Overland News of the Week

Helinox Toasty

Lightweight camp furniture has come a long way, and the brand Helinox is a perfect example of the intersection between smart design and modern materials. For instance, their Chair Zero is a 17-ounce camp chair that adds huge amounts of comfort in the backcountry despite its diminutive weight. But this week, it’s actually a furniture accessory of theirs that caught my attention. The Helinox Toasty is basically a duvet combined with a chair cover. They offer two different sizes which fit their Sunset, Beach, Playa, and Savannah chair models. The Toasty is fleece-lined and made from 100 percent recycled material, adding insulation underneath as well as around your body. The attached hood and “wings” wrap around you for added warmth in colder environments.

$130 | Helinox

 

Rab Zero G Jacket

Fill power is a measurement used to describe the quality of down used in things like jackets and sleeping bags. The higher the fill power in the garment, the lighter and more efficient it is at keeping you warm. Rab’s Zero G jacket utilizes ethically sourced European 1000+ fill power goose down. Combining this exceptionally high-quality fill with Pertex Quantum 10-denier fabric results in an exceptionally warm, packable, and lightweight jacket that weighs just 11 ounces. While it’s designed as a specialist outdoor piece for mountaineering and alpine climbing, it is just as functional in less technical environments like extended travel, where weight and packability are important concerns.

$550 | Rab

 

RedArc BCDC Mounting Brackets

Manufactured from 304 stainless steel, Red Arc’s BCDC mounting brackets make installing their range of BCDC dual battery chargers in your vehicle’s engine bay quick and neat. These mounting brackets utilize existing mounting points in your engine bay, positioning your dual battery charger where it can receive ample air-flow to keep things cool. Currently, three brackets are available: one specifically designed for J100 and J105 series Land Cruisers, one for 200 series Land Cruisers, and one universal mount which will work with a variety of vehicles.

$50 | RedArc

 

Gregory Supply Duffel 90

Well-known for their high-quality backpacks, Gregory has expanded their offerings to include specialty bags like hydration packs, travel and roller bags, as well as duffel bags. As the name implies, their Supply Duffel 90 offers 90 liters (5,492 cubic inches) of storage capacity with standard padded handles, a removable crossbody strap, reinforced haul handles on both ends, and external daisy chain loops. Two small zippered pockets provide storage for smaller items, and high-quality YKK zippers deliver secure closures. The base of the Supply is constructed from Kevlar-reinforced fabric that is 38 times more durable than nylon.

$110 | Gregory

 

Costa Rincondo Sunglasses

Costa’s sunglasses are well-regarded in the outdoor space for their superior optical quality and are designed for use on the water, where harsh glare and reflections make proper eye protection crucial. The Rincondo, one of their newer styles, delivers more coverage than its counterparts (the Rincon and Rinconcito), with a rounded polarized glass or plastic lens and a sturdy black frame. The Rincondo offers a secure wrap and can be outfitted with prescription lenses.

$259 | Costa

 

Jackery Explorer 2000 Portable Power Station

Jackery’s Explorer line of portable power stations delivers electricity anywhere you need it. Each unit is an all-in-one system comprised of a lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide battery, AC inverter, and battery management system. The Explorer 2000 is their newest and largest-capacity unit, offering a 2,060 watt-hour capacity with an integrated 2,200-watt AC inverter. It has four 110-volt AC outlets, three USB ports, and one 12-volt 10-amp auxiliary outlet. Jackery claims that the Explorer 2000 can be charged from 0- to 80-percent capacity in as little as two hours via a built-in AC input adaptor. Additionally, a built-in MPPT charge controller allows the Explorer to be charged with solar panels for a simple and straightforward off-grid power solution.

$2,099 | Jackery

 

Gaia GPS: Topo Map Update

For those of you who utilize a smartphone for navigation on and off the pavement, Gaia GPS has just announced a map update for its flagship app, Gaia Topo. This includes the addition of 150,000 miles of national forest and 4×4 roads, trails, and also includes worldwide tree cover and relief shading. These additions have been combined with a complete redesign of the map’s overall style, making it easier to read.

Free – $36 | Gaia GPS

 

Sony G-Master 50mm f/1.2 E-mount Lens

One of the newest and fastest primes in the Sony G-Master lineup, the 50mm f/1.2 E-mount lens is here. The 50mm camera lens has been regarded by many as one of the most versatile prime lenses and a must-have focal length in the kit. It’s narrow enough to produce exceptional portraits but wide enough to incorporate multiple elements and tell a story. With a maximum aperture of f/1.2, Sony’s new nifty-fifty is super fast and an asset when shooting in low-light situations or when subject isolation and shallow depth of field are desired for creative results. It’s also relatively compact for a G-Master lens.

$2,000 | Sony

 

Tuffy Tailgate Locking MOLLE Storage Boxes

Combining versatility with security, Tuffy’s locking tailgate MOLLE box helps you to organize and store valuable equipment in the tailgate of your Wrangler JL or JLU. It is constructed from powder-coated 1/8-inch steel and features a 10-tumbler, double-bitted, weather-sealed lock. It can support up to 40 pounds (total) between gear fastened to the integrated MOLLE panel on the lid and whatever you choose to secure inside. Mounting hardware is included.

$279 | Tuffy Security Products

 

 

Are you looking for more gear? Check out our previous Overland News of the Week article here.

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Matt is a paragliding pilot and adventure seeker living in Boulder, Colorado. His love of the outdoors has driven him to explore remote destinations across North and South America in search of the most aesthetic peaks and beautiful flying sites. IG: @m.b.swartz