Presented by Slinky Stove, the Collapsible Smokeless Fire Pit
While Black Friday traditionally takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, many retailers are offering discounts now and will continue to do so throughout the holiday season. The coming weeks may be an opportune time for shopping before the onslaught of tinsel, crowds, cookie baking, and school concerts begin.
We test a lot of gear throughout the year as Expedition Portal editors and have carefully curated several upcoming holiday gift guides. Whether you’re putting together your own wish list or buying for others, we hope each list provides some comfort and joy this holiday season.
Sea to Summit Trek and Travel Laundry Wash
Sea to Summit’s Trek and Travel laundry wash is biodegradable, pH-neutral, and is a great Secret Santa gift or stocking stuffer option. At 3.3 fluid ounces, the bottle is TSA carry-on compliant, and a little goes a long way with the super-concentrated formula, requiring around 10 milliliters per wash. With a light green tea fragrance, the laundry soap is designed primarily for hand washing but can also be used in a machine where available. The tight-sealing lid prevents leakage, whether the bottle is stored in a backpack, a camp kitchen, or buried in your laundry bag.
$7 Available at | REI
Gear Aid 550 Paracord
Paracord is similar to zip ties in that you can always put it to good use. This 30-foot heavy-duty paracord from Gear Aid offers versatility, from securing a shelter to suspending lights, food, and damp laundry. The 4-millimeter cordage features 100 percent nylon construction and seven inner strands that can be pulled apart to suit different scenarios, including replacing shoelaces or used as fishing lines, floss, or thread. Various colors are available; however, reflective orange and black would be my go-to for optimal visibility. Add a knot-tying handbook to the mix for an even more well-rounded gi$ft.
$7 Available at | REI | Gear Aid
United States Geological Survey Topo Maps
While digital mapping resources and apps come in clutch, they can also fail, leaving you high and dry in an unfamiliar area. The prudent overlander knows redundancy is key, including carrying topographic maps as a backup. You may be familiar with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the country’s largest water, earth, biological science, and civilian mapping agency. In addition to free digital topographic maps, the USGS offers topo print maps for around $15 via its website. Not only are they useful for the trail, but the paper maps can also be admired as artwork back at home.
$15 Available at | USGS
TeraFlex Air Deflator Keychain
A wide range of tools can be used to deflate tires—from pointy rocks to screwdrivers and tire gauges with built-in deflators. Constructed from zinc-plated steel, the TeraFlex keychain is just another tool for your kit. The keychain screws apart into four deflators so you can air down all four tires at once before stowing the deflator in a vehicle door pocket or glove compartment. We use the TeraFlex with a separate tire pressure gauge during off-pavement escapades in our 2008 Tundra, which we live out of full-time. The deflator’s small size and ease of use make it one of our go-to pieces of kit.
$19 Available at | TeraFlex
Leather Travel Journal
There’s nothing more inspiring (or potentially daunting) than the empty pages of a beautiful notebook waiting to be filled with stories, poems, observations, or reflections on a journey. This one harkens back to medieval times when manuscript books were bound with brown leather. The heavyweight, acid-free cream parchment paper is hand-stitched to the binding in four sections, allowing the writer flexibility to jump around if they choose. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to write more about daily life on the road, and after years of more casual notetaking, this notebook (and a good pen) seems like the perfect place to start.
$20 Available at | Barnes & Noble
BioLite Luci Candle
Soft camp lighting is my favorite, and this solar-powered, amber LED candle and lantern from BioLite mimics candlelight for up to 18 hours on a single charge. Weighing 2.8 ounces, the Luci candle is collapsable to 1 inch, making it a lightweight and safe alternative to traditional candles. The Luci is also waterproof, which means you can create a cozy glow nearly anywhere you go, including in the pool, in the rain, and at the beach. Plus, for every product sold, BioLite ensures a person living in energy poverty gains access to safe lighting and charging.
$20 Available at | BioLite | REI
SkipHop Kids’ Backseat Organizer
I still remember the brightly colored backseat organizer that kept me busy during road trips as a kid. No doubt an upgraded version since the ’90s, the SkipHop kids’ organizer features clear pockets to fit tablets up to 6.75 inches high, several pockets, and a D-ring for hanging toys. Adjustable webbing straps secure the organizer to fit behind most front seats, while the fabric is kid-proof and can be wiped clean with a damp sponge or cloth. It is worth measuring to ensure the organizer fits your vehicle’s seats as it spans 15 x .25 x 22.5 inches.
$26 Available at | SkipHop
Cascadia Field Guide Coffee Table Book
Defined by watersheds, Cascadia encompasses the places where rivers flow into the Pacific: Southeast Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, British Columbia, Washington, and bits of Montana, California, Nevada, and Wyoming. To celebrate these unique bioregions, the Cascadia Field Guide blends art, ecology, and poetry, including entries ranging from cryptobiotic soil to the giant Pacific octopus and Sitka spruce. Featured artists bring varying styles and mediums to the guide, including form line design, cut paper, and pen and ink, using their ties to the region for inspiration. Each story includes information about the size, range, and lifespan of flora and fauna and is offered with “delight and a mind tipped toward wonder and engagement.”
$30 Available at | REI
Yeti Rambler Stackable Espresso Cups
I was sold on this set of Yeti espresso cups after a friend served me delightfully spicy Turkish coffee in one. Made with kitchen-grade stainless steel, the cups are puncture and rust-resistant, dishwasher safe, and feature a DuraSip ceramic lining, which means you won’t be sipping coffee from a metallic vessel but something that resembles your cups back home. Measuring 2.6 by 2.7 inches, the 4-ounce cups hold two espresso shots with just enough room for milk for a cortado. If you’re yearning for something larger, these cups are also available in a 6-ounce size.
$30 Available at | REI
ARB Speedy Seal Tire Repair Kit
ARB’s Speedy Seal tire repair kit is a great gift for new drivers or someone looking to upgrade their current kit. Including components to repair up to 50 tubeless radial or cross-ply tires without removing the tire from the vehicle or rim, ARB’s kit contains a spring steel insertion needle with cast handle, hardened steel reamer tool, 40 vulcanizing repair cords, lubricant, and more. This version includes updates such as 10 additional cords, pliers, spare valve stems, and a high-vis orange case for easy finding during an emergency tire repair. We’ve carried this kit for over a decade and wouldn’t leave home without it.
$48 Available at | ARB
REI Wilderness Survival Three-Season Skills Workshop
Prepare for the unexpected and dabble in the art of self-reliance during this REI wilderness survival workshop. Topics include tailoring the 10 Essentials to your local terrain, whether desert, plains, or rugged alpine landscapes, and honing practical skills such as navigation, finding shelter, and overcoming environmental challenges. Other topics include emergency priorities such as securing safe drinking water and fire-building techniques where appropriate. If this workshop doesn’t sound quite right for you, REI offers a variety of survival classes and events ranging from winter skills to basic first aid. Consider local Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder courses in your area for more in-depth training.
$79+ Available at | REI
Blue Ridge Overland Gear Vehicle Attic
An effective tool to maximize space in your vehicle, Blue Ridge Overland Gear’s vehicle attic attaches to hanger hooks and grab handles, providing space for lightweight items such as coats, blankets, sleeping bags, or clothing. With some McGyvering, the Toyota Tacoma attic fits our tiny 1990 Pickup, which is hugely helpful for storing hats, toques, puffy jackets, and more. The attics are handcrafted in the USA, made from Mil-spec mesh and durable 550 paracord lacing with cinch strings and ITW barrel locks. Note this product requires rear garment hooks and is available for Jeep Gladiator, JKU, and JLU models, as well as Tacomas, 4Runners, Lexus, Land Cruisers, and Broncos.
$80+ Available at | Blue Ridge Overland Gear
MyMedic MyFak Mini First Aid Kit
Another full-time item living in our 2008 Tundra is MyMedic’s MyFak Mini first aid kit. Super compact, the kit includes over 62 first aid items, including saline wash, EMT shears, a space blanket, assorted bandage packs, blister strips, and more, all contained in a folding page-designed pack. The kit features a MOLLE panel and straps for easy mounting and storing within your vehicle; a free Training Course is included in the purchase price. If the Mini isn’t the right size, MyMedic offers a range of small, large, and waterproof IFAK kits, each with a product walk-through video.
$115 Available at | My Medic
Lost With Purpose Pakistan Adventure Motorcycle Tour
This 15-day motorcycle tour takes riders between some of the world’s highest mountains via the Karakoram Highway and along switchbacks climbing up to 3,500 meters above sea level. Guide Sanaullah Marwat biked around the country as a security expert for the UN and British High Commission, while tour leader Alex Reynolds is a solo female traveler, writer, and photographer from the United States. There are several tour options, from bringing your own gear to riding two-up, all on 2022 Suzuki GS 150 bikes. I have my eye on the 2025 women’s tours, which promise an incredible experience.
$2,650+ | Lost With Purpose
Overland Journal Holiday Promotion
Now is the time to gift an Overland Journal subscription! From November 25 to December 3, 2024, enjoy 50% off subscriptions and 60% off back issues. This promotion will be automatically applied on checkout (no code necessary).
Our No Compromise Clause: We do not accept advertorial content or allow advertising to influence our coverage, and our contributors are guaranteed editorial independence. Overland International may earn a small commission from affiliate links included in this article. We appreciate your support.
Presenting Sponsor: Slinky Stove
Slinky Stove is a new collapsible and smokeless fire pit available in 7-, 17-, and 23-inch diameters. It’s designed to be easily portable and to function as a table, cooking grill, heating stove, and campfire ring. Each size comes with a carry bag, a fire poker, an ash tray for easy cleanup, a grilling grate, and a lid that turns it into a table. The Slinky Stove can be used with wood, pellets, or charcoal, and the stainless-steel design ensures long-lasting durability. Its three different size options and collapsible design make it a great firepit solution for any sized vehicle, campsite, backyard, or patio. $70, $140, $175 Available at | Amazon | Plus 20% off for Black Friday, November 21-28
For additional overland gift ideas, check out these Expedition Portal gift guides:
