I am regularly approached by overlanders with big dreams and healthy budgets asking which vehicle I recommend for international overland travel. My answer varies based on their responses to a few basic questions, which are asked to establish their authentic style of travel, as opposed to the perceived perfection. Perfection does not exist. Or, does…
Finding the Heart of Africa
Friends, as you know, there’s always that familiar nervous feeling of anticipation at the beginning of each new great adventure. The challenges of visas, money, equipment, kitting out the expedition Land Rovers—the list seems endless. Left to sort are carnets for the vehicles, first aid, basic food supplies, reference books and maps, letters of authority,…
Exploring Daytona Beach, Florida with Hankook Dynapro
As an overlander and adventurer, my journeys often lead me to unexpected places that reveal the fascinating history and culture of a location. Exploring Daytona Beach is one such destination that blends motorsports, history, and the ocean into a playground for the curious traveler. For this installment, I’ll share my experiences during Jeep Beach include…
The Defender Octa and Land Rover’s Return to True Adventure
“But would you drive it across Africa?” That was the question journalist and fellow adventurer Dustin Beatty tossed my way as we rolled back into base camp in Grand Junction, Colorado, dusty, exhilarated, and fresh off a day of pushing the new Defender Octa through its paces. For me, that question isn’t hypothetical. It’s the…
2026 Toyota Sequoia Announced with Cosmetic Upgrades
Toyota has unveiled its 2026 Sequoia full-size SUV, delivering a refined iteration that builds on its adventure-ready DNA with carefully curated upgrades. Presented on July 22, 2025, in Plano, Texas, the refreshed model focuses on enhanced comfort, convenience, and aesthetic appeal, while retaining its proven hybrid powertrain and rugged underpinnings. At the top of the…
Matt Prior on Traveling the Silk Road with a Family
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady as he speaks with adventurer Matt Prior about his remarkable five-year journey around the world with his family, known as Project Wild Earth. Matt, his wife, Leah, and their two children are traveling extensively, currently more than halfway across Asia in an INEOS Grenadier and towing a Patriot…
The Arctic Beckons – Expedition: Greenland Film Set for Release
Deep in the dog days of summer (in the Northern Hemisphere at least), it’s hard to imagine the brutality of the freezing conditions north of the Arctic Circle. Lying almost entirely above 66 degrees of latitude, Greenland is one of the last frontiers of human exploration. Just a few short years ago, a small team…
The Tentrax Ascend Trailer Is Built for the Toughest Trails
Tentrax, the North Carolina-based specialist in lightweight, expedition-ready trailers, has officially launched its flagship model, the Ascend, expanding its range of off-road micro campers. Engineered for extreme terrain, the Ascend brings a rugged yet compact solution to overlanders seeking extended travel beyond the beaten path. At just 600 pounds dry weight, the Ascend is towable…
Built to Roam: Expedition Vehicles with Spencer Park of Bliss Mobil
In this episode, Overland Journal Podcast host Matt Scott sits down with Spencer Park of Bliss Mobil to talk about our shared passion for expedition vehicles—what makes them special, what they enable, and why they matter. From design philosophy to real-world functionality, we explore what separates true expedition platforms from ordinary builds. Along the way,…
2026 Toyota Tundra Receives Refreshing Upgrades
The 2026 Toyota Tundra was unveiled by Toyota on July 22, 2025, marking a new chapter for the full-size pickup with a series of refinements aimed at improving comfort, convenience, and capability. Although it is not a complete redesign, this iteration offers a considered package of changes that collectively sharpen the Tundra’s appeal to drivers…
Pizza to Go: Portable Ovens that Bring your Favorite Pies Beyond the Backyard
Overlanding getaways to the backcountry need not forego the simple pleasure of America’s favorite food. Adding an outdoor pizza oven to your cache of mobile cooking appliances instantly elevates life under the open skies. Today’s portable pizza ovens incorporate several features, and many models use multiple fuel sources. The ideal pizza oven can reach much…
Overlanding With Jeep on the Rubicon Trail, 70+ Years After Mark Smith Organized the First Jeep Jamboree
“It’s really gnarly up there,” trail boss Pearse Umlauf of Masor Performance (also president and CEO of Jeep Jamboree USA) tells us, over dinner. We’re high in the High Sierra near Lake Tahoe, a group invited by Jeep to tackle the most brutal stretch of the Rubicon Trail, the crown jewel of off-road routes. Umlauf’s…
Unplug Outdoor Co. Debuts the Trailster, a Fusion of Camper Cap and Rooftop Tent
Unplug Outdoor Co. has launched the Trailster, a thoughtfully designed combination of a camper cap and rooftop tent, built to fit both mid-size and full-size trucks. Marketed as the first of its kind, the Trailster merges the protective features of a traditional cap with the convenience of an integrated rooftop tent in one streamlined package….
The Subaru Slayers from Ford That Never Were
With a little bit of historical hindsight, we can safely say that the 1995 Subaru Legacy Outback was one of the truly revolutionary cars from the final years of the twentieth century. Not only did this lifted wagon finally bring the quirky Japanese brand into the mainstream, but it also became the archetype for many…
Overland News of the Week
The New Jeep Compass 4xe Combines Rugged Off-Road Capability with Refined Practicality The Jeep Compass 4xe is the latest evolution of Jeep’s compact SUV, designed to combine rugged off-road capability with refined practicality. Built on the Stellantis STLA Medium platform, it offers multi-energy powertrains and features a raised suspension, optimized bumpers, and upgraded tires for…
The Big Thing :: A Mighty Little Triumph in Montana
Having attended my share of overland events over the years, I half-expected XOverland’s inaugural The Big Thing (July 10–13, 2025) in Montana to feel like a polished production with an established vibe. What I didn’t anticipate was the heart, the attention to detail, and that family-oriented community energy pulsing through the XOverland Ranch like wildfire….
Dave Harriton on What it Takes to Build a Factory Overlander
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Matt Scott and Scott Brady are joined by Dave Harriton from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to delve into the complexities of building a factory overlander. The discussion examines the key components of overland vehicle construction, including transfer case chain integrity, the distinction between aftermarket and OEM…
The Big Thing :: Where the Heart of Overlanding Came Home
The Big Thing event began with a simple idea: create something that feels like why we all fell in love with overlanding in the first place. Not for the gear. Not for the builds. But for the belief that adventure makes us better—because it brings people together and changes us along the way. So, we…
Toyota Taps Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley to Lead Rebelle Effort
This isn’t their first rodeo. Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley won the grueling Rebelle Rally outright six years ago, and they have their sights set on taming the California and Nevada deserts again in 2025—this time with factory support from 4WD giant Toyota. In fact, the Croft/Pawley duo from XOverland will be the first outside…
Travel Beasts’ 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ73 :: Feature Vehicle
It happens to the best of us; we purchase a vehicle and kit it out for a long-distance overland journey, only to find that our needs change as we fall deeper into overlanding and commit further to a life lived on the road. A rooftop tent and daily outdoor existence are fine for a few…