Southern Africa is one of those true dream destinations for overlanders worldwide—I should know—I lived in Botswana for two years and traveled to a dozen different countries across the continent. No matter how much of Africa I saw, I was always inevitably drawn back again and again to the deserts and wildlife sanctuaries of Botswana…
Ford Super Duty Wins North American Truck of the Year
The Ford Super Duty has won North American Truck of the Year for 2024. Over 50 vehicles were eligible for the North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle Awards (NACTOY) this year, which were winnowed down to three finalists in each of the three categories. Five of the nine finalists for this year’s honors were…
New Year’s Resolutions for Overlanders
Yes, you read that right, another list of New Year’s resolutions. But wait! This is Expedition Portal. I promise—no tedious and oppressive regimes for “self-improvement,” no gym memberships (ugh), and no giving up chocolate (yeah, right). I think making new commitments for the new year should be gratifying and fun, tasks you should look forward…
Dave Harriton on the New Class of OEM Overland Vehicles :: Overland Journal Podcast
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 176 Earlier this year, we published an article that garnered a lot of attention both on Expedition Portal and in our social media feeds. Author Mac Kirkpatrick explained how he was legally able to increase the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of his Toyota Tacoma in the state of Pennsylvania. Of…
Arksen Labs Launches Apparel Line
UK-based Arksen has carved out a unique niche in the adventure travel world. Originally builders of aluminum-hulled ocean-going vessels for patrolling the very ends of the world’s seas, in 2023, they branched out into bespoke overland vehicles based on the original Land Rover Defender and Mercedes Unimog. This lineup even includes an EV version of…
Overland Journal Podcast :: Principles of Overlanding—Overland and Expedition Trailers
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 175 Did you know that Expedition Portal articles about overland, expedition, and off-road trailers are among the most popular on the website? It’s one of the hottest segments in the overland industry—from tiny teardrops to massive multi-axle toy haulers, there have been incredible leaps in technology across the board in the…
Expedition Portal Launches the Overland Job Board
The outdoor and adventure travel industries have expanded by leaps and bounds in the last few years, and the growth in those spaces has shown no signs of slowing. This is a good thing—not only does it drive positive vectors for employment and profitability, but also for global sustainability. With huge companies like Patagonia and…
Team Truck Melanoma Raises Awareness for Early Detection
Team Truck Melanoma is on a mission. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and one of the most common, yet it also is one of the easiest to detect. A scan by a qualified medical professional is all it takes to keep a close eye on the health of your body’s largest organ….
Expedition Portal’s Last Minute Gift Guide
Look, we’ve all been there. The days get shorter and somehow slip away all that easier. It’s possible that you’re just a natural-born procrastinator like me, or indecisive (been there, done that), or perhaps that one overlander in your life managed to slip off the list (we won’t tell!). Perhaps you’re looking to treat yourself…
Overland Journal Podcast :: Reza Pakravan on the World’s Most Dangerous Borders
Episode 174 On this week’s episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, come along on a wide-ranging conversation with one of the modern world’s most prolific and daring explorers: Reza Pakravan. In this podcast from the field, host Ashley Giordano interviews Reza about what he discovered filming his latest multi-part series, “Hidden Frontiers Arabia,” and how…
Torbjorn Pedersen Visited Every Country on Earth Without Getting on an Airplane
Torbjorn Pedersen has done something remarkable. After ten years of some of the most grueling travel imaginable, he has successfully visited every country on earth—never once stepping foot on an airplane. The Dane’s advice for would-be globetrotters looking to recreate his feat? “Don’t do it.” From a brush with death at the hands of wayward…
Ford Slashes F-150 Lightning Production for 2024
Automotive News reported this week that Ford is planning to roll back production volume on its segment-leading F-150 Lightning EV pickup next year by half. Citing projected soft consumer demand for EVs, Ford’s decision comes on the heels of General Motors’ lousy Q3 earnings report, which saw the Detroit giant giving up on producing 400,000…
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 173 :: Top Ten New Overland SUVs
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 173 Join hosts Scott Brady and Matt Scott on a wide-ranging discussion of the best new overland SUVs on the North American market today. It’s safe to say that explorers who are looking for a modern rig as a foundation for an overland SUV have more choices that are adventure-ready off…
Backcountry Discovery Routes Teases NorCal BDR
The Southern California Backcountry Discovery Route has a reputation for being one of the most arduous on BDR’s roster. Its 820 miles offer plenty of variable conditions and technical tests to challenge adventure riders from the Mexican border all the way to the central Sierra Nevada. Recently, BDR teased an all-new route for the Golden…
Here Comes a New Royal Enfield Himalayan
Twenty-four horsepower and five speeds. These are two metrics that, despite many of its other charms and benefits, have defined Royal Enfield’s current-generation adventure bike. It may be under six grand to buy, it may be easy to service, it may have excellent ergonomics, and it may be highly approachable as an ADV platform for…
Aether Fall Collection :: Field Tested
I have been wearing Aether’s Sawyer cashmere full-zip hoodie for a couple of months as the autumn weather has turned crisp in the northern latitudes. I was expecting the cozy warmth, breathability, and overall great fit that Cashmere offers. What I was not prepared for were all the hugs. Aether’s 60-percent-new/40-percent-recycled Cashmere blend is astonishingly…
Moto Guzzi Stelvio ADV Bike—What We Know
The International Motorcycle and Accessories Exhibition (EICMA) is the big European motorcycle show that takes place in Milan, Italy, every autumn. It’s often where OEMs, especially the Italian ones, reveal their new bikes for the upcoming model year. In the ADV world, one motorcycle’s return that’s been highly anticipated is the Moto Guzzi Stelvio. Rumors…
Chaco Paonia Clog and Ramble Puff :: Field Tested
In the early 1990s, Chaco made a splash in the highly competitive, shin-kicking world of outdoor footwear by taking on sandal giant Teva. Colorado-based river guide Mark Paigen designed a sport sandal with an anatomical footbed, a single pull-through adjustment strap, and a Vibram outsole. Called the Z/1, it was a snug-fitting, easy-to-clean, and made-in-the-USA…
Solar Powered Stella Terra SUV Tackles Morocco Terrain
The Dutch seem to be at the vanguard of long-distance solar-powered expeditions at the moment. Renske Cox and Maarten van Pel’s circumnavigation of Africa has been cut short due to conflict in Sudan (their 2022 Skoda Enyaq iv80 EV is now on a ship back to Europe). However, they made it down the entire length…
Triumph Rolls Out New Adventure Models, Final Edition Thruxton
Triumph has been absolutely roaring for the last few years as the legacy UK firm has grown both its lineup of models, as well as its global market footprint. In 2022, Triumph saw sales increase by 31 percent, especially in markets like South America and India, and (in contrast with some other brands) they’ve been…