Running unmapped trails in Arizona, my wife, pooch, old Land Rover, and I have learned a new respect for the southern Sonoran desert. A smooth and easy plateau trail often heads through stock gates, down into washes, or up into the mountains, and all it takes is one wrong move, and we could be in…
Dometic Inflatable Shelters :: Field Tested
In North America, inflatable tents are still a novelty (they have been de rigueur in Europe for some time now) and seem to teeter on the edge of gimmickry. We decided it was time to put one through its paces, and Dometic volunteered to send one of their TRT 140 Air inflatable roof tents along…
Scout Kenai Pop-up Announced
In a week of exciting new announcements, the all-new Scout Kenai Overland Camper is a bright spot. It bring the comfort and spaciousness of their Kenai hard-side camper to the pop-up customer. Pop-top campers have numerous advantage for travelers, including better fuel economy, lower overall height for obstacle clearance, and the ability to pull the…
Mobile Warming Clothing from Fieldsheer :: Field Tested
If staying warm without piling on a ton of clothing appeals to you, Fieldsheer can help. Their Mobile Warming collection includes everything from vests and coats to socks and insoles. As well, they pay special attention to heated clothing for those who work outside. My concern is keeping warm on a motorcycle. With that in…
Braai Essentials: A Barbeque Master’s Tools of the Trade
Cooking over an open fire and coals has been an essential element of human evolution ever since Homo erectus earned the ability to harness and manage fire. Sitting beside the flames and grilling a meal is something that we, as overland travelers, do more than most modern humans, and it is an important part of…
Fancy a Cuddle? The Story Behind Aeronaut Outdoor
Aeronaut Outdoor Founders Brandon and Laura Davey say the company was born from a simple problem: sleeping outside kind of sucks. After more than 15 years of experience designing gear for brands like NEMO, Marmot, and Patagonia, the Southern Californian couple decided to take matters into their own hands, designing the Hoverquilt, a premium down…
Tire Repair Essentials
While most travelers envision their first field repair as a bent tie rod or a punctured oil pan, the most common malady is a damaged tire. The correct tire repair equipment can reduce the need to bring a second spare tire or even use your primary spare. Repairing the tire quickly and efficiently is the…
Scout Announces Their New Full-Size Olympic Pop-up Camper
Scout has been turning the overland truck camper market on its head, releasing one new product after another to wide adoption and a blistering sales pace. Personally, I have purchased two Scouts and am testing and configuring my new Yoho Popup for remote travel. The hard-sided Kenai I owned was also durable, lightweight, and spacious….
The Best Tie-down Straps for Overlanding
Traveling safely isn’t just about navigating challenging terrain—it’s also about ensuring your gear is secure throughout the journey. The NHTSA and CPSC report that unsecured loads alone are responsible for nearly as many US deaths on-road as all off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation-related fatalities.¹𝄒² Remote wilderness travel usually involves some highway miles to get there. That…
Nod to the Nordic: Winter Gear Straight From the North Atlantic
Photography by Richard Giordano Polar nights, deep fjords, the Arctic tundra, midnight sun, and boreal forests filled with silver birch and lichen form the Nordic playground, where people pride themselves on spending time outdoors in all seasons. The culturally learned rhythm of frilufstliv or free-air life aptly sums up the Nordic community’s connection with nature….
Four Wheel Campers Launches The CampOut Modular Pop-Up Truck Camper Series
Four Wheel Campers, an innovator for over 50 years in the truck camper industry, has announced the launch of CampOut, a modular pop-up truck camper series designed to meet a wide array of travel needs. The modular CampOut is not only attractive and practical but also, thankfully, surprisingly affordable. The unveiling took place on February…
Four Seaons Review :: Firestone Destination X/T and M/T2 Terrain Tires
In the early years of the twentieth century, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone started taking regular camping trips together, sometimes with Thomas Edison, and often accompanied by the celebrated naturalist John Burroughs. They would ramble for weeks through the states along the Eastern seaboard in custom Model T trucks outfitted for sleeping, cooking, and off-road…
Field Tested :: Ultimate9 evcX Throttle Controller
The contemporary 4×4 is a high-tech wonder, packed with a staggering amount of computing power that controls nearly everything in the vehicle: from operating cabin mood lighting and hands-free phone calls to crucial driving functions like fuel delivery and anti-lock braking. Even the humble gas pedal operates via ones and zeros, relaying driver input through…
Field Tested :: Sea to Summit Dry Storage
Paatuwaqatsi, “Water is life,” they say on the Hopi Reservation. In the drier corners of the world, like the American Southwest, this is undoubtedly the case. Perpetually in short supply, and the supply getting ever shorter, every drop is precious. However, there’s no denying we live on an overwhelmingly wet planet, and the humble H2O…
More New Garmin Nav and Moto Tech for 2025
Garmin has recently expanded its offerings for adventure enthusiasts with the introduction a revised and updated version of its popular Montana 700 series handheld GPS units and the all-new zūmo R1 Radar system for motorcycles. These devices are designed to enhance navigation and safety for off-road travelers and motorcyclists alike. Garmin Montana 700 Series Handheld…
Field Tested :: Decked Drawer Systems
In 2024, Decked rolled out a redesigned version of their vaunted pickup truck drawer system. This was big news since many thousands of happy customers and industry experts had generally agreed that the original Decked drawers were among the best storage systems available. Made from tough HDPE composites with steel hardware and components, Decked drawer…
Making a Splash: The Story Behind Guzzle H2O
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles water filtration and purification manufacturer Guzzle H2O. After witnessing the amount of garbage created from single-use plastic bottles during international sailing regattas, professional sailor Sean “Doogie” Couvreux took to Facebook. “The garbage situation was ridiculous,” he says….
4WD Gift Guide
Presented by Nitto Tires, and the Terra Grappler G3 Despite significant challenges, 2024 has been a great overlanding year for me. I have had the opportunity to use a couple of vehicles to explore Southern Africa and North America while attending a few trade shows. The following 4WD Gift Guide features some of the…
The Dacia Duster is Ready to Explore Europe
Sometimes, less really is more. Dacia has expanded the versatility of its Duster model, built in Romania and backed by Renault, by introducing a new accessory pack aimed at turning this affordable SUV into a weekend adventure vehicle. The new ‘In Nature’ sleep pack, offered in the European market, brings an affordable camping solution that…
15 Black Friday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life
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,…