Join Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady and guest Brian McVickers as they dive into the latest overland industry news for February and March. Key highlights include an in-depth review of the new Lexus LX700H, campers like the Four Wheel Campers CampOut and Scout Olympic Pop-up, and a summary of emerging overland events. The episode…
Dometic Inflatable Shelters :: Field Tested
In North America, inflatable tents are still a novelty (they have been de rigueur in Europe for some time now) and seem to teeter on the edge of gimmickry. We decided it was time to put one through its paces, and Dometic volunteered to send one of their TRT 140 Air inflatable roof tents along…
Bikepacking Crete :: Top 10 Gear Picks
I grit my teeth and take a few more steps. Sweat drips down my nose as my heart pounds. Progress is measured in feet, not miles, on these ascents. The goats make it look so easy. Occasionally, a shepherd will pass in a beat-up Toyota Hilux; a simple nod is sufficient. It may be December,…
Mobile Warming Clothing from Fieldsheer :: Field Tested
If staying warm without piling on a ton of clothing appeals to you, Fieldsheer can help. Their Mobile Warming collection includes everything from vests and coats to socks and insoles. As well, they pay special attention to heated clothing for those who work outside. My concern is keeping warm on a motorcycle. With that in…
Braai Essentials: A Barbeque Master’s Tools of the Trade
Cooking over an open fire and coals has been an essential element of human evolution ever since Homo erectus earned the ability to harness and manage fire. Sitting beside the flames and grilling a meal is something that we, as overland travelers, do more than most modern humans, and it is an important part of…
Fancy a Cuddle? The Story Behind Aeronaut Outdoor
Aeronaut Outdoor Founders Brandon and Laura Davey say the company was born from a simple problem: sleeping outside kind of sucks. After more than 15 years of experience designing gear for brands like NEMO, Marmot, and Patagonia, the Southern Californian couple decided to take matters into their own hands, designing the Hoverquilt, a premium down…
Field Tested :: Sea to Summit Dry Storage
Paatuwaqatsi, “Water is life,” they say on the Hopi Reservation. In the drier corners of the world, like the American Southwest, this is undoubtedly the case. Perpetually in short supply, and the supply getting ever shorter, every drop is precious. However, there’s no denying we live on an overwhelmingly wet planet, and the humble H2O…
Tembo Tusk Company Profile
I first met the Tembo Tusk team almost a decade ago at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona. Luisa and I were strolling away from the Overland Journal stand as the early morning sun peeked through the trees, a delicious smoke floating in the air. Our South African noses lifted to the breeze, and our…
Gerber Overland Bundle – Field Tested
There are a few products that I have been missing in my overland arsenal for a while now: a good shovel, a collapsible saw, and a portable knife that is not an EDC or pocket knife. I have tried many versions of each of these products over the years and have, more often than not,…
Making a Splash: The Story Behind Guzzle H2O
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles water filtration and purification manufacturer Guzzle H2O. After witnessing the amount of garbage created from single-use plastic bottles during international sailing regattas, professional sailor Sean “Doogie” Couvreux took to Facebook. “The garbage situation was ridiculous,” he says….
Holiday Gift Guide
Presented by Nitto Tire and the all-new Terra Grappler G3 The festive season is upon us, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather with family and friends—and perhaps drop a few hints about those Christmas gifts you’ve been eyeing! Getting out into nature is a great way to spend time with loved ones….
15 Black Friday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life
Presented by Slinky Stove, the Collapsible Smokeless Fire Pit While Black Friday traditionally takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, many retailers are offering discounts now and will continue to do so throughout the holiday season. The coming weeks may be an opportune time for shopping before the onslaught of tinsel,…
Down-feather Apparel for Full-body Warmth :: Best of Breed
Winter and I don’t have the best relationship. Growing up in Virginia, snow days were rare treats that had more to do with sitting inside drinking hot chocolate than playing in the snow. When we did venture out, the temperature never dropped far below 32°F, so sledding and snowball fights kept us warm enough to…
Field Tested :: 1Up Super Duty
For a painfully long period of time, the best way to haul a mountain bike from garage to trailhead was painfully inadequate, either via a janky trunk-mounted rack that strapped flimsily to the back of a car and took several minutes to attach and secure or roof racks that required burly backs and shoulders that…
Overland News of the Week
Warn Industries Announces Release of New Zeon XP Winch Lineup In this week’s Overland News of the Week we feature, Warn’s Zeon XP winch lineup, engineered in Clackamas, Oregon, which will be available starting December 12, 2024, incorporates feature upgrades to meet demanding recovery needs. With models offering 10,000-, 12,000-, and 14,000-pound capacities, these winches…
Speedy Stitcher Sewing Awl: Field Tested
While traveling Alaska’s Dalton Highway with friends, I stopped to take in the beautiful scenery and do some fly fishing. Alas, the river contained no fish, but fortunately, I was still able to employ my favorite fly to snag a real keeper: a single, Kevlar-lined, gauntlet-sporting chainsaw glove. Catch-and-release is not my style, and thus,…
California To Ban The Sale And Use Of Single-Use Propane Cylinders, For Good Reason
California has become the first state to ban the sale of single-use propane cylinders. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1280 into law, which mandates that all one-pound propane canisters sold in California must be refillable or reusable beginning January 1, 2028. The bill, introduced by Senator John Laird of Santa Cruz, is designed to…
Hasselblad X2D 100C :: Field Tested
When NASA needed a camera to capture Apollo 11’s landing on the moon, they trusted one brand—Hasselblad. Chances are you and I will never get to traverse the Sea of Tranquility or crawl out of a lunar crater, but that shouldn’t stop us from wanting to immortalize our own history in the making. Like the…
Colfax Design Works Q.D. Camera Strap :: Field Tested
Colfax Design Works (CDW) has set a new standard with its latest Q.D. camera strap. Built with rugged 1-inch MIL-SPEC nylon tubular webbing and equipped with the proprietary anti-binding CDW Quick Disconnect swivels, this strap is the epitome of versatility and durability. The intuitive design features a push-top button on the swivel that allows for…
Thinking Outside the Box: The Story Behind STEP 22
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles adventure travel gear manufacturer STEP 22. I recently found out, thanks to STEP 22 owner and founder Adam Wood, that the company’s name is an acronym for Storage Transportation Exploration Protection. There couldn’t be a more on-point…