Best friends Kristen Bor and Linda Romero have enthusiastically embraced the van life movement, spending half the year traveling the country in their customized campers while working full-time on Bor’s website, Bearfoot Theory. The site offers insights, tips, and resources for anyone contemplating a life on the road.
Van life is a lifestyle many have fantasized about at one point or another: breaking leases, downsizing belongings, saying goodbye to nine-to-five jobs, and hitting the open road in a camper fitted with home comforts. This dream became a reality for best friends Kristen Bor and Linda Romero after years spent in traditional office jobs. Bor worked in environmental policy in Washington, D.C., while Romero was employed at a sustainable energy nonprofit in San Diego. They decided to transition to a more flexible lifestyle by becoming digital nomads and joining the van life movement.
As Romero reflects, “I loved my job, but it was an office job. I worked in a cubicle, it was Monday to Friday, nine-to-five, and I realized that wasn’t the life I wanted.” In 2012, Romero and her partner converted their Volkswagen van into an energy-efficient camper, embarking on a 15-month road trip spanning from her home state of California down to Argentina. This transformative trip made her realize that travel could be more than just two weeks of vacation each year.
Simultaneously, Bor had similar aspirations. After three years in DC, she recognized that was not her ideal lifestyle. Wanting to explore the world, she quit her job, began a travel blog, and spent four months journeying through New Zealand, all while documenting her adventures online. The blog flourished, and after returning home, Bor continued her exploration by taking trips in a van across the US. Inspired by the tiny house movement, she sought help on Instagram to convert her 4×4 Sprinter Cargo Van into a camper.
According to Bor, “My blog was already generating income when I decided to get a van. I was fortunate in that regard. Having moved frequently in my 20s and early 30s, I had very few possessions, making the transition seamless.”
After reconnecting following their road trips, Bor and Romero began working full-time on Bearfoot Theory, which strives to make van life and outdoor travel more accessible, particularly for women. They established a home base—Bor in Salt Lake City and Romero in San Diego—spending a few months at home while the rest of the year is spent traveling with their partners across North and South America in their customized vans.
Over the years, the women have noted an increase in the number of individuals opting for van travel. With international travel becoming more difficult, this mode of travel is flourishing. “I’ve noticed more vans on the road than ever. It’s one of the only ways we can travel now. While people can travel in their cars, many are apprehensive about hotels and airplanes. Being self-contained in a vehicle that doubles as accommodation makes it easy to travel when other options might not be as appealing,” states Bor.
Recently, they have received more inquiries than usual from diverse demographics curious about life on the road. Questions ranged from renting a camper for a week to selecting the perfect vehicle for a long-term commitment. Consequently, they established a free online course called the Van Life Roadmap. This course guides aspiring van lifers through essential processes, including choosing the right vehicle, planning conversions, downsizing, moving in, and earning income while on the road. The course consists of six self-paced modules, crafted to save participants “a ton of time, money, headache, and stress.”
Bor emphasizes the importance of evaluating priorities when considering van life, assisting newcomers in making the right choices. “Choosing the right vehicle is crucial—it all comes down to your budget, how you plan to utilize the van, and what type of life you envision. Do you want to travel full-time or take weekend trips?”
Moreover, Romero adds, “Now more than ever, people are taking the time to reevaluate their priorities. We find that many want to act on their desires rather than waiting for retirement. Individuals seek the ability to travel on their own terms, in their own vehicle, at their own pace, and in their own comfort zone.”
This is the mission of Bearfoot Theory: to empower individuals to fulfill their van life dreams, whether that involves a week, six months, or a lifetime on the road.
