Words By Chris O’Neill, Photography by Greg Fitzgerald Here’s the thing about being in your favorite place in the world when it’s 5:00 a.m., 20°F, and there are 8 inches of snow on the ground—it’s still your favorite place in the world. For me, that place is the Colorado Plateau, and I was there with…
All-new F-150 Raptor, Fox Live Valve Internal Bypass Shocks
Fox Shocks are widely accepted as some of the best on the market, and now, Ford, working with Fox, enhances the next-generation Fox Live Valve (LV) internal bypass shocks on the all-new 2021 F-150 Raptor. The new shocks promise to give the latest Raptor even more capacity when going hard on challenging terrain and subsequently…
Overland News of the Week
AEV Jack Base for Jeep Wrangler JL or Gladiator AEV’s jack base for Wrangler JL or Gladiator provides an additional 3.5 inches of height for the factory JL or Gladiator scissor jack. This lets users easily change tires as large as 37 inches with their factory jack. In addition to providing extra height and being…
AEV Front Receiver for the 2021+ Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and In-bed Winch Cradle Carrier
AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) has “become the world’s premier supplier of OE-quality, performance-driven aftermarket parts, and accessories for vehicles geared specifically to off-road recreational driving and overland adventure travel.” Their latest products showcase practical yet innovative solutions to anyone seeking to fit and store a winch on their 2021+ Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. Sometimes less is…
Sonya and Necota Staples: Overlanding and Creating Inclusive Communities
Sonya and Necota Staples have been traveling together since the early days of their relationship. Their first adventure outside of the US was an escape from routine, a chance to relax—what most people might envision as a vacation. But an unfortunate interaction led them outside the walls of the all-inclusive resorts. And it was then…
Five Lightweight Motorcycle Options for Vehicle Hitch-mounts
There are many reasons why riders might want to transport a motorcycle by vehicle: maybe you need to take your bike to the dealer for repairs or want to get from A to B without riding hours on the interstate. For example, if you live in Washington and want to ride the Colorado BDR, you’re…
How to Sustain the Overlander’s Lifestyle
Not as a complete definition, but as an often-overlooked component, I’ve started describing overlanding as “intentional self-deprivation.” This is the part you rarely see on Instagram. Those who use the activity to escape the city and trials of work-life could probably care less. Even when the weather doesn’t cooperate, disappointing for sure, it’s all part…
Behind the Wheel: 2021 Ford F150 King Ranch
What do you do when a shiny new Ford F-150 King Ranch arrives at Expedition Portal HQ? Naturally, you hand the keys to the guy who drives a Prius and tell him to write about his experience. I know it sounds illogical, but I’m actually in a perfect position to deliver some opinions, primarily because…
Rigid, Adapt-XP
I’ll admit, I have a devious auxiliary light fetish. In fact, my Vanagon Syncro would be the perfect lighting rig for a Floyd concert or qualify as a mobile lighthouse. Admittedly, I went a little overboard, much like the sailors depending on me. However, at the time, it did feel as though the wider overlanding…
ARB Experiences, The Adventures of Scott Brady
Established in 1975, by Anthony Ronald Brown, ARB 4×4 Accessories has a warranted reputation for manufacturing quality products designed for the harshest conditions. The company is now Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of 4×4 accessories, has offices in the US, and an export network that extends through more than 80 countries around the world. Nevertheless,…
10 Solutions for Carrying Extra Fuel on Motorcycles and Off-road Vehicles
Updated April 28, 2021. Many overlanders have a conundrum—how to carry extra fuel for those far-from-it-all excursions we all dream about. Carrying gas or diesel safely is even more of an issue: gone are the good old days of filling up plastic Coke bottles and strapping them to your overland rig or ADV ride. Even…
Terranova Expedition Truck Joins the EarthCruiser Ranks
As the demand for purpose-built overland trucks continues to rise, EarthCruiser has answered the call with its new Terranova expedition truck. This cab-over-style composite adventure rig is built on one of three domestic 1-ton chassis including the 2020 or newer Ford F-350, Ram 3500, or Silverado 3500. “The EC Terranova is the culmination of years…
Test Drive: Jeep Wrangler 4xe in the Texas Hill Country
Testing the Jeep Wrangler 4xe in the Texas Hill Country I just returned from the beautiful Texas Hill Country, outside Austin, Texas, where I had the opportunity to jump in the driver’s seat of Jeep’s new Wrangler 4xe Rubicon. Driving this innovative (but charmingly familiar) vehicle on hundreds of miles of pavement as well as…
Nemo Spoon Bags
One key issue with most ultra-lightweight sleeping bags is they’re super snug and, if you’re a larger build or broad-shouldered, they don’t allow for much movement besides lying on your back. Well, Nemo has come to the rescue with a range of Spoon bags that provide enough space for side sleepers! According to Nemo, “Seventy…
Overland News of the Week
Osprey Talon Pro 30 The comfort of Osprey’s backpacks is well known amongst outdoor enthusiasts, and their new Talon Pro 30 brings that comfort to the world of ultralight backpacking. A lightweight wire frame and injection-molded framesheet provide support for this 30-liter pack. Osprey lists a recommended maximum payload of 15-25 pounds for comfortable carying….
Nitecore FSP100W IPX5 Rated Waterproof Foldable Solar Panel
Nitecore is on a mission to bring durable tech to the outdoors, and their FSP100W promises to be a solar panel you can depend on in the backcountry. I currently own the Goal Zero (GZ) Yeti 1250 and their Boulder 100-watt panels and love them, but I’m intrigued by some of the cheaper alternatives. That…
Tribit StormBox Micro and FlyBuds NC
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I can’t remember a time when our house was silent growing up, whether we were listening to Radio Caroline, the pirate radio station that inspired the film The Boat That Rocked, or my dad’s records. As a young kid, I was first drawn to the…
Hema Maps Announces Changes to the 4WD Maps App (Android Version)
Hema Maps, founded in 1983 and based in Brisbane, is a mapping and publishing company that has been exploring Australia for 30 years, producing maps, atlases, guides, and digital navigation products. The company is focused on off-road touring and has subsequently become one of the industry leaders in 4×4 and adventure navigation. This warranted reputation…
South of the Border
If you’ve been dreaming of exploring Mexico’s Gran Desierto Altar—and the pandemic has you pining for a south-of-the-border experience—the Sonora Rally Adventure Raid might be your escape to a world of missions, sand dunes, and tacos. As a Dakar-style venue, the Yokohama Sonora Rally has emerged as North America’s premier rally raid—a multi-day event that…
Jeep Brand Creates Jeep 4xe Charging Network
Jeep reveals plans to take electrified propulsion beyond the paved road with the 2021 Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid. The company is partnering with Electrifying America to create the Jeep 4xe charging network; these EV charging stations will be installed at, or near, trailheads of Jeep Badge of Honour off-road routes. Stations are scheduled to open…