When Yakima first announced the release of their roof top tent last year, three attributes from the press release immediately caught my attention. The 95-pound weight for the smallest of two sizes made it one of the lightest roof top tents on the market, and because Yakima has spent several decades perfecting all manner of…
Field Tested: REV’IT! Philly 2 LF Jeans
As with my cars, I am a firm believer that classic bikes of the 60s, 70s and 80s should still be used for the purpose they were designed and manufactured for back in their heyday. Of course they are not as refined as a modern counterpart, but choose the right model for the task at…
American Overlander: North Street Flanders Backpack
When company founder, Curtis Williams, started North Street Bags, his mission was simple enough. He wanted to make high-quality bicycle panniers and backpacks with homegrown materials, by hand, one-by-one. Only a few years in, he’s building a loyal following of people drawn to his clean designs and uncompromising attention to craftsmanship. The Flanders is his…
First Ride: REI Co-Op DRT 2.1 Mountain Bike
Although it had been around for ages, it was high time for REI to retire the Novara bicycle line. Discerning cyclists never really warmed to the label, quick to dismiss it as an entry-level house brand. To be fair, that is essentially what it was. For 2017, REI made the decision to give their bike department…
4×4 Legends: Toyota Land Cruiser, From Series 20 to the 1980s
In 1955, only 22 years after the formation of their automotive division, the Toyota Motor Company released the second generation of their now-famed Land Cruiser, which was in many ways the same vehicle they produced for the next 3 decades. In those early years after WWII, Japan’s recovery was happening quickly and Toyota was keeping…
The General “Overlander”
The Expedition Portal Team dips a toe into the world of UTV exploration
Company Profile: Good To-Go Dehydrated Meals
As much as I love to venture into to the woods and survive on trail mix and beef jerky, I also admit I’m an unabashed foodie. I have a tattered Michelin restaurant guidebook with plenty of dog-eared pages, and can snob around the food scene with the best of them. When I learned of Good…
Field Tested: ARB’s Digital Tire Inflator
ARB throws a splash of tech at their classic inflator
First Drive: AEV RAM Recruit
We find out if the Recruit makes the cut
Jeep Heritage Expo
Two days of Jeepn’ fun in the Georgia backcountry.
Field Tested: Rocky Mounts SwitchHitter
With the proliferation of wagons, crossovers, and SUVs, the hitch rack has become the most ubiquitous type of bike hauler, but there are still occasions when a roof-mounted bike rack is preferred. For long road trips I tend to portage my bikes aloft as it frees up the back of my car providing unfettered access…
La Aduana: 1995 Land Rover Defender 90, No. 219 of 500
This is the story of Number 219. This North American Specification Land Rover Defender is number 219 our of the 500 imported to the U.S. in 1995. It was never in the cards for 219 to be a garage queen. What originally rolled off the showroom floor as an Arles Blue Land Rover Defender 90…
Water Treatment Solutions: The Mother of all Reviews
All travelers understand the importance of clean drinking water, but too few know how to best select the proper water treatment system for their individual needs. It is an understandable conundrum as there are seemingly endless options for filters, purifiers, and chemical solutions. Over the span of the last two years, I set out to evaluate…
Midland FRS/GMRS Handheld and Dash Mount Radios
There are a handful of items in the overlander’s inventory which seem to never go out of fashion, and radio communication systems rank high on that list. On our Expedition Portal forum we have a category dedicated to that one subject and it has accrued thousands of posts over the years. It is also a…
Five Wild Western Overland Destinations for Your Shortlist
Every year our forum section explodes with thousands of posts dedicated to trip planning. If you live in a part of the country where the western half is within striking distance, your options for adventure are genuinely without limit. Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains sits a dozen…
Cut it Out: The Hand Saw Shootout
A compact and portable hand saw is a convenient tool everyone should have in their arsenal. I’ve tried dozens over the years, some good, many only good for a short while before they dulled prematurely or simply fell apart. With spring fully sprung and a lot of deadfall laying around my local forest, I realized…
American Overlander: Gerber Center-Drive with Bit Set
I’m not sure how it happened, but I’ve become somewhat of a multi-tool nerd. I think it started while evaluating tools for an extensive review for the Fall 2016 issue of Overland Journal. In that roundup I tested Gerber’s Multi-Plier 600 Basic and was impressed with its ease of use, thoughtful selection of functions, and…
Field Tested: Nemo Equipment Symphony Luxury Duo Sleep System
Nemo’s super sleeper is the most comfortable bush bunk we have ever tested.
A2A Expedition: To Drag or Drop a Trailer, that is the Question.
I was once almost in love with an Afrikaans girl. She lived in a posh house on top of a hill and bore a German surname. Her father, Loot, hated the thought of me but begrudgingly liked me and one day asked for my help to build an overland trailer which he planned to use…
Rumor Mill: More Renderings of the 2018 Wrangler Surface
I don’t want to sound like a pedant, but automotive news often pushes the boundaries of good journalism. I liken it to celebrity rumor rags and the unabashed pursuit of attention getting. As we knew they would, leaks have started to emerge pertaining to the highly anticipated 2018 Jeep Wrangler. Before I proceed, I would…