I’ve had a lot of backcountry coffee. Some of it is just plain bad, and others are pretty good. Most of the coffee marketed to adventurous folks like me is instant. I don’t mind good instant coffee, but who says every adventure necessitates it? For the times when you have room in your kit for…
Children of the Road, A Life of Unconventional Norms
Heidi and Jens, full-time overlanders for 15 years, are the real deal. They’ve crossed rivers in Mongolia, the Canning Stock in Australia, and the salt flats of Bolivia. Jens boasts a Unimog tattoo from a parlor in Shanghai; Heidi cooks Kashmiri curry and speaks five languages. We met in Oaxaca, Mexico, in one of those…
The 2022 Volcon Grunt
The electric revolution has taken hold, with every segment of the transportation industry offering electrified solutions. From vans to boats, we are seeing a rapid adoption of this proven technology, now delivered with the range and performance to meet the needs of the most discerning buyers. While the most remote overland expeditions are outside of…
Trail Fire Grill, High-Elevation Cooking the Campfire Way
I knew I liked the Trail Fire Grill when I saw creator Mark Ritchie demo it at the Overland Expo in Flagstaff, Arizona, this past spring. He had made a bacon and eggs breakfast for me and showed me how this camping grill serves as a barbecue, wok, and oven. I took the grill home…
Opinel Nomad Cooking Kit and Picnic+
A while ago, we declared that Opinel knives are art. We stand by that declaration and, as if to prove us right, Opinel has launched a new, innovative multi-purpose range which has us drooling and dreaming of a long hike and a campfire feast. Multi-purpose gear is the outdoor explorer’s holy grail; we love a product…
Fjallraven Skogso Padded Jacket Long Term Review
The Arctic Fox on the shoulder speaks volumes. When I meet a traveler, and they are wearing Fjallraven, I know a few things off the bat. Either the person is: a) Scandinavian b) Well-traveled c) Well-heeled d) All of the above I am merely a (b) and have been yearning for a Fjallraven jacket ever…
Bote Rackham Aero 11′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Review
Portable Fun On The Water With Options To Add-on Monsoon season is in full effect here in the Southwest. It’s been a particularly rainy week. Every day by late morning, the clouds roll in, and the storms come. The dark clouds dump heavy raindrops, with the occasional thunderclap and flash of lighting. The rain feels…
Best Finds for Overlanders from the Big Gear Show
Presented by: The Big Gear Show isn’t specific to overlanding, but that’s a nice change of pace in some ways from more niche events. The versatility of full-time travel means that some of the best tools to enhance life on the road come from unlikely corners of the market. The entire outdoor industry is fair…
Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube 8 x 32 Monocular Telescope
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2022 Issue. The Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube is a fun little gadget to keep in your vehicle’s center console or mount to your backpack strap when you are heading out the door for an adventure. Primarily designed to help you get a closer glimpse of…
Karmik Outdoors Lost And Found Decal Review: This Sticker Makes Returning Lost Outdoor Gear Easy
Growing up, my dad used to insist I write my name and phone number on everything I owned that was even remotely valuable. I still have a glasses case to this day that has “Sam Schild” and my home phone number written on the inside. That habit never really stuck with me, but I’m coming…
Rev’It Adventure Travel Gloves and More
Rev’It has good news for all hands: five new styles of glove, including two pair of Rev’It adventure travel gloves. There’s big corporate news as well. Rev’It is acquiring Italian company Vircos, makers of custom leather protective gear. Rev’It Summer Gloves: Common Features All of the gloves here share common elements. First off, and critical…
Overland News of the Week
Tuffy Mid-Size SUV Cargo Security When traveling locally and abroad, security is always an issue. We have taken a few security measures with hidden storage areas to ensure that no sticky fingers get hold of our invaluable hard drives and gear. Money can be replaced, but the loss of hard drives with precious memories and…
Want to Write for Expedition Portal and Overland Journal? Here’s How to Submit the Perfect Pitch.
Photography by Jack Mac By the time the most recent issue of your favorite magazine graces the newsstands or appears in the post, its pages were already well-imagined, copyedited, laid out, and finalized many months in advance. If we board our time machine, traveling to a time well before the issue was put together, we…
The Dometic Go Camp Collection Review
I like to keep my car packed with whatever I’d need for my favorite outdoor pursuits. On any given day, my car is full of camping gear, bike gear, a camp cook setup, and probably more. But since I also use my vehicle for hauling people, groceries, and other less adventurous things, a lot of…
Böhm Bike Mounts
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2022 Issue. Let’s face it; overlanders have a bit of a reputation as gear nerds. We appreciate a well-made piece of kit and enjoy the balance of form, function, and practicality that go into its production. But as much as we love our gear, I’ve…
Waterproof Your Adventure
For its 50th Anniversary in June, SHAD debuted its newest motorcycle soft bag in Barcelona, Spain, and now Shad TR40 Terra Adventure Saddlebags are available in the United States. Each lightweight bag offers a 32-liter capacity and up to 22 pounds of load per bag. Installation of the rack was easy with a little help…
Gaia Maps Introduces Gaia Overland
GPS mapping has changed the way we travel and explore. With the convenience of data at our fingertips, we are able to spend more time exploring and enjoying those beautiful routes and destinations and less time planning routes, and worrying about how far the next gas station or campsite will be. Having all the necessary…
C6 Outdoor Rev Tent
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2022 Issue. Roof tents certainly have their place, but most buyers would benefit from purchasing a solution that is lightweight, easily removable, and half the cost. There have been few options to address those practicalities until the recent launch of the Rev Tent by…
Outdoor Research Women’s SuperStrand LT Hoodie
Photography by Richard Giordano When it comes to jackets, choosing between down and synthetic can be a challenge. Often the choice in chilly but dry conditions, down is packable with a higher warmth-to-weight ratio, while synthetic is more water resistant and gentler on the pocketbook. While many brands successfully compromise by constructing a down and…
When Comfort is King: The Vipor XVI Chair
A good camp chair can make or break the moment when relaxing around a campfire, fishing next to a mountain stream, or just enjoying the sights, sounds, and scents of nature. The adventurer’s chair needs to be comfortable and durable enough to hold up to the elements under continuous use. It must also be supportive…