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…
Field Tested :: Beyond Stretch Alpha L5 Jacket
Founded in Seattle, Washington, Beyond Clothing eschews traditional business practices to preserve the places and the ecosystems we all love to explore. They use sustainable production methods, using Bluesign®-certified and recycled materials that are free from harmful levels of more than 100 substances known to be a risk to human health. Any overlander knows that…
Field Tested :: Women’s Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody
Photography by Richard Giordano When I left Western Canada south on the Pan-American Highway nearly a decade ago, quality outdoor gear was not my priority. Our budget was tight, plus we were going to Mexico and Costa Rica—a hoodie and cheap windbreaker would certainly cut it, right? A blustery night with freezing temps at the…
Field Tested :: Appalachian Gear Company Utilizes Alpaca Fibers in Its Performance Fabric
Merino wool is on most people’s radar, but alpaca fiber is one of the new kids on the block of “natural” performance fabric. A familiar friend to those in the Andes region, it is a completely different animal (literally) when compared to sheep’s wool or llama fibers, with a more slippery origin material that’s…
2022 Overland Holiday Gift Guide :: 20 Gifts OVER $100 For Your Favorite Adventurer
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Ride in Luxurious Safety :: Artemis by Klim
Ladies, if you want to fall in love and be loved back, head to Klim for Artemis gear and wrap yourselves in luxury and safety as you ride. I was already impressed upon unpacking the jacket and pant set in peyote/potter’s clay, the beautiful desert colors of where I live. The look at feel of…
Mosko Moto :: The Adventurer Has New Clothes
Mosko Moto never sleeps, or so it seems. Their crew is either at work designing and improving adventure riding garments and gear, or out in the boonies testing it. Heather Lea has reviewed their Woodland luggage, and I recently covered tank bags, packs, and a few bits of clothing. This time, it’s all about dressing…
Down For Adventure Blankets
We received two blankets to assess while visiting a group of overlanders in Florida. Yes, Florida the state in least need of blankets. We have since used the blankets—one down and the other synthetic—for almost a year as we traveled entirely by vehicle to Maine in fall, across to the Pacific Northwest in the middle…
Overland News of the Week
Prints for Wildlife Fundraiser Running for the third year, Prints for Wildlife will be raising funds for African Parks. This conservation non-profit currently manages 20 parks in 11 countries on behalf of governments in the hope of safeguarding and securing protected areas in Africa. Over 100 wildlife photographers will donate one fine art print each,…
Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard’s All-In Climate Change Investment
Overland travel can change not only your life but also the lives of others. Back in 1968, the world was a very different place; Yvon Chouinard, the founder and owner of Patagonia, Inc., and a few friends bought an old van and set off from California for a six-month overland journey to South America despite…
Expo Gear You Will Want to Explore: Savvy Creations for Outdoor Comfort
Amid massive builds with habitat boxes, larger-than-life bumpers, rooftop tents, and overlanding gear at this year’s Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado, the displays of homegrown and sustainable-minded companies punctuated the landscape. These are the companies and products that always garner my attention for their creative ability to meet industry demands and emerging markets….