Some of you will know that I ordinarily live (pre-Covid) full-time in my 1986 Volkswagen T3 Syncro and thus have a soft spot for this iconic classic. I follow hundreds of 2WD Vanagons and Syncros online and frequently contribute to the various Volkswagen forums. There are simply thousands of incredible rigs out there, as diverse and unique as the owners…

These days the Land Rover Defender is best known for navigating London’s W1 postcode, but that wasn’t always the case. I remember a time when the Defender was the vehicle of choice for hardcore expeditions, and none were more iconic than the those featured in the Camel Trophy. These events pitted the Defender against some of the toughest environments on…

Photography by Jason Spafford I’ve always been fond of Scotland, our near-faraway neighbour, famed for its white-painted dollhouses nestled in the hillside, among red deer grazing in a lush green glen. There are likely more sheep than people, chewing the cud on the rush pasture amid bright bursts of yellow gorse bushes. There’s often a solitary distant spire framed by…

“Comes with buttons, levers, and switches. Remember those?” Ugh, music to my ears. The era of overland vehicles synonymous with simplicity, minimal electrics, and wipe-clean interiors is over. Or is it? Dun, dun, dunn. The Ineos Grenadier might just be the most interesting and refreshing approach to vehicle manufacturing we’ve seen in a long time. Firstly, we all have to…

Inside the world’s largest country, you’ll find elderly ladies baking bread in wooden houses with painted window frames; large, prosperous cities and honking horns; children riding bicycles on gravel roads, and some of the most industrious, approachable people on the planet. Russia scares many travelers. Bad things happen there, just like bad things happen in your own country, where you…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #52 Interviewing Hourless Life on overlanding around the globe as a family Summary: Scott Brady interviews Brittany and Eric Highland about the joys of traveling for years as a family, including giving birth to their son while on the road. They discuss migrating from an RV to a Jeep Wrangler, and ultimately deciding on…

As a teenager in New Delhi, Amarjeet Singh longed to roam free and travel the world. He dreamt of meeting people and sharing ideas, food, and culture. But when Singh told his father of his plans, his father became upset. “This is not the time for you to travel,” his father said. “This is the time for you to settle…

I was camping in eastern Washington a month ago. We had a gorgeous spot right on a river and plenty of space for three vehicles and six dirt bikes. On arrival, I jumped out of the truck and headed into some trees to relieve my water-filled bladder. Walking a few feet away from camp, I was disgusted to find a…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #51 Interviewing Paul May, Land Cruiser Owner and Overland OG Summary: Matt Scott and Scott Brady interview longtime overland OG Paul May. Paul has been working in the overland market for two decades, and has assembled deep insights into travel and vehicle preparation. His vehicles have included a 40, 60, 100, and 200. This…

For years I’ve been going on adventures where someone else other than myself has provided the route that the group will be using. Rarely have I ever been the one to plan a route as it’s not been a strength of mine and I was happy to pass on that responsibility. When it comes to adventures, we all have a…

While a pickup truck may be an inanimate object, there is no denying the emotional human-like connection that can develop between owner and vehicle. And that’s exactly the case with Eric’s 2001 adventure-ready Toyota Tacoma. I remember the first time we talked about it on the phone, and despite his understanding that it was time to find a bigger more…

As I write this, we’re in the middle of a heatwave in the Pacific Northwest. Temperatures last week got to over 100°F (38°C). When I didn’t want to cook and phoned a local brewery to get take-out, they were closed because it was 130°F (54°C) in the kitchen, and the staff was feeling sick. Air-conditioning isn’t common in the PNW;…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #50 What is the best Overland Expedition Camper? Summary: Matt Scott and Scott Brady discuss the best integrated expedition campers for the North American market, including the EarthCruiser, EarthRoamer, Nimbl, and others. We also review considerations and specifications of what makes a great camper, van, and truck unit. This podcast is supported in part…

People often assume that we’re able to travel full-time because we’re millionaires, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Nevertheless, I always say, yes, I am. I’m a “time millionaire.” I may not have lots of money, but I have time, and that’s most important. -Leander Nardin Akela World is comprised of Leander, Maria, their son, Lennox, and of course Akela,…

In November 2018, Dot Bekker sat in front of her computer, about to purchase a ferry ticket from Barcelona to Tangier Med in Morocco. As she stared at the glowing screen, doubt crept in. “Did I want to do this, was I fooling myself, could I do this, should I do this, why was I doing this!?” she asked herself. …

I’ve never ridden a bike with a sidecar or been a passenger in one. But after reading Carla King’s book, American Borders, and now being onto my second story about riding in sidecars, Our Ridiculous World Trip, by Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes, I feel I’ve made the right choice. I don’t even want to sit behind anyone on a…

On my first trip to Prescott, Arizona, I remember seeing Scott’s 2007 Lexus GX470 at Overland HQ and asking him about it. At the time, I was considering the vehicle for an overland build myself (which I ultimately abandoned in favor of a full-sized truck, primarily because I needed more robust towing capability). Scott and I discussing the merits of…

I first stumbled upon Fabian’s Instagram profile (4x4_fabian) a few years ago when I was seriously considering swapping my 1986 Volkswagen T3 Syncro for an LT 4×4. The LT 4×4 is, at first glance, the obvious upgrade to the Syncro, and as my life on the road was permanent, I figured the extra space would make things more comfortable (I…

It’s hot. Your feet are a stinking, sweaty mess inside plastic riding boots that don’t breathe. Your girlfriend just said you smell like asiago cheese mixed with Gruyère. When you did that creek crossing last week, the boots took on a bunch of water and never dried out. Now, they’re simmering in a molding cheese stew. Time for some new…

Calyx Institute Membership + Alcatel LTE Hotspot Whether you work remotely or just like to have access to the internet while you travel, the Calyx institute has one of the most affordable solutions out there. By becoming a member at the contributor level ($500/first year, $400/year after), you’ll receive a 4G hotspot device (5G is also an option but will…