Lead photo courtesy of Weird Wild West SOUTHWEST USA Adventure Van Expo When: April 13-24, 2024 Where: Scottsdale, Arizona The Adventure Van Expo series returns for 2024 with a packed schedule of events, including the first of the season in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lively music, food trucks, vendors, and camping converge in this all-ages celebration of…
Redarc Battery Management and Voltage Monitor :: Field Tested
I have more fingers and toes than there are fuses in my classic Land Rover. The engine has no electrical components save for the alternator and the glow plugs. Even the fuel delivery is mechanical. So, I take cues from my trusty Defender and try to keep my auxiliary electrical systems as simple as possible….
KC HiLites Launches 8-inch SlimLite 8
Iconic KC HiLites recently introduced the 8-inch SlimLite 8 LED, designed for larger vehicles such as overlanding and full-size trucks, vans, Jeeps, classic Toyota and Land Rover trucks, and tow rigs. This evolution and re-imagining of a classic first introduced nearly 30 years ago, builds on the success of the top-selling 6-inch SlimLite 6. The…
KRUG Expedition Unveils 2024 Rhino XL for Europe
Crafted in Austria, the Rhino XL is the culmination of KRUG’s dedication to creating supremely capable and “affordable” expedition vehicles; KRUG claims that the Rhino XL is “the world’s most capable expedition vehicle.” That is a bold claim indeed. The Rhino XL’s primary limitation is the nearly half-million dollar price tag, which puts it out…
KC HiLites Fog, Bumper, and Area Lights :: Long-Term Review
Essential Applications One of the Golden Rules of Overlanding, in the top five at least, is “Do Not Drive At Night.” We have learned this lesson the hard way, and it is one of the reasons that expansive and intricate auxiliary lighting has not been a priority for us when outfitting our vehicles. That does…
Overland News of the Week
All-New Toyota Land Cruiser Prado To Land In Australia Mid-2024 As it is marketed in Australia, the all-new Land Cruiser Prado range is set to enhance its appeal with a five-variant lineup that includes 48-volt technology across the board. The range features the GX, GXL, VX, Kakadu grades, and the new Altitude variant, each offering…
Fuel for the Fire: Tips to Keep Your Water Boiling and Food Hot
Parked in a construction quarry beside a quiet, muddy road between the villages of Loebetsi and Kibangou in the Democratic Republic of Congo, my son, Keelan, struggled to cook a meal as we dealt with a debilitating mechanical issue and the sunset. We had recently run out of propane, and now the price was being…
Designed for Marines, Used by Overlanders: The Story Behind Shower Pouch
In 2012, Mike Houston’s father, a retired Navy officer stationed in Afghanistan, shared stories of his travels between forward operating bases with the Marines. Among the many anecdotes, one recurring theme was the pervasive stench they endured inside their transport vehicles. Hygiene was a top priority for soldiers, and baby wipes were the go-to solution…
General Tire Arctic LT :: Long-Term Review
Born and raised in sunny South Africa, I had minimal experience driving icy winter roads before heading to the Northern Hemisphere. When preparing for a winter expedition to the Arctic Ocean in the darkest depths of winter, I realized I still had much to learn. That learning was the entire point of driving up to…
Full Power: The Wescotts’ Turtle V Gets a Solar and Electrical Upgrade for its Next Adventure
Think back to 1972. Some of you may remember when The Turtle Expedition, Unltd. was exploring the backroads of Mexico and Central America in our trusty 1967 109 Land Rover. At that time, we had one battery, and its functions were to start the 6-cylinder gas engine (that choked on Mexican Pemex Nova regular), turn on…
The Best Remote Communications for Overlanders
The historian Hellanicus recorded the first reference to letter writing, a handwritten note sent in 500 BCE from the Persian Queen Atossa, mother of Xerxes and the Achaemenid Empire (Roberts, 1843). There is little doubt that messages were sent across longer distances in earlier times, but they are lost in the sands. The process changed…
Hard-Shell Rooftop Tents :: Buyers Guide
In recent years, hard-shell rooftop tents (RTTs) have gained significant popularity, and there are compelling reasons for this despite their generally higher cost compared to soft-shell models. While both have their respective pros and cons, hard-shell tents are generally more durable, streamlined, and practical for specific applications. The practicality of a rooftop tent is evident…
Behind the Scenes With Alu-Cab
This summer, I visited Alu-Cab’s headquarters in Cape Town, South Africa. What struck me the most about the experience was the sheer size of the operation. Whisked from facility to facility, building to building, and introduced to the multi-step manufacturing process that lies behind each Alu-Cab product, I realized just how large the company is….
Overland News of the Week
Overland Home Launches Overland International’s co-owner and designer Stephanie Brady has launched a new business called Overland Home. Overland Home aims to provide beautiful, unique, and well-designed products from artisans around the globe with a focus on natural materials and time-honored techniques. All artisans sourced from are paid fair wages, which means when you purchase…
On the Rocks: Outdoor Barware for the Happiest of Happy Hours
Lead photo by Richard Giordano I view cocktail-making as a gesture of love. There’s care involved: slicing citrus, preparing ingredients, sourcing ice cubes, shaking or stirring. Time, a precious commodity, is also required. Your personal preferences are attended to. Two shots or one? Too sweet or not enough? The casual mixologist, often a friend or…
Soft-shell Rooftop Tent :: Buyers Guide
Soft-shell rooftop tents have a long history, dating back almost as far as the invention of vehicles to which they could be attached. The concept of a canvas roof tent may have been inspired by the covered wagons that played a crucial role in trade and travel for centuries. There’s something undeniably charming about a…
Boxio Portable Sink and Toilet :: Field Tested
Photography by Richard Giordano Boxio Portable Camping Sink Established in Germany, Boxio manufactures stackable toilets and sinks made from recycled plastics. Inspiration struck while founder Arvid was building a tiny house for his family. Composting toilets in Europe were expensive and complicated, so with the help of his co-founders and a couple of engineers, a…
25 Holiday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life
Presented by Küat Racks Have you heard a Mariah Carey song blasting over the speakers at your local grocery store yet? If so, it’s probably time to start thinking about the quickly-approaching holiday gift giving season. From ADV riders to bikepackers, vehicle aficionados, and tent campers, there’s something for everyone in this Expedition Portal gift…
Escapod Topo 2 Overland Trailer :: Field Tested
Teardrop trailers are old-school cool, with a lineage that dates back to the DIY plans of the 1930s. The trailer style has remained popular ever since, and for a good reason—they just work. The teardrop perfectly balances compact dimensions, sleep-inside comfort, and timeless style. Most small trailers use a rooftop tent for sleeping, but it…
Cozy His and Hers Sweaters from Royal Robbins :: Field Tested
Photography by Richard Giordano Heritage brand Royal Robbins was founded in 1968 by American rock-climbing pioneers Royal and Liz Robbins. Together, they tested unclimbed routes in the Yosemite Valley, Royal specializing in big-wall ascents throughout the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, while Liz was the first woman to climb the face of Half Dome in 1967….