The march of technology has been kind to us overland travelers. We’ve absorbed technologies designed for industry and the military and adapted those to suit our needs and requirements for long-distance travel over generally rough terrain. Gone are the days of relying on underpowered, unreliable lead acid batteries, high-drain appliances, and auxiliary equipment. Product distribution company Tiktaalik has…
SylanSport Announces Loft Hard Shell Roof Top Tent
There is a new, well-established player in the hard shell roof top tent (RTT) market, and with a well below average unit cost (and limited period of free shipping to the US Lower 48), this attractive, rapid set up roof tent is sure to be in high demand. The Loft RTT is available in any…
Overland Embassy Guides Darién Gap Crossing for Travelers
Photo credits: Alejandro Huerta Franco The Darién Gap crossing between Panama and Colombia is many overlanders’ first exposure to the red tape of transcontinental vehicle shipping. Some travelers are so overwhelmed by the paperwork and costs involved they turn around and return the way they came. Others take a deep breath and plunge in, embracing…
Dometic Launches Inflatable Tent Range for the EMEA Market
Inflatable outdoor products used to be terrible; we can’t count how many times we’ve woken up with a hip on cold, solid ground when yet another “indestructible” inflatable mattress self-destructed. Most older overlanders and campers have been traumatized by these products to the point that they would prefer that only the tires on the vehicle…
Ram 2500 Overland Build :: AEV Dualsport XP Suspension, Salta HD Wheels, General Grabber A/Tx Tires
Two important questions that I’ve asked myself throughout my Ram 2500 overland truck build are Will this upgrade add utility, and Will this upgrade enhance capability? Utilizing this decision-making framework is generally straightforward, but when it came to making changes to the suspension, I felt some uncertainty. I was interested in creating more wheel well…
GMC Announces Their AT4x Factory AEV Overland Package
There are few companies that inspire thoughts of innovation and quality like American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). This certainly fueled our excitement to see an AEV performance package offered from the factory on a GMC full-size production truck. This is the first OEM production-line installed AEV overland system available on any full-size truck, and comes complete…
Overland News of the Week
REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform Two pieces of gear caught my attention at the Northwest Overland Rally, and REI Co-op’s Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform was one of them. Car camping is arguably the most accessible form of vehicle-based travel for most, and I can see how a tiny interior could be made functional by…
The Overlander Film Festival is Back in Spring 2023
Exploring the planet by vehicle is no easy feat; avoiding danger, navigating perilous roads, and dealing with dangerous animals and potentially hostile areas while motivating yourself and your companions through heat, sleet, and occasional suffering. Try doing all of that while filming the adventure – taking the time to maintain your precious equipment, plan content,…
The BAM Electric UTV IS Getting Ready for Blast Off
The styling of the BAM E103 Freestyle UTV (utility terrain vehicle) reminds one of a sporty, compact Alfa Romeo, but the similarity ends there. Fully electric and designed to offer premium styling matched with blistering on and off-road performance, the BAM UTV is bound to bring a new level of excitement to a market segment…
Pon Steyn 4X4 – Where Classic Land Rovers are Reborn
If you are a Land Rover Defender Classic fan, you will have noticed that over the last few years, more and more of these vehicles are being restored and sold internationally, some changing hands for ludicrous amounts of money. As someone who has traveled the planet and lived in a Defender for more than a decade, I…
The Kammok Crosswing is Killing it on Kickstarter
I have an awning on my Defender; it is very well made but relatively poorly designed. To set it up, I need to motivate the assistance of a teenager or my ever-busy wife, and over the next five minutes of unzipping, unrolling, pole deployment, and leveling, a relationship may very well suffer. Yes, I could…
Staples In Tents’ The Gathering is Coming to Vancorum, Colorado, August 18-22
Sonya and Necota Staples of Staples In Tents and Black People Off-road are champions of equality in the outdoor space. They strive to make camping and overlanding accessible to everyone, including those from marginalized communities who haven’t traditionally enjoyed easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities. Enter The Gathering, a weekend of outdoor adventure and education…
Land Cruisers of the Drug War
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2022 Issue. First synthesized in the late 1850s, Sigmund Freud was an early advocate of cocaine in addition to being an addict, prescribing it for depression and other conditions. In the late 1800s, coca leaves found themselves on the ingredient list for Coca-cola, and in…
Holy Toledo! Vanlife and Overland Gathering on the Oregon Coast, July 15-18
Highway 101, or the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, is a legendary road trip route that draws visitors from all over the globe. Typical postcard-worthy spots feature expansive beaches, weathered lighthouses, and rolling dunes. For those heading to the Oregon coast this summer, the Holy Toledo rendezvous might be a fun addition to your road trip…
Getting Wayout There :: Dometic Trail Ride 2022
The sun dipped below the horizon hours ago, but we’re still driving. The Gladiator’s off-highway lights cut through clouds of dust, abruptly pitching up and down with the front end of the rig. I swallow two painkillers to stave off the pain behind my left eye—my own fault, and the consequences of neglecting calorie and…
ARB Premieres Two New Rooftop Tents Including a First Hard-shell Design
Rooftop tents have come a long way since they first appeared in the 1930s and will always remain a relevant element of the overland and outdoor lifestyle. With the simple installation of a roof tent, a vehicle is elevated and repurposed at a relatively low cost. While older roof tents were large, heavy, and hard…
Overland News of the Week
Purtrek 2-in-1 Trekking Poles Purtrek have developed an ingenious water solution for while out hiking. The innovative, “why didn’t I think of that” 2-in-1 trekking pole provides you with clean and safe water on hand, on-demand, and frees up space in your backpack. The trekking pole has an integrated water filtration system that you submerge,…
EarthCruiser Launches Overland Tours Division: EarthCruiser Adventure
Picture yourself with dust on your skin, a campfire blazing, partaking in an excellent conversation with a like-minded adventurer in a location so far from the beaten track that you had to earn the cold drink in your hand. The only distant light to be seen is galactic. This is an experience that many of…
The Sunroamer Sunrader 4WD Camper Shines
Retro, compact 4WD Toyota campers are as desirable today as Sophia Loren was back in 1956—the curves, attitude, bone structure, and heritage are what drive us wild about this legend of yesteryear. The old Toyotas aren’t too shabby either, while some are cooler than others. The Sunrader “micro-mini motorhome” was manufactured by the Gardner-Pacific Corporation…
Treeline Outdoors Tamarack Plus Rooftop Tent
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2022 Issue. Many tents are coated in flame retardants to meet regulatory standards in North America, and these chemicals can easily transfer from fabric to skin to the hands (and ultimately, to your mouth). This is where Treeline Outdoors is making progress toward a safer…