It is easy to love the Filson brand, a company steeped in the wax canvas and the forests of the Pacific Northwest. In a surprise release, they have launched several new offerings for motorcyclists, including two jackets, a vest, and pants; all with motorcycle-specific features like abrasion and water resistant materials. I met with their…
Overland Truck of the Year :: The Best Midsized Pickups
Until a few years ago, there were only two suitable choices for a midsize overland pickup: the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma. That dearth of options resulted in limited innovation and notable apathy among both the OEMs and aftermarket. However, that all changed when Chevrolet, Ford, and finally, Jeep all released trucks into the market….
Off Grid Makes A True Overland Trailer
Overlanding is often about getting remote, and being able to stay longer in the back of beyond. One way to facilitate long periods in the backcountry is with an overland trailer, and there are few companies that make one as suitable as the Off Grid Expedition 2.0. We try to be reserved with our praise,…
Podcast #7: Building a Jeep Gladiator for Overlanding
Matt Scott and Scott Brady share details and insights in this podcast about selecting the best Jeep Gladiator model to purchase and how to modify it for backcountry travel, including suspension, tires and wheels, bumpers, and overland campers. Show Notes: What Makes the Jeep Gladiator So Special? 1. Jeep Capability 2. Proper payload, easily greater…
Ford Now Offers a Factory Warn Winch
OEM engineers and product planners continue to embrace overland and backcountry 4WD travel. The newest Ford Tremor is a significant example of that trend, offering a factory full-size diesel truck with a locking differential, 35-inch tires, and a new Warn 12,000-pound winch. Warn has long supported OEMs with winch and hub offerings, including the wildly…
Our Most Popular Articles of the Decade
Expedition Portal first launched in 2005, and has over 3,000 articles in our archives, and during the past decade, we experienced nearly 1 billion page views. With 2020 marking a new decade, we pulled the analytics for the site and found the most popular articles from 2010 to 2019. We hope you enjoy reading them…
Overland News :: Four New Fridges Hit the Market
For 2020, there are several new fridges to hit the market from respected manufacturers, from the classic and reliable Engel, to the efficient and industrial-grade National Luna. For this news update, we cover the best new units to hit the market for the new year. The first 12-volt fridge I ever owned was an Engel,…
Gear of the Decade :: RedOxx Bags
Editor’s Note: This is our first installment of a new series of editorial focusing on the Gear of the Decade (2000-2019). As overlanding continues to expand, there are products and services that stand the test of time—these are our favorites. Red Oxx Bags I still remember the first time I noticed a Red Oxx bag…
The New Defender Gets A Front Runner Rack
Expedition Portal Exclusive: Front Runner Outfitters Gives the New Land Rover Defender an Aftermarket Upgrade South African overland brand releases roof rack kit for the 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 The 2020 Defender has created a tremendous buzz in recent months, the anticipation building since concept models were teased nearly a decade ago. Now that…
The iKamper Skycamp Mini – Because Lighter
As the roof tent market continues to evolve, there has developed a clear differentiation between the companies that innovate, and those that seem to just copy other designs. iKamper is one of the innovators, creating unique, quality roof tents for the overland and camping customer like their new Skycamp Mini. We have several years of…
Yakima Acquires Road Shower
As further evidence of the rapidly growing overland market, we are seeing larger (quality) camping and automotive brands acquire products that were niche just a few years ago. What better to pair with your roof tent and roof rack then a solar shower system? I have used the Road Showers in the field and they…
Winter Overland Gear Guide
Winter and polar travel present some of the most challenging and rewarding conditions for the overlander, (often) requiring in-depth planning, logistics, and specialized equipment. Even a trip to the local mountains for some four-wheeling in the snow will necessitate an additional degree of preparedness, which we think is all part of the fun. To assemble…
Overlanding the Olympic Peninsula
Thirty-six Hours of Adventure :: The Olympic Peninsula Presented by ARB USA One of the great joys of traveling in the continental United States is the fantastic diversity within our borders, the transition from the densely populated and wooded Northeast to the arid and mountainous…
Expedition Portal Classifieds: 2015 Ford Super Duty
2015 Ford Super Duty Diesel with Fourwheel Camper Asking price is $48,000 Editor’s Note: The vehicle is owned by Ned Bacon, a longtime friend and editor in the 4WD world, known for his Plain Jane truck builds and even more famously for his Killer Bee flat fender. The asking price is extremely fair and will…
The Best of SEMA Overland 2019
SEMA was quite the surprise this year, with overlanding taking center stage in the South Hall, and the Overland Experience presentations often having standing room only. And it wasn’t just about roof tents, there were also some genuinely interesting and innovative products on display, and more than a few thoughtful and functional project vehicles. Here…
UBCO Announces Five New Products for 2020
Overland News We have been using 4th-generation UBCO electric adventure bikes in the field for several months, having fun (er, testing), using them for everything from commuting to backcountry scouting trips. What we originally thought would be a compliment to an overland trailer or expedition camper for scouting forays and trips to the market has…
Overland Routes | Anza-Borrego State Park
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Spring 2017. Anza–Borrego Desert State Park (ABDSP) is a remote moonscape that beckons the adventurer with technical terrain, expansive geology, and the solitude of desert campsites. It is named for the Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and borrego (bighorn sheep). At 600,000 acres it…
SEMA Overland Day 2
The overland theme continues into the South Hall for our coverage of 2019 SEMA day two. The Gladiator was certainly a darling of the show, but Tacomas and Colorados also filled the halls. One theme that was encouraging is a general trend towards functionality, with many of the parts reflecting better durability, improved coatings,…
SEMA Show Day 1 :: The Overland Experience Area
13 years ago, when Expedition Portal first displayed a vehicle at the SEMA show, there was only three purpose-built overland vehicles in attendance: The Turtle Expedition Ford, UJoint Offroad’s E350, and our 2004 Tacoma. Times have certainly changed and you cannot walk 10 feet without bumping into a roof tent or a snorkel. Even SEMA…
Ford and ARB Join Forces on the Ranger
The new Ford Ranger is developing speed in the aftermarket, and not just because of that sweet little EcoBoost turbocharged motor. It seems like every week, a new partner is announced, from the Yakima project vehicles to this co-development of off-road accessories with ARB. Most overlanders are aware of the ARB brand and their legendary…