On our first overland trip 12 years ago, we packed our belongings in used Rubbermaid containers and assorted soft bags we found around the house. In a constant state of disarray, a baseline level of stress was involved when searching for parts, tools, cords, or other essentials. It took almost a decade to realize that…
We Tested Six Overland Truck Campers. Here’s What We Found.
Early memories are so formative, often defining and informing the path of our lives. My dad taught me the importance of doing what you love with the people you love, and truck campers have been synonymous with that aim since their commercial debut in the early 1950s. I still remember a cold morning camping in…
Adventure Motorcycling 101: In-Depth Training with Bill Dragoo
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, join us from Norman, Oklahoma, with special guest Bill Dragoo in his vintage-and-modern-motorcycle-filled shop. We dive into the foundational skills and training necessary for adventure motorcycling, discussing bike selection, safety equipment, rider preparation, and more. Learn about the importance of bike ergonomics, body positioning, and the critical…
Overland News of the Week
Toyota Launches New Generation Australian HiLux The latest generation HilLux has landed in Australia, promising improved driveability, enhanced interior technology and comfort, and an exterior design spearheaded by Toyota Design Australia. The 2026 Hilux is available in cab-chassis and pickup configurations, with 4×4 or 4×2 drivelines, and in single-, extra-, and double-cab body styles. Upgrades…
Land Rover Classic Defender V8 Now Available with Defender Octa Color and Trim Options
A few months ago, a wealthy individual with a head full of champagne bubbles—and possibly not much else—decided that $430,000 was a perfectly reasonable sum to pay for a nuts-and-bolts rebuild of a 1980s Santana Land Rover. The irresistible Spanish-built Land Rover (arguably the least desirable flavor) even came with a cute little camper trailer…
For the Minimalist Who Fancies Luxury :: Gift Guide
I’ll preface this guide by reminding one and all that the greatest gifts cannot be bought. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true. So, during this festive season, check in with loved ones and make time away from your devices to be present. With that out of the way, who’s going to buy me…
Featherweight Gifts for Your Over-GVWR Champion
Groaning springs, nose in the air, the struggle to the top of the next hill, always bringing up the rear, thirsty at the pump—we all know that traveler in our lives who could use some gear that lightens the load. Whether on two wheels or four, reducing avoirdupois reaps many benefits, not least safety. As a vehicle’s mass…
10 Holiday Gifts for the Overlander Who Has it All
Photo by Richard Giordano We often assume that someone who “has it all” owns every desirable item—whether toys, vehicles, accessories, or other overland gear and gadgets. But as the holiday season approaches, it may be worth widening that definition. Some overlanders have everything they need and want nothing more; others “have it all” simply because…
Do It for the Kids Gift Guide
Every year, non-overlander children open their presents under the tree to find gifts that are, for the most part, useless for the rest of the year. Overlander kids are different—they live lives of exploration and deserve gifts that help fill a year with fun and adventure. I don’t remember 99 percent of the gifts I…
CompoCloset Cuddy Lite Composting Toilet :: Field Tested
Photography by Richard Giordano It was during a European road trip that Richard Peter and his partner, Erica Pugh, realized their composting toilet could be so much better. Peter sketched out various designs, prioritizing a longer drop zone, more effective solids and liquids separation, increased portability, and a unit that was easier to clean. In…
Field Tested :: Hipcamp and The Dyrt
Times have certainly changed. When many of us first began overlanding, there were few tools to help locate a suitable campsite, and long driving days often ended early so we could scout the surrounding area for a safe place to spend the night. The arrival of iOverlander eased much of that burden—and, some would argue,…
Epicore M Sports Activity Vehicle: Is this the Ultimate Basecamp?
My friend Steve is a maniac—in the best possible way. When he isn’t saving the world, he’s climbing mountains, skiing remote Alaskan slopes, tearing across dirt trails on a bike, or doing cartwheels in the desert. Then there are my friends Leah and Steph, equally unhinged in their pursuit of adrenaline, happily hauling half a…
Buyers Guide :: Off-Grid, Off-Road Trailers
Space, the final frontier—and one of the most compelling reasons many overlanders eventually graduate from a fully self-contained vehicle to an off-grid, off-road trailer. For travelers who need room to breathe, dependable storage, and a platform designed to operate far from pavement and power outlets, a purpose-built trailer can redefine how a journey unfolds. Rather…
Renogy 12.8V Super Slim Solid State Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery :: Field Tested
Lithium batteries are evolving rapidly, resulting in tumbling prices and new products every few months. At the forefront of consumer lithium batteries for over a decade, Renogy continues to iterate on well-proven solutions, pushing the envelope of what is possible. Its latest super-slim solid-state battery provides 104 amp-hours of energy in a tough metal enclosure…
The Hyundai Crater Concept Is USA-Designed and Needs to Become a Reality
At the Automobility LA 2025 in Los Angeles, Hyundai Motor America unveiled the globally-first presentation of the Hyundai Crater Concept, a compact adventure-oriented SUV concept developed to signal a new direction for the automaker’s rugged-mobility vision. This adventure vehicle, with its wide stance, knobbly tires, and suicide doors, would even appeal to Mad Max’s War…
Australian Patriot Campers Has Unveiled the Flagship Supertourer ST7
“I found solace in the strangest place, Way in the back of my mind.” Sia, Alive. You know a trailer is going to be something special when the launch video opens with a powerful soundtrack (that’s Sia, proudly Australian) and cinematic slow-motion shots that highlight the craftsmanship of Patriot Campers’ latest flagship, the Supertourer ST7….
Overland News of the Week
The Landrovers Launch a Fully Custom Land Rover Defender 90 The Landrovers (recently ISO 9001 certified) of Amsterdam have unveiled Discidium, a highly bespoke Land Rover Defender 90 distinguished as the first of its kind to feature an electric sliding roof. Powered by a 525-horsepower Corvette LT1 V8 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it…
The 2026 Toyota Tacoma is a Meaningful Evolution Rather Than a Complete Revolution
Toyota’s pace shows no signs of slowing. Fresh from a commanding presence at SEMA—where the brand unveiled a slate of headline-grabbing concept builds—and supported by new model reveals across global markets, including the recent launch of the 2026 4Runner, Toyota continues to demonstrate its commitment to steady quality, forward-leaning engineering, and competitive market strategy—complete market…
New Gear and Innovation Take Center Stage at SEMA 2025
SEMA 2025 delivered another year of inventive hardware, with manufacturers using the Las Vegas show floor to highlight practical solutions for real-world travel, towing, and off-road use. While concept vehicles and big-budget builds often draw the early headlines, the steady evolution of equipment remains the backbone of the event, and this year’s selection underscored how…
Vehicle-Based Self-Reliance :: Your EDC on Wheels
Overland Journal defines overlanding as “vehicle-supported, self-reliant adventure travel, typically exploring remote destinations where the journey is the primary goal”. I believe we can take the same aspects of self-reliance that define overlanding and apply them to our daily lives. The idea that you need to have an overbuilt titan of the trails and be…