They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and standing in the heart of Big Bend National Park you’d sure believe it. It’s a land of burning sunsets, soaring mesas, and enchanting vistas that sprawl toward the horizon until meeting softly with the deep blue of the West Texas sky. A place of simplicity and…
Overland Routes: Northern Arizona Traverse
Picture Arizona in your mind; imagine traveling the back roads and observing its landscapes. What do you see? For many people, it’s a sprawling desert dotted with cacti—a place of desolation where sunbaked sands cover endless miles of countryside. But this state has a secret, one that you’ll discover if you venture into the forested…
The Traveler’s Tree House
We put five leading hard shell roof tents to the test to see which one is tops.
The Overland Journal Air Compressor Test
We revisit who makes the best air compressors and why you need one in your overland rig.
Field Tested: Zarges K470 Cases
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 tables, and stuffed with volumes of gear that would have…
Field Tested: Engel HD30 Soft-Sided Cooler
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. While not the first to market, the Engel HD30 has…
Tool of the Trade
Overland Journal’s 10-year anniversary Tacoma Project.
Overland Journal’s Long Term Tacoma: Part 1
Overland Journal Editor-in-Chief begins a major overhaul of his 180,000-mile “mobile office” Tacoma.
Field Tested: Speedway 50-liter Hybrid
Perfecting the duffle bag has long been the quest of purveyors of outdoor equipment. It must not only protect our clothes and a medley of gear, but also be durable enough to survive the rigors of real-world travel. During the past few decades, we’ve tasked the duffle with additional responsibilities: lashing it to our vehicles…
Factor 55 FlatLink E
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 to destroy everything they produce prior to releasing it to…
Expeditions 7: Greenland Ice Sheet Adventure Auction
Your Chance to Cross the Greenland Ice Sheet, overland. Join Expeditions 7 for the benefit of the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum.
Tail Lamp: Camp Fear
Anxiety is not a word often associated with overlanding, but if you are adventurous enough to test the limit of your courage, you will experience your fair share of angst. I am not merely referring to the pre-departure turmoil (particularly the intercontinental let’s sell it all and see what happens journey) but more specifically, the…
Field Tested: Think Tank Camera Bag
One of the quandaries photographers face is how to transport an assortment of expensive equipment in different environments. When on field assignments my camera gear is toted around in a daypack, with additional lenses, bodies, and strobes stowed in a Pelican case. However, when walking an event such as the New York Auto Show or…
Expeditions 7: Wild Africa
Cinematographer Bruce Dorn shares his obsession for African megafauna that will not only kill you, but also eat you. Bon appétit!
Field Tested: Midland PPG100 Portable Power Station
If you read my most recent skills piece on the nuances of power management for overland travel, you know I was a bit dismissive of solar. This is not to say it lacks usefulness, but for most people the tools used to store power are more convenient. Solar can be slow, require constant alignment of…
Expeditions 7: The Wonders of Oz
The Expeditions 7 team explores the remote reaches of the red continent.
The Modern Explorer: Land Rover LR4 – Part I
Determined to vet the reliability and performance of a modern Land Rover, Overland Journal secures a 2012 LR4 and modifies it for serious exploration.
Overland Routes: The Texas Hill Country
Prayer is the best way to meet the Lord, but trespassing on this property is faster. Folks in Texas are known for many things, but taking kindly to trespassers ain’t one of ’em. Don’t get me wrong, most would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it, but show up on their…
Dodging Gunboats and Taming Elephants
Deep into the Colombian savanna, a ragtag team of adventurers get caught in a quagmire of mud, sand, piranha, and gunboats.
Expeditions 7: Ghosts of Eurasia
The Expeditions 7 team traverses 20,000 kilometers from Nordkapp, Norway, to Magadan, Russia, on the world’s most northern roads.