Early memories are so formative, often defining and informing the path of our lives. My dad taught me the importance of doing what you love with the people you love, and truck campers have been synonymous with that aim since their commercial debut in the early 1950s. I still remember a cold morning camping in…
Overland News of the Week
Toyota Launches New Generation Australian HiLux The latest generation HilLux has landed in Australia, promising improved driveability, enhanced interior technology and comfort, and an exterior design spearheaded by Toyota Design Australia. The 2026 Hilux is available in cab-chassis and pickup configurations, with 4×4 or 4×2 drivelines, and in single-, extra-, and double-cab body styles. Upgrades…
Land Rover Classic Defender V8 Now Available with Defender Octa Color and Trim Options
A few months ago, a wealthy individual with a head full of champagne bubbles—and possibly not much else—decided that $430,000 was a perfectly reasonable sum to pay for a nuts-and-bolts rebuild of a 1980s Santana Land Rover. The irresistible Spanish-built Land Rover (arguably the least desirable flavor) even came with a cute little camper trailer…
For the Minimalist Who Fancies Luxury :: Gift Guide
I’ll preface this guide by reminding one and all that the greatest gifts cannot be bought. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true. So, during this festive season, check in with loved ones and make time away from your devices to be present. With that out of the way, who’s going to buy me…
The All-New, All-Electric 2026 Subaru Trailseeker is Fast and Capable
Subaru posted an outstanding performance in 2024, with US sales approaching 700,000 units. The brand recorded its strongest results in Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire, followed by Connecticut, Colorado, Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Washington State, and Massachusetts. In these regions, Subaru’s all-wheel-drive, outdoors-oriented models consistently lead demand, a trend that is hard to miss for anyone…
Featherweight Gifts for Your Over-GVWR Champion
Groaning springs, nose in the air, the struggle to the top of the next hill, always bringing up the rear, thirsty at the pump—we all know that traveler in our lives who could use some gear that lightens the load. Whether on two wheels or four, reducing avoirdupois reaps many benefits, not least safety. As a vehicle’s mass…
Jeep Introduces Wrangler Whitecap as the Second Model in Its Twelve 4 Twelve 85th-Anniversary Series
The Jeep brand has unveiled the Wrangler Whitecap, the second limited-run model in its yearlong Twelve 4 Twelve program, marking 85 years of continuous off-road production. Presented as a limited-run model, the vehicle is offered exclusively as an upgrade package for the Sahara and Rubicon Wrangler trims. Revealed in December from Auburn Hills, Michigan, the…
Are Modern or Older Vehicles Best for Overland Travel?
The age-old question of which vehicle is best for overland travel is a hot topic. Some prefer a brand-new vehicle with low mileage, modern tech, and ultimate comfort; others swear by their tried-and-true (hopefully) trusty vehicle they’ve owned for a long time, one they know how to service and repair, and one that, typically (but…
10 Holiday Gifts for the Overlander Who Has it All
Photo by Richard Giordano We often assume that someone who “has it all” owns every desirable item—whether toys, vehicles, accessories, or other overland gear and gadgets. But as the holiday season approaches, it may be worth widening that definition. Some overlanders have everything they need and want nothing more; others “have it all” simply because…
CompoCloset Cuddy Lite Composting Toilet :: Field Tested
Photography by Richard Giordano It was during a European road trip that Richard Peter and his partner, Erica Pugh, realized their composting toilet could be so much better. Peter sketched out various designs, prioritizing a longer drop zone, more effective solids and liquids separation, increased portability, and a unit that was easier to clean. In…
First Drive :: 2026 Subaru Outback
Near the summit of 7,800-foot Mingus Mountain in central Arizona is one of the country’s most well-known paragliding launch pads. From a dizzying precipice near a stand of communications towers, pilots from the Arizona Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (AZHPA) run for a few very meaningful steps down a grassy slope before launching themselves into…
Field Tested :: Hipcamp and The Dyrt
Times have certainly changed. When many of us first began overlanding, there were few tools to help locate a suitable campsite, and long driving days often ended early so we could scout the surrounding area for a safe place to spend the night. The arrival of iOverlander eased much of that burden—and, some would argue,…
The EarthRoamer Journey: Past, Present, and Future with CEO Scot Allen
Join host Matt Scott in a captivating episode of the Overland Journal Podcast as he chats with EarthRoamer CEO Scot Allen. Recorded at EarthRoamer HQ in Denver, this episode delves deep into the company’s evolution, including the innovative changes Scot has spearheaded since joining in 2021. Explore the fascinating history of EarthRoamer, the cutting-edge technology…
Epicore M Sports Activity Vehicle: Is this the Ultimate Basecamp?
My friend Steve is a maniac—in the best possible way. When he isn’t saving the world, he’s climbing mountains, skiing remote Alaskan slopes, tearing across dirt trails on a bike, or doing cartwheels in the desert. Then there are my friends Leah and Steph, equally unhinged in their pursuit of adrenaline, happily hauling half a…
2025 Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion
Presented by Hankook Dynapro Tire One of the largest Jeep events in the USA isn’t held in California, it is a gathering each summer in the charming town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The statistics are impressive, with over 50,000 attendees, 20,000 Jeeps, 300 vendors, and one of the coolest street cruises I have ever seen….
Land Rover Has Unveiled the Defender Dakar D7X-R
The British automaker Land Rover has formally confirmed that its rugged 4WD Defender Dakar D7X-R will debut as a factory-backed rally-raid contender in the 2026 Dakar Rally and the broader FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). If the production Defender is good enough for Kingsley Holgate and his expeditions into the heart of Africa, then the…
Desk to Glory Launches “Why We Overland” 6-Part Film Series
If you cast your mind back a little more than a decade ago, when Instagram had barely come on the scene, TikTok was the sound a clock made, and XOverland had only uploaded a handful of videos to YouTube, you may remember a time when blogs reigned supreme. As my own long-term travel ambitions began…
Exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Tail of the Dragon with Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme Tires
Attending the 2025 Great Smoky Mountain Bronco Stampede took us to charming Pigeon Forge for some southern hospitality earlier this year. The weather was hot, the days were long with summer sun, everything was green and blooming, and black bears were roaming around town. After the event ended, we found ourselves with a day to…
Overland Conservation: Forests
Photography by Leander Nardin Looking back on a decade of full-time, vehicle-based travel, my most beloved nights camping in the United States have taken place beneath a forest canopy. With limited exceptions, public forest land is open for overland exploration. National forests contain maintained trail networks, established campgrounds, and vast dispersed camping opportunities. Access to…
Toyota Has Launched the “Electrified” Land Cruiser 2.8D 48V for Europe
Toyota’s latest update to the Land Cruiser introduces an electrified powertrain, but not in the way most drivers associate with hybrid technology. The newly announced 2.8D 48V model adopts a mild-hybrid system designed to support, rather than replace, the traditional diesel engine. This setup pairs the familiar 2.8-liter turbo-diesel with a compact 48-volt electric motor-generator,…