American Expedition Vehicles has confirmed that production of its Ford FXL upfit package will begin in summer 2026, marking a notable expansion of the company’s long-standing collaboration with Ford Motor Company. The announcement signals AEV’s continued focus on delivering turnkey overland-ready vehicles that combine factory-backed engineering with aftermarket capability, a formula that has previously proven…
Category Archives: Gear
2Up and Overloaded on What You Need to Know About Motorcycle Travel in Southeast Asia
This week on The Overland Journal Podcast, host Ashley Giordano welcomes returning podcast guests Tim and Marisa Notier of 2Up and Overloaded to discuss the adventure motorcycle couple’s travels through Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In this episode, Tim and Marisa share lessons learned from the past two-and-a-half years, including practical tips on…
Happy Feet: Hiking Socks That’ll Have You Grinning From Toe to Toe
If hiking boots are like the tires on our overland vehicle, then socks are the suspension system. Since you can’t air down your boots to match the terrain, your socks must be ready to absorb every bump on the trail. They’re what protect your feet from friction and pressure, allowing you to go the distance…
Greenlander Sherpa: Natural Fiber Construction Meets Modern Expedition Travel
Almost a decade ago, I left my Defender parked up and headed out for a morning walk across the plateau above the sandstone spires of Cappadocia, Turkey. The night before, we had sat beside a small campfire, sipping wine and watching a white camper on the far side of the valley search for a place…
Jaguar Land Rover Recalls over 170,000 US Vehicles Following Drive Power Loss Risk
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a significant recall affecting more than 170,000 vehicles in the United States, following concerns over a defect that could lead to a sudden loss of drive power. The recall, disclosed on April 23, 2026, was reported by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and represents one of…
Adventure Motorcycle Rider Henriette Thiim on Lessons Learned from 200,000 Kilometers of International Travel
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with Danish motorcycle adventure rider Henriette Thiim to discuss Henriette’s latest trip through Algeria, Mauritania, and Morocco. In this episode, Henriette dives into the logistics required to ride through Algeria and her experiences in-country, as well as what she’s learned about managing fear after…
Overland News of the Week, April 24th, 2026
ARB Launches Modular Bed Rack for Ford F-150 Trucks While the ARB bed rack has been available for 3rd-Gen Tundra and Tacoma owners for some time now, the brand has introduced a new model for 2021 to 2024 Ford F-150 truck owners. The bed-mounted system offers storage options on top, underneath, outside, and inside the…
The North Face Launches Universal Collection, Redefining Accessible Outdoor Gear for Everyone
Here at Expedition Portal, we have long celebrated individuals who push beyond perceived limits, and figures such as Kirk Williams, Channing Cash, and Heike and Toshi (click the links to read their amazing stories) serve as clear examples. Their journeys highlight not only resilience and determination but also the additional challenges faced when preparing for…
LifeStraw Escape Water Purifier :: Field Tested
The LifeStraw Escape is a hard-wearing, 20-liter water-purification solution designed to pressurize via a built-in hand pump—no electricity required. This system stores raw water in a thick-walled, barrel-shaped tank (18 x 13.75 inches) with a spigot, providing a self-contained water supply setup for contexts where water safety is paramount. At its core is a three-stage…
Buyers’ Guide to Micro Campers and Trailers
The Quinta Lala campsite in Cusco, Peru, is something of an informal summit for the global overland tribe. On any given morning, a traveler will find an eclectic lineup of expedition vehicles scattered across the sloping green lawn, just a stone’s throw from the ancient walls of Sacsayhuamán. After the first coffee of the day,…
BMW 1150 GS Adventure :: Publisher’s Project
It was sometime around 2000 when I walked into the REI store in Phoenix, Arizona, to buy a kayak. What was parked under the entry awning stopped me in my tracks: a bright yellow BMW GS resting on its sidestand, a chunky, knobby tire sticking out onto the sidewalk. I had never seen a big…
Overland News of the Week, March 27th, 2026
iKamper Launches Skycamp 4.0 Rooftop Tent Series iKamper has introduced the Skycamp 4.0 series, the latest evolution of its flagship rooftop tent platform, featuring a refined design that improves interior space while maintaining a compact external footprint. The updated lineup includes duo, trio, and quad configurations, expanding fitment across mid-size SUVs, crossovers, wagons, and truck…
Speak Fluent Machine: Preventing and Dealing With a Breakdown
Our friends Chris and Erin Ratay have been traveling for decades. They hold a Guinness World Record for the longest motorcycle journey as a team and, a few years ago, bought a Defender in South Africa and drove it to Europe. Chris has a no-nonsense approach to dealing with vehicle maintenance and breakdowns, and he…
Lessons Learned from Global Expeditions with Clay Croft
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Scott Brady and his travel partner Clay Croft record from the field in the Central Republic of Congo. They discuss some of their most memorable adventures, including travels through South America and Alaska, and the unique lessons learned from their worldwide expeditions. Clay shares insights on vehicle…
2026 Overland Expo Southern California Recap
Overland Expo Southern California 2026: Event Highlights and Gear Trends This was my first time at the Southern California Overland Expo, and wow! The crowd was huge, but it was the curiosity and enthusiasm of the attendees that stood out most. A much more youthful crowd (not necessarily in age), and many had kids in…
Storyteller Launches The Grenadier Micro Camper
Storyteller has spent nearly a decade building its reputation as one of the most respected and comprehensive overland vehicle manufacturers on the planet. Their lineup includes the ubiquitous van conversions, massive expedition campers (formerly GXV), and now their first micro camper. For the base vehicle, they chose the INEOS Grenadier, then incorporated their extensive camper…
Overland News of the Week, March 13th, 2026
Jetboil’s New TrailCook Systems Help Deliver the Perfect Flame The TrailCook 1.2- and 2-liter stove systems are engineered with a new, integrated self-centering pot support and advanced regulator valves, delivering precise simmer control, fast ignition, and incremental heat adjustment crucial for elevated camp cooking. The TrailCook systems feature Jetboil’s re-engineered ignition, which is now integrated…
Mohab to Sponsor Overland Expo SoCal 2026 Ahead of Spring Launch
A relatively new overland adventure gear and mobile habitat company, Mohab (formerly imCamper), has announced it will sponsor Overland Expo SoCal 2026, scheduled to take place on March 14-15, 2026, at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. The sponsorship comes ahead of the company’s planned North American launch later in the…
Technology and Innovation in Overlanding
On this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Matt Scott and Scott Brady explore the future of overlanding, focusing on new technologies and trends. They highlight portable fridges with hot-swappable batteries (like EcoFlow/Bluetti) that offer extended runtime, device charging, and solar input, potentially eliminating complex dual-battery setups. They also discuss the rise of simpler…
Optics for Overlanding
Over time, I’ve come to view optics as a quiet force multiplier. They stretch human vision beyond its factory settings. They help you see farther down the trail, closer at what your aging eyes can’t quite see, and deeper into the dark when your imagination is running wild. In remote travel, where recovery trucks do…