Sunglasses are essential gear for some; let me explain. My childhood friend Big Terrence and I had more than the devoted love of savory pies in common when we were nine years old—we both had big blue eyes and would do anything to avoid the wrath of Mrs. Anderson, our mole-nosed math teacher. One sunny…
Mosko Moto Drops an 8-Pack of New Gear
Mosko Presents Four Things To Carry And Four To Wear The forward thinkers at Mosko Moto HQ in White Salmon, Washington, have just announced eight new products for motorcycle travelers. It’s time to get excited, but not too excited—all these items are in pre-order status. Two New Tank Bags Choose from the 2-liter Nomini…
Overland News of the Week
REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform Two pieces of gear caught my attention at the Northwest Overland Rally, and REI Co-op’s Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform was one of them. Car camping is arguably the most accessible form of vehicle-based travel for most, and I can see how a tiny interior could be made functional by…
Outdoor Retailer Show :: Day 1
Each summer, the Outdoor Retailer descends on Denver, Colorado (soon back in Salt Lake City) with aisles of new gear and innovation. This year is no different, with even more overland components on display and a the continuation of the Overland Experience area. We were fortunate to be able to display in that section, including…
Necessity Fuels Innovative Creations at 2022 Overland Expo West
There were nearly 400 exhibitors at this year’s Overland Expo West held in Flagstaff, Arizona. Amid high-dollar overland vehicles and numerous impressive motorcycle displays, it was the work of homegrown entrepreneurs that stole the show. These ingenious products take on the challenge of overlanding travails and provide useful, productive, and practical solutions to make life…
Gear Roundup at Overland Expo West
I love overland vehicles and I love overland gear! While there were some amazing vehicles at the recent Overland Expo West, it is the search for excellent equipment which, in the words of James May, gives me the fizz. Great gear is essential to an overland journey, and well-designed gear should be good to look…
Rev’It Refreshes Motorcycle Denim Collection
There’s no doubt that jeans are the go-to pants for many riders—they look good both on and off the bike. But while normal jeans are easily shredded by contact with the pavement, Riding Jeans from Rev’It are built to protect. And to make sure there’s a style for you this season, they’ve added 13 new…
Field Tested :: Ridge Merino Aspect High Rise Base Layer Bottoms and Convict Canyon Base Layer Joggers
Aspect High Rise Base Layer Bottoms Ridge Merino is a family-owned business, founded in 2014 and based in Mammoth Lakes, California. As the story goes, one of their co-founders worked for a major ski brand and noticed that all of the pros always chose merino layers over synthetics, and thus the company was born, providing…
Trampled Under Foot :: Low-top Shoes for Adventure and Overland Travel
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2022 Issue. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, credited with the oath that guides the ethics of modern physicians, expounded that walking is man’s best medicine. And Marilyn Monroe stated that if you give a girl the right shoes, she can conquer the world. Shoes have…
Overland News of the Week
Aspen Frontiers Patagonia Black Hole Duffle Bag Hangers I get really excited when I see innovations in the campervan space, mostly because the industry seems to be maturing a bit and unique solutions are a little less frequent these days. But here’s something new: Black Hole duffel bag racks from Aspen Frontiers. This clever solution…
Salewa Dropline Mid Men’s Shoe
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2022 Issue. When it comes to running shoes, I’ve found considerable success and comfort with modern zero-drop designs. Because of that, I was a little hesitant to swap out my trusted trail runners for the Salewa Dropline, a neon-green trail option that looks like it…
Overland News of the Week
Snow Peak Home and Camp Lantern Continuing their tradition of designing outdoor gear that bridges the gap between function and form, Snow Peak brings us the Home and Camp Lantern. This camp light has modern features, like dimmable LED bulbs and a USB-rechargeable battery in a retro silhouette. Maximum light output is 400 lumens and…
Xero Z-Trail Sandals
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2021 Issue. Xero shoes come from the natural movement school of thought, otherwise referred to as minimalist. The idea is that you need not put your feet in a cast of immobility (i.e., shoes structured with arch support or other orthotic notions) but instead…
Xero Shoes Mesa Trail
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2021 Issue. Learning to pack light feels half art, half psychology. Even after decades of veiled attempts, I am still miserable at it, ultimately bringing things I don’t need and leaving behind the essentials. Shoes have been particularly difficult, as they pack poorly and…
New Gear for Overland Travelers at Outdoor Retailer 2022 Snow Show
Considered by many to be the premier outdoor industry trade show in North America, Outdoor Retailer brings together brands, store owners, athletes, PR, media—pretty much anyone that has anything to do with outdoor recreation. The winter version of this get-together, referred to as the OR Snow Show, just took place at the Denver Convention center….
Overland Gift Guide: 15 Gifts OVER $100 For Your Favorite Overland Adventurer
This overland gift guide is presented by iKamper The holidays are upon us, and if you’re looking for a big overland gift for the road warrior in your family, you’ve come to the right place. The Expedition Portal team has put together this list of must-have overland gifts over $100. From sleeping systems to…
Thanksgiving Overland Gift Guide
Presented by GCI Outdoor Beyond Clothing Guide Lite Gloves Gloves are one of those small, crucial items that can protect your fingers from cold weather, winch cables, tool handles, and grime. However not all gloves are created equal, and few (in my experience) are often up to the task of protecting your delicate…
New Launch: Erem Xerocole Desert Hiking Boots
Erem is a new brand with a new look, established by a father and son: Jeff Swartz (former CEO of Timberland, the company founded by his grandfather) and Noah Swartz, who developed his MBA muscles at Harvard. As third- and fourth-generation shoemakers, the duo used their passion for the desert to inspire their latest creation,…
1620 Workwear Double Knee Utility Pant
The company 1620 is on a mission “to make the best workwear in the category,” providing skilled laborers comfortable apparel designed to meet the demands of the job. Made in the USA and constructed to last, quality material, ethical practises, and a “Guaranteed for Life” warranty cement the deal. There’s a lot of cross-pollination and…
Walter Sky WS-MH01 Nuyarn Merino Zip Hoodie
Living full-time in a modestly sized van means space is at a premium, and packing light is essential. Consequently, there’s really no place for clothing that’s not multi-functional, so I rarely purchase apparel that’s not suitable for both everyday life and outdoor activities. Technical products tend to be lighter, more packable, compressible, quick-drying, warmer/cooler, and…