them in a daypack, a small drawer, or the side pocket of your driver-side door.
This might seem like a small detail, but it matters. When your gear is easy to grab and easy to put away, you’re more likely to use it. Choosing a compact, high-quality pole means you’re always ready to hit the trail without a second thought.
Franklin Sports Pickleball Set: Portable Fun
Get ready for the court with this 2-player pickleball set. It includes two USA Pickleball approved fiberglass paddles for durable performance and four official X-40 outdoor balls.
One of the best parts of RVing is the community, and no sport has taken the RV world by storm quite like pickleball. It’s social, easy to learn, and courts are popping up at campgrounds across the country. A portable set is an instant invitation to connect with your neighbors.
The Franklin Sports set is a perfect example of a high-value, low-footprint item. It typically comes with two or four paddles and a few balls, all packed into a slim sling bag. The entire kit can be hung on a hook or tucked into a cabinet, taking up almost no space.
This isn’t just about fitness; it’s about building community. Tossing a pickleball set in your rig means you’re always ready for a spontaneous game. It’s a simple piece of gear that can lead to new friendships and fun-filled afternoons.
Manduka PRO Travel Mat: Yoga & Fitness Anywhere
Travel light with the Manduka PRO Travel Yoga Mat. This foldable, non-slip mat offers excellent grip and easy cleaning thanks to its moisture-resistant, closed-cell PVC construction.
Whether you’re into yoga, Pilates, or just need a clean space for stretching and bodyweight exercises, a good mat is crucial. But standard yoga mats are bulky when rolled and can take up a surprising amount of space. A dedicated travel mat is a much smarter choice.
The Manduka PRO Travel Mat is designed for portability. It’s significantly thinner and lighter than its standard counterpart, allowing it to be folded flat like a blanket or rolled up tightly. This versatility means you can slip it into a drawer, between cushions, or at the bottom of a closet.
The tradeoff, of course, is less cushioning. But for life on the road, the priority is having a dedicated, grippy, and clean surface you can use anywhere—inside on a cold morning or outside under the awning. It defines your workout space, and when you’re done, it disappears.
Storing Your Sports Gear: Smart RV Solutions
Having the right gear is only half the battle; you also need a smart system for storing it. The goal is to make everything accessible without creating a cluttered mess. Your primary storage areas will be your exterior passthrough bays and any interior closets or under-bed compartments.
Start by assigning a "home" for everything. The inflatable SUP and folding bikes, for example, are perfect for the passthrough bay. Use heavy-duty hooks or cargo nets mounted to the walls of the bay to keep items secure and off the floor. This maximizes your vertical space.
For smaller items, think in kits.
- The "Hike & Trail" Kit: A small bin or bag holding your trekking poles, a daypack, and hiking shoes.
- The "Fitness" Kit: A drawstring bag with your TRX trainer, travel mat, and a jump rope.
- The "Game" Kit: Your pickleball set and any other small outdoor games.
This approach keeps related items together, making it easy to grab what you need and go. It also makes packing up camp far more efficient. When every piece of gear has a designated, logical spot, you spend less time searching and more time playing.
Ultimately, thriving as an active nomad is about making intentional choices. By prioritizing gear that is compact, lightweight, and multi-functional, you equip yourself for adventure without sacrificing the precious space and sanity that make RV living so rewarding.
