As a writer, I try not to make broad assumptions or stereotypes about anything, but today I’m going to make an exception. Most overlanders are bag junkies. I’d reckon there are very few of us that don’t perk up at the sight of a cool new backpack or duffel, and the mere mention of purpose-built…
Field Tested: Generac iQ2000
Portable power gets smaller, lighter, and easier to use.
Field Tested: Front Runner Spare Tire Braai
I love so many aspects of camping, but one of my favorites has always been the campfire. There’s something so relaxing about sitting in the cool night while a warm flame crackles nearby, and it’s the perfect opportunity to share hopes, dreams, and laughs between friends. Of course, there is one thing that can make…
Field Tested: KLIM Badlands
KLIM updates their classic adventure suit with new armor and a more refined style.
BFGoodrich KM3 Review
In 1980, BFGoodrich introduced an unconventional tire that would forever change the way we thought about off-road traction. They called it the T/A Mud-Terrain, “T/A” borrowed from their successful line of street-performance offerings, and the latter for the type of terrain it would call home. It was the first such tire with an aggressive tread…
The Sunglasses Revolution
You know how people always say, they just don’t make them like they used to? Well, in many cases they are probably right. Planned obsolescence has run amok in our society, and the concept has transitioned from a hushed secret to a key component of business strategies everywhere. There are plenty of examples from phones to…
The Traveler’s Tree House
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Gear Guide 2016. The mere mention of the word overlanding is often enough to evoke images of sunsets on the Serengeti, the silhouette of a truck marked for adventure by the outline of a roof top tent. Although roof sleeping is not commensurate with overlanding,…
Curtiss Knives ODT Flipper
I’d venture to say that by now, the knife has earned the right to be called a legendary tool. It can truly do it all, and despite hundreds of years of technological advancements, it has managed to stay relevant in today’s world. I mean, how cool is it that an item used in ancient Egypt…
More Than Just a Book
When I first met the author Ulrich Dolde four years ago, the German language edition of Motorhome Self-Build and Optimisation was already a best seller. And Dolde was in the throes of completing the second edition of a unique book intricately describing in words and pictures how he built an expedition vehicle capable of providing…
The Overland Journal Air Compressor Test
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Gear Guide 2015. Air, the simple mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and a few other gases, is not only elemental to life, it is a fundamental requirement for a vehicle or moto-based backcountry trek. In addition to assisting our internal combustion engines in converting chemical energy into…
Baja Tough: The Origin of BajaRack
“I wanted to build something. Something of quality. Something of value. Something that would last.” With that vision and a solid approach to execution, it is no surprise Sergio Murillo has built BajaRack Adventure Equipment into a company where according to their mantra, “Every day it’s Friday.” What does that mean for employees? What does…
Field Tested: Zarges K470 Cases
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Summer 2016. My first experience with Zarges aluminum cases was during the Expeditions 7 crossing of Antarctica. We used them to store everything from tents and clothes to spare parts and oil. They were tossed in and out of the vehicles, used as step ladders, chairs, and…
ARB’s Game Changing Jack
Since its introduction in 1905, the Hi-Lift has been the go-to for off-road enthusiasts. You see them mounted on roof racks, bumpers, hoods, and darn near everything else these days, and while you might think that’s because of how useful they are, I’d disagree. Don’t get me wrong, there’s no questioning the effectiveness or versatility…
Field Tested: Engel HD30 Soft-Sided Cooler
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Summer 2018. Just when we thought 12-volt refrigerators were all the rage, the cooler revolution began. First, high-quality rotomolded cooler boxes came to market boasting the ability to keep ice for a week. Next came soft-sided models with durable construction and everyday usability (think überlunchbox) and portability….
Field Tested: Weego JS12 Jump Starter
We’ve all been there, turn the key and a faint click click click is heard from the engine bay, the result of a flat battery. If you are fortunate enough to be parked at the mall or with friends, you are golden. But if it happens while traveling alone in the backcountry, you will pat…
Field Tested: Alubox
It’s a constant conundrum—how to stash, store, and keep track of gear in an overlanding vehicle. Not to mention keeping fragile equipment dry, dust-free and, hopefully, not crushed by the other fragile equipment crammed into small spaces. My wife and I selected a Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Short Bed as our overlanding platform because we…
Purple Lizard’s East Coast Adventure Maps
We’ve all heard it before, whether from a friend, an acquaintance, or someone on a forum: “There are no good trails on the East Coast.” Sadly, it’s easy to believe. Unlike the Southwest where sprawling undeveloped landscapes are in abundance, the East Coast has been privatized so much that it can be difficult to find…
Field Tested: Yokaro TPMS
I’d venture to say that most people know that running the correct air pressure can extend the life of their tires, make their journey more comfortable, improve fuel economy, and keep them safe on the road, yet few of them regularly check their tires. I’ll admit it, I was one of those set it and…
Factor 55 FlatLink E
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Summer 2012. If you stop by Factor 55’s booth at a trade show you will find a variety of their winch shackle mounts disfigured, torn, and mutilated. This might seem odd, until owner Mike Costa hands you a spec sheet from the US-certified destruction lab they use…
New Release: Main Line Overland GTS Suspension
Overlanders face a rather unique problem when it comes to choosing suspension systems. Unlike racers who only need high-performance systems for lightweight trucks or long-haul truckers that need stiff springs for heavy cargo, we need something that balances comfort and performance on the dirt with payload capacity and reliability. Only the right combination will get…