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…
The Minimalist’s Guide to Overlanding
Diet tips for the overlanding gear hog.
Field Tested: Alu-Cab Expedition III
Basil Lynch walks us through one of the markets best aluminum roof top tents
Field Tested: Terra Nova Solar Photon 2P tent
In 2014 while prepping for a bikepacking trip to Iceland I realized I needed to rethink my tent strategy given the island’s reputation for truly awful weather. A short search delivered me to the Terra Nova Laser Comp 1P, a tent and brand I didn’t know very well. It was a bit of a gamble to…
ExPo Roundup: Storage Cases
We lugged our gear around the world to bring you the best of the best in storage case solutions.
American Overlander: North Street Flanders Backpack
When company founder, Curtis Williams, started North Street Bags, his mission was simple enough. He wanted to make high-quality bicycle panniers and backpacks with homegrown materials, by hand, one-by-one. Only a few years in, he’s building a loyal following of people drawn to his clean designs and uncompromising attention to craftsmanship. The Flanders is his…
Company Profile: Good To-Go Dehydrated Meals
As much as I love to venture into to the woods and survive on trail mix and beef jerky, I also admit I’m an unabashed foodie. I have a tattered Michelin restaurant guidebook with plenty of dog-eared pages, and can snob around the food scene with the best of them. When I learned of Good…
Field Tested: Nemo Equipment Dark Timber
The venerable wall tent has been around for over a thousand years. The Vikings, Romans, and soldiers of the Civil War, just to name a few, all used them. Some were made of animal skins, others of heavy canvas. The operable word there is—heavy. Traditional wall tents have always provided a cavernous and comfortable interior,…