Exped Mega Mat 10 LXW Exped’s Mega mat hit the car camping scene in 2011, raising the bar for sleep comfort to a superior level with its plush, perfect-density, open-cell polyurethane foam—or so I’d been told by numerous co-workers and friends. I’ve used many sleep mats over the years but found a happy place with…
Stream2Sea Sunscreen And Bodycare Products: Sunscreen, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Lotion, and Lip Balm That Won’t Harm Waterways
Stream2Sea creates sunscreen and other hair and body care products that are safe for waterways. Many companies claim to make environmentally safe sunscreens, natural shampoos, and more. Stream2Sea also makes this claim but backs up its assertions with testing. Stream2Sea has the only products proven safe for simple nematodes (C. elegans), freshwater fish, saltwater fish,…
The Redtail Skyloft is the Perfect Wedge Tent for a Specific User
$20,000. That is the elephant in the room, so we might as well throw a mouse at it first. That’s a lot of greenbacks; I bought my entire Defender in excellent working condition for less than half of that 13 years ago. Twenty thousand dollars (the unconfirmed price for the Skyloft) is the equivalent of…
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…
Field Tested :: iKamper Blue Dot Voyager (BDV) Duo
The overview effect happens when a traveler reaches far enough into space to look back on Earth and observe their home planet, free of international borders, languages, and cultural divides. A profound shift happens to the voyager, seeing the celestial object as a blue dot. It is a good perspective and often results in a…
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…
Field Tested :: Fitzroy Bushcraft Knife
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Fall 2022 Issue. Photography by Charlie Garrity. A proper bushcraft knife is a piece of gear that often gets overlooked. Unlike a multi-tool or the classic Swiss Army knife, Fitzroy designs their products to be knives foremost—that can do multiple tasks. I learned long ago that…
Makita Launches Cordless Outdoor Adventure Range
The Makita Outdoor Adventure range launches with 16 battery-powered products, including a chain saw, inflator, wet-dry vacuum, lighting, fans, audio equipment, a coffee maker, and more. Duality of use is a huge draw for us, and products that can be used daily on the job site and around the home and can then be repurposed…
Field Tested: Rugged Road Ultralight Coolers
I like to think that I’m pretty strong. After all, as a 5.13+ rock climber and competitive ultramarathoner, I’ve worked pretty hard to get that way. I’ve gotten used to the fact that my muscles are usually the first thing people comment on when we meet. Strength is an essential part of my personality, my…
iKamper Introduces A New Wedge Style RTT and a 270- Degree Awning
We here at Expedition Portal have a comprehensive “Field Tested” review of the new iKamper Blue Dot Voyager wedge-style rooftop tent and the ExoShell 270 Awning heading your way within the next two weeks. That does not mean we can’t spoil you with a preview of two new iKamper products launched on 5 October 2022….
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…
Living the Snow Peak Way
Snow Peak is self-described as a gathering brand; its products are designed to facilitate an appreciation and connection with nature for the sake of it—nothing more. Established as a climbing company in Japan in 1958 by Yukio Yamai, Snow Peak’s evolution quickly moved to car camping products, followed by their entry into outdoor apparel. After…
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…
Yes, Overlanders Sleep in Ground Tents, Too
Editor’s Note: This article on tents was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2022 Issue. I toiled in the desert sun, slept under the stars, got bloodied, spilled beers, and picked cactus spines out of my fingers and feet for days to develop some opinions on this selection of ground tents. What’s that, you say?…
Nomadix Puffer Blanket: An Ultra-versatile Blanket For Minimalist Overlanders and Travelers
“Own Less. Do More” is more a manifesto than just a tagline for Nomadix. They call their first and most popular product The Only Towel You Need. In short, it’s designed to work for everything you could possibly use a towel for. Nomadix’s original towel is lightweight, super-absorbent, odor and sand-resistant, and dries quickly. And…
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….
Fly-and-Drive Kit: Universal Equipment That Works Anywhere in the World
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2022 Issue. Over the years, I have found myself stepping into rented or borrowed vehicles for a myriad of trips. These adventures include flying into a destination, borrowing a vehicle, and dry camping for multiple days. Last year I chased the Baja 1000 and needed…
Bulbag USA: The best little bag on the planet
UkoalaBag has undoubtedly grown in popularity since its inception in 2013. The multi-pocketed pouch bag has become a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts because of its ability to carry a wide variety of essentials while being effortlessly strapped to the hip of its wearer. And now, with the release of Bulbag USA, the Georgia-based company is…
Life Giving Warmth Kodiak Battery Powered Heating Blanket: The Warmth Of A Heating Blanket Without Being Tethered To A Power Cord
Life Giving Warmth was started by Paul and Carolynne LaRue to keep their daughter, Brianna, warm while out on adventures. Brianna has Cerebral Palsy and needs to stay warm because of the poor circulation her disease causes. So out of necessity, Life Giving Warmth was born with the creation of the Cozee, the world’s first-ever…