Of all the gear I own, a lightweight insulated jacket has to be one of the most well-used. Even during summer months in the mountains I almost never leave home without one. Pulled over a t-shirt or tucked under heavy waterproof shell layers, a puffy jacket has year-round utility. If you don’t have one in…
Long Term Test: Therm-a-Rest Altair HD Sleeping Bag
For what seemed like decades, sleeping bag technology languished. There were a few minor innovations with regard to baffle shapes and fabrics improved slightly from year to year, but not until recently has the humble sleeping bag received the engineering advancements it deserved. This is particularly true of bags in the Therm-a-Rest line like the…
Field Tested: La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX
In late 2015, I had the good fortune to visit Nepal and trek deep into the Khumbu Valley. Because I travel light, I only packed two pairs of footwear for the near month-long trip, both from La Sportiva. For rugged hiking days, I used Trango Cube boots. The rest of the trip, including the long…
The Coolest Cooler: Otter Box’s New Venture 45
As a long-time fan of Otter Box phone and pad cases, I was a little surprised to see the Colorado-based company enter the seemingly saturated cooler market. That said, I knew they had the resources and design acumen needed to create a winner capable of standing above the competition. After receiving an early sample of…
Field Tested: Primus Onja
Did you know that a camp stove can help you meet new people? I sure didn’t, but it can if that stove is the Onja. It seems bystanders can miraculously appear from thin air just to say, “What the heck is that” or “Hey, now that’s cool,” when you least expect it. It even happened…
Field Tested: Yeti Panga 50-Liter Duffel
When it comes to product marketing, talk is cheap which is why I respect brands like Yeti. They let their products speak for themselves. If it could talk, their new Panga 50 waterproof duffel would be a loud-mouth braggart. I would argue it is the toughest and most weather-thwarting duffel ever made. If you have…
2017 Fall Boot and Shoe Roundup
The contemporary overlander is not easily defined, nor are their individual gear needs. While some stay sequestered within their vehicles, many enjoy a mix of pursuits beyond the driver’s seat. For years, overlanders only wore heavy-duty leather boots, a trend I always thought was a little strange. Today’s traveler is still keen to wear well-made…
La Lucha: The Fight
Almost 2 years ago, I was sitting comfortably in a leather-backed camp chair, glancing around Scott Brady’s office. He had just stepped outside for a phone call, and I was occupying my time scanning his library, soaking in the titles from authors around the world. One book in particular caught my eye though, a paperback…
Field Tested: Le Chameau Condor LCX Boots
In the mid-1990s, while living in France, I had a local friend named Georges. Twice my age, he spent his days toiling in the vineyards near my home. Every now and then, I’d volunteer to help him trim vines, burn brush, or some days we’d just sit around and chat. The one thing I remember…
Modifying the Polaris General
The Expedition Portal staff install accessories on our long-term project General, improving utility and performance.
Field Tested Long-term review | Yeti Tundra 45
Last year, we presented you with The Big Chill, an exhaustive review of some of the best rotomolded coolers on the market. Over the course of 10 days, we analyzed construction and design, drain systems, ergonomics, capacity, and structural integrity. We then filled them with ice, set them on a deck under the midsummer sun…
Melbourne 4WD Show :: Australia
Walking the halls of Australia’s largest 4WD show
Field Tested: Filson Duffle Pack
Like all good things, Filson products do not come cheaply. Don’t read that to suggest they are a poor value. Far from it, all of their bags are capable of serving several generations of users, making even their most expensive items a flat-out bargain—but the entry point can be too steep for some. To open…
Outdoor Retailer Summer 2017: The Overland Connection
The overland industry continues to influence the outdoor industry, and vise versa. This year marks the last year the annual gathering of the outdoor industry will be held in Salt Lake City, with both the summer and winter industry shows moving to Denver next year. We will miss the quality mountain biking, good food, and…
What’s in your winch bag? The basic gear you should be carrying
The other day I ran into the proud owner of a well-built four-wheel drive. Eager to talk shop, he began to list a few of the numerous pieces of equipment he had installed on his new vehicle. The list included 37-inch tires, aftermarket wheels, a 4-inch lift, lights, a roof rack, a front bumper, and…
Long Term Test: Yakima SkyRise Rooftop Tent
When Yakima first announced the release of their roof top tent last year, three attributes from the press release immediately caught my attention. The 95-pound weight for the smallest of two sizes made it one of the lightest roof top tents on the market, and because Yakima has spent several decades perfecting all manner of…
Cool Cutters
Anyone who knows me is aware that I’m the guy, or was, who’s always asking for a knife to borrow. I used to not like toting around a blade, and certainly wasn’t particular about the ones I did manage to carry. Then I started getting spoiled by having a knife on me at all times,…
Field Tested: Big Agnes Foidel Canyon 2
Buried deep in the dark recesses of my gear closet reside a trio of tents I seldom use. Their stuff sacks are tattered and torn, the tents within equally haggard. Oddly enough they haven’t been on many outings. Whereas my backpacking and mountaineering tents look brand spanking new even after a decade of adventures, just…
Gear Scout: Roofnest Hard Shell Rooftop Tent
In 2010 I attended a local 24-hour mountain bike race, pulled into the sprawling campground, and set up my roof top tent. Judging by the pointing fingers and curious looks, you’d have thought a UFO landed on my truck. Fast forward to 2017, and the roof top tent is not just commonplace, it’s rapidly becoming…
Field Tested: Snow Peak Pack & Carry Fireplace, Small
Portable fire pits are all the rage these days and I”m thrilled with their newfound popularity. I loathe unsightly fire rings and wish more people subscribed to a lower impact style of camping. One of the challenges with portable fire pits is the stowed size and weight as most are larger than necessary, particularly for…