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…
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….
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…
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…
Da Orffo Launches Unit1 Modular Trailer
A new player has entered the European overlanding market with a product that draws its engineering roots from the battlefield, and it is giving us the fizz. Military-grade vehicles and trailers, at first glance, appear ideal for overland travel; however, many tend to be overbuilt and overweight. The Unit1 breaks the mold and offers a…
Stay on the Road: Why the Overland Industry Needs Real Travelers with Basil Lynch
It’s easy to get caught up in the business of overlanding and actually forget to travel. But Basil Lynch never stopped. In this episode, we sit down with the founder of Basil’s Garage—an overland outfitter based in San Diego—to talk about why staying on the road matters more than ever. From international travel to local…
Zeno Emara ADV Brings Affordable Electric Adventure Mobility to India and Africa
Zeno, an electric mobility company based in Bengaluru, India (formerly known as Bangalore), has introduced the Emara ADV, a new electric adventure motorcycle explicitly designed for riders in majority-world countries such as India and Africa. Is it even possible to manufacture a motorcycle that can survive the rigors of India and Africa for as little…
The BDR Bros: Nothing’s Thicker than Blood and Bikes
When TJ Brown heard the newly minted NorCal Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) was being opened in the summer of 2024, he immediately called a meeting of his friends, all adventure motorcyclists. The BDR Bros, as he dubs them, assembled on a Tuesday evening with maps, both Google and folding, and began planning for a two-wheeled…
Meeting a Legend: Barbara Toy’s 1950 Series I Land Rover, Pollyanna
Photography by Richard Giordano Sitting under a vintage map of Chipping Norton, I wait for my Scotch egg and gin and tonic. Cool autumnal weather typical of the Cotswolds had led me inside, and I figured a good book and an English pub were the perfect antidote. Opening my current read, Barbara Toy’s In Search…
Graham Jackson: At the Beginning of American Overlanding
Before overlanding was a hashtag, it was a mindset—and Graham Jackson was one of the people who helped define it in the US. In this Overland Journal Podcast episode, Scott Brady and Matt Scott sit down with Graham to trace the origins of overlanding in North America, from the founding days of Overland Journal to…
Drive It Like You Mean It: Lessons from the Commercial and Recreational 4WD Worlds
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Scott Brady and Matt Scott welcome Chris Walker, professional trainer, explorer, and head of Tirion Safety. Chris has trained everyone from oil crews in Alberta to expedition drivers across Europe and Canada. The conversation delves into the real-world differences between commercial and recreational 4WD training—and what…
Rock N Road 4×4 Expedition Bonnet Bag :: Field Tested
When it comes to maximizing storage on a 4WD vehicle, we tend to think we’ve explored every option. But there’s one often-overlooked space that deserves attention—the bonnet. And this is where Brad from Rock N Road 4×4 comes in. Specializing in custom gear solutions for Special Forces, tactical units, rescue teams, and Dakar race vehicles, Brad’s products…
Women’s-Only Off-Road Class Is a Go for XOverland’s Big Thing Event
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, as the featured “Big Thing” overland weekend concludes, the XOverland Ranch is offering a women-only technical training course—a dedicated space designed to build driving confidence, refine recovery techniques, and foster genuine connection among women who share a passion for adventure. Hosted at the picturesque XOverland Ranch near Three Forks, Montana,…
The Big Thing :: An Ultimate Overland Event
As the overland community grows, it is more important than ever to provide opportunities for training, connection, and shared stories of adventure. At Expedition Portal, we could not be more excited for The Big Thing overland event coming to Bozeman, Montana, at the XOVERLAND Ranch. Now that Expedition Portal is part of the Overland Collective,…
Overland News of the Week
Horsepower Automotive Group Acquires C4 Fabrication In this week’s Overland News of the Week, Horsepower Automotive Group has acquired C4 Fabrication, a respected manufacturer of off-road armor and accessories for Toyota vehicles. This partnership aims to expand production, improve service delivery, and support continued product innovation without compromising C4’s reputation for quality and craftsmanship. C4…
Scott Brady’s Overlanding 101: Travel Simple, Travel Far
“Scott Brady has spent decades traveling the world by vehicle. Now, he’s distilled much of that experience into a compact, accessible, and deeply thoughtful reference guide: Overlanding 101. It’s not just a how-to—it’s a why-to. And it’s probably the best book on overland travel you’ll find, but then again, Scott taught me most of what’s…
Beyond the Human Context: Protecting the Invisible in Kyrgyzstan
In 2017, my girlfriend, Caroline, and I bought a 1990s ex-ambulance Mercedes-Benz 609D in Berlin. With only 40,000 kilometers on the clock, it was in great shape and ready for adventure. Despite our limited resources, we managed to convert it into our off-grid home under the sweltering southern Spain sun. Without a garage, we did…
Smart Air Vest from Dainese :: Field Tested
The Dainese Smart Air vest is their latest innovation in air bag safety systems suitable for multi-surface motorcycle riding. Worn over or under a jacket, the lightweight vest is designed to protect back and chest in the event of a crash. D-air to the Rescue The Smart Air employs the company’s race-proven D-air technology in…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer
AMERICAN NORTHWEST Northwest Overland Rally When June 19-22, 2025 | Where Plain, 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 campfire presentation and raffle. The event is intimate…