The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way. – Marcus Aurelius With a crack of lightning, the lodestone is magnetized, becoming one of the most unusual and useful stones on earth, melding magnetic…
Category Archives: 4WD
Father’s Day Podcast: Interviewing Larry Brady
On this Father’s Day, we celebrate all of the dads. We are grateful to those with us and honor those who were gone too soon. Dads have an important job, providing protection, love, support, training, and much more. It is a hard job, and it is supposed to be, as honoring those responsibilities helps…
Rivian R1S and R1T Models Offer More Power and Features
In June 2024, Rivian introduced the second-generation versions of its flagship models, the R1T pickup truck and the R1S SUV. These updated models bring significant advancements in performance, technology, and design. The new R1 platform offers increased power and range, featuring Tri-Motor and Quad-Motor configurations. The Quad-Motor R1T, with 1,025 horsepower, can accelerate from 0-60…
Mitsubishi May Bring New Delica to the US by 2030
The third-generation Mitsubishi Delica is one of the darlings of the JDM import scene. In both diesel and petrol versions, the funky little van from the Land of the Rising Sun offers an arsenal of options that have huge appeal for overlanders around the globe. True 4WD with a low-range transfer case, high ground clearance,…
Tires for Overlanding Episode 4: Driving in Sand and the Dunes
Join us for episode four of our educational series on Tires for Overlanding, where we review selecting various tires, driving and recovery, vehicle preparation, Tread Lightly, and more. For this fourth episode, we discuss the fundamentals of driving in sand and the dunes, including tire pressures, leeward and windward side of the dunes, tire selection,…
NEMO Dagger Osmo Lightweight 3P Tent :: Field Tested
After an undulating 14-kilometer hike with 35 pounds on my back, I opened the NEMO Dagger Osmo three-person tent for the very first time under the looming shadow of Mount Assiniboine—motivated by a relentless cloud of thirsty mosquitoes. Perhaps this wasn’t the smartest plan in the world, but it made for a perfect opportunity to…
Mopar Reveals Limited-production Mopar ’24 Jeep Gladiator
Mopar has recently revealed its latest addition to the line of customized, limited-production vehicles with the introduction of the Mopar ’24 Jeep Gladiator. This special edition model, which is part of Mopar’s annual factory-vehicle customization program, is based on the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Only 250 units of this vehicle will be produced exclusively for the…
The Story Behind AluBox
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles the multi-generational Denmark-based storage company AluBox. She connected with Søren Wiberg to learn more about AluBox’s origins, its involvement in field expeditions, and how consumer preferences have changed since the company’s inception in 1999. Cover photo courtesy…
Tactical Application Vehicles x Enduro Campers Toyota Land Cruiser
Of all the vehicles on show at Overland Expo West, one stood head and shoulders above the rest, despite being relatively diminutive compared to some of the brutes on display. This vehicle is almost certainly the most capable and practical overland vehicle we found at the event after hours of searching for that one gem,…
Overland News of the Week, June 7th, 2024
New RUX Clear We’ve all been arm-deep in a bag or container, exclaiming, “Where the heck is it? I know it’s in here somewhere!” Well, fear not, as in this week’s overland news RUX is now offering the RUX 70-liter, Waterproof Bag, and RUX Pocket in a transparent material. The company promises that by using…
INEOS Launches Arcane Works to Build Bespoke Grenadiers
In the world of modern luxury cars, customization is key. For example, Porsche offers a bewildering array of over 200 different configurations on their 911 model, and buyers generally spend over $20,000 on options alone when writing a check for one of those legendary sports cars. Porsche even offers entirely custom color options through its…
Tires for Overlanding Episode 3: Airing Down for Backcountry Travel
Join us for episode three of our new educational series on Tires for Overlanding, where we review selecting various tires, driving and recovery, vehicle preparation, Tread Lightly, and more. For this third episode, we discuss the fundamentals of airing down tires for overlanding, including deformation, contact patch, mechanical keying, flotation, and more. We also discuss…
Jeep Unveils All-Electric Wagoneer S Trailhawk Concept and Launch Edition
The Jeep brand has introduced two groundbreaking additions to its lineup: the Jeep Wagoneer S Trailhawk concept and the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition. These fully electric vehicles mark a significant step in Jeep’s journey towards electrification while maintaining the brand’s legendary capability and design. The Jeep Wagoneer S Trailhawk concept exemplifies the fusion…
Flextail Tiny Repel :: Field Tested
Photography by Jason Spafford Outdoor endeavors should be about embracing nature, not battling mosquitoes. Enter the Tiny Repel. Designed by the Shenzhen-based company Flextail—increasingly known for their multifunctional outdoor gear since 2015—this compact device serves as a mosquito repellent, light, and power bank. Using DualRepel technology quickly creates a 30-foot mosquito-free zone (including horseflies), with…
Scout Campers Launches New Lightweight Pop-up
Each day, the overland industry grows in unexpected ways. And for the 3rd of June, Adventure Manufacturing’s Scout Campers announces their new Pop-up. It is no coincidence that the other significant event for the 3rd of June was when Martin Behaim released the first extant globe, the Erdapfel, to the world in 1492. The new…
Overland Expo West 2024 :: More Gear
There are some subtle shifts happening at Overland Expo. With new owners since the middle of last year (Emerald Expositions, purveyors of huge industry events like Outdoor Retailer), the purpose and scope of the four yearly Expos are slowly moving. This was inevitable, given the sheer scale of Overland Expo now (especially the Flagstaff event)….
Stage 1: Project Jeep Wrangler 4Xe for Overland Fun
Each year, we identify one significant international project vehicle and one more modest undertaking. For 2023, it was the Grenadier for crossing Africa and a new Jeep Wrangler 4xe overland project for North America. For this new project, we wanted to try a list of new products and approaches that had not crossed our keyboards….
The Meat Trail: A Pilgrimage Across the Americas
Meat is eaten all over the world. Inuits eat it raw, having little fuel to cook with. In Africa, large strips of beef are grilled straight on the coals with no grate. In the USA, indulging in hamburgers and steaks is practically an institution. My preference is to grill a well-marbled piece of beef over…
Tires for Overlanding Episode 2: All-Terrain Tires
Join us for episode two of our new educational series on Tires for Overlanding, where we review selecting various tires, driving and recovery, vehicle preparation, Tread Lightly, and more. For this second episode, we discuss the fundamentals of all-terrain tires for overlanding, including construction, lug design, and tread features for sand, rock, ice, snow, and…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer (2024)
Feature Image Courtesy of The Journal of Lost Time AMERICAN NORTHWEST Northwest Overland Rally When: June 20-23, 2024 Where: Leavenworth, Washington The Northwest Overland Rally caters to keeners curious about anything from winching to photography, off-pavement driving skills, or seasoning your cast-iron pot. Join a wine-tasting, whiskey-sharing, or happy hour session before the evening’s lively…