Born Outdoor Badger Bed 25
Kicking off this week’s overland news is Born Outdoor. The company is now supplying a narrower version of its original Badger Bed 30. Expedition Portal’s Garrett Mead reviewed the latter and concluded: “I could not find a single thing to dislike about this bed system.” High praise, indeed. So, what exactly is it? “The Badger Bed is a four-season modular sleep system” that reimagines the classic bedroll. The latest model carries forward the features of the original within a smaller more portable footprint at 25 inches wide. This is significant as it ensures users can fit two Badger Bed 25s alongside one and the other in most rooftop tents or truck beds.
$390 | bornoutdoor.com
Roam Adventure Desperado Hardshell Rooftop Tent
There are a seemingly infinite amount of rooftop tents on the market so why buy the Desperado? First and foremost, it’s quick to pitch “and can be done in under 30 seconds,” which will reduce fatigue on a long trip. Once inside you’ll enjoy a 2.75-inch high-density foam mattress and have plenty of storage for your personal items in the included overhead organization panel. Other notable features are the interior LED light, boot bags, window and door awnings, and an articulating hinge for increased foot space. Finally, the Desperado incorporates load bars that are perfect for securing a roof box or outdoor gear.
$3,499 | roamadventureco.com
Danner Showcases New Recraftable 917 Series
Just a few generations ago our grandparents repaired or repurposed many of the items that today we throw away at the first signs of wear. I therefore commend Danner for introducing their new Recraftable 917 Series which has been engineered with the “ability to repair and recondition.” The lineup includes the Logger Moc 917 GTX and the Tramline Chelsea 917 GTX: multi-purpose boots with waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex liners, Vibram SPE midsoles, and Vibram 917 outsoles. Crucially, these can be serviced and repaired through Danner’s Recrafting Program, which makes them a sound investment for both the environment and your wallet.
Bookman Volume High-Performance Bike Lights
Winter is here which means many of us are spending more time cycling in the dark. Being seen is crucial and with this in mind, award-winning Swedish company Bookman has introduced their Volume front light, available in both an 800- and 1500-lumen variant. It sets itself apart using an intuitive Power Wheel that allows for seamless brightness adjustment on the move. It also enjoys a 2-year warranty and provides a max runtime of over 30 hours. Finally, there are multiple fitment options as it includes a Garmin-compatible mount, handlebar attachment, and a Go-Pro adapter.
€105-158 | bookmanvisibility.com
Suweeka Racks Bike Lifter Rack
I’ve owned a bunch of bike racks for my vehicles but many leave a lot to be desired. Suweeka Racks recently introduced their Bike Lifter Rack, which makes loading and unloading bikes seamless thanks to a lowering mechanism activated by a hand crank or power drill. Simply roll your bike onto the rack from the floor and then adjust to your desired height. Another notable feature is the Quick Connect hanger, which allows the Lifter rack to be attached or detached with a single lever. This in turn enables the user to switch out the bike tray component effortlessly and replace it with another Suweeka cargo solution.
$tbc | suweeka.com
Rugged Routes Unveils the Arizona Strip Lowrance GPS Map
Rugged Routes (the Lowrance off-road GPS mapping company) has been documenting trails for a decade and has now launched the Arizona Strip Lowrance GPS Map. The company’s maps are offline, subscription-free, provide high-resolution satellite imagery, and detail a large selection of points of interest. The latest update enjoys “thousands of miles of the Arizona Strip BLM management area on your way to some of the best overlooks in the Grand Canyon.” This is an exciting opportunity to explore some of the most remote areas in the US with confidence. Please note these maps are exclusively designed for Lowrance GPS devices.
$100 | ruggedroutes.com
SENA R2X Helmet
If you’re a cyclist, you’ll no doubt be familiar with the struggles of hearing your riding buddy in inclement weather or when riding in single file. SENA recognized this issue and are best known for producing helmets with built-in intercoms. However, the company has taken things one step further with the R2X, the “first smart helmet with the convenience of Amazon Alexa built in.” The mesh intercom still retains the ability to converse with riding buddies but when the conversation loses steam the built-in speakers and microphone allow you to communicate with Alexa instead. Other noteworthy inclusions are the integrated taillight and Bluetooth connectivity.
$229 | sena.com
Touratech Unveils Product Range for BMW R 1300 GS
Touratech was founded in the 1990s by two adventure riders who used their overlanding experience to create a product range that solved real-world problems facing riders (which has since become the “largest product range in the industry”). The brand recently showcased a new suite of accessories for the hotly anticipated BMW R 1300 GS. This includes the Expedition Skid Plate, Crash Bars, Pannier Racks, Headlight Guard, Folding Mirrors, Tank Bag, and Zega EVO and Pro Pannier systems. Each item is designed to enhance the riding experience and provide additional protection and comfort for those seeking the road less travelled.
touratech-usa.com
Apidura Racing Frame Pack
Oftentimes less is more; whether you’re overlanding or bikepacking, streamlining your setup and saving weight makes sense. With this in mind, Apidura has introduced the Racing Frame Pack, which is the company’s smallest race-orientated frame bag. The bag provides a 1-liter capacity, protected cable routing, internal lash tabs, and a built-in thermoset structure to improve stiffness. Further still, at just 5 centimeters wide there’s also no risk of knee rub on bicycles with smaller tube profiles. This is a great addition to a bikepacking or racing setup or as a permanent addition to any bicycle for everyday carry items or snacks.
$64 | apidura.com
Alu-Cab New Suzuki Jimny Accessories
It’s no secret that the ExPo team loves the Suzuki Jimny for overlanding. It’s an offordable 4WD that offers legendary dependability and capability in a bitesize package (read Tom Sheppard’s review here). The aftermarket has increasingly stepped up with a wide array of parts and accessories to uprate this platform for adventure. With this in mind, Alu-Cab has unveiled its Jimny range which includes an In-cabin Cargo Rack, Exterior and Interior MOLLE Plate, Bonnet Light Brackets, Jerry Can Mount, Drop Down Table, and more. These products combined with the company’s existing compatible LT-50 Lightweight Rooftop Tent has made Alu-Cab a one-stop-shop for transforming your Jimny into a compact round-the-world travel companion.
alu-cab.com
Ironman 4×4, 2022+ Toyota Tundra Foam Cell Pro 2.5-inch Suspension Lift Kit
There’s an overwhelming number of suspension kits available for the Tundra so it makes sense to invest in a setup you can trust. Ironman’s Foam Cell Pro suspension has a long-standing reputation for excellence and it’s now being offered for the 2022+ Toyota Tundra. The shocks are rebuildable, incorporate a 2.8-inch twin tube body, flexible rubber bushings, fusion-welded mounts, vehicle-specific valving, provide extended travel, and incorporate an impact-resistant stone shield. The coils increase ground clearance and are CNC cold wound and bar peeled for ultimate reliability. Technicalities aside, this is a competitively priced fit-and-forget solution that will significantly elevate your Tundra’s backcountry performance.
$2,049 | ironman4x4america.com
Casio G-Shock Announces Mudmaster Flagship Timepiece
G-shock is clearly targeting the outdoors and overlanding community with their aptly named Mudmaster watch. It may sound like a death metal band from Sweden, but, in fact, it’s a sophisticated timepiece utilizing high-end materials such as forged stainless steel, carbon fiber-reinforced resin, and a diamond-like-carbon DLC coating. It’s also packed with tech and features a countdown timer, an auto LED light, a stopwatch, World Time, and a Bluetooth smartphone Link. It’s also water resistant to 200 meters and solar powered. If you’re looking for a super tough watch with analog charm and subtle smart features, then the Mudmaster is for you.
$800 | casio.com
BioLite, AlpenGlow Mini
I’ve owned various BioLite products and have been consistently impressed with the quality, features, and price point. The company has always been at the forefront of outdoor technology and its AlpenGlow is no exception. It may weigh just 98 grams but it’s packed with features; including ChromaReal LEDs (providing warm accurate lighting), 4 lighting modes, and an integrated bungee cord for seamless attachment to tent poles, branches, hooks, and more. In addition, it has been 1-meter drop tested and benefits from an IPX4 weather resistance rating. Whether you require a pocketable light for outdoor pursuits or something to set the mood in the camper look no further.
$40 | bioliteenergy.com
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