The historian Hellanicus recorded the first reference to letter writing, a handwritten note sent in 500 BCE from the Persian Queen Atossa, mother of Xerxes and the Achaemenid Empire (Roberts, 1843). There is little doubt that messages were sent across longer distances in earlier times, but they are lost in the sands. The process changed…
Hard-Shell Rooftop Tents :: Buyers Guide
In recent years, hard-shell rooftop tents (RTTs) have gained significant popularity, and there are compelling reasons for this despite their generally higher cost compared to soft-shell models. While both have their respective pros and cons, hard-shell tents are generally more durable, streamlined, and practical for specific applications. The practicality of a rooftop tent is evident…
Jackery Debuts Solar Rooftop Tent Prototype at CES 2024
At CES 2024, Jackery, commonly known for its expertise in solar generators and portable power stations, unveiled its solar rooftop tent. This groundbreaking product is anticipated to inspire numerous imitations due to its innovative design and functionality. Nimesh Patel from Jackery introduced the solar RTT as a unique fusion of comfort and technology. Equipped with…
Behind the Scenes With Alu-Cab
This summer, I visited Alu-Cab’s headquarters in Cape Town, South Africa. What struck me the most about the experience was the sheer size of the operation. Whisked from facility to facility, building to building, and introduced to the multi-step manufacturing process that lies behind each Alu-Cab product, I realized just how large the company is….
Overland News of the Week
Overland Home Launches Overland International’s co-owner and designer Stephanie Brady has launched a new business called Overland Home. Overland Home aims to provide beautiful, unique, and well-designed products from artisans around the globe with a focus on natural materials and time-honored techniques. All artisans sourced from are paid fair wages, which means when you purchase…
On the Rocks: Outdoor Barware for the Happiest of Happy Hours
Lead photo by Richard Giordano I view cocktail-making as a gesture of love. There’s care involved: slicing citrus, preparing ingredients, sourcing ice cubes, shaking or stirring. Time, a precious commodity, is also required. Your personal preferences are attended to. Two shots or one? Too sweet or not enough? The casual mixologist, often a friend or…
Soft-shell Rooftop Tent :: Buyers Guide
Soft-shell rooftop tents have a long history, dating back almost as far as the invention of vehicles to which they could be attached. The concept of a canvas roof tent may have been inspired by the covered wagons that played a crucial role in trade and travel for centuries. There’s something undeniably charming about a…
Boxio Portable Sink and Toilet :: Field Tested
Photography by Richard Giordano Boxio Portable Camping Sink Established in Germany, Boxio manufactures stackable toilets and sinks made from recycled plastics. Inspiration struck while founder Arvid was building a tiny house for his family. Composting toilets in Europe were expensive and complicated, so with the help of his co-founders and a couple of engineers, a…
DoDrop Alpha Adventure Trailer :: Field Tested
Adventuresome outdoor enthusiasts set on exploring the more remote parts of North America while keeping their ecological footprint as small as possible, will find the Oregon Trail’R DoDrop Alpha (DDA) off-road teardrop a nice step up from tent camping. The DDA’s small footprint, minimalistic design, robust build, and light weight make it an ideal companion…
Escapod Topo 2 Overland Trailer :: Field Tested
Teardrop trailers are old-school cool, with a lineage that dates back to the DIY plans of the 1930s. The trailer style has remained popular ever since, and for a good reason—they just work. The teardrop perfectly balances compact dimensions, sleep-inside comfort, and timeless style. Most small trailers use a rooftop tent for sleeping, but it…
Cozy His and Hers Sweaters from Royal Robbins :: Field Tested
Photography by Richard Giordano Heritage brand Royal Robbins was founded in 1968 by American rock-climbing pioneers Royal and Liz Robbins. Together, they tested unclimbed routes in the Yosemite Valley, Royal specializing in big-wall ascents throughout the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, while Liz was the first woman to climb the face of Half Dome in 1967….
25 Black Friday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life
Presented by Nitto Tire Now that Halloween ghosts have been replaced by twinkling reds, greens, and golds, it’s time to start thinking about the fast-approaching holiday season. Luckily, the Expedition Portal team has been busy amalgamating our favorite gear picks just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While Associate Editor Steve Edwards has…
Overland News of the Week
Wrangler Introduces All Terrain Gear In Overland News of the Week, we’re excited to introduce a new line from Wrangler. Dipping their well-known toes into the overland market, the Wrangler brand recently unveiled an extension of its outdoor clothing range, namely All Terrain Gear (ATG) by Wrangler, a selection of state-of-the-art outdoor garments. Featuring everyday…
Portable Power Stations :: Buyer’s Guide
Portable power stations, also known as portable generators or battery packs, are becoming increasingly popular for travel and RV use, especially when conventional power sources are unavailable. They are also superior to gas-guzzling generators that generate unwelcome noise pollution and require propane or gasoline to run. Portable power stations offer a dependable and practical supply…
9 Best Hard Storage Cases for Overlanding
Some people have an innate ability to learn their lessons from the wise words and experiences of others. As I gazed at the half-empty plastic storage case on my roof with a bewildered stare, I couldn’t help but wish I was one of those people. How long had it been open? For 10 miles, 30,…
Overland News of the Week
Rux 70-liter Essentials Set This week’s Overland News of the Week has some great gear offerings and the first on the list is the Rux 70-liter system; a practical and robust alternative to plastic bins and duffel bags for efficient gear organization and transportation. When used independently, the Rux takes the form of a rugged…
Tune Outdoor M1 Truck Camper :: Field Tested
When Tim, Tune Outdoor’s genial PR rep, dropped off a full-sized Tune Outdoor M1 truck camper for an extended Expedition Portal test run, I was struck first by its austerity. As he opened the tailgate of the 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor demo vehicle to walk me through the M1, only three factory-installed options appeared to…
ARB Introduces New Old Man Emu MT64 Shock Absorber Engineered for Overlanding
It is not often enough that we get properly excited by the introduction of a new product, but any new Old Man Emu product is the reason for enthusiasm. ARB’s renowned Old Man Emu brand, a global pioneer in off-road suspension systems with a rock-solid reputation, has unveiled a new shock absorber explicitly crafted to…
Leitner Designs Unveils Versatile Universal Roof Rack and Rooftop Cargo System
Leitner Designs chose to unveil their new rooftop cargo system at this weekend’s Overland Expo Mountain West. The Active Cargo System Roof and GearPod Roof integrated rooftop storage system combines a platform rack and a dedicated rooftop cargo box under the umbrella of a single brand. The two products may be used independently but are…
Camper Van Essentials
Editor’s Note: This camper van essentials article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2023 Issue. Eight years ago, I overstuffed the biggest suitcase I owned and lugged way too much clothing, shoes, and gear to Vienna. I’d landed a journalism fellowship and a portal to Europe and spent much of the coming year exploring,…