As avid Rugby fans, we learned early on that traveling overland will often conflict with important matches and planned weekends away. A difficult choice had to be made: head out or stay home to catch the game. Nissan has unveiled the Project Trailgater, a one-of-a-kind custom build based on the refreshed 2025 Frontier, showcasing a…
Category Archives: Luggage and Storage
In the Bag: Reliable Dry Bags to Keep Your Gear Safe
Whether you’re an intrepid overlander exploring remote locations, an avid adventurer seeking the thrill of whitewater rafting, or a beachgoer looking to keep your valuables safe from sand and surf, dry bags have become an indispensable companion for outdoor enthusiasts. Unsurprisingly, these versatile, waterproof wonders have revolutionized how we protect our gear from the elements….
Gregory Knocks it Out the Park with Duffels, Case, and Backpacks :: Field Tested
Gregory Mountain Products specializes in designing and manufacturing backpacks, travel bags, and outdoor gear. Founded in 1977 by Wayne Gregory, the brand is known for its focus on comfort, durability, and innovative design. Gregory’s products are built to support outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of packs for hiking, backpacking, and travel. The company emphasizes ergonomic…
SUV, Van and Pick-Up Camping Conversion Kits :: Buyers Guide
In recent years, the trend of converting vans and SUVs into mobile living spaces has grown in popularity, driven by the desire for freedom, adventure, and the convenience of having a home on wheels. This surge in interest has led to the rise of van and SUV camping conversion kits—pre-packaged systems that simplify transforming a…
Overland Expo Mountain West :: Top Gear
The 2024 overland show season keeps churning, and the most recent stop for its marquee event, Overland Expo, was in Loveland, Colorado. Every Overland Expo has its own character, and the show owner, Emerald Expositions, is trying hard to lean into those differences: Expo West is where the travelers gather, Pacific Northwest feels the “crunchiest,”…
Mystery Ranch :: Field Tested
As overlanders, we aim to travel light and avoid excess gear that can be cumbersome, especially as a family of four where space is always an issue. We truly appreciate well-designed storage solutions and carriers for when we’re out and about, and Mystery Ranch consistently delivers. Mystery Ranch was co-founded by Dana Gleason and Renée…
Overland News of the Week, August 16th, 2024
Pakmule Launches the Motomule Moto Hauler In this week’s, Overland News of the Week, we introduce Pakmule’s Motomule. A motorbike is a great overlanding accessory, but hauling bikes has always been a challenge. The Pakmule Motomule is an innovative hitch-mounted moto hauler designed for the easy loading and transport of dirt bikes and light adventure…
It’s All in the Name: The Story Behind Goose Gear
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles overland industry leader and vehicle-based storage solutions manufacturer Goose Gear. It’s easy to notice the quality of a Goose Gear product at a glance. Burly slides hold expertly crafted wood drawers. Marine-grade plywood coated with a proprietary blend of bedliner…
Rux Essentials Hybrid Storage :: Field Tested
Organization is a key component to enhancing your overland travel experience. From mapping out your route and menus to sorting your gear, having some semblance of a plan goes a long way toward boosting the fun factor. I have found that a little bit of organizing ahead of time even allows for more spontaneity in…
Top Gear :: Overland Expo Pacific North West 2024
While exploring the booths at this year’s Overland Expo West PNW, I realized that the products worth highlighting should not only be ones I would personally use (and those backed by powerful PR firms) but, more importantly, those created by entrepreneurs. As someone who has been an entrepreneur, self-employed, and a freelancer for most of…
Bubba Goose Packs :: Field Tested
I stepped into a friend’s atmospheric cabin in the shadow of Mt. Rainier as the last of winter’s snow melted in the shade of innumerable fir trees. I received a text message from my friend, an accomplished and respected industrial designer, saying that he had left a few cool things on the sofa beside the…
Minimalist Wallets :: Best of Breed
Good times—at least of the sort we’re after—come with a downside. The hard truth behind adventure is that you can’t safely peace out beyond the confines of cell service with nothing but a sandwich in one hand and your car keys in the other. For those of us desperate for even a brief escape from…
Overland News of the Week, June 21st, 2024
Opinel Releases New Grilling Set Fabricated in France, this grill set includes a stainless steel folding knife, a spatula insert, and extra-large tongs with a stonewashed finish. The No. 12B folding knife features a beechwood handle from sustainably managed French forests and is equipped with a bottle opener at the end, while the spatula is…
The Story Behind AluBox
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles the multi-generational Denmark-based storage company AluBox. She connected with Søren Wiberg to learn more about AluBox’s origins, its involvement in field expeditions, and how consumer preferences have changed since the company’s inception in 1999. Cover photo courtesy…
Overland News of the Week, May 24th, 2024
Hilleberg Introduces Two New Tent Models for Spring 2024 In this week’s Overland News of the Week, we’re excited to hear that Hilleberg, the well-respected, premium Swedish tent maker, is expanding its range with the Saivo 4 and the Rogen 3. The Saivo 4, part of the all-season Black Label series, is a robust 4-person…
Top Gear Overland Expo West 2024
With every year that passes and the overland lifestyle grows in popularity, it becomes increasingly challenging to find innovative products that are practical and worthy of investment. A few years ago, we proudly discovered the Poolahoop, which we initially mocked and later praised. Was the Poolahoop the zenith of modern American overland innovation? No, it was not. Instead of…
Küat Ibex Bed Rack Lands Design Award
Organizing and securing your overland gear in a pickup can be something of a challenge. While the bed of the truck is a blank canvas with nearly endless opportunities for designing a build-out all your own, the sheer number of options can also be daunting. The bed rack is a neat and tidy solution to…
Overlanding Storage with Sea to Summit :: Field Tested
For many years, we have been searching for ideal packing solutions for storing various items both inside the camper and on the roof rack of our Land Rover Defender. Since we have traveled as a family of full-time nomads, we need to transport all of our on-the-road essentials and have had to be equipped for…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Spring (2024)
Lead photo courtesy of Weird Wild West SOUTHWEST USA Adventure Van Expo When: April 13-24, 2024 Where: Scottsdale, Arizona The Adventure Van Expo series returns for 2024 with a packed schedule of events, including the first of the season in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lively music, food trucks, vendors, and camping converge in this all-ages celebration of…
Kelty Camping Gear :: Field Tested
Dick Kelty designed and hand-built external aluminum-framed backpacks along with his wife, Nena, who sold them out of their garage in 1952. In 1966, Dick Kelty’s backpacks were used on the National Geographic Antarctica Expedition. Since then, Kelty has grown into a well-loved and respected legacy outdoor brand. Kelty designers and employees are gear experts…