I used to carry a hodgepodge of equipment—anything from Rhino radios, Dogtra collars, a Fitbit tracker, and the latest GPS app with fancy map overlays and traffic updates. But I’m pretty sure that in an emergency, those 10+ apps and half-dozen devices wouldn’t serve me at all. Enter chaos, and the entire piecemeal setup falls…
Category Archives: Gear
Icon Leveling Lift Kit for Ford Bronco
Lifting the body of a vehicle is often achieved by installing a suspension upgrade, which is more often than not a costly exercise. The Icon Leveling Lift Kit for 2021 and newer Ford Broncos provides an easy to install, economical, and performance-enhancing method of gaining the necessary clearance to run larger tires. The kit consists…
Thanksgiving Overland Gift Guide (2021)
Presented by GCI Outdoor Beyond Clothing Guide Lite Gloves Gloves are one of those small, crucial items that can protect your fingers from cold weather, winch cables, tool handles, and grime. However not all gloves are created equal, and few (in my experience) are often up to the task of protecting your delicate…
New Launch: Erem Xerocole Desert Hiking Boots
Erem is a new brand with a new look, established by a father and son: Jeff Swartz (former CEO of Timberland, the company founded by his grandfather) and Noah Swartz, who developed his MBA muscles at Harvard. As third- and fourth-generation shoemakers, the duo used their passion for the desert to inspire their latest creation,…
The iKamper Disco Series: One-Hit-Wonder or Multi-Functional Cooking System?
Photography by Richard Giordano When it comes to overlanding gear, I’m a firm proponent of items serving multiple functions. Unless you have a ton of space and ample payload to carry the proverbial kitchen sink, priorities must be made, sacrifices identified, and potentially, tears shed. For each of us, this means something different. I recently…
Overland News of the Week, November 13th, 2021
Harley Davidson Bagger Riding Jacket w/ Integrated Backpack Heading out on a short motorcycle ride and need a little bit of additional cargo space? Harley Davidson’s new Bagger riding jacket, constructed from 600-denier polyester canvas with a Teflon coating, offers protection from the pavement with a removable integrated backpack offering 20-liters of storage (men’s size…
Ironman 4×4 Jeep Raid Series
Ironman 4×4, established in Australia back in 1958, is well known for its range of high-quality parts designed for the 4WD market. The company has released a range of products known as the Raid Series, designed specifically for the Jeep Wrangler JL and Jeep Wrangler JT. Essentially, the range consists of full-length or stubby version…
Dryad Cookery Titanium Spatula, Leather Skillet Handle Cover
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2021 Issue. When I think about ways to add enjoyment to my cooking experience, it’s nearly always about a new recipe or a fresh set of knives. Maybe even some new pans, but a spatula was never on the list. Earlier this year,…
Field Tested – Quick Pitch North America Roof Top Tent, Weathershade 20 Second Awning, Quick-en-Suite Shower Cubicle, and Quick-Barbe
I was faced with a dilemma when planning a journey across the USA with a borrowed Range Rover Classic: accommodating three adults and a teenager in a compact SUV. We would be camping every day, and needed a sleeping solution for four people as well as space for those multi-day breaks from the road. We…
Overland News of the Week, October 29th, 2021
Lavabox Over/Under The Over/Under is a 304 stainless-steel multi-level stand and cooking surface for your Lavabox firepit. When used as a base, it elevates the Lavabox off of the ground (two height settings) to comply with Forest Service regulations as well as Leave No Trace low-impact campfire principles. But if you fold in the legs…
The Best Overland Fridge Freezers
Editors Note: This article originally ran in the print version of Overland Journal, Winter 2021 Issue Coolest of the Cool | Testing the latest fridge-freezers to their limits. Having interviewed hundreds of overlanders, we often ask what their favorite piece of kit is, and almost sheepishly, many reply “my fridge.” The reasons vary, like making…
1620 Workwear Double Knee Utility Pant
The company 1620 is on a mission “to make the best workwear in the category,” providing skilled laborers comfortable apparel designed to meet the demands of the job. Made in the USA and constructed to last, quality material, ethical practises, and a “Guaranteed for Life” warranty cement the deal. There’s a lot of cross-pollination and…
Field Tested: Improved iKamper SkyCamp 2.0 Rooftop Tent, Annex S Awning, and HC Steps
Photography by Jason Spafford Three years ago, when we installed the first generation (2017) SkyCamp 4X (the original four-berth) upon White Rhino, our 2015 Toyota Hilux, little did we know where the rig would see us make camp—certainly when compared to where we had set our sights. The Cape to Cape plan kick-started well on…
Overland News of the Week, October 15th, 2021
Toyota Land Cruiser LC80 RTR (1/18th scale) If you’ve been looking for a good deal on a Land Cruiser 80 Series, here it is. This 1/18-scale LC80 is powered by a 7.4-volt LiPO battery and features aluminum frame rails, scale interior features, working headlights, and indicator lights. And for your 1/18-scale overland adventures, it’s also…
Field Tested – Wagan Tech
I am not going to lie. Electricity and I are not amigos; we have not reached an understanding. In the past, I have regarded electricity as necessary but fickle, demanding and potentially dangerous, expensive and unreliable – like the ex-wife I have yet to marry. For years we have struggled with onboard power as we…
New Overland Gear at Expo West 2021
There was a huge selection of new overland gear at Overland Expo West 2021 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Here are some highlights from the show. iKamper Disco Series Cooking Outfit iKamper makes a strong entry to the cooking game with this modular setup, complete with burner, adjustable legs, and more. What makes this cooking outfit unique?…
Redarc Unveils New Line of Adventure-ready Solar Panels
Australian power management equipment manufacturer Redarc has announced its new line of adventure-ready solar panels. Designed to survive the harsh environments that many of us explore with our overland vehicles, this collection of fixed, portable, and flexible solar cells capture additional power to keep your battery system topped off in the backcountry. “REDARC’s solar panels…
Walter Sky WS-MH01 Nuyarn Merino Zip Hoodie
Living full-time in a modestly sized van means space is at a premium, and packing light is essential. Consequently, there’s really no place for clothing that’s not multi-functional, so I rarely purchase apparel that’s not suitable for both everyday life and outdoor activities. Technical products tend to be lighter, more packable, compressible, quick-drying, warmer/cooler, and…
2021 Overland Expo West :: Day 2
In addition to an incredible visitor turnout, day two of Overland Expo brought plenty of sunshine, a lot more gear, and the opportunity to visit with some more vendors. Join Scott as he chats with the folks at onX, Skinny Guy Campers, Big Country, Protector Gear, iKamper, Shower Pouch, and Staples in Tents!
2021 Overland Expo West :: Day 1
Overland Expo West is officially underway in Flagstaff, Arizona. Day one brought beautiful weather and an enthusiastic crowd of attendees, all of them eager to see what the 400+ exhibitors from the overlanding and offroad industry had on display. The Expedition Portal film crew eagerly jumped in the mix, visiting a variety of exhibitors, including…