Why I Started Using Matador Gear
The Matador gear I own, why I bought it, and what I want to add to my setup next.
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Michele and Matador
I don't own a ton of Matador gear. At least not yet. But the pieces I do own have made me pay more attention to the brand and what they're doing.
What initially caught my attention was how packable so much of their gear is. Space is always something I think about in my van. I have room for what I need, but I don't want to fill it with bulky gear when a smaller option works just as well. Matador makes a lot of products that pack down surprisingly small when you're not using them, and that makes sense for the way I travel.
After buying a few pieces and seeing the quality for myself, I started looking at more of their gear. There are several things I haven't bought yet but would like to add over time. So rather than call this a review of everything Matador makes, this is a look at what I'm using now, why I like the brand, and what's on my list next.
Why Matador Caught My Attention
I spend a lot of time thinking about storage. Living and traveling in a Sprinter van will do that. Even when you have plenty of storage, every piece of gear still needs somewhere to go.
That's one reason packable gear appeals to me. If something can do its job when I need it and practically disappear when I don't, that's a big plus. Matador has built a lot of its products around that idea, from backpacks and towels to toiletry storage and other travel gear.
I also like gear that's simple. I don't need something to have a dozen features I'll never use. I'd rather have something thoughtfully designed that does what it's supposed to do and holds up to being used.
The Matador Gear I Own
FlatPak™ Zipper Toiletry Case
I had a large, soft, very pretty makeup bag that I used for my toiletries, but when I saw the FlatPak Zipper Toiletry Case, I thought it would be much more functional in the van. Soft bags get dirty, and eventually you have to throw them in the wash. With this one, I can simply wipe it off and keep going.
It's not as pretty as my old makeup bag, but it's a lot more practical for the way I travel.
FlatPak™ Toiletry Bottles
I use these for three things: dish soap, hand soap, and bath soap. The regular bottles are larger and take up more space than I want them to in the van, so I'd rather transfer what I need into these smaller containers. I can also clip them onto a hook, which keeps them out of the way and easy to grab.
They're especially practical when I'm driving. I've forgotten to put larger bottles away before taking off, only to have them fall over and roll around the van. With the FlatPak Toiletry Bottles, I don't have to worry about that nearly as much.
Why Packable Gear Makes Sense in My Van
I don't want my van packed from floor to ceiling with gear. I want to be able to get to what I need without moving five other things first, and I like having open space instead of filling every available cabinet and cubby.
Packable gear helps with that. A backpack I can fold down when I'm not hiking with it or a towel that doesn't take up half a cabinet leaves that space available for something else. One item might not make much difference, but when you're carrying camping, hiking, mountain biking, ski, camera, and everyday gear in the same van, it adds up.
That's probably the biggest reason Matador fits into the way I travel.
The Matador Gear I Want to Try Next
There are a few more Matador products I've been looking at and plan to buy next. I haven't used these yet, so I'm not recommending them based on firsthand experience. They're here because they solve specific problems I have in the van, and I'll update this article once I've bought them and had time to use them.
Toothbrush Caps 2-Pack
I keep my toothbrush in my toiletry bag, and I like the idea of having a cap over the end instead of putting the whole toothbrush in a separate case. These are small, simple, and take up almost no room.
Waterproof Pill Canister
Right now, I keep all my pill bottles together in a Ziploc bag, which is fine, but I don't need to pull them all out every single day. With the Waterproof Pill Canister, I can fill it up on Sunday with what I need for the week and put the larger bottles away in one of my cabinets. It gives me something smaller to keep within easy reach without having a bag full of pill bottles taking up space.
Gear Cube Set 3-Pack
These are probably what I'm most interested in adding. I have cabinets and storage space in the van, but opening a cabinet and putting a bunch of smaller things inside doesn't really organize anything. I want to start separating more of my clothing, small gear, and everyday items so I know exactly where things are, and they stay put when I'm driving.
The three different sizes in the Gear Cube Set would let me organize things by type instead of everything being mixed together. They also pack down when I'm not using them, which is exactly the kind of storage solution that makes sense in my van.
Is Matador Gear Expensive?
I don't think Matador is overly expensive, especially compared with some of the other outdoor brands I use, like RUX and Gregory. It's certainly not bargain gear, but I think the pricing is pretty reasonable for products designed specifically around travel, packing small, and saving space.
For me, it still comes down to whether a product solves a problem. If something packs smaller, keeps my van better organized, or replaces a bulkier piece of gear I'm already carrying, I'm willing to spend a little more for good design and quality. That's really how I look at most of the gear I buy for the van anyway.
Who I Think Matador Gear Makes Sense For
You certainly don't need to live in a van to appreciate gear that takes up less room. I can see Matador making sense for people who fly frequently, road trip, camp, hike, travel with limited luggage, or simply don't want bulky gear taking over their storage space at home.
For me, it's the combination of travel and van life that makes the brand interesting. I can use the same gear when I'm living out of the van, heading out for a hike, or packing for a trip that doesn't involve the van at all.
Will I Buy More Matador Gear?
Yes. There are already a few things on my list. One of the things I'm trying to do in the van is get more of my small gear, clothing, and everyday items compartmentalized. I want to know where things are, but I also don't want things flying all over the place when I drive off.
I have storage cabinets, but even inside them, it would be nice to have things separated rather than everything just sitting together. Even my toothbrush needs a better solution. Sometimes I forget to put it away before I drive off and later find it lying in the sink. Gross.
I'm not interested in buying something just to have another piece of gear, though. Part of living in a van is being selective about what comes inside because eventually you have to find somewhere to put it. The Matador products that interest me most are the ones that can help me organize what I already have, replace something bulkier, or keep things contained while I'm driving. That's what got me interested in Matador in the first place, and it's what I'll be looking for as I add more of their gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matador gear worth the money? I think so. The Matador gear I own is well-designed, practical, and doesn't take up much space, which is important to me in the van.
Is Matador gear expensive? I don't think Matador is overly expensive compared with other outdoor brands I use. It's not bargain gear, but I think the pricing is reasonable for the quality and design.
Is Matador gear good for van life? Yes. A lot of Matador gear is designed to be compact, lightweight, and easy to store, which makes it especially useful when space is limited in a van.
What Matador gear do I use in my van? I currently use the FlatPak Zipper Toiletry Case and FlatPak Toiletry Bottles. I use the bottles for dish soap, hand soap, and bath soap, while the toiletry case replaced the larger makeup bag I was using.
What Matador gear am I buying next? I'm planning to buy the Toothbrush Caps 2-Pack, Waterproof Pill Canister, and Gear Cube Set 3-Pack next. Each one will help me better compartmentalize the smaller things I carry in the van.
Are Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottles good for van life? They've worked well for me. Instead of carrying larger bottles of dish, hand, and bath soap, I can carry smaller amounts and clip the FlatPak bottles onto a hook so they don't take up space or tip over while I'm driving.
Can you easily clean the Matador FlatPak Zipper Toiletry Case? That's one of the reasons I switched to it. My old soft makeup bag would get dirty and eventually need to be washed. I can simply wipe the FlatPak Zipper Toiletry Case clean, which is much more practical in my van.
Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares the gear she uses on real trips—from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to desert rides in the West. She values quality and craftsmanship and believes in buying less, but buying better. The gear she recommends is gear she uses herself.Some links on Overland Girl may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Michele may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.