Look, we’ve all been there. The days get shorter and somehow slip away all that easier. It’s possible that you’re just a natural-born procrastinator like me, or indecisive (been there, done that), or perhaps that one overlander in your life managed to slip off the list (we won’t tell!). Perhaps you’re looking to treat yourself…
Category Archives: Gear
On the Rocks: Outdoor Barware for the Happiest of Happy Hours
Lead photo by Richard Giordano I view cocktail-making as a gesture of love. There’s care involved: slicing citrus, preparing ingredients, sourcing ice cubes, shaking or stirring. Time, a precious commodity, is also required. Your personal preferences are attended to. Two shots or one? Too sweet or not enough? The casual mixologist, often a friend or…
Soft-shell Rooftop Tent :: Buyers Guide
Soft-shell rooftop tents have a long history, dating back almost as far as the invention of vehicles to which they could be attached. The concept of a canvas roof tent may have been inspired by the covered wagons that played a crucial role in trade and travel for centuries. There’s something undeniably charming about a…
Boxio Portable Sink and Toilet :: Field Tested
Photography by Richard Giordano Boxio Portable Camping Sink Established in Germany, Boxio manufactures stackable toilets and sinks made from recycled plastics. Inspiration struck while founder Arvid was building a tiny house for his family. Composting toilets in Europe were expensive and complicated, so with the help of his co-founders and a couple of engineers, a…
Overland News of the Week, December 8th, 2023
Halite Void Pro Bag First up is overland news from Halite. If you’re not familiar with the Norwegian brand, check out Graeme Bell’s Kraken and Void Bags Field Test. The company recently announced its Void Pro Bag which features intuition foam in shoulder straps for additional comfort, 1000-denier Cordura fabrics, two external zippered pockets (and…
Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Winter Clothing Essentials
We stood beside our small portable barbeque in a campsite outside Whitehorse, in the infamous Yukon territory, watching the coals glow red and thinking about the human relationship with heat and cold in the midst of a journey to the Arctic Ocean in March. According to the weather app on my phone, the temperature was…
Rooftop Tent Skills — Buy, Bolt-on, and Bug Out
In this age of hyperbuilt and overcomplicated overland vehicle builds, it is all too easy to forget that, above all else, your build should be affordable, practical, and straightforward. The rooftop tent (RTT) is not a new invention; we have all seen the images of overland vehicles built in the early 20th century equipped with…
Triple Aught Design – Praetorian Hoodie, Overlord Sweater, and Prelude Dolman : Field Tested
Layering is the secret to dressing effectively for extreme cold weather, and being able to regulate your body temperature is key. An overland journey to cold climates means that most of the day will be spent within a vehicle with occasional dashes into the elements for fuel stops or photo opportunities. A good base layer…
25 Holiday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life
Presented by Küat Racks Have you heard a Mariah Carey song blasting over the speakers at your local grocery store yet? If so, it’s probably time to start thinking about the quickly-approaching holiday gift giving season. From ADV riders to bikepackers, vehicle aficionados, and tent campers, there’s something for everyone in this Expedition Portal gift…
Gear of the Year
What a year 2023 has turned out to be! My wife, Luisa, and I kicked it off by camping on a secluded beach in Baja, then traveling to the Arctic Ocean in winter before collecting our Land Rover Defender from the port in Canada, driving down through the US to central Mexico during a heat…
Escapod Topo 2 Overland Trailer :: Field Tested
Teardrop trailers are old-school cool, with a lineage that dates back to the DIY plans of the 1930s. The trailer style has remained popular ever since, and for a good reason—they just work. The teardrop perfectly balances compact dimensions, sleep-inside comfort, and timeless style. Most small trailers use a rooftop tent for sleeping, but it…
Field Tested :: Giant Loop Adventure Gear
Giant Loop has been creating innovative motorcycle luggage since 2008 when they hit the trail with their original horseshoe-shaped bag. Beginning with the Great Basin model, GL has used Rugged Bomb Shell vinyl-coated polyester with great success. The 8-liter Fandango tank bag and Pannier Pockets reviewed here are both constructed from it. As you’ll see,…
Overland News of the Week, November 24th, 2023
Overland News: Rev’It Launches Lamina GTX Ladies Gore-Tex Outfit In response to female adventure riders’ desire for a more sophisticated and refined riding outfit, Rev’It put together a team of nearly all women to design the Lamina GTX. By developing both the jacket and pants in 3D—directly on a bust instead of the conventional two…
Cozy His and Hers Sweaters from Royal Robbins :: Field Tested
Photography by Richard Giordano Heritage brand Royal Robbins was founded in 1968 by American rock-climbing pioneers Royal and Liz Robbins. Together, they tested unclimbed routes in the Yosemite Valley, Royal specializing in big-wall ascents throughout the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, while Liz was the first woman to climb the face of Half Dome in 1967….
25 Black Friday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life
Presented by Nitto Tire Now that Halloween ghosts have been replaced by twinkling reds, greens, and golds, it’s time to start thinking about the fast-approaching holiday season. Luckily, the Expedition Portal team has been busy amalgamating our favorite gear picks just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While Associate Editor Steve Edwards has…
Better Safe Than Sorry: Transitioning Toward Moto Rider Safety
When I began adventuring through some of the 700,000 kilometers of dirt roads in South Africa, it’s safe to say I didn’t have the right kit for the job. Transitioning into dirt riding, I made do with what I had at the time with gear used for my 1994 Harley Dyna. My first true off-road…
Top SEMA Products According to One of Our Bosses
Brian McVickers is the Overland International CBDO (Chief Business Development Officer), partner, contributor, highly experienced overlander, and one of the most genuine guys you will ever meet (brownie points, please, boss!). Brian took to the fields of hard carpet at the SEMA event held in Las Vegas last week and returned with sore feet and…
Top Overland Products at SEMA 2023
SEMA has in the past focused primarily on high-performance vehicles with jaw-dropping customizations; however, with the upward trend in overlanding, the Overland Experience at the SEMA show continues to grow year on year with innovative gear, accessories and impressive overlanding builds. In this article, we showcase new products introduced into the overlanding scene for seasoned…
Overland News of the Week, November 10th, 2023
Wrangler Introduces All Terrain Gear In Overland News of the Week, we’re excited to introduce a new line from Wrangler. Dipping their well-known toes into the overland market, the Wrangler brand recently unveiled an extension of its outdoor clothing range, namely All Terrain Gear (ATG) by Wrangler, a selection of state-of-the-art outdoor garments. Featuring everyday…
Aether Fall Collection :: Field Tested
I have been wearing Aether’s Sawyer cashmere full-zip hoodie for a couple of months as the autumn weather has turned crisp in the northern latitudes. I was expecting the cozy warmth, breathability, and overall great fit that Cashmere offers. What I was not prepared for were all the hugs. Aether’s 60-percent-new/40-percent-recycled Cashmere blend is astonishingly…