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Overland News of the Week

Meet the New KC Hilites Solar Charge Hub

overland news kc hilites

This compact, plug-and-play charging solution directs solar panel energy to 12- and 24-volt vehicle batteries for easy charging and maintenance. Requiring no permanent installation, the hub features magnetic feet for easy placement and Bluetooth connectivity for monitoring and updates. At the heart of the hub’s weather-sealed aluminum housing is a Victron MPPT unit; the exterior includes three ports that connect to your battery, solar panel, or 12-volt accessories.

$350 | kchilites.com

Thaw Introduces Heated Seat Cover for Cold Weather Comfort

overland news thaw heated seats

Suitable for vehicles without heated seats, UTVs, or camp chairs, Thaw’s portable heated seat cover features a folded design, one-button heat control, and adjustable anchor straps. A 10,000 milliampere-hour power bank and USB-A to USB-C charging cable are included to optimize all three heat modes with up to five hours of operation. Equipped with adjustable and removable nylon straps, the cover can be securely strapped in place no matter where you may be.

$80 | thaw.acgbrands.com

Leki’s New Mitts and Gloves are Like Sleeping Bags for Your Hands

Leki has introduced two new men’s gloves to its collection—the Griffin Thermo 3D and Griffin 3D, which offer extra warm and warm options, respectively. Both feature a 100 percent premium goatskin palm with a tacky silicone nash coating for optimal grip. Several women’s styles are also available, including the Glace 3D glove and mitt, which include waterproof construction and an extra-high-insulation-Primaloft lining. 

$140+ | lekiusa.com

Redarc Launches BCDC Alpha

overland news redarc bcdc alpha

Available in 25A and 50A models, the BCDC Alpha encompasses Redarc’s next generation of DC-DC chargers. The Alpha’s start battery recovery feature allows users to restore a flat start battery in as little as 15 minutes. It is compatible with all common automotive battery types, offering customizable input current limiting to protect vehicle alternators. Installation is via the Bluetooth-enabled RedVision app, allowing users to monitor battery charger status, temperature, and system performance. 

$640/BCDC Alpha 50A, $600/BCDC Alpha 25A | redarcelectronics.com

Redarc Introduces Weekend, Touring, and Expedition Ready Kits

In other overland news, Redarc has also revealed three overland power solution kits, each suiting differing needs. Designed for short, frequent trips, the Weekend Ready kit is a 12-volt mobile power system for accessories like lights, electric coolers, and mobile devices requiring around 100 ampere-hours of power. The Touring Ready kit is designed around 150 ampere-hours of lithium battery power and is suited to weeklong camping trips and remote work excursions. The Expedition Ready kit offers a 2,000-watt inverter to power everything from cooktops to coffee makers, tools, and electronics, and works for off-grid living, long-term expeditions, and remote work.

$4,951/Expedition Ready, $1,054/Touring Ready, $719/Weekend Ready | redarcelectronics.com

Aether’s Winter Collection Has Arrived

overland news aether winter collection

Aether’s winter collection covers the bases, from men’s and women’s insulated jackets to wind-resistant snow shells and merino sweaters. The Maverick jacket, for example, took two years to design and features Dermizax 3L Protect, a highly waterproof and breathable material from Japan, with added panels of ripstop fabric for weight reduction. The Maverick Snow-Shell pants are made with similar fabric and have water-repellent zippers and articulated knees. You’ll want to save up for these items, though, and expect them to last a lifetime.

$895/jacket, $595/pant | aetherapparel.com

Gerber Gear’s Fastballoween Knife is Spooky Stuff

overland news gerber gear

Like a ghostly apparition, Gerber Gear’s limited edition Fastballoween has returned with zombie laser marks on both sides and a 3-inch black oxide blade. Like Gerber’s best-selling Fastball, this edition features balls of stainless steel (B.O.S.S.) technology that leverages a ball-bearing system for seamless opening. An orange aluminum backspacer and intuitive finger-flipping opening offer quick and smooth deployment—perfect for pumpkin carving.

$140 | gerbergear.com

Black Diamond’s Circuit Mid Shoe Suits the Street or the Crag

overland news black diamond shoe

Inspired by the mountain climbing lifestyle, Black Diamond’s Circuit Mid can easily transition from the street to the summit. Featuring recycled material throughout, the Circuit Mid combines 100 percent recycled canvas with DWR treatment and a recycled rubber toe cap. The 100-gram insulation layer suits cooler weather activities, while the aggressive lug pattern provides extra traction on icy streets. 

$170 | blackdiamondequipment.com

Overland News: This Range Rugged Speaker Offers 360-degree Sound

Taking its shape from the mountains, the Range Rugged Bluetooth speaker is also built to endure, boasting an IPX7 waterproof rating and 360-degree surround sound with powerful bass. Designed for extended listening, the speaker allows up to eight hours of listening powered via a 4K milliampere-hour battery. Transitioning from indoors to outdoors? The dual-mode audio settings ensure clear sound optimization wherever you listen.

$225 | outdoortechnology.com

EGR Summit Series Fender Flares are Available Now

With a lower profile aesthetic that gives an additional inch of wheel coverage, EGR’s Summit Series fender flares are offered in a UV-protected matte black. Other key features include an easy no-drill installation (using factory mounting points) and tire coverage that protects against debris, dirt, and harsh elements. This product is available now for the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, Ford F-150 and Maverick, and the Nissan Frontier.

$341+ | egrusa.com

Stay Cozy with Helly Hansen’s Latest Winter Gear

overland news helly hansen winter jackets

No matter the use case, Helly Hansen likely has outerwear for it. Winter collections for 2024 include Outdoor, Lifestyle, Resort Ski, and Backcountry Ski, with plenty of options in each. The Urban Pro Helly Tech Down coat may resonate with winter overlanders as it features recycled down insulation and breathable, waterproof Helly Tech Performance technology, combining warmth with protection from snow and rain. I’ve reviewed something similar in an upcoming issue of Overland Journal, so stay tuned. Available in men’s and women’s styles.

$400 | hellyhansen.com

Jeep and The North Face Partner on New Avenger 4xe Edition

Embodying the brands’ shared values of adventure and exploration, the Jeep Avenger 4xe is inspired by the natural world, in particular, the towering Mont Blanc massif. The Jeep Avenger 4xe North Face Edition is equipped with a 48-volt hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive, representing an advancement in Jeep’s electrification journey while maintaining the brand’s commitment to performance. There will be 4,806 units of the Jeep Avenger available, the number reflecting the height of Mont Blanc. 

$341+ | egrusa.com

Overland News: Charge All the Things With Goal Zero’s Base Camp 4

overland news goal zero

Leave your tangle of smartphone cords at home. Goal Zero’s Base Camp 4 offers wireless charging for up to four devices simultaneously. With a compact folding design, the pad weighs 0.69 pounds and measures 16.5 x 3.2 x 0.4 inches, with the ability to charge one to four smartphones in one to three hours, as long as it is plugged into a 100-watt power source. The Base Camp 4 is also MagSafe compatible.

$113 | goalzero.com

Outdoor Research Launches New Transcendent Down Jacket

With a fully recycled 20-denier shell and liner fabric and 800-fill responsibly sourced down, the Transcendent Down hoodie and jacket bring back a fan favorite that’s praised for its packability, warmth, and versatility. This soft, lightweight, and compressible collection is OR’s most versatile down layer, equally at home for technical, travel, or casual use. Crafted with a Bluesign-approved, 100 percent recycled nylon 20-denier shell and lining, the Transcendent hoodie and jacket offer lightweight water and wind-resistant protection. 

$380/hoodie, $350/jacket | outdoorresearch.com

Stellar Equipment’s Stellar System is Built for the Mountains

Founded in 2015 in Åre, Sweden, Stellar Equipment was launched by a crew of passionate skiers. Stellar Equipment calls its Stellar System an “eco-system of technical layering products crafted for on-mountain activities.” From skiing to backcountry adventures, the Stellar 2.0 jacket and shell pants pair with an ultralight down hood and pants, parka, or down jacket protect against harsh winter environments. All items are ultralight and are available in men’s and women’s styles. 

Prices vary | stellarequipment.com

Our No Compromise Clause: We do not accept advertorial content or allow advertising to influence our coverage, and our contributors are guaranteed editorial independence. Overland International may earn a small commission from affiliate links included in this article. We appreciate your support.

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Ashley Giordano completed a 48,800-kilometer overland journey from Canada to Argentina with her husband, Richard, in their well-loved but antiquated Toyota pickup. On the zig-zag route south, she hiked craggy peaks in the Andes, discovered diverse cultures in 15 different countries, and filled her tummy with spicy ceviche, Baja fish tacos, and Argentinian Malbec. As Senior Editor at Overland Journal, you can usually find Ashley buried in a pile of travel books, poring over maps, or writing about the unsung women of overlanding history. @desktoglory_ash