For the last five years, our 1990 Toyota Pickup has utilized a Redarc BCDC1225D as its DC-to-DC charger and solar charge controller. The BCDC’s diminutive size makes it an ideal choice for small battery banks in small vehicles. But, as electrical loads grow, battery capacity must keep up, and charger power output must follow. Redarc’s…
Behind the Scenes with Blue Ridge Overland Gear
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles overland industry leader and storage solutions manufacturer Blue Ridge Overland Gear. Matt Akenhead admits that by nature, he’s incredibly disorganized. “It wasn’t necessarily related to overlanding or travel initially,” he says about the origins of Blue Ridge Overland Gear (BROG). “I just…
Teren Clothing :: Field Tested
As a dirtbagger with a full-time job, I’m always looking for clothing that’s as comfortable in the office as it is in the backcountry. Teren Design’s Daily Driver line outfits me perfectly for both environments. Subtlety is the word that first comes to mind when you see a Teren shirt. From afar, the pattern may…
10 Overland Hacks Under $50 That Will Change Your World
Sometimes, the simplest, most inexpensive items can make a difference in your overland setup. Whether it’s a clever storage fix, a time-saving tool, or a piece of gear that solves an everyday frustration, these budget-friendly finds can seriously improve life on the road. In fact, some of these items were so effective that multiple Expedition…
The Top 10 Overlanding Game Changers
Significant engineering and communication advancements have transformed domestic and international overlanding in the past few decades. These innovations have made the process safer, easier, and more connected than ever, promoting a lower cost of travel and the ability to work remotely in a vehicle from anywhere on the planet. Factory Overland Vehicles Original equipment manufacturers…
Sena Technologies Talkie Mesh :: Field Tested
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 brings the comfort and spaciousness of their Kenai hard-side camper to the pop-up customer. Pop-top campers have numerous advantages 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…