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…
KUIU Ultra Merino 145 ZIP-T Hoodie
Founded by Jason Hairston, KUIU is primarily a hunting brand designed to be “the lightest and highest performing Mountain Hunting clothing possible.” However, the apparel line has cross-category appeal and, whilst I don’t hunt, is well-suited to most outdoor activities. Hence, I was keen to see how their 145 ZIP-T hoodie would perform on a…
Field Tested: Melanzana Micro Grid Hoodie
Editor’s note: This article was originally posted in Overland Journal’s Spring 2021 Issue. The Micro Grid hoodie from outdoor clothing manufacturer Melanzana has developed a cult following over the past decade and a half. Perhaps it’s because this synthetic hooded pullover achieves the perfect balance of comfort and technical performance or because its two-tone…
Vasque Breeze LT NTX-Mid
Vasque, “inspired by history, driven by innovation,” is the brainchild of William Sweasy. After travelling to Europe in 1964, he realised a hiking craze was sweeping the continent and returned home “determined to create purpose-built trail boots to mobilize Americans outdoors.” In the decades that followed, Vasque steadily built a reputation for durable mountain footwear,…
Overland News of the Week
Trestle Aeropress K-cup Adapter Let me ask you a question: are you really an overlander if you haven’t added aftermarket parts to your Aeropress? The Trestle Aeropress K-cup adaptor allows you to utilize K-cup coffee pods with your trusty coffee syringe. Advantages? Well, to start, K-cups are pre-portioned and pre-ground which makes measuring or adjusting…
Dakota Grizzly Apparel By Jack Mac
Dakota Grizzly strives to create durable clothing fit for adventure and “have embarked on countless expeditions to the furthest corners of the world in search of the highest quality materials.” Furthermore, the company states, “We weren’t born craftsmen. We were born explorers,” and in my experience, the best products in any sector are born out…
Club Ride Apparel
Growing up, I owned very little cycling-specific clothing, other than a helmet and mitts. I spent most weekends on the bike making “sick” jumps, racing friends around the block, or on family rides in a pair of old Converse, generic shorts (jeans in the winter), and a band tee. I needed clothes that were suited…
Overland News of the Week
Osprey Talon Pro 30 The comfort of Osprey’s backpacks is well known amongst outdoor enthusiasts, and their new Talon Pro 30 brings that comfort to the world of ultralight backpacking. A lightweight wire frame and injection-molded framesheet provide support for this 30-liter pack. Osprey lists a recommended maximum payload of 15-25 pounds for comfortable carying….
Overland News of the Week
Helinox Toasty Lightweight camp furniture has come a long way, and the brand Helinox is a perfect example of the intersection between smart design and modern materials. For instance, their Chair Zero is a 17-ounce camp chair that adds huge amounts of comfort in the backcountry despite its diminutive weight. But this week, it’s actually…
Overland News of the Week
Ooni Gas-powered 12-inch Pizza Oven As someone who grew up less than an hour from Manhattan, I take pizza somewhat seriously. To me, good pizza has a thin crust, and it needs to be cooked quick and hot. Generally, this is difficult to achieve in a conventional oven, let alone while traveling in a vehicle,…
Club Ride Apparel
Club Ride is “mountain lifestyle clothing,” designed from a biking perspective but intentionally made to be multi-functional. Founder Mike Herlinger wanted to “create clothing that spoke to the lifestyle led by the mountain bikers, hikers, raft guides, and ski bums creating their own opportunities in mountain towns.” Ten years later, Club Ride has spearheaded the…