Whether folks were driving, pumping iron at the gym, scrubbing stubborn bathroom tiles, or taking Fido for a walk, an estimated 120 million listeners tuned in to an endless supply of podcasts in 2021. This figure will undoubtedly rise by the end of 2022 as podcast popularity continues to grow and the holiday season wraps…
Hest Foamy and Camp Pillow :: The Dreamy Camping Mattress
Hest’s five-star reviews come from expedition sea kayakers, sailboat captains, avid campers, vanlifers, car campers, sleepers with hip problems, slide sleepers, you name it. Their single biggest issue is a lack of comfortable sleep outdoors. Hest has the answer. I discovered Hest Foamy and Camp Pillow when I needed a break from venturing around the…
Overland News of the Week
CMM Offroad Delete Pro Quick Disconnect Mounting System Tennessee-based CMM Offroad recently launched the Delete Pro Quick Disconnect (QD) mounting system, an aluminum accessory mount suitable for attachment to CMM mirror, A-pillar, or universal mount products for Jeep JL, JLU, Gladiator, and JT models. The Delete Pro QD can hold up to 50 pounds and…
Field Tested :: Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail 225/60R17 Tires
Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail 225/60R17 Test vehicle: 2017 Subaru Forester Limited Starting tread depth: 11/32 Tread depth, 10,000 miles: 9/32 Weight per tire: 29.3 pounds Disclaimer Falken sent me tires to test and review at no cost. I was not paid for this review, and my results are displayed honestly and without influence. I am…
Kitanica Scorpion Pack :: A Full-service Lumbar Carrying System
The Kitanica Scorpion Pack is much like a compact backpack—durable enough for long hikes or rides and practical enough to carry everything you might need for a daylong excursion. I took this pack for a day’s journey through the rugged New Mexico wilderness but first tried it out on my BMW F 750 GS. The…
Spot X 2-way Satellite Messenger
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2022 Issue. I frequent locations that don’t have cell service, where I’ve come to appreciate two-way satellite communication devices. And while earlier personal locator beacons simply alerted SAR, modern two-way messengers like the Spot X do that and a lot more, like allowing you…
Field Tested :: Women’s Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody
Photography by Richard Giordano When I left Western Canada south on the Pan-American Highway nearly a decade ago, quality outdoor gear was not my priority. Our budget was tight, plus we were going to Mexico and Costa Rica—a hoodie and cheap windbreaker would certainly cut it, right? A blustery night with freezing temps at the…
Ram 2500 Overland Build :: Super Pacific Switchback X1 Truck Camper
Ram 2500 Overland Build :: Super Pacific Switchback X1 Truck Camper Of all the additions I have added to my Ram 2500 overland build, the Super Pacific Switchback X1 truck camper has been the most significant in terms of size and infrastructure. It provides a variety of solutions for vehicle-based travel, all in one neat,…
Moto Cinch MX:: The Smarter Way to Transport Your Motorcycle
The makers of Moto Cinch MX aptly named this innovative product that makes transporting your motorcycle a breeze. I have watched a multitude of videos and scoured numerous forums for the perfect way to transport my motorcycle, but no one offered real solutions. I ride a BMW F 750 GS, but my buddy with an…
Field Tested :: Appalachian Gear Company Utilizes Alpaca Fibers in Its Performance Fabric
Merino wool is on most people’s radar, but alpaca fiber is one of the new kids on the block of “natural” performance fabric. A familiar friend to those in the Andes region, it is a completely different animal (literally) when compared to sheep’s wool or llama fibers, with a more slippery origin material that’s…
Overland News of the Week
The Polydrop Trailer The Polydrop trailer is designed primarily with EVs in mind and is not strictly a camping trailer; it is a personal travel space you can take with you wherever you go. This distinction is important as you will notice that the trailer does not come equipped with the gear and accessories one…
2022 Overland Holiday Gift Guide :: 20 Gifts OVER $100 For Your Favorite Adventurer
Photo courtesy of Featured Friends With December well underway, the countdown to holiday gift gifting season has officially begun. Out of fresh ideas for 2022? We test a lot of gear throughout the year as Expedition Portal editors and have carefully curated this over $100 list of gifts for the adventurer in your life. Whether…
2022 Overland Holiday Gift Guide :: 20 Gifts UNDER $100
With the holiday season upon us, the quest for the perfect gifts for family, friends, and adventurers has officially begun. Featuring cookbooks and knives, whiskey, shot glasses, and blankets, we hope this under $100 holiday gift guide not only sparks joy but offers suggestions to delight even the hardest to please. Whether you’re shopping for…
ROK GC Espresso Maker
Minimalism, weight saving, and packing just the essentials are common themes throughout my articles, and crucial when planning an overland trip. Do you need that extra pair of shoes? No. You’re seriously packing three cups? Why haven’t you cut your toothbrush in half? Those extra ounces make a difference! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m…
Exped Field Tested:: Mega Mat, Widget Pump, Mega Pillow
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…
Overland News of the Week
Wolf Tooth Components B-RAD System Over the last 10 years, bikepacking has grown in popularity exponentially and this has generated a huge array of purpose-built bikes, parts, and accessories. In fact, there has been so much innovation over the past decade that it’s hard to believe the industry can produce something original. Wolf Tooth has…
Thanksgiving Overland Gift Guide
As the holiday season quickly approaches, now is the time to brainstorm gift ideas for your friends, family, and loved ones. The Expedition Portal team has put together this list of overland gifts for the adventure motorcyclist, bikepacker, 4WD enthusiast, overlander, and those who love experiences over things. From memberships to camp kitchen gear, you’re…
Ruko F11Mini Drone :: A Perfect First Drone And High-Value Option For A Spare
Getting aerial footage from the trail is one of the best ways to convey just how epic your last trip was. But finding an entry point into the world of drones can be intimidating. There are countless options, with more popping up every day. How do you know where to dive in? Ruko is a…
Emergency SOS via Satellite Now Available on the iPhone 14 Lineup in the US and Canada
Apple recently announced that the groundbreaking Emergency SOS satellite safety service is now available to customers in North America, specifically the US and Canada. The service is available on all iPhone 14 models; the advanced technology enables users to message with emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Additionally, users can now open…
SEMA Gear of 2022
Smartop Truck Bed Covers Smartop Platform (originally from South Africa) secured the runner-up award for the Best New Van/Pickup/SUV product as a first-time attendee and newcomer to the US market. This truck bed cover is made from aluminum with built-in anchoring T-slots that can hold up to 550 pounds. You can secure jerry cans and…