I’ll be refraining from gratuitously quoting Bond movies throughout this piece; that would be immature. Leatherman, akin to a much-loved secret agent, “likes to do some things the old-fashioned way” (definitely not taken from Skyfall), and their latest offering is inspired by the company’s very first multi-tool, the PST. Those of you who’ve read my…
Tommy Campervans and the Hotshot Adventure Truck
Photos by Justin Wade Orton Tommy Campervans is an Arizona-based campervan and adventure vehicle upfitter. Their skilled crew converts standard cargo vans, but they also upfit decommissioned Hotshot buggies for use as overlanding and adventure rigs. To give you a little more context, Hotshot buggies are crew carriers used by BLM and Forest Service firefighters….
MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier
MSR is a company synonymous with quality backcountry gear, and their latest offering, the Guardian Gravity purifier (GGP), is no different. I actually shared my friend’s older MSR water purifier during my bikepacking ride through the Spanish Sierra Nevada, and I was really impressed. On the bike, hiking or overlanding, it’s remarkable how quickly you…
Overland News of the Week
AEV Jack Base for Jeep Wrangler JL or Gladiator AEV’s jack base for Wrangler JL or Gladiator provides an additional 3.5 inches of height for the factory JL or Gladiator scissor jack. This lets users easily change tires as large as 37 inches with their factory jack. In addition to providing extra height and being…
Featured Campervan: TOURIG Extreme Adventure Van (XAV)
TOURIG got its start in the quirky mountain town of Nederland, Colorado, in 2001. Founder Eric Miller was working as a traveling sales agent in the outdoor industry and needed a vehicle that would provide mobility, a place to sleep, and unlike a plane, would welcome his dog on business trips around the country. His…
Club Ride Apparel
Growing up, I owned very little cycling-specific clothing, other than a helmet and mitts. I spent most weekends on the bike making “sick” jumps, racing friends around the block, or on family rides in a pair of old Converse, generic shorts (jeans in the winter), and a band tee. I needed clothes that were suited…
Five Lightweight Motorcycle Options for Vehicle Hitch-mounts
There are many reasons why riders might want to transport a motorcycle by vehicle: maybe you need to take your bike to the dealer for repairs or want to get from A to B without riding hours on the interstate. For example, if you live in Washington and want to ride the Colorado BDR, you’re…
Rigid, Adapt-XP
I’ll admit, I have a devious auxiliary light fetish. In fact, my Vanagon Syncro would be the perfect lighting rig for a Floyd concert or qualify as a mobile lighthouse. Admittedly, I went a little overboard, much like the sailors depending on me. However, at the time, it did feel as though the wider overlanding…
10 Solutions for Carrying Extra Fuel on Motorcycles and Off-road Vehicles
Updated April 28, 2021. Many overlanders have a conundrum—how to carry extra fuel for those far-from-it-all excursions we all dream about. Carrying gas or diesel safely is even more of an issue: gone are the good old days of filling up plastic Coke bottles and strapping them to your overland rig or ADV ride. Even…
Terranova Expedition Truck Joins the EarthCruiser Ranks
As the demand for purpose-built overland trucks continues to rise, EarthCruiser has answered the call with its new Terranova expedition truck. This cab-over-style composite adventure rig is built on one of three domestic 1-ton chassis including the 2020 or newer Ford F-350, Ram 3500, or Silverado 3500. “The EC Terranova is the culmination of years…
Nemo Spoon Bags
One key issue with most ultra-lightweight sleeping bags is they’re super snug and, if you’re a larger build or broad-shouldered, they don’t allow for much movement besides lying on your back. Well, Nemo has come to the rescue with a range of Spoon bags that provide enough space for side sleepers! According to Nemo, “Seventy…
Overland News of the Week
Osprey Talon Pro 30 The comfort of Osprey’s backpacks is well known amongst outdoor enthusiasts, and their new Talon Pro 30 brings that comfort to the world of ultralight backpacking. A lightweight wire frame and injection-molded framesheet provide support for this 30-liter pack. Osprey lists a recommended maximum payload of 15-25 pounds for comfortable carying….
Nitecore FSP100W IPX5 Rated Waterproof Foldable Solar Panel
Nitecore is on a mission to bring durable tech to the outdoors, and their FSP100W promises to be a solar panel you can depend on in the backcountry. I currently own the Goal Zero (GZ) Yeti 1250 and their Boulder 100-watt panels and love them, but I’m intrigued by some of the cheaper alternatives. That…
Tribit StormBox Micro and FlyBuds NC
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I can’t remember a time when our house was silent growing up, whether we were listening to Radio Caroline, the pirate radio station that inspired the film The Boat That Rocked, or my dad’s records. As a young kid, I was first drawn to the…
Can Portable Power Packs Replace Dual Batteries?
For decades, dual-battery systems have been the go-to solution for anyone seeking auxiliary electrical power in their four-wheel drive or camper van. They make it possible to run accessories like refrigerators without draining the vehicle’s starter battery, but they’re also costly, permanent, and complex systems that can be prone to failure or even fire unless…
Featured Truck Campers :: Phoenix Pop Up Campers
I found myself reading over the Phoenix Pop Up Campers website, feeling quite surprised that they’re not very widely talked about in the overland and truck camper world. That surprise comes primarily from the fact that Phoenix was started by the same family who founded Four Wheel Campers in Colorado back in the early 1970s….
Red Oxx and Overland Journal Summer Gear Giveaway
Red Oxx Manufacturing, a Montana-based bag and travel accessory manufacturer, and Overland Journal have teamed up for a summer gear giveaway. Four lucky winners will be chosen at random to receive one of the following products: a Sun Chaser Duffel, a Flying Box Car Duffell, a Big Bull Roll, or a Packing Cube Set! Winners…
Overland News of the Week
Helinox Toasty Lightweight camp furniture has come a long way, and the brand Helinox is a perfect example of the intersection between smart design and modern materials. For instance, their Chair Zero is a 17-ounce camp chair that adds huge amounts of comfort in the backcountry despite its diminutive weight. But this week, it’s actually…
Featured Campervan Upfitter :: Acme Overland
Acme Overland is an upfitter that designs and executes custom builds for a wide range of budgets. Their name, Acme, is derived from Greek and roughly translates to peak, zenith, or prime in English. This name is fitting, not just because Acme Overland offers high-end conversions of cargo vans, but because they strive to offer…
Front Runner Load Bed Rack Side Mount for Bike Carrier
Try saying that product name quickly. Front Runner (FR) continues to be a market leader when it comes to overlanding accessories. Legend has it that the company was conceived between a 1988 Land Cruiser 70 and a 1992 Mercedes G-Wagen in Botswana. A handful of friends with backgrounds in engineering, design, manufacturing, and off-road racing decided…