Photography by Leander Nardin Looking back on a decade of full-time, vehicle-based travel, my most beloved nights camping in the United States have taken place beneath a forest canopy. With limited exceptions, public forest land is open for overland exploration. National forests contain maintained trail networks, established campgrounds, and vast dispersed camping opportunities. Access to…
Renogy 12.8V Super Slim Solid State Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery :: Field Tested
Lithium batteries are evolving rapidly, resulting in tumbling prices and new products every few months. At the forefront of consumer lithium batteries for over a decade, Renogy continues to iterate on well-proven solutions, pushing the envelope of what is possible. Its latest super-slim solid-state battery provides 104 amp-hours of energy in a tough metal enclosure…
Featherweight Gifts for Your Over-GVWR Champion
Groaning springs, nose in the air, the struggle to the top of the next hill, always bringing up the rear, thirsty at the pump—we all know that traveler in our lives who could use some gear that lightens the load. Whether on two wheels or four, reducing avoirdupois reaps many benefits, not least safety. As a vehicle’s mass…
Exploring History and Adventure with Susan Dragoo
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Scott Brady interviews historian and Overland Journal contributor Susan Dragoo. The conversation explores Susan’s passion for history, overlanding, and hiking. They discuss her recent book publishing and research on the historic Butterfield Trail, a challenging stagecoach route. Susan shares fascinating discoveries and highlights the importance of…
10 Holiday Gifts for the Overlander Who Has it All
Photo by Richard Giordano We often assume that someone who “has it all” owns every desirable item—whether toys, vehicles, accessories, or other overland gear and gadgets. But as the holiday season approaches, it may be worth widening that definition. Some overlanders have everything they need and want nothing more; others “have it all” simply because…
Desk To Glory on Traveling the Silk Road
In this Overland Journal Podcast episode, hosts Scott Brady and Ashley Giordano discuss Ashley’s Silk Road journey through Central Asia. Ashley shares stories with her husband, Richard, about their route planning, lessons learned, and the adventure of traveling through Turkey, Georgia, and Uzbekistan, including the Pamir Highway and Wakhan Corridor. They cover the regions’ cultural…
Building Your Adventure: Goose Gear’s Journey from Ideas to Interiors
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Matt Scott sits down with Brian Fulton from Goose Gear. They dive deep into converting vehicle interiors into livable spaces, discussing various types of setups for different vehicles. Brian talks about his latest project with the Grenadier, sharing insights and lessons learned along the way. They…
The Best-Laid Plans: Overlanders Share Their Trip-Planning Tips
Cover photo by Chris Cordes In 1997, Russell Harris and Shaun Fenton embarked on a random journey guided only by a pair of green dice. The Diceman series aired on British cable television until 2002, and by then, Harris and Fenton had traveled 18,000 miles from Iceland to Poland, the USA, Greenland, and Germany, rolling…
Embracing Remote Adventures: Life in a Sprinter Van with Kathy and Peter Holcombe
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, Matt Scott hosts Peter and Kathy Holcombe from FamaGogo, exploring their 11-year, full-time travel journey. From their early days in a Honda Civic to their current adventures in a Sprinter van, the Holcombes share their experiences traversing the Pan-American Highway, kayaking in Ecuador, facing vehicle breakdowns in…
Transglobal Car Expedition: The First Wheeled Surface Navigation of the Earth Through Both Geographic Poles
Photography by Max Badulin Their mornings start no different than ours—with a hot cup of coffee. Once the dregs are drained, though, their days differ wildly. Drinking water is from snow melt, the sun never drops below the horizon, and daytime hours are spent checking ice thickness and hacking ice hummocks with long, sharp spears,…
Roam Overlanding Launches 7-part Africa Overland Series
Following Bound for Nowhere’s 5-part video series, the “Applied Theory of International Overlanding,” Expedition Portal and Overland Journal’s next XOverland-produced series sees South African filmmaker Adrian Abrahams undertake an unforgettable journey spanning 40,000 kilometers across Southern Africa and beyond. Now available on the Expedition Portal YouTube channel, “Reasons to Roam” follows Adrian as he embarks…
Overlanding with Purpose: Remote Journeys with TrailRecon
Join Matt Scott and Scott Brady on the Overland Journal Podcast as they sit down with Brad Kowitz from TrailRecon. They discuss his remarkable career transition from the US Navy to creating noteworthy content in the technical four-wheel-drive world. Delve into topics such as expedition planning, vehicle builds, medical preparedness in remote travel, and the…
Gon Dirtin’ Debuts “Gon Cookin’,” a 6-Part Food and Travel Series
For many, the most enjoyable moments of an overland trip include learning about cultural practices, visiting new places, and tasting regional food specialties. But what if, after returning home, there was a way to campify the dishes you enjoyed so much during your travels? Following the XOverland-produced series by Bound for Nowhere and Roam Overlanding,…
Where is the World’s 2003 Land Rover Defender 110: Feature Vehicle
The idea of driving around the world as a family was one that completely consumed us once it took hold. We love exploring the world together, and some of our favorite experiences were when we had a rental vehicle. It was a liberating feeling, the freedom to explore where we wanted, when we wanted. My…
Yak Overland :: Exploring the World in a Land Rover Defender
Join Scott Brady and Matt Scott as they talk to David and Ellie, the adventurous couple behind Yak Overland, on this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast. Discover the incredible stories from their journeys through Central Asia and the Pan-American Highway in their trusty 1997 Land Rover Defender 110. They share their experiences at overlanding…
All in Good Time: Rugged Field Watches to Keep You on Schedule and in Style
A watch is an indispensable tool when traveling or venturing into the wilderness, and today’s market is filled with quality options, reflecting a variety of designs, features, and price points to appeal to a range of interests. The criteria for inclusion in this review were simplicity, ruggedness, and functionality. Most models have a commando motif…
Are New or Old Overland Vehicles Better for Travel?
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Scott Brady sits down with overlanding experts Dan Grec, theroadchoseme, and Graeme Bell to discuss whether new or old vehicles are better for long-distance travel. They explore the reliability, safety, and financial aspects of each option while sharing personal experiences from their extraordinary journeys. The episode…
GOSO Cookware Gourmet Two-pan Set :: Field Tested
Built of carbon steel in Wisconsin, Brent Firkser’s Kickstarter-funded GOSO frying pans can take a beating, work on all cooktop types (from induction to campfire), are non-toxic, and are lighter than cast iron. At 2.6 pounds, the 10-inch pan weighs the same as the stainless steel home kitchen pan it replaces. The two-pan set comes…
Off-Road Inspiration and New Skills with Micah Weber from Overlandunderbudget
Join host Matt Scott and guest host Jillian Rebekah on the Overland Journal Podcast as they dive into an insightful conversation with Micah from OverlandUnderBudget. In this episode, Micah shares his passion for inspiring people to explore the outdoors affordably. Learn about his adventures at a recent event, where he introduced newcomers to welding through…
Exploring the Wilderness: An Interview with Tony Crooke from GME
Join Scott Brady in this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast as he chats with Tony Crooke, a legend in the Australian overland community and the marketing manager for GME. They discuss Tony’s passion for the outdoors, bushwalking, and the importance of nature in everyday life. The conversation spans various topics, including the Australian landscape,…