The Bug Wall makes UV-resistant rear and side-door van screens for the Promaster, Mercedes Sprinter, and Ford Transit platforms (among others). I had considered screens like these made-in-the-USA liners for my Ram ProMaster van, but figured them unnecessary, what with the five windows with their own screens I’d installed and the vent fan pulling hot…
Category Archives: Camping
Summertime Essentials to Help Beat the Heat
Last summer was a true test of man, machine, and miniature dog. We left our base in Mexico in the spring, pointed the Land Rover north, and spent six months exploring the US and Northern Mexico. It was an odyssey of sweat and perseverance, lived entirely from our trusty Land Rover, with no air-conditioning in…
We Tested the Best 12-volt Fridge/Freezers. Here’s What We Found.
East Africa is known for many things, and nearly all of them are the stuff of overlanding dreams. But a few could be classified as nightmares, principally the endless dance with roadblocks, police checkpoints, and military convoys. At times, that includes determined efforts to separate the traveler from their cash. As a result, I would…
Overland News of the Week, June 19, 2026
Free Spirit Recreation Updates RTT Line Up Free Spirit Recreation has introduced a fully updated 2026 rooftop tent lineup, featuring upgrades across the Nova, Kali, Aspen Lite, Aspen Pro, and Evo XL models. The revisions focus on durability, comfort, and improved usability based on customer feedback and field testing. All models now feature redesigned floors…
Snow Peak’s Bomb-proof Camping Gear
In the 30 years I’ve been buying camping gear, from the expensive wool socks I took on my first backpacking trip in Big Bend National Park, I’ve never come across a brand that so marries style and functionality as the Japanese company Snow Peak. I’ve owned a tiny powerhouse of a stove from the brand…
Overland News of the Week, June 5, 2026
The Ford Bronco Filson Has Made its Debut Ford and outdoor outfitter Filson have teamed up to introduce the Ford Bronco Filson. This collaboration is rooted in the American legacy of outfitting pioneers, the US Forest Service, and search-and-rescue organizations, culminating in a premium version of the 6th-generation Ford Bronco SUV. Featuring a twin-turbo 3.0-liter…
Top Gear :: Overland Expo West 2026
Someone I know who has been in the adventure travel industry for many years told me that we are currently in a “creativity crisis.” He thinks we’re stuck in a rut and that very few truly new ideas have been filtering into the overland world lately. I had this claim front and center in my…
The North Face Launches Universal Collection, Redefining Accessible Outdoor Gear for Everyone
Here at Expedition Portal, we have long celebrated individuals who push beyond perceived limits, and figures such as Kirk Williams, Channing Cash, and Heike and Toshi (click the links to read their amazing stories) serve as clear examples. Their journeys highlight not only resilience and determination but also the additional challenges faced when preparing for…
LifeStraw Escape Water Purifier :: Field Tested
The LifeStraw Escape is a hard-wearing, 20-liter water-purification solution designed to pressurize via a built-in hand pump—no electricity required. This system stores raw water in a thick-walled, barrel-shaped tank (18 x 13.75 inches) with a spigot, providing a self-contained water supply setup for contexts where water safety is paramount. At its core is a three-stage…
Overland News of the Week, March 27th, 2026
iKamper Launches Skycamp 4.0 Rooftop Tent Series iKamper has introduced the Skycamp 4.0 series, the latest evolution of its flagship rooftop tent platform, featuring a refined design that improves interior space while maintaining a compact external footprint. The updated lineup includes duo, trio, and quad configurations, expanding fitment across mid-size SUVs, crossovers, wagons, and truck…
Storyteller Launches The Grenadier Micro Camper
Storyteller has spent nearly a decade building its reputation as one of the most respected and comprehensive overland vehicle manufacturers on the planet. Their lineup includes the ubiquitous van conversions, massive expedition campers (formerly GXV), and now their first micro camper. For the base vehicle, they chose the INEOS Grenadier, then incorporated their extensive camper…
Mohab to Sponsor Overland Expo SoCal 2026 Ahead of Spring Launch
A relatively new overland adventure gear and mobile habitat company, Mohab (formerly imCamper), has announced it will sponsor Overland Expo SoCal 2026, scheduled to take place on March 14-15, 2026, at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. The sponsorship comes ahead of the company’s planned North American launch later in the…
Technology and Innovation in Overlanding
On this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Matt Scott and Scott Brady explore the future of overlanding, focusing on new technologies and trends. They highlight portable fridges with hot-swappable batteries (like EcoFlow/Bluetti) that offer extended runtime, device charging, and solar input, potentially eliminating complex dual-battery setups. They also discuss the rise of simpler…
Easy on the Eyes: The Best Lighting for Every Campsite
The human eye has over 120 million specialized cells dedicated to processing light waves. Called photoreceptors, these cells are commonly known as “rods and cones,” and the shapes determine both how we process color and how we see in dim or bright light. Translating the physical phenomena of light into electrical and chemical signals in…
Jetboil Flash 1.0L Fast Boil System :: Field Tested
As a full-time overlander, I love to cook outside. But when preparing coffee in the morning or an afternoon cup of tea, I don’t always want to set up the propane stove just to boil water. Instead of a kettle, I’ve been using the newly updated Jetboil Flash. The Flash boils water fast (approximately two…
Sea To Summit’s Detour Collection :: Field Tested
Two years ago, I was on the hunt for a cookset that would work well in our Overland Explorer Vehicles pop-up camper. Finding something lightweight, not too bulky, and compatible with induction cooktops was a non-starter. In 2022, I could only find pots and pans designed for home use. Fast forward to today, and we…
Tune Outdoor Expands Pop-Up Truck Camper Lineup with New M1Lite
For many overlanders, less truly is more—especially when a vehicle is used primarily to explore remote trails and carry essential outdoor gear. Yet for too long, the industry has prioritized comfort and luxury to the point where many now expect a camper to cost nearly as much as the truck carrying it, if not more….
Overland News of the Week, January 2nd, 2026
Adventure Ready Norden 901 Expedition Motorcycle The Norden 901 Expedition is a long-distance, off-road motorcycle powered by an 889 cc parallel-twin engine paired with a six-speed gearbox and a power-assist slipper clutch, all housed on a chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame. What sets it apart from the standard Norden 901 is the various factory-installed technical upgrades…
We Tested Six Overland Truck Campers. Here’s What We Found.
Early memories are so formative, often defining and informing the path of our lives. My dad taught me the importance of doing what you love with the people you love, and truck campers have been synonymous with that aim since their commercial debut in the early 1950s. I still remember a cold morning camping in…
Overland News of the Week, December 19th, 2025
Toyota Launches New Generation Australian HiLux The latest generation HilLux has landed in Australia, promising improved driveability, enhanced interior technology and comfort, and an exterior design spearheaded by Toyota Design Australia. The 2026 Hilux is available in cab-chassis and pickup configurations, with 4×4 or 4×2 drivelines, and in single-, extra-, and double-cab body styles. Upgrades…