Hygge & Klickitat

Heavy-duty exterior architecture engineered for wilderness exploration.

Built for the Uncharted

True off-grid autonomy requires far more than just a large battery bank and a comfortable bed. It demands an exterior architecture engineered to survive environments where fuel stops don’t exist, paved roads terminate, and emergency assistance is completely out of range. Our heavy-duty flagship builds, Hygge and Klickitat, were conceived as zero-compromise overlanding platforms meant to tackle these precise conditions. While Hygge utilizes the massive footprint of the extended 170 WB Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, Klickitat proves that ultimate rugged utility can be packed into a nimble, short-wheelbase 144 WB platform. Both vans were destined for true wilderness exploration, proving our gear excels across the entire Sprinter lineup.

When you push vehicles into remote terrain, your exterior infrastructure faces extreme demands—whether you are navigating a massive extended roofline through heavy crosswinds or squeezing a compact footprint through tight, overgrown switchbacks. Wind resistance increases, atmospheric temperatures swing wildly, and low-hanging tree branches threaten rooftop gear arrays. Every single component bolted to the exterior shell of Hygge and Klickitat had to be structurally flawless, aerodynamically considered, and utterly bulletproof. They served as our ultimate proving grounds, testing the exact exterior armor we now supply to DIY builders worldwide.

Why We Made It

We endorse what we use. When you are managing solar panel arrays, recovery gear, and heavy overlanding equipment, you need a rooftop foundation that doesn't bend under pressure, regardless of your van's wheelbase. Hygge and Klickitat served as the ultimate dual-platform testing grounds for our heavy-duty exterior catalog—proving that rugged utility and minimalist aesthetics can live together on any roofline. Each choice was made deliberately, ensuring the construction works seamlessly across long-distance overland paths, from compact trail-runners to full-sized mobile basecamps.

The Rooftop Ecosystem: Nomad Vanz Canopy Rack

The roof of an adventure van is its most valuable asset for energy harvesting and gear storage, but standard factory roof rails are highly limited in capacity. To maximize this real estate across both the expansive Hygge and the compact Klickitat, we deployed specialized configurations of our proprietary Nomad Vanz Canopy Rack. Both builds showcase distinct setups of this highly anticipated rack system, which is soon to be officially released to the public for standalone purchase. Manufactured from high-strength aluminum and finished in a resilient slate-grey coating, this rack operates as an integrated structural platform. It wraps tightly to the Sprinter's specific roof contours, minimizing highway aerodynamic drag while providing secure mounting space for massive solar arrays, rugged storage boxes, and recovery tools.

To provide maximum visibility during midnight trail navigation, we integrated a high-output light bar directly into the front profile of the Canopy Rack. This lighting system casts a brilliant beam far past the vehicle's front bumper, ensuring hazards are visible long before impact. For structural ventilation beneath this roof rack, we deployed the high-velocity MAXXFAN Electric Roof Vent. Capable of moving air efficiently even when the rain-shield is completely closed, it keeps cabin humidity balanced through freezing alpine nights and blistering desert heat waves.

Side Shell Architecture: Maximizing Lateral Space

As you move down the side profile of these flagship vehicles, the focus shifts to maximizing internal living volume without altering the vehicle's drivability. To achieve this—particularly on Klickitat's nimble 144 WB chassis—we utilized premium side pop-out flares. These aerodynamic pods extend the lateral width of the van's body paneling, creating the critical clearance needed to accommodate a comfortable, transverse (sideways) bed layout. By shifting the sleeping arrangement side-to-side rather than front-to-back, we successfully reclaimed massive linear square footage inside the main cabin for the kitchen and living quarters.

Engineered to integrate seamlessly with the Sprinter's factory body lines, these heavy-duty pods are structurally sound, completely water-tight, and precisely color-matched to the automotive finish. To ensure year-round comfort, they are heavily insulated against alpine chills and desert heat waves, and feature an integrated, opening awning window to facilitate cross-ventilation while sleeping off-grid. This side shell modification bridges the gap between exterior architecture and interior spatial luxury, proving you don't need a massive footprint to enjoy a spacious bedroom on the trail.

Flexible Living Spaces: The Lagun Table Leg System

No matter the footprint of your chassis, interior modularity dictates how comfortable a vehicle feels after hours on a technical trail. Inside the living quarters of both Hygge and Klickitat, we integrated the genuine, Swedish-designed Lagun Table Leg System. By eliminating traditional, clunky pedestal table legs that disrupt floor layouts, this system utilizes a heavy-duty, saltwater-resistant anodized aluminum arm to reclaim valuable legroom. It mounts directly to a vertical surface and swivels a full 360° at two independent points, allowing travelers to smoothly position the table for dining or working, and quickly lock it securely in place without any tools before hitting the road.

Uncompromising Cab Protection: Custom Nomad Vanz Matz

Tracking mud, snow, and trail dust into the main cabin is inevitable when overlanding, but ruining your interior floor shouldn't be. To protect the high-traffic front zones of both Hygge and Klickitat, we developed custom-tailored variations of our signature Nomad Vanz Original Matz. Hand-sewn and engineered using commercial-grade Chilewich woven textiles, these premium floor mats offer an ultra-durable, waterproof barrier that resists heavy friction and staining. They prove that heavy-duty trail protection can coexist beautifully with a refined, cohesive architectural aesthetic.

The Multi-Sport Garage: Custom Protection & Bike Mounts

At the rear of the vehicle, the gear garage is where organizational efficiency can make or break an expedition. For both of these custom builds, we deployed custom-sized Nomad Vanz Garage Matz to protect the lower utility floors from moisture and hard impacts. Bolted directly onto the floor tracking inside both garages is our proprietary Nomad Vanz Fork Mount Kit. Combining a CNC-machined body of anodized 6063 aluminum with custom plates laser-etched with our logo, this kit integrates seamlessly with Mac's VersaTie track systems to safely lock down thru-axle mountain and road bikes inside the vehicle—keeping your high-end bikes completely safe from the elements and trail vibration.

Reclaiming Dead Space: Hygge’s Rear Door Storage

While both vans share a core architecture of high-end utility, the extended layout of Hygge gave us additional room to optimize the rear zone using the Nomad Vanz Rear Door Storage Pocket System. This custom system completely reclaims the factory dead space inside the Sprinter's rear door insets, turning it into a highly organized soft-storage command center. It features four massive, removable pocket bags made from marine-grade materials that can carry the equivalent volume of a large suitcase—perfect for stowing tools, laundry, or trail gear securely without adding body panel rattles down forest service roads.

Featured Gear at a Glance

Built Here. Tested Here. Trusted Here.

Nomad Vanz has been designing and building premium Sprinter conversions since 2014. Because sunshine is still the best medicine, we build our components to ensure nothing gets in the way of your time on the road.

The exterior systems and interior layouts that protected Hygge and Klickitat through years of testing are fully modular and ready for your garage build. Don't compromise your vehicle's perimeter armor or internal utility, no matter what size chassis you drive. Explore our catalog in the shop and arm your van for the uncharted trail ahead.