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…
Was the 1920s Plus Fours Routefinder Watch an Ultimate Failure or Ahead of its Time?
Imagine chugging down the bumpy roads of 1920s London in a Ford Model T, mechanical parts clattering away as you grip the manual steering wheel, shifting between high and low gear. Perhaps you are heading for the coastal town of Bournemouth in Dorset, England, eager to enjoy a weekend by the sea. To navigate, you…
Overland News of the Week
Overland News: Let’s Go Aero Introduces E-Motorbike Carrier This week’s overland news begins with the V-Lectric Folding Rack (VFR). The VGF integrates a tray mount and ramp system that can withstand up to 80 pounds per bike and features a folding V-formation structure that handles various bike sizes, shapes, and geometries. To secure anything from…
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…
Craghoppers Clothing :: Long-Term Review
Editor’s Note: This Craghoppers clothing review was originally published in Overland Journal’s Fall 2023 Issue. In late 2012, we said goodbye to our home in Cape Town, South Africa, and packed the Land Rover for an expedition that would take us around the world without pause. We researched and sourced gear that would serve us…
Overland News of the Week
Barbara Toy’s In Search of Sheba Returns to Print with Introduction by Lois Pryce Barbara Toy, famous for her solo overland travels by Land Rover in North Africa, Arabia, and beyond, set off in 1959 to drive from Libya to Ethiopia. The result: her travel memoir, In Search of Sheba. Thanks to the persistence and…
Rev’It Lombard 3 RF Motorcycle Jeans :: Field Tested
I wore blue jeans when I hit the trail on my first motorcycle. They were the uniform of the day, despite providing just a touch more protection than cotton pajamas in a get-off. When textile gear came of age, I moved on to a higher level of protection. Now technology has taken us back to…
Overland News of the Week
Helinox HDB Collection If you’re looking for stylish and luxurious packable furniture for your outdoor adventure, then take a peek at the HDB Collection. A variety of chairs, chef tables, and high cots will ensure a comfortable vacation when camping, glamping, or some time away at the vacation home. The HDB Collection is comprised of…
Made in the USA : Quality Gear to Last a Lifetime
Editor’s Note: This Made in the USA article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2023 Issue. American industriousness has set the stage for modern society since the Industrial Revolution, and the country’s creativity is enjoying a rebirth as entrepreneurs and creators seek to provide local solutions to local needs. The pandemic has exposed the…
Field Tested :: Fieldsheer Mobile Cooling Garments
Editor’s Note: This Fieldsheer article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2023 Issue. With your head in a helmet, your body wrapped in protective gear, and heavy boots on your feet, staying cool on a motorcycle in triple-digit temperatures can be a challenge. Add the exertion of piloting a heavy bike over rough ground, and you…
Field Tested :: Rev’It Storm WB Jacket
A Lightweight Wind Cheater Rev’It pursues new fabrics and clothing technologies like many of us seek the next challenging backroad or stunning campsite. Their Storm WB (for wind barrier) jacket is no exception. Rev’It combines Hydratex WindBarrier fabric for water-resistance, moisture wicking, and breathability, with Exkin Air insulation panels for warmth. Though designed as a…
Field Tested :: Men’s Danner Mountain 600 Boots
There are two types of people in this world; I like to call them the Bright Oranges and The Dark Blues. I am a Dark Blue. The Bright Oranges are social, outgoing, and eager for interaction. The Dark Blues are quiet, understated, and dream of a winter cabin alone. Your clothing reflects who you are,…
Overland News of the Week
Gerber Gear Launches More Than Ready Camp Essentials As part of its More Than Ready campaign, Gerber Gear has released a wide range of multi-tools, knives, axes, and other camp essentials for 2023. Lightweight items like the Stake Out and Armbar Scout multi-tools feature a plain edge blade, bottle opener, and scissors in a compact…
Overland News of the Week
America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023 (AORA) Senators Joe Manchin (D – WV) and John Barrasso (R – WY) have reintroduced this bi-partisan bill in Congress. SEMA and the Sierra Club, among other organizations, support it. It is a wide-ranging bill and includes provisions for modernizing and updating campgrounds and other recreation sites across public…
Overland News :: Aether Launches New Driving Sunglasses
The classic aviator has served me for decades, combining sun protection for my light-colored eyes, and injury prevention against projectiles. The only deviation to the aviators has been in the high-arctic and Antarctica, where glacier googles were superior for the conditions. The aviators are timeless, as are other styles like wayfarers in tortoise and black…
KLIM 2023 :: New Heights for Touring Gear
KLIM announced new products and updates just last month, and are now unveiling serious improvements to their top touring gear. The women’s Altitude and men’s Latitude pants and jackets, in KLIM’s words, “combine purpose-built engineering and legendary performance for touring riders who care about comfort and weather protection.” More Protection for 2023 The new KLIM…
Field Tested :: Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Base Layers, North Face Thermoball Mule V Shoe
Photography by Richard Giordano Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Base Crew and Full-Length Bottom . Black Diamond is all about mountain sports. Born from Chouinard Equipment with a “heritage that began with a backyard anvil and hammer,” the company was taken over by Peter Metcalf in 1989, where it continues to operate at the base…
Field Tested :: Beyond Clothing Arx System
The sailboat heels hard to starboard, the wind gusting to gale force and prompting a further reduction in sail area. Despite the robust cockpit enclosure, several adjustments require clipping into the lifelines and maneuvering the foredeck. I move slowly toward the mast, the rain sheeting off my jacket, the hood guarding my face against the…
KLIM 2023 Gear :: Badlands Returns
KLIM’s 2023 launch of high-end riding gear begins with new garments, continues with new helmets and goggles, and includes updated designs for existing lines. Badlands Merits Top Protection Rating Of all their new and improved gear, KLIM is proudest of their Badlands Pro A3 jacket (from $1455) and pant (from $942), the only AAA CE-rated…
Overland News of the Week
Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Pro The sound of a gas-guzzling generator in a remote campground is enough to drive a saint crazy. We camp in the wild to experience the peace and tranquility of nature and not the humdrum of an engine. Introducing the Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Pro. It has a sweet purr, has…