Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2023 Issue. Long-term overland travel requires self-sustained living, and part of that living demands electricity. At the very least, most travelers are using those charged particles to power 12-volt fridges and LED camp lights. More often than not, overlanders are now including induction cooktops, freezers,…
KLIM 2023 :: New Heights for Touring Gear
KLIM announced new products and updates just last month, and are now unveiling serious improvements to their top touring gear. The women’s Altitude and men’s Latitude pants and jackets, in KLIM’s words, “combine purpose-built engineering and legendary performance for touring riders who care about comfort and weather protection.” More Protection for 2023 The new KLIM…
Overland News of the Week
Boreas Campers Teams up With Garmin Boreas Campers have teamed up with Garmin on the EOS-12, an off-road, off-grid, four-season camper trailer. The EOS-12 comes standard with the Garmin ONE system, which connects and controls all onboard systems at the touch of a button. The system is accessed via the Garmin tablet, which can be…
Icon Vehicle Dynamics Unveils Impact Bumpers for Ford Super Duty
Icon Vehicle Dynamics has announced the release of new products designed to improve the off-road capabilities of Ford Super Duty trucks from 2017 onwards. The company has introduced several new additions to the Icon Impact product line, including the Pro Series front and rear bumpers. Icon designed the Pro Series bumpers to offer the best…
Motorola Announces Defy Satellite Communications Range
Founded in 1928, Motorola is one of the oldest mobile technology brands on the planet. Engineers at Motorola invented the car stereo, the walkie-talkie, the first hand-held portable phone, and the world’s first commercial cellular device. Their 3G cell phones dominated the market for years and were instantly recognizable—raise your hand if you had an…
Overland Journal Put Synthetic Rope Winches to the Test. Here are the Results.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2023 Issue. The year 2009 was a memorable year for many reasons: US Airways Flight 1549 hit a large flock of geese shortly after takeoff and successfully landed in the Hudson River, the swine flu ravaged the world, and Overland Journal printed their 12-volt winch…
Camp Blankets for Overlanding
Photography by Richard Giordano Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2023 Issue. When Chief Three Eagles, leader of the Salish peoples, first encountered the Lewis and Clark Expedition party in the wide valley of Ross’ Hole, Montana, in 1805, he was baffled. The men weren’t wearing any blankets. Had they been…
Field Tested :: InstaPrivy Portable Toilet Kit
Of all the portable commodes on the market today, the InstaPrivy is the only one you wear on your head. From outside the privacy shelter, the user looks like an olive-drab ghost on Halloween or perhaps a tiny mobile grain silo, but the design is genius in its simplicity (more on how to use the…
Field Tested :: Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Base Layers, North Face Thermoball Mule V Shoe
Photography by Richard Giordano Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Base Crew and Full-Length Bottom . Black Diamond is all about mountain sports. Born from Chouinard Equipment with a “heritage that began with a backyard anvil and hammer,” the company was taken over by Peter Metcalf in 1989, where it continues to operate at the base…
Field Tested :: Beyond Clothing Arx System
The sailboat heels hard to starboard, the wind gusting to gale force and prompting a further reduction in sail area. Despite the robust cockpit enclosure, several adjustments require clipping into the lifelines and maneuvering the foredeck. I move slowly toward the mast, the rain sheeting off my jacket, the hood guarding my face against the…
Buyers Guide :: Portable Shower Solutions for Overland Travel
Let’s be honest—some travelers value a regular shower more than others. We have met those who must shower daily and others who are content with a regular swim in the sea or a river. You may also have a partner who is prepared to “rough it” and explore the outdoors with you, but who draws…
KLIM 2023 Gear :: Badlands Returns
KLIM’s 2023 launch of high-end riding gear begins with new garments, continues with new helmets and goggles, and includes updated designs for existing lines. Badlands Merits Top Protection Rating Of all their new and improved gear, KLIM is proudest of their Badlands Pro A3 jacket (from $1455) and pant (from $942), the only AAA CE-rated…
Overland News of the Week
Titus Adventure Company Announces Colorado Ski Camping Guide Using a winter-ready campervan or truck camper to ski is gaining popularity, especially for those who want to enjoy a few days on the hill without blowing their budget on lodging. Fortunately, Titus Adventure Company has developed a guide to ski camping listing overnight camp spots, hot…
Field Tested :: Egoé Nestbox Supertramp Interior Camping Setup
Our 1994 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear van recently got its first major interior upgrade: an Egoé Nestbox Supertramp camping setup. This compact, smartly designed product provides storage, sleeping, cooking, and washing solutions for on-the-go travelers who use their vehicles as people carriers, off-roaders, cargo haulers, and more. Why choose an Egoé Nestbox Supertramp over built-in…
Buyer’s Guide :: Tote Bags for the Overland Traveler
Overland storage systems come in many forms and varieties, but the ultimate goal of boxes, drawers, and bags is to increase efficiency, keep items organized, and maximize storage space that may already be at a premium. Eliminating multiple movements, such as heaving a duffel aside to access your favorite shovel, makes life easier and hones…
Overland News of the Week
Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Pro The sound of a gas-guzzling generator in a remote campground is enough to drive a saint crazy. We camp in the wild to experience the peace and tranquility of nature and not the humdrum of an engine. Introducing the Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Pro. It has a sweet purr, has…
Field Tested :: Skotti Grill
Photography by Richard Giordano The Skotti grill was born of fisher and outdoorsman Christian Battel’s desire to enjoy freshly caught fish while adhering to open fire laws in the northwestern German city of Meerbusch. “Open fires in nature are rightfully only allowed under certain conditions,” he writes on the company website. “So, I had to…
Field Tested :: Austere Manufacturing Cam Buckles and Straps
In my garage, I have a large canvas bag filled with bungee cords, ratchet straps, and random lengths of rope and webbing. This Hydra head is not the ideal storage situation for these tools. Inevitably, rather than trying to untangle the strap I need from this Gordian knot, I buy new ones at the local hardware…
Take a Load Off :: Overland Journal Editors Test Six Leading Overland Bed Racks
By Matt Swartz and Scott Brady Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2022 Issue. Few vehicles offer the overland traveler versatility, utility, and flexibility like a pickup truck. But that doesn’t mean it’s the perfect platform. Pickup trucks are kind of like a blank canvas, offering loads of potential in the…
Field Tested :: Beyond Stretch Alpha L5 Jacket
Founded in Seattle, Washington, Beyond Clothing eschews traditional business practices to preserve the places and the ecosystems we all love to explore. They use sustainable production methods, using Bluesign®-certified and recycled materials that are free from harmful levels of more than 100 substances known to be a risk to human health. Any overlander knows that…