The silence of the Alvord Desert is all-consuming. The column of quiet that descends on the dry lakebed in the evenings reaches through you. Sounds that would be swallowed by the regular cacophony of a workaday wilderness are amplified, like they’ve been plugged into a Marshall stack—the rumble of a pickup truck on the county road a dozen miles away,…

The Mission Overland Summit Adventure Trailer is designed to offer a safe, accessible, and comfortable living space for adventurers seeking an out-of-the-ordinary outdoor experience. Its robust construction features insulated aluminum frames and reliable power and water systems, ensuring long-term support in remote locations. The Summit’s compatibility with various vehicles, from lightweight SUVs to larger trucks, makes it a versatile option…

Who hasn’t dreamed of traversing the Pan-American Highway on an epic overland journey? I certainly have, and last year, that dream became a reality when a group of avid adventurers decided it was time to tackle one of the world’s longest road networks. The Backstory: From Dream to Reality In 2022, Max and Joel, the founders of Global Convoy, and…

Okay, let’s be honest. Just because I’ve been driving four-wheel drive vehicles for 50 years and just because I’ve covered most of the major four-wheel-drive events in the United States (including numerous trips over the Rubicon Trail, the Jeepers Jamboree, All 4-Fun, Sierra Trek, and Moab’s Easter Jeep Safari), I am not a “four-wheeler.” Getting stuck and digging or winching…

The Tacoma remains the mid-size truck to beat and is undoubtedly the most coveted pickup within the overlanding community. This sentiment was reflected in the immense anticipation, speculation, and excitement surrounding the release of the latest Fourth-Gen Tacoma back in May 2023. Despite the announcement, Toyota sold 234,768 third-gens (the best-selling model to date) in 2023, which is a testament…

Photography by Kevin Merrey and Mark Game It was 70 days into Reza Pakravan’s bicycle expedition from Norway to South Africa before he cracked. His body weak with a recent bout of malaria and severe food poisoning, Reza and his expedition partner, Steven Pawley, slogged through the Kenyan desert in 40°C temperatures, out of water and, eventually, out of stamina….

Overland Journal Podcast Episode 197 Scott Brady interviews Clay Croft at the 2024 Overland Expo West, discussing his most recent adventure in Africa and travel with his family and team. They also discuss the importance of doing hard things and being gentle with ourselves in pursuing our goals. The conversation also delves into the security mindset and the announcement of…

Over the years companies like Sportsmobile have fine-tuned their E-Series 4WD conversions and can subsequently transform this iconic 2WD commercial vehicle into a bonified overland rig. So, what makes this platform such a desirable choice for travel? First and foremost, you simply can’t beat a live-in vehicle for extended trips away and the E-350 provides generous 4-season interior comfort. It’s…

Photography by Richard Giordano, Eglė Gerulaitytė, and Lila Shaw There’s a kid driving a Corolla at 120 kph, waving a note at me with the words “I love you” scrawled across the paper. Normally, I would be flattered at this declaration of affection, but the teen’s foot is jammed to the floor, sending his beat-up car screaming beside us on…

Good times—at least of the sort we’re after—come with a downside. The hard truth behind adventure is that you can’t safely peace out beyond the confines of cell service with nothing but a sandwich in one hand and your car keys in the other. For those of us desperate for even a brief escape from technological and material overload, that’s…

Opinel Releases New Grilling Set Fabricated in France, this grill set includes a stainless steel folding knife, a spatula insert, and extra-large tongs with a stonewashed finish. The No. 12B folding knife features a beechwood handle from sustainably managed French forests and is equipped with a bottle opener at the end, while the spatula is designed to be inserted into…

Join us for episode five of our educational series on Tires for Overlanding, where we review selecting various tires, driving and recovery, vehicle preparation, Tread Lightly, and more. For this fifth episode, we discuss the fundamentals of overlanding recovery techniques, including using traction boards, a vehicle-mounted winch, and conducting a vehicle-to-vehicle recovery using a kinetic strap. Presented by Hankook Dynapro Tire…

In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles the multi-generational Denmark-based storage company AluBox. She connected with Søren Wiberg to learn more about AluBox’s origins, its involvement in field expeditions, and how consumer preferences have changed since the company’s inception in 1999. Cover photo courtesy of Clay Croft, Expeditions 7…

Our recent, meticulously cataloged soft and hard shell rooftop tent buyers guides were a massive hit as we compiled a list of the premier rooftop tents available on the market today while highlighting those we felt deserved special mention. We would be remiss if we did not now turn our attention to camper toppers, but before we dig deep into…

I’m obsessed with overland vehicles; it’s a problem. Fortunately, as part of my role, I spend a significant amount of time on the Expedition Portal forum scratching the itch by checking out the latest rigs posted for sale and speaking with members. In my free time, I spend hours reading build threads, watching overland projects on YouTube, working on my…

Overland Journal Podcast Episode 193 Host Scott Brady returns with Overland Journal Archaeology Senior Editor Bryon Bass to wrap up the African leg of Scott’s journey with the Ineos Grenadier across Africa. In this episode, they cover all the harrowing details of getting stuck at the border for three days between Ethiopia and Djibouti, the smallest and one of the…

Feature Image Courtesy of The Journal of Lost Time AMERICAN NORTHWEST Northwest Overland Rally When: June 20-23, 2024 Where: Leavenworth, Washington The Northwest Overland Rally caters to keeners curious about anything from winching to photography, off-pavement driving skills, or seasoning your cast-iron pot. Join a wine-tasting, whiskey-sharing, or happy hour session before the evening’s lively campfire presentation and raffle. The…

Something changed inside of us when we had our first kid. In hindsight, they were those typical feelings that come with becoming new parents. Excitement, trepidation, fear, joy, hope,  and every other emotion you knew was there but didn’t know could arrive all at once. People said after having a baby we are going to need a bigger home with…

Images: Finn Joseph, Jason Spafford, and Joel Paez Venturing into the heart of Death Valley’s Panamint Springs, the beginner-friendly Noobs Rally from March 20 to 24 welcomed a diverse crowd of dual-sport, dirt-riding, and adventure enthusiasts for fun-forging camaraderie and skill-building. Hosted annually by Joel Paez (NSFW), the community gathering marked its 17th year in “denoobing less experienced riders.” While the Rally…

I have a lot of respect for off-the-shelf overland rigs and campers and they certainly have their benefits. However, it’s the self-builds, one-of-ones, that really get me excited. These vehicles are as unique as their owners and are oftentimes the culmination of years of blood, sweat, tears, and an obscene amount of money. Cue today’s 2000 Ford F-250, showcasing a…