I am large, not as large as I used to be, but still larger than I wish to be – think rugby player two decades past his prime. There are fewer advantages to being large than one who is not large might imagine. Yes, we do get more automatic respect than most, we can reach…
Hardkorr 1.2 Meter Tri-Colour Ezy-Fit Flexible LED Strip Light Review: Led Light Strip With Multiple Color Options For Camp
A good lighting setup can be the difference between a warm and inviting campsite and one that’s, well, dark. Lighting can just be a headlamp and lantern, but overhead lighting is best to see what you’re doing and be seen by your friends and family at camp. Some overhead lighting systems are elaborate and are…
Trail Fire Grill, High-Elevation Cooking the Campfire Way
I knew I liked the Trail Fire Grill when I saw creator Mark Ritchie demo it at the Overland Expo in Flagstaff, Arizona, this past spring. He had made a bacon and eggs breakfast for me and showed me how this camping grill serves as a barbecue, wok, and oven. I took the grill home…
Fjallraven Skogso Padded Jacket Long Term Review
The Arctic Fox on the shoulder speaks volumes. When I meet a traveler, and they are wearing Fjallraven, I know a few things off the bat. Either the person is: a) Scandinavian b) Well-traveled c) Well-heeled d) All of the above I am merely a (b) and have been yearning for a Fjallraven jacket ever…
Karmik Outdoors Lost And Found Decal Review: This Sticker Makes Returning Lost Outdoor Gear Easy
Growing up, my dad used to insist I write my name and phone number on everything I owned that was even remotely valuable. I still have a glasses case to this day that has “Sam Schild” and my home phone number written on the inside. That habit never really stuck with me, but I’m coming…
Overland News of the Week
Tuffy Mid-Size SUV Cargo Security When traveling locally and abroad, security is always an issue. We have taken a few security measures with hidden storage areas to ensure that no sticky fingers get hold of our invaluable hard drives and gear. Money can be replaced, but the loss of hard drives with precious memories and…
The Dometic Go Camp Collection Review
I like to keep my car packed with whatever I’d need for my favorite outdoor pursuits. On any given day, my car is full of camping gear, bike gear, a camp cook setup, and probably more. But since I also use my vehicle for hauling people, groceries, and other less adventurous things, a lot of…
Gaia Maps Introduces Gaia Overland
GPS mapping has changed the way we travel and explore. With the convenience of data at our fingertips, we are able to spend more time exploring and enjoying those beautiful routes and destinations and less time planning routes, and worrying about how far the next gas station or campsite will be. Having all the necessary…
C6 Outdoor Rev Tent
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2022 Issue. Roof tents certainly have their place, but most buyers would benefit from purchasing a solution that is lightweight, easily removable, and half the cost. There have been few options to address those practicalities until the recent launch of the Rev Tent by…
Australian DCS LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Batteries Now Available in the USA
The march of technology has been kind to us overland travelers. We’ve absorbed technologies designed for industry and the military and adapted those to suit our needs and requirements for long-distance travel over generally rough terrain. Gone are the days of relying on underpowered, unreliable lead acid batteries, high-drain appliances, and auxiliary equipment. Product distribution company Tiktaalik has…
SylvanSport Announces Loft Hard Shell Roof Top Tent
There is a new, well-established player in the hard shell roof top tent (RTT) market, and with a well below average unit cost (and limited period of free shipping to the US Lower 48), this attractive, rapid set up roof tent is sure to be in high demand. The Loft RTT is available in any…
Dometic Launches Inflatable Tent Range for the EMEA Market
Inflatable outdoor products used to be terrible; we can’t count how many times we’ve woken up with a hip on cold, solid ground when yet another “indestructible” inflatable mattress self-destructed. Most older overlanders and campers have been traumatized by these products to the point that they would prefer that only the tires on the vehicle…
Ram 2500 Overland Build :: AEV Dualsport XP Suspension, Salta HD Wheels, General Grabber A/Tx Tires
Two important questions that I’ve asked myself throughout my Ram 2500 overland truck build are Will this upgrade add utility, and Will this upgrade enhance capability? Utilizing this decision-making framework is generally straightforward, but when it came to making changes to the suspension, I felt some uncertainty. I was interested in creating more wheel well…
Overland News of the Week
REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform Two pieces of gear caught my attention at the Northwest Overland Rally, and REI Co-op’s Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform was one of them. Car camping is arguably the most accessible form of vehicle-based travel for most, and I can see how a tiny interior could be made functional by…
The Kammok Crosswing is Killing it on Kickstarter
I have an awning on my Defender; it is very well made but relatively poorly designed. To set it up, I need to motivate the assistance of a teenager or my ever-busy wife, and over the next five minutes of unzipping, unrolling, pole deployment, and leveling, a relationship may very well suffer. Yes, I could…
Getting Wayout There :: Dometic Trail Ride 2022
The sun dipped below the horizon hours ago, but we’re still driving. The Gladiator’s off-highway lights cut through clouds of dust, abruptly pitching up and down with the front end of the rig. I swallow two painkillers to stave off the pain behind my left eye—my own fault, and the consequences of neglecting calorie and…
ARB Premieres Two New Rooftop Tents Including a First Hard-shell Design
Rooftop tents have come a long way since they first appeared in the 1930s and will always remain a relevant element of the overland and outdoor lifestyle. With the simple installation of a roof tent, a vehicle is elevated and repurposed at a relatively low cost. While older roof tents were large, heavy, and hard…
Overland News of the Week
Purtrek 2-in-1 Trekking Poles Purtrek have developed an ingenious water solution for while out hiking. The innovative, “why didn’t I think of that” 2-in-1 trekking pole provides you with clean and safe water on hand, on-demand, and frees up space in your backpack. The trekking pole has an integrated water filtration system that you submerge,…
Treeline Outdoors Tamarack Plus Rooftop Tent
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2022 Issue. Many tents are coated in flame retardants to meet regulatory standards in North America, and these chemicals can easily transfer from fabric to skin to the hands (and ultimately, to your mouth). This is where Treeline Outdoors is making progress toward a safer…
Full-size Revolution: Overland Full-size Truck of the Year
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2022 Issue. Times change. What was old is new, what was smaller is now bigger, and the lines blur within every automotive category. Travelers are finding the benefits of a slightly larger vehicle that is designed to carry heavy loads day in and day out….