Photo courtesy of Featured Friends With December well underway, the countdown to holiday gift gifting season has officially begun. Out of fresh ideas for 2022? We test a lot of gear throughout the year as Expedition Portal editors and have carefully curated this over $100 list of gifts for the adventurer in your life. Whether…
2022 Overland Holiday Gift Guide :: 20 Gifts UNDER $100
With the holiday season upon us, the quest for the perfect gifts for family, friends, and adventurers has officially begun. Featuring cookbooks and knives, whiskey, shot glasses, and blankets, we hope this under $100 holiday gift guide not only sparks joy but offers suggestions to delight even the hardest to please. Whether you’re shopping for…
ROK GC Espresso Maker
Minimalism, weight saving, and packing just the essentials are common themes throughout my articles, and crucial when planning an overland trip. Do you need that extra pair of shoes? No. You’re seriously packing three cups? Why haven’t you cut your toothbrush in half? Those extra ounces make a difference! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m…
Exped Field Tested:: Mega Mat, Widget Pump, Mega Pillow
Exped Mega Mat 10 LXW Exped’s Mega mat hit the car camping scene in 2011, raising the bar for sleep comfort to a superior level with its plush, perfect-density, open-cell polyurethane foam—or so I’d been told by numerous co-workers and friends. I’ve used many sleep mats over the years but found a happy place with…
Overland News of the Week
Wolf Tooth Components B-RAD System Over the last 10 years, bikepacking has grown in popularity exponentially and this has generated a huge array of purpose-built bikes, parts, and accessories. In fact, there has been so much innovation over the past decade that it’s hard to believe the industry can produce something original. Wolf Tooth has…
Thanksgiving Overland Gift Guide
As the holiday season quickly approaches, now is the time to brainstorm gift ideas for your friends, family, and loved ones. The Expedition Portal team has put together this list of overland gifts for the adventure motorcyclist, bikepacker, 4WD enthusiast, overlander, and those who love experiences over things. From memberships to camp kitchen gear, you’re…
Ruko F11Mini Drone :: A Perfect First Drone And High-Value Option For A Spare
Getting aerial footage from the trail is one of the best ways to convey just how epic your last trip was. But finding an entry point into the world of drones can be intimidating. There are countless options, with more popping up every day. How do you know where to dive in? Ruko is a…
Emergency SOS via Satellite Now Available on the iPhone 14 Lineup in the US and Canada
Apple recently announced that the groundbreaking Emergency SOS satellite safety service is now available to customers in North America, specifically the US and Canada. The service is available on all iPhone 14 models; the advanced technology enables users to message with emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Additionally, users can now open…
SEMA Gear of 2022
Smartop Truck Bed Covers Smartop Platform (originally from South Africa) secured the runner-up award for the Best New Van/Pickup/SUV product as a first-time attendee and newcomer to the US market. This truck bed cover is made from aluminum with built-in anchoring T-slots that can hold up to 550 pounds. You can secure jerry cans and…
Overland News of the Week
Roark Launches Women’s Apparel Collection Adventure lifestyle brand Roark has announced the release of its long-anticipated women’s apparel collection, which will launch at Roark retail stores and online at roark.com. Tailored by travel and inspired by the female journey, Roark’s women’s line will include flannels, jackets, pants, printed wovens, fleece, and graphic tees for autumn,…
Shower Power: His and Hers Toiletry Bags and Accessories
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Fall 2022 Issue. Whether we’re living out of our vehicle, checking into an Airbnb, staying with friends, working on assignment, or are stationed at the Overland Journal headquarters, we move around a lot, so a multi-functional toiletry kit that can do anything and everything is essential….
Toyota Tundra Now Available with a TRD 3-inch Lift Kit
There was a time when most manufacturers refused to offer lift kits for their off-road-based vehicles. A suspension lift is, however, one of the most common and desirable modifications, and for decades, drivers have been relying on the aftermarket industry to provide these suspension kits. The problem with user-selected lift kits is that they all…
The ARB Intensity IQ Driving Light :: One Light to Rule Them All
While one of the golden rules of overland travel is “Never Drive at Night,” it is unavoidable that you may eventually find yourself driving through the night to catch the last ferry, or were held up due to roadworks or an accident, or you may be surprised that the remote trail through the Moroccan mountains…
Field Tested :: Women’s Danner Mountain 600 Boots
Photography by Richard Giordano Prepping for a trip to Iceland, I hemmed and hawed over footwear. The country has a reputation for extreme and unpredictable weather, and I knew most of my time would be spent outdoors. Something waterproof, rugged, comfortable, and warm was crucial. Made from waterproof full-grain leather, featuring a Vibram SPE midsole,…
Field Tested :: Decked D-Bag
I have used a few bags in my day, as I am sure we all have, since they are a necessary piece of gear for pursuing outdoor life. Taking a quick tour of my garage will immediately give away my bag-hoarding problem and reveal that I have more devices to carry more crap than any…
Stream2Sea Sunscreen And Bodycare Products: Sunscreen, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Lotion, and Lip Balm That Won’t Harm Waterways
Stream2Sea creates sunscreen and other hair and body care products that are safe for waterways. Many companies claim to make environmentally safe sunscreens, natural shampoos, and more. Stream2Sea also makes this claim but backs up its assertions with testing. Stream2Sea has the only products proven safe for simple nematodes (C. elegans), freshwater fish, saltwater fish,…
The Redtail Skyloft is the Perfect Wedge Tent for a Specific User
$20,000. That is the elephant in the room, so we might as well throw a mouse at it first. That’s a lot of greenbacks; I bought my entire Defender in excellent working condition for less than half of that 13 years ago. Twenty thousand dollars (the unconfirmed price for the Skyloft) is the equivalent of…
Overland News of the Week
Special Edition Beast28 Helium Ultralight Frame Pack I remember backpacking with my first frame pack 30 years ago. It weighed almost more than the sum of its contents, was extremely cumbersome, and I would almost topple over when hoisting it onto my back. Granted, I may have packed too much stuff, but the Beast28 Helium…
Field Tested :: iKamper Blue Dot Voyager (BDV) Duo
The overview effect happens when a traveler reaches far enough into space to look back on Earth and observe their home planet, free of international borders, languages, and cultural divides. A profound shift happens to the voyager, seeing the celestial object as a blue dot. It is a good perspective and often results in a…
Welcome to the Jungle – Preparation is Everything
The jungle has evolved with one purpose alone—consumption and renewal. Of all the terrain on earth, it is the tropical jungle that is most determined to devour you as it devours every living thing in the pursuit of its survival and prosperity. It helps to think of the jungle as an enormous, beautiful predator, an…