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…
Do It for the Kids Gift Guide
Every year, non-overlander children open their presents under the tree to find gifts that are, for the most part, useless for the rest of the year. Overlander kids are different—they live lives of exploration and deserve gifts that help fill a year with fun and adventure. I don’t remember 99 percent of the gifts I…
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…
Buyers Guide :: Off-Grid, Off-Road Trailers
Space, the final frontier—and one of the most compelling reasons many overlanders eventually graduate from a fully self-contained vehicle to an off-grid, off-road trailer. For travelers who need room to breathe, dependable storage, and a platform designed to operate far from pavement and power outlets, a purpose-built trailer can redefine how a journey unfolds. Rather…
Renogy 12.8V Super Slim Solid State Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery :: Field Tested
Lithium batteries are evolving rapidly, resulting in tumbling prices and new products every few months. At the forefront of consumer lithium batteries for over a decade, Renogy continues to iterate on well-proven solutions, pushing the envelope of what is possible. Its latest super-slim solid-state battery provides 104 amp-hours of energy in a tough metal enclosure…
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,…
The Hyundai Crater Concept Is USA-Designed and Needs to Become a Reality
At the Automobility LA 2025 in Los Angeles, Hyundai Motor America unveiled the globally-first presentation of the Hyundai Crater Concept, a compact adventure-oriented SUV concept developed to signal a new direction for the automaker’s rugged-mobility vision. This adventure vehicle, with its wide stance, knobbly tires, and suicide doors, would even appeal to Mad Max’s War…
Celebration of Life: Stacey Tourout and Matthew Yeomans of Toyota World Runners
Stacey Tourout and Matthew Yeomans, creators behind the YouTube channel Toyota World Runners, tragically died on August 7, 2025, in a remote off-road accident in the Purcell Range of British Columbia. Hailing from Nanaimo, BC, Stacey and Matthew built a devoted following by documenting their adventurous life, including building the world’s first Land Cruiser Chinook…
Australian Patriot Campers Has Unveiled the Flagship Supertourer ST7
“I found solace in the strangest place, Way in the back of my mind.” Sia, Alive. You know a trailer is going to be something special when the launch video opens with a powerful soundtrack (that’s Sia, proudly Australian) and cinematic slow-motion shots that highlight the craftsmanship of Patriot Campers’ latest flagship, the Supertourer ST7….
Overland News of the Week
The Landrovers Launch a Fully Custom Land Rover Defender 90 The Landrovers (recently ISO 9001 certified) of Amsterdam have unveiled Discidium, a highly bespoke Land Rover Defender 90 distinguished as the first of its kind to feature an electric sliding roof. Powered by a 525-horsepower Corvette LT1 V8 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it…