One of the fun things about reviewing outdoor gear is that you never know when a product is going to surprise you. Something that seems like a good idea may actually wind up falling short in testing, while a product you weren’t sure you’d like becomes one of your favorite pieces of kit; the Tailgater…
SEMA Overland Day 2
The overland theme continues into the South Hall for our coverage of 2019 SEMA day two. The Gladiator was certainly a darling of the show, but Tacomas and Colorados also filled the halls. One theme that was encouraging is a general trend towards functionality, with many of the parts reflecting better durability, improved coatings,…
SEMA Show Day 1 :: The Overland Experience Area
13 years ago, when Expedition Portal first displayed a vehicle at the SEMA show, there was only three purpose-built overland vehicles in attendance: The Turtle Expedition Ford, UJoint Offroad’s E350, and our 2004 Tacoma. Times have certainly changed and you cannot walk 10 feet without bumping into a roof tent or a snorkel. Even SEMA…
RLD Designs Releases Stainless Steel Canopy For Gladiator
Back in May, we named the RLD Designs truck canopy as one of the coolest products you might have missed at Overland Expo, and for good reason. These beefy caps are made in South Africa entirely from stainless steel, pack some seriously cool camp features, and carry a 700-pound dynamic load rating while weighing as…
ARB’s Zero Fridge Line Has Dual Zones, Can Hold Up To 144 Cans, and Pulls 2.9 Amps
SEMA is here, and with it, a slew of new product releases from brands big and small. We’ve seen several awesome unveilings thus far, but one that caught our eye right away was a new line of fridges from ARB they’re calling the Zero. Besides a tough color-scheme and design, these new fridges boast two…
Our Favorite Fall Camp Gear for Overlanders
It’s safe to say that autumn is in full swing. Temperatures are falling, leaves are turning colors, and some of the best camping of the year has finally arrived. We’re talking crisp morning air, cool nights around the bonfire, and splashes of red, yellow, and orange like only fall can provide. Of course, with this…
Is Garmin’s Overlander Worth $700?
This past summer, Garmin unveiled the first GPS navigation device designed specifically with the overlanding community in mind. It boasted exciting features ranging from offline maps and campground databases to satellite communications and inclinometers, but at a price many of us found hard to swallow. We wanted to know if the Overlander was worth the…
Straight to the Point
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Gear Guide 2019. The archaeological record indicates that some humans were favoring stone blades—essentially any tool with two parallel edges longer than its width— by the Upper Palaeolithic period. Human culture evolved, as did blade and knife technology, and eventually transitioned in most instances from lithics to…
The onX Off-Road GPS App Shows You Where to Explore
Knowing Where You Can Legally Overland is Half the Battle There are times that even 36 hours of adventure seems impossible to schedule, the realities of daily life, family, and work responsibilities compounding. Sometimes just a few hours is all we have, or as a side trip during a work obligation. While it will be…
Sunflare Solar Panels for Your Tent, Car, or Camper
Between powering refrigerators, running lights at night, and charging phones, tablets, and cameras, we burn a lot of power as overlanders. Solar panels have become the go-to solution for keeping up with these draws, but understanding what components you’ll need, and then choosing high-quality ones among the sea of options these days is no small…
One Headlamp to Rule Them All?
We received a Headspin convertible lighting system test unit the day I left for the Altar Desert in Mexico, so what better place to beat up a new product and evaluate its performance than in the largest sandbox in North America? Pros Fully comprehensive kit Easy charging via USB or wall outlet Quick change between…
Adventures in Video Filmmaking
I believe that any story worth telling is worth telling well. And that’s why I love filmmaking. Media posturing, video journaling, postcard producing, or politically acting, I like them all. We’re wired to share our experiences, and video is a megaphone. Video capture is arguably the most powerful medium in modern history and we, like…
The Best Camp Axe :: Comparison Test
The best classic compact hatchets for overland and expedition use.
Sena Momentum Bluetooth Helmet
The world’s first active noise control helmet.
Triple Aught Design Talisman Jacket
The classic waxed canvas jacket, redefined.
The Best Backpacking (Shelf Stable) Camp Meals
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Fall 2019. I can still remember the smell of the horse shashlik, a tub of meat and indecipherable seasonings that we pulled from a freezer in the remote Russian village of Kosh-Agach. The only way I knew it was horse meat was from the line-art drawing of…
Field Review: RoamBuilt V-Nose Shovel
It seems a little odd that shovels have become such a hot commodity in the overland marketplace—people are crazy for them. You can buy shovels pointed, square, or round, ultralight or tactical, and even carbon-fiber models with titanium blades. At times, the designs and indeed the price tags can seem a little absurd, which is…
How to Pack for Life on the Road
In preparation for your journeys, you will no doubt visit REI or Cape Union Mart or Decathlon or whichever “outdoor adventure” retailer has the market share in your country. There you will be seduced by a vast array of products, each seemingly essential and equally desirable. Water filters, solar torches, fire starters, carabiners, deep Arctic…
Life on the Road: Purposeful Provisions
A field tool kit refers to the tools you keep in your vehicle for roadside and trailside repairs and handiwork; the key is to assemble one that fits your vehicle. Use it at home when wrenching on your truck to get acquainted with what works and what is lacking. It is better to find out…
The Hot New Overland Products Launched This Week
September is here, and with it, a flood of new product launches from manufacturers of every kind. The big news of course was Land Rover’s new Defender, which you can read all about here, but there was also so much more. Just this week our inboxes have been filled with press releases unveiling everything from…