Overland News of the Week

Voormi Men’s Base Layer Bottoms

If you appreciate the qualities of merino wool – antimicrobial, biodegradable, warm-when-wet – then Colorado/Montana-based outerwear manufacturer Voormi should be on your radar. I recently had the opportunity to test one of their base layers and I was amazed at how well the natural fibers managed body odor, even after five+ days of wear without washing.

Their full-length merino wool bottoms are constructed from a “dual surface” wool blend that provides an excellent balance of warmth, breathability, versatility, durability, and comfort. If you need a base layer for cold-weather endeavors like skiing, hiking, or winter travel, these are definitely worth checking out.

$119 | Voormi.com

 

Magpul Daka Volume Pouches

Magpul’s size large Daka volume pouch offers six liters of self-standing water-resistant storage for your small and medium-sized belongings. RF-welded water-resistant zippers and a reinforced textured polymer fabric make the Daka series of storage pouches lightweight and durable. When not in use, the Daka can be rolled up for storage, taking up a fraction of the space that it offers. A 550 paracord zipper pull with heat-shrink tubing and a carabiner loop rounds out this all-purpose bag.

$35 | Magpul.com

 

Voile Straps

Utilized by backcountry skiers, bikepackers, and other outdoors enthusiasts, Voile (pronounced vò-lay) straps are an incredibly versatile solution for lashing items to racks and can readily replace duct tape, bungee cords, or nylon straps for a wide range of uses. They are made from UV-resistant polyurethane with a hardened aluminum buckle and come in a variety of lengths and colors. I keep a couple in our rig at all times, and if you do the same, I guarantee that you will find uses for them.

$6+ | Voile.com

 

Moonshade

The Moonshade is an affordable, compact, and lightweight vehicle awning that can be easily connected to just about any vehicle. Similarly sized to a yoga mat and weighing just 8 pounds, this awning is easily stored inside your vehicle until you arrive at camp and set it up. Once deployed, the Moonshade provides a nine-foot-by-seven-foot retreat from the sun.

Primarily designed for sun protection, the Moonshade can be guyed out for extra stability, but because it is a bit lighter than others, it would be wise to stow it if storms are expected. Moon Fabrication offers a variety of adhesive, magnetic, suction, or track-based mounting options to suit your individual situation. *We will be testing the Moonshade and offering a more comprehensive review in 2022.

$325+ | Moonshade.com

 

Benchmade Cutlery Knife Roll

If you purchased one of Benchmade’s new cutlery sets that we featured in our $100+ 2021 holiday gift guide, here’s the perfect solution for storing your sharp new cutting implements while traveling. The cutlery knife roll is made from waxed canvas, features a built-in blade sheath, five sleeves for various knives, and a full-length zippered pocket.

$165 | Benchmade.com

 

Redarc Go Block

Because adding electrical infrastructure to your vehicle can be such a daunting project, we’re really glad to see so many options for all-in-one plug-and-play battery systems. We recently published an in-depth test and review of leading all-in-one systems in Overland Journal, but the Go Block from Redarc is new since the publishing of that article.

The Go Block is a 100 amp-hour all-in-one lithium-iron-phosphate dual-battery system in a rugged aluminum housing. It features an AC charger, 50-amp DC-to-DC charger, 50-amp MPPT solar regulator, integrated battery management system, battery monitoring (with Redvision), starter battery recovery capability, and charging outlets for 12-volt, Anderson, and USB. A 50-amp power dock will eventually be available to allow for a semi-hard-wired integration with your vehicle. *The Go Block is currently only available in Australia.

$2,945 (AUD) | Redarc.com.au

 

Pelican Civilian Woobie Blanket

Grab a Pelican Outdoors Civilian Woobie Blanket to help you stay warm on cool evenings in the backcountry. Its ripstop nylon outer shell material is stuffed with 600 fill-power duck down and it has an integrated storage pouch to make stowing it quick and easy. This packable blanket can be used as a comforter, to add some extra warmth to a sleeping bag, or it can be worn like a poncho utilizing the integrated snaps.

$180 | Pelicanoutdoor.com

 

Cascadia 4×4 VSS System (Vehicle-specific Hood-mounted Solar Panels)

If you want a little extra boost for your vehicle’s starter or secondary battery, these vehicle-specific flexible hood-mounted solar panels from Cascadia 4×4 will help you harness the power of the sun. These panels range in wattage from 30- to 135-watts and can be easily installed. Pair the VSS System with one of Cascadia’s optional smart MPPT charge controllers for a very simple plug-and-play experience that only requires 1.5 hours for installation.

$219+ | Cascadia4x4.com

 

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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