Trips & Tales
Rovicon V: Joining the Northern California Land Rover Club for the Annual Rubicon Adventure
When I received an invite from friend Jesse Coombs to ride shotgun in his D90, I said, “Sure, sounds awesome.” What I didn’t know was that we would be joined by several dozen members of the Northern California Land Rover Club (NCLR). The cause for this rendezvous was their fifth annual Rovicon Adventure.
Gear
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Review: Redesign, Features, and Performance
Cotopaxi’s backpacks aren’t the least expensive on the market. But you get what you pay for. Our Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack review reveals why it may be a great fit for your needs.
Get the latest breakdown of overland vehicle industry news
RealTruck and Bear Grylls Announce Integrated Partnership as Part of The Inaugural Season of “Adventure Garage with Bear Grylls”
RealTruck, with guidance from Bear Grylls, completely customized two outdoor adventure trucks that will be featured on the broadcast, bringing the trucks to life in a real meaningful and useful way. The Ford F-150 and Toyota Tacoma will be prominently displayed at the RealTruck booth at SEMA 2024.
Rebelle Rally First Place Finish For Milestar Tires
Carey Lando Finishes First Place in X-Cross Division on Patagonia A/T Pro Tires.
WD-40 Brand Sends Message At SEMA: We Are More Than The Blue And Yellow Can
New Products, A Custom Chase Truck and Social Influencers Demonstrate WD-40 Brand’s Impact
Here’s Your Sneak Peek at RAYS Offroad Wheels Brand 2425 Catalog
RAYS Offroad Wheels just dropped their 2024-2025 catalog, which debuts looks at all-new wheels. Check out the latest RAYS wheels in this sneak peek of the entire catalog.
Declutter & Reorganize: 1UP’s Bike & Gear Storage Solutions
It’s that time of year when bikes, racks and gear go back into the garage for Winter. Taking a look at 1UP’s bike and gear storage solutions.
The SEMA Overland Experience Returns to the SEMA Show with OVR Joining as Media Partner
Explore the Ultimate Outdoor Adventure with Innovative Gear, Custom Builds, and Expert Insights at SEMA Show 2024
Trips & Trails
Trips & Trails
ROAD TRIP: From The Desert To The Mountains: Driving San Bernardino National Forest’s Burns Canyon Road
”It’s also a popular place for drivers to shakedown their newly built rides or for those who want to try out their latest mods in a less extreme environment. It was the perfect place for us to take our recently acquired OVR project vehicle, a 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser, to ...
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OVR: Outdoor Vehicle Recreation - Project LC100: First Trail Run In Our Budget Toyota Land Cruiser
”A 300,000-mile LC100 is not going to come with a warranty so be aware that going the budget route is not without its risks.”
Rovicon V: Joining the Northern California Land Rover Club for the Annual Rubicon Adventure
When I received an invite from friend Jesse Coombs to ride shotgun in his D90, I said, “Sure, sounds awesome.” What I didn’t know was that we would be joined by several dozen members of the Northern California Land Rover Club (NCLR). The cause for this rendezvous was their fifth annual Rovicon Adventure.
Rogue Explorations: Riding Along With The 6th Annual Rogue Overland Expedition
To the team at Rogue Overland, the meaning of adventure is simple: see cool places and things, meet interesting people, and overcome challenges along the way. Join them as they roadtrip through the Californian desert straight through to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.
Honest industry reviews on the gear you care about
Real-Life Comparison: 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz EV from North America vs. the 2024 ID. Buzz Pro German-Market Model
Being a traditionalist, one might spring for a new Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, or an INEOS Grenadier as their ideal adventure rig.
Full-Size Adventurers: 2025 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe SUVs
We traveled to Dallas, Texas to test Chevrolet’s latest full-size truck-based SUVs, the refreshed 2025 Suburban and 2025 Tahoe.
FIRST LOOK: 2024 Ford F-150 STX, Tremor, Raptor
Ford recently revealed the aluminum-bodied F-150’s mid-cycle refresh for 2024 with some notable, but evolutionary, upgrades that should keep the F-150 as one of the top full-size choices in the pickup market.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness First-Drive Impressions
Subaru’s Smallest SUV Gets a Big Personality Upgrade: I drove the Crosstrek Wilderness on- and off-road across southern Utah and through Zion National Park to test its capabilities.
The Nomadic Beast: Carter Kendall’s Adventure-Ready 2007 Lexus GX470
Inspired by touring-style vehicles from Australia and South Africa, Carter Kendall’s Lexus GX470 was built for overlanding adventures near and far.
The Same but Different: The INEOS Grenadier Station Wagon vs. Quartermaster Pickup
INEOS has introduced its first-ever pickup truck, the Quartermaster. Although is has nearly the same underpinnings of the Grenadier “Station Wagon” SUV, the two are not 100% identical. So, what’s the same, what’s similar, and what’s different? Let’s find out.
Pushing Beyond Boundaries: Piloting Can-Am Maverick X3s for International Female Ride Day
It’s about pushing beyond boundaries and trying something different. I put myself out there recently and drove a 2024 Can-Am Maverick X3 RS in the Sonoran Desert to help celebrate the 18th-annual International Female Ride Day, held May 4, 2024.
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative’s Mission to Preserve Public Lands for Outdoor Recreation
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative focuses on protecting public lands for the future of outdoor and motorized recreation and provides funds for projects that work toward keeping public land available for fun and adventure.
OVR Adventures: Death Valley, Black Rock Desert, Mono Lake, Mojave, and Grand Canyon: Parashant National Monument
Four Points Adventures is permitted to guide trips in Death Valley, Mojave National Preserve, Black Rock Desert, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the Inyo National Forest.
iKamper’s CAMPOUT is Back for 2024
CAMPOUT—iKamper’s annual community celebration—is shaping up to be another weekend of great food, offroading, live music and sleeping under the stars.
Nope Rope: How to Avoid Venomous Snakes and What to Do If You Couldn’t
As the temperatures go up, the likelihood of encountering a snake while outdoors also rises. Knowing what to do on the trail and at the campsite if you ever are faced with a snake can save a life, even your own.
XVENTURE XV-3 Off-Road Trailer Review: Modular Design, Versatile Features, and Awesome Adventures
The adage goes, April showers bring May flowers but for us vehicle based outdoor enthusiasts, it signals that Overland Expo West is just around the corner. Last year, we made the trek in the hopes of finding, buying or borrowing cool products that we could review for you, our readers.
Elevate Your Camp Cooking with Spyderco’s Murray Carter Collection of Culinary Knives
For camping enthusiasts who love the art of outdoor cooking, having the right tools can make all the difference. Spyderco’s Murray Carter Collection of culinary knives is designed to meet that need, bringing the precision of traditional Japanese bladesmithing into the wild.
Tested: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Dinnerware Set and Frontier Ultralight Cutlery Set
We spent the summer with Sea to Summit’s Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Dinnerware Set and Frontier Ultralight Cutlery Set to see how they stack up against the competition.
Cook Easier, Eat Better: Tips and Tricks to Make Camp Cooking Go the Extra Mile with Gon Dirtin
Linhbergh of Gon Dirtin (and Gon Cookin) shares few things he’s learned about cooking at camp in years of traveling on the road. Some may come as a surprise and others are just common sense.
Gear
Gear
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Review: Redesign, Features, and Performance
Cotopaxi’s backpacks aren’t the least expensive on the market. But you get what you pay for. Our Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack review reveals why it may be a great fit for your needs.
Technology
Staying Connected on the Trail: Starlink Mini & Our DIY Spare Tire Mount
The ability to access navigation apps, maintain communication with loved ones, and even check weather updates or reach emergency services can be crucial. This balance of connectivity and adventure is where the Starlink Mini comes in, and for our OVR LC100 Land Cruiser, it has become a valuable addition to our toolkit.
Vehicle Gear
Review: Freedom Recovery Gear’s Thompson Pulley Block
One of the latest pulley blocks on the market is the Thompson Pulley Block from Canadian company, Freedom Recovery Gear. It takes ideas from traditional snatch blocks and aluminum rings to create a new approach to the pulley block.
Review
Reviewed: BioLite Charge 100 Max Portable Power Bank
We test the new BioLite Charge 100 Max Portable Power Bank to see how it stacks up against an old favorite.
Review
We Put Dometic’s All-New CFX2 Cooler to the Test
Dometic’s All-New CFX2 37L Electric Cooler aims to be your go-to solution for all your weekend adventures whether that’s your next bucket list camping trip exploring Sequoia National Park or a Sunday picnic with the family. Is it the right fridge for your needs?
Review
Tested: Women’s Oboz Sawtooth X Low Hiking Boots
The Oboz Sawtooth X Low Hiking Boots have been around for a while, but needed a refresh. So, after 10 years, the company revamped its popular model’s styling and improved its strength, traction, and comfort. We try the latest model for women.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Review: Redesign, Features, and Performance
Staying Connected on the Trail: Starlink Mini & Our DIY Spare Tire Mount
Review: Freedom Recovery Gear’s Thompson Pulley Block
Reviewed: BioLite Charge 100 Max Portable Power Bank
We Put Dometic’s All-New CFX2 Cooler to the Test
Tested: Women’s Oboz Sawtooth X Low Hiking Boots