The Midwest is probably not the first place you would think to search for a campervan upfitter, but maybe it should be. New Wave Vans, located in Madison, Wisconsin, was founded by Pete Thulie and Brandon Lord. Together, they pair sweet Midwestern demeanor with high-quality craftsmanship to build “nice vans for nice people”. Pete and Brandon have been traveling for…

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2022 Issue. When it comes to running shoes, I’ve found considerable success and comfort with modern zero-drop designs. Because of that, I was a little hesitant to swap out my trusted trail runners for the Salewa Dropline, a neon-green trail option that looks like it was sent to me straight…

Back in January 2022 we informed you that the Mojave Road has a new champion. Billy Creech has worked tirelessly and has organised an event which is packed with adventure, education and opportunity. The Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association (501c3 non-profit, a portion of the ticket sales go to MDHCA ) and OLAF Events are partnering to present a…

Show Notes for Podcast #85 Best Ground tents for Overlanding Summary: Matt Swartz and Scott Brady discuss the pros and cons of ground tents, and review 10 of the best models. Host Bios: Matt Swartz My name is Matt Swartz and I owe my love of the outdoors to my Grandfather, a PHD Ecologist, and photographer who was years ahead…

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2021 Issue. It’s common wisdom in overlanding circles that older vehicles are the smart choice for exploring remote and seldom-visited corners of the globe. Because they were built without computers, function perfectly fine without the need of fancy gizmos, and are made with virtually no plastic, it’s widely believed…

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2021 Issue. Chris Burkard is best known for his work as an adventure photographer. But in more recent years, he’s built a warranted reputation as an ultra-endurance athlete. In the summer of 2019, he set a new solo record on Iceland’s WOW Cyclothon, completing the 844-mile distance in 52…

  Show Notes for Podcast #84  John Pangilinan Shares Insights on Content Creation and Sponsorships Summary: Scott Brady interviews John Pangilinan about his work with content creators around the globe, and the challenges of being a good sponsored creative. John shares insights on his time with Formula Drift, Toyo Tires, and Pelican, along with his recent build of a 2022…

What began as an adventure travel documentary project morphed into something more powerful for Robbie, Josh, Jasper, and Ivo of Tuk South. These young British gents are driving 6,000 kilometers from Kenya to Cape Town, using their platform and video production skills to raise funds for African wildlife rangers.  Driving a couple of 8-horsepower tuk-tuks, the group’s story ignites a…

Show Notes for Podcast #83 Mario Donovan on Building Expedition Vehicles and the Joys of International Cuisine Summary:  Matt Scott and Scott Brady interview Mario Donovan of AT Overland about the challenges of building light and durable expedition vehicles, along with the joys of surviving tanks in Ethiopia and eating with our hands. Guest Bio:  Mario Donovan was born and…

This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Fall 2021 Issue. Editor’s Note: We noted several practices shown in Johan’s images that vary from how we would demonstrate winching in the field. This includes ensuring that each winch line is dampened with a sail. However, none of the images demonstrate improper use or practices, just a slightly different (and genuinely practical)…

Lindsey Kszos was sitting in the Philadelphia airport, celebrating the sale of her Airstream and half-ton GMC with a glass of wine and a lobster roll, when she received an unexpected call. Months earlier, Lindsey found a build thread on Expedition Portal congratulating “Kevin,” the first owner of a 2016 Overland Explorer Vehicles (OEV) X10 camper prototype. “I messaged this…

“First is forever,” reverberated through the air on the night the Expeditions 7 team celebrated becoming the first to drive a 4×4 vehicle on all seven continents. The moment Expedition Leader Scott Brady congratulated his team, those in attendance simultaneously played a personal reel, mental images flashing in quick succession: narrowly avoiding jail in Russia; enduring mucky recovery efforts in…

Show notes for podcast 82 Marcel and Chiara of Overland Vagabond Summary In this podcast from the field, Ashley Giordano interviews Swiss overlanders Marcel and Chiara of Overland Vagabond. Currently in Saudi Arabia, the couple has traveled from Switzerland to Iran, along the Silk Road to Singapore, and through Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, and the Arabian Peninsula in their 2016 Ford…

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Fall 2021 Issue. Riding to the end of the world, aka Ushuaia, was never our original plan. We did not ride the Dalton Highway to the tip of Alaska. Hence, the popular route from the northernmost point to the southernmost point of the Americas was something that we had already missed…

  Show Notes for Podcast #81  Nena Barlow talks essential skills for backcountry overlanding Summary: Matt Scott and Scott Brady interview Nena Barlow about her favorite Jeeps, her competitive success with the Rebelle Rally, and the essential skills for exploring the backcountry. Guest Bio:  Nena Barlow Owner Nena Barlow grew up in the Southwest, exploring the back roads by Jeep,…

My connection with Elisabeth Schwarz came as a result of a wardrobe crisis. A trip to Saudi Arabia was imminent, and I had no idea what to wear. Headscarf? No headscarf? What kind of loose clothing? How loose? I jumped into the Overland Middle East Facebook group and started typing, hoping for an answer. Several days went by before a…

The Volkswagen T3 Syncro (or Vanagon Syncro) is widely regarded as the ultimate overland rig. Characterized by insane power and torque and Rolls-Royce-esque refinement, the T3 Syncro is impervious to rust, offers unmatched all-terrain capability, a bulletproof engine, gearbox, and drive train, can achieve upwards of 55 mpg, and is conservatively 10 times more reliable than a Toyota Land Cruiser….

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2021 Issue. Bell-bottoms and platform shoes are en vogue. Bee Gees’ disco hits top the music charts while Grease is the must-see film of the summer. Stephen King publishes The Stand, Cold War tensions will continue for another 13 years, and the Berlin Wall will remain in one piece…

  Summary: Matt and Scott discuss the importance of innovation and engineering in the development of aftermarket components, along with Dave’s story of transitioning from white water kayaker to industry leader.   Guest Bio:  Dave Harriton’s career began with four AAA tows and UM’s business plan competition. Now he owns the largest and most respected Jeep accessory company in the…

Photo courtesy of The Referee & Cycle Trade Journal, v. 15 May-Oct. 1895 via the Smithsonian Archives Between the busy streets of Broadway and Binney in Cambridge, Massachusetts, lies a tree-lined path nestled aside red-brick buildings of Harvard University. A sign at the Broadway Street entrance dedicates the paved walkway to Kittie Knox, “…an African American bicyclist and activist who…