Gear Archives

A silver Salsa Fargo Ti mountain bike with black and white wheels is parked on rocky terrain, with a small black bag under the seat. In the background are large boulders, shrubs, and a lake under an overcast sky—a perfect scene for a long term review wrap up.

Long Term Wrap Up: Salsa Fargo Ti

After roughly 1,023.6 miles, I’m ready to give my personal verdict on one of the most lauded adventure bicycles on the road, or trail, or both.

A loaded mountain bike with bags attached rests on a rocky, dusty trail—an ideal scene for any Overlander—in a desert landscape with red rock cliffs and sparse vegetation under clear skies.

Bicycle, Featured Vehicles, Gear, Outdoor

First (Big) Ride: Rocky Mountain Sherpa

I take Rocky Mountain’s latest bike, one purpose-built for overland travel, on a 100 mile ride on the White Rim.

A water bottle and several drink mix packets sit on a rock, ready for any overlander adventure, with patches of snow and blurred rocks visible in the background.

Camping, Gear, Gear, Outdoor

Field Tested: Pat’s Backcountry Beverages

Fizzy libations – just add water. That includes delicious beer, by the way.

A red Overlander pickup truck with large off-road tires is parked on rocky terrain, as an erupting volcano spews lava and ash in the background.

Gear, Gear, Gear, Gear, Skills and Training

Stocking Stuffers

Publisher Scott Brady shares his lust list for this Christmas season.

A green tent and a blue fat-tire bike are set up on mossy ground near a river, perfect for any Overlander seeking adventure among the rugged, green hills and mountains under cloudy skies.

Camping, Gear, Gear, Outdoor

Field Tested: Terra Nova Laser Competition 1

What better way to test a tent than to take it to Iceland, the home of heavy rain and high winds.

A yellow Overlander backpack with a water bottle attached rests on a rocky black sand beach, with ocean waves and two tall rock formations rising from the water in the background.

Camping, Gear, Gear, Outdoor

Field Tested: Sea To Summit Carve 24L Waterproof Backpack

Fear not the water. Sea to Summit’s Carve 24 waterproof pack seals out the elements.

A light gray sleeping bag with a yellow interior is spread out on reddish-brown rocky ground, ready for overlanding adventures.

Camping, Gear, Gear, Outdoor

Field Tested: Sea to Summit Spark SpI Sleeping Bag

At only 348 grams, it is one of the lightest sleeping bags on the market. More than just light, it’s also virtually waterproof and packs down to a tiny bundle.

A small, metal, tipi-shaped portable camp stove with a cutout design, containing a burning fire, is set on sandy ground between two large rocks—perfect for any overlander’s outdoor adventure.

Camping, Gear, Gear, Gear

Field Tested: The Mummert Knives Phoenix Stove

A lightweight and compact stove for your 4×4, motorcycle, and even bicycle needs.

A gray hiking backpack hangs from a twisted tree branch in a rugged overlanding setting, surrounded by red earth, green bushes, and blurred hills in the background.

Gear, Gear, Luggage and Storage, Outdoor

American Overlander: Acre Hauser 14L Hydration Pack

Not only is the Hauser 14L a great product, it’s made right here in the US of A.

A person wearing a helmet rides a mountain bike across rugged, reddish rock terrain—an ideal spot for any overlander—with snow-capped mountains and a clear blue sky in the background.

Gear, Gear, Outdoor

Buying Your First Mountain Bike

Buying your first mountain bike can be a daunting process. We walk you through the ins and outs.

A green tent and bike are set up on a grassy, rocky hilltop overlooking a dense forest and mountains—an ideal overlanding spot beneath a clear blue sky.

Bicycle, Gear, Outdoor, Skills and Training

Bikepacking: Selecting the Right Shelter

If you’ve been tuning into the Expedition Portal bikepacking series, you’ll know we’ve covered everything from how to select a bike to which snacks to keep in your jersey pockets. One of the more critical components to a successful trip is bringing along a shelter appropriate for your travels. The options are endless, but knowing…

A red overlander SUV with gear and bicycles mounted on the roof and rear drives up a rocky, dirt trail surrounded by trees and shrubs.

Gear, Luggage and Storage, Vehicle Accessories and Protection

Trail Tested: Thule T2 Bike Rack

As one of the most popular bike racks around, we’re sure you’ve seen the Thule T2 before. Find out how it faired on the trail.

A hand holds a textured black and gold bicycle handlebar grip, featuring a scale-like pattern and metallic gold ends—perfect for any Overlander seeking style and comfort on their overlanding adventures.

Gear

Bikepack Tech: Custom Grips from Imprint Grips

Using a proprietary material, Imprint Grips can be molded to any shape with a simple process using hot and cold water.

A pair of modern yellow and black snowshoes with metal crampons and adjustable gray bindings, designed for secure traction and support on snowy terrain—perfect gear for any overlander seeking winter adventure.

Apparel, Gear, Gear

Gear Scout: MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes

Far from the tennis racket snow shoes of old, the MSR Lightning Ascents are lightweight, aggressive, and meticulously designed tools for the snowbound outdoorsman.

Close-up of an orange and white bicycle helmet with a yellow ICE.. device attached to the back. Perfect for any Overlander, the TRABEC RACE branded helmet ensures safety and visibility on your next overlanding journey.

Gear, Gear, Gear, Tools, Recovery and Safety

Hands On: ICEdot Crash Sensor

For those of use who wander into the unknown on our own. An emergency messenger that can call for help, even when we can’t.

A black, sleeveless Klymit Double Diamond Vest with zippered pockets, displayed next to a small black air cylinder device and two CO2 cartridges—perfect for those seeking durability and style for a long term review.

Apparel, Gear, Gear

Long Term Review: Klymit Double Diamond Vest

The Double Diamond Vest might be their most unconventional offering and was the brain child of the founder, Nate Alder.

A black SUV parked on a rocky dirt road with a mountain bike mounted on a rear rack, perfect for an overlanding adventure amid stunning red rock formations and lush greenery.

Gear, Gear, Luggage and Storage

Gear Scout: Kuat NV Hitch Rack

Need a functional bike rack but don’t want something that looks like railroad ties on your car? Check out the NV hitch rack by Kuat for style, function, and efficiency.

A black and neon yellow Baffin Trail hiking shoe with a rugged sole is shown against a white background, water splashing behind it to highlight its water-resistant feature—perfect for Gear Scouts tackling rapids or rough terrain.

Apparel, Gear

Gear Scout: Baffin Trail to Rapids

Baffin continues to innovate in the world of expedition clothing. This time with a pair of shoes that serves as multiple types of footwear in one.

A mountain bike rests against large sunlit sandstone rocks in a rugged desert landscape, equipped for bikepacking with gear and bike bags strapped to the frame, while distant rock formations appear under a dramatic sky.

Bicycle, Gear, Resources and Routes

Bikepacking: Choosing the Right Bike Bags

In our continuing series of bikepacking edifiers, we now turn our attention to what many consider the most important component to a bikepacking setup––bike bags.

Three people ride mountain bikes along a rocky trail with patches of grass, snow-capped mountains, and a clear blue sky—a scenic reminder of the importance of choosing the right mountain bike for every adventure.

Bicycle, Gear, Outdoor, Resources and Routes

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Mountain Bike Format

While things used to be easy when choosing a bike, these days require more than a little guidance to make the right choice

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