Eagle Creek, the luggage and backpack brand owned by VF Corporation since 2007, has confirmed that it will cease business operations by the end of the year due to “strategic and financial concerns.” The company was founded by Steve and Nona Barker in 1975 in the San Jacinto Mountains of California, where they ran a…
Pepper Cook – Book Bike Brew
This is the first in a series of interviews with seasoned bikepackers from all over the world. Pepper Cook is a Salsa Cycles rider, EMT (emergency medical technician), founder of the Worldwide Spoon Exchange, and all-round legend based in Alaska. I’ve been fortunate to spend time with her in Iceland and lucky enough to call…
Clarus Corp’s $150 million acquisition of Rhino-Rack
Clarus Corporation, a global company focused on the outdoor and consumer enthusiast markets, has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Rhino-Rack Australia, New Zealand, and USA. Rhino-Rack “is a leading manufacturer of highly-engineered automotive roof racks, trays, mounting systems, luggage boxes, carriers, and accessories.” Rhino-Rack, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, was founded…
Vasque Breeze LT NTX-Mid
Vasque, “inspired by history, driven by innovation,” is the brainchild of William Sweasy. After travelling to Europe in 1964, he realised a hiking craze was sweeping the continent and returned home “determined to create purpose-built trail boots to mobilize Americans outdoors.” In the decades that followed, Vasque steadily built a reputation for durable mountain footwear,…
Warn Industries Acquires Fabtech Industries, Inc.
Warn Industries, one of the world’s most recognized brands in off-road products such as hub locks and vehicle recovery winches, announces the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Fabtech Industries, inc., a leading manufacturer of aftermarket suspensions for light trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs. Fabtech products include suspension systems, shocks and leveling kits. Founded…
First Bronco Off-Roadeo School Opens in July in Texas
“The Bronco outdoor lifestyle brand of all-4×4 SUVs adds to its adventure legacy with the June 28 opening of a first-of-its-kind Bronco Off-Roadeo experience center in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, near Austin. Bronco and Bronco Sport owners and order holders can receive complimentary instruction on how to take their SUV off-road.” The Off-Roadeo experience will challenge…
Road to Lofoten
“The Arctic Circle during wintertime…hah…you know there’s a reason why they call them a MOTfalia*. I wouldn’t drive that to the shops, let alone to Lofoten in January.” – a fellow Vanagon owner on Facebook, offering words of encouragement. *MOT in the UK stands for “Ministry of Transport” and is a compulsory annual inspection to…
ACR Electronics Bivy Stick Satellite Communication Device and App
If you’re someone who enjoys venturing into the backcountry, then your safety should be a primary consideration, and the ability to share your location and alert emergency services in the event of an accident is crucial. In the past, I’ve been a fan of SPOT Satellite Communication Devices (generally alongside a second “burner” mobile phone,…
Dometic Acquires Zamp Solar
Dometic, a global market leader in branded solutions for mobile living in the areas of food and beverage, climate, power and control, and other applications, has a warranted reputation for quality within the overlanding and outdoors community. It’s therefore exciting news that on May 26, 2021, the company acquired Zamp Solar, thus broadening its position…
Osprey Limited Edition Talon Ghost 22
The Talon Ghost is marketed as “the ultimate street to summit day pack,” ideal for everyday use yet discreetly incorporating the latest in mountain functionality. I recently checked out Osprey’s lumbar packs and was impressed by the attention to detail and brand loyalty from users who raved about the company’s customer service and warranty. The…
Dakota Grizzly Apparel By Jack Mac
Dakota Grizzly strives to create durable clothing fit for adventure and “have embarked on countless expeditions to the furthest corners of the world in search of the highest quality materials.” Furthermore, the company states, “We weren’t born craftsmen. We were born explorers,” and in my experience, the best products in any sector are born out…
Ford Explorer Timberline
It feels like there’s been a real uptick in big car manufacturers listening closely to customer feedback, and the new Ford Explorer Timberline is one such example. The company delivers on its promise to offer more rugged SUVs and trucks, with the new Explorer Timberline being “the most off-road-capable Explorer ever.” Kumar Galhotra, President, Americas…
Leatherman, The Bond
I’ll be refraining from gratuitously quoting Bond movies throughout this piece; that would be immature. Leatherman, akin to a much-loved secret agent, “likes to do some things the old-fashioned way” (definitely not taken from Skyfall), and their latest offering is inspired by the company’s very first multi-tool, the PST. Those of you who’ve read my…
MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier
MSR is a company synonymous with quality backcountry gear, and their latest offering, the Guardian Gravity purifier (GGP), is no different. I actually shared my friend’s older MSR water purifier during my bikepacking ride through the Spanish Sierra Nevada, and I was really impressed. On the bike, hiking or overlanding, it’s remarkable how quickly you…
Salsa 2021 Cutthroat
The Cutthroat is Salsa’s Tour Divide inspired drop-bar bike, and the latest model brings to market a more compliant fork, a wide range of drivetrain compatibility, a direct-mount frame pack, and more accessory mounts than ever. This is a bike focused on covering big distances with speed and comfort. So, what are the highlights? The…
All-new F-150 Raptor, Fox Live Valve Internal Bypass Shocks
Fox Shocks are widely accepted as some of the best on the market, and now, Ford, working with Fox, enhances the next-generation Fox Live Valve (LV) internal bypass shocks on the all-new 2021 F-150 Raptor. The new shocks promise to give the latest Raptor even more capacity when going hard on challenging terrain and subsequently…
AEV Front Receiver for the 2021+ Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and In-bed Winch Cradle Carrier
AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) has “become the world’s premier supplier of OE-quality, performance-driven aftermarket parts, and accessories for vehicles geared specifically to off-road recreational driving and overland adventure travel.” Their latest products showcase practical yet innovative solutions to anyone seeking to fit and store a winch on their 2021+ Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. Sometimes less is…
Club Ride Apparel
Growing up, I owned very little cycling-specific clothing, other than a helmet and mitts. I spent most weekends on the bike making “sick” jumps, racing friends around the block, or on family rides in a pair of old Converse, generic shorts (jeans in the winter), and a band tee. I needed clothes that were suited…
Diamondback Amplifies Spring 2021 Lineup with New Ebike Collection
Diamondback Bicycles has unveiled a new electric bike category to their Spring 2021 collection. The four new pavement ebikes incorporate “reliable components, commuter-ready details, and Bosch high-performance motors to efficiently get riders to their destinations.” The new models will be accompanied by the brand’s “Get Amped” campaign, which pays homage to the electric guitar and…
Rigid, Adapt-XP
I’ll admit, I have a devious auxiliary light fetish. In fact, my Vanagon Syncro would be the perfect lighting rig for a Floyd concert or qualify as a mobile lighthouse. Admittedly, I went a little overboard, much like the sailors depending on me. However, at the time, it did feel as though the wider overlanding…