Indholdsfortegnelse for Gear Guide 2016 i Overland Journal

Campfire Reading A group of friends and I recently completed the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route and I thought you’d like to know we enjoyed the magazine around our campfires while on the trail. Love the magazine; keep up the good work! Mark Doiron 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Old Rover I recently went to my favorite place, Humbug Valley, California, to wander around, explore, and generally hide from the outside world. Zeitgeist, my 1960 Series II Rover looked at home in front of an old cowboy line shack at Longville, a ghost town which is now gone except for this building. I like the work that you do, especially reviews of vintage camping equipment. When I add another piece to my kit, my criteria is often, “Does it look good in…

The venerable Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen is the elder statesman of overland vehicles, having been in production for nearly 40 years. While most G-Class vehicles are relegated to a sentence of domestic carriage for urbanite families, some have been rescued to live the life of a Teutonic adventurer. This is certainly the case for my 1996 W463 G320 wagon, a vehicle purchased new by one of Overland Journal’s charter subscribers and used for travel throughout North America, even venturing as far east as Cape Spear in Newfoundland. In 2009, I purchased the vehicle (thank you again, Mr. Gulden) and it immediately began life as an overland vehicle and training tool for our work with MARSOC. A few years later, longtime friend Thor Jonsson from Thor Motorworks and Viking Offroad contacted me about…

Overlanders love trailers from South Africa, a place where products are designed for unpredictable terrain, long grueling trips through the bush, and a life of hard backcountry use. Unfortunately, they have been difficult to obtain—until now. Echo 4x4 was founded in 1984, and in the years since have built more than 10,000 trailers. An industry leader in their category, their trailers have laid tracks around the world, earning them a reputation for products of uncompromising quality and durability. When Canadians Denise and Michael Rogers saw an Echo trailer on an African safari they realized it surpassed anything back home constructed of wood and staples. They knew they had to bring Echo to Canada, and two years later the North American Safari Company was born with the first TC/DOT-approved Echo 4x4…

If we have come to learn anything of the modern over-lander, it is that they have a deep appreciation for coffee. The much-loved morning elixir we can’t seem to leave behind has spurred us to discover new ways to make a quality brew on the road; the Java Can is one of the better coffee-making solutions we’ve seen in a very long time. Created by a U.S. Army Green Beret over the course of several deployments, where even Starbucks has yet to set up shop, the Java Can is a comprehensive coffee bar packaged in a sturdy, waterproof ammunition can. Within the can is everything needed to make the most elaborate coffee creations. A four-cup espresso pot is paired to a compact propane burner, and a hand-cranked grinder ensures the…

Capable of producing 20.1 megapixel stills and 4K resolution video, Sony’s diminutive pocket shooter packs a powerful punch. At roughly the same dimensions as a deck of playing cards, it would be easy to dismiss the Sony RX100 IV camera as just another compact point and shoot. The simple layout and clean design also bely the advanced hardware housed within its all-metal body, including a 1-inch, Exmor RS-stacked CMOS sensor and fast Bionz X processor. Capable of producing 20.1 megapixel stills and 4K resolution video, Sony’s diminutive pocket shooter packs a powerful punch. Delivering image data to the sensor is an optically stabilized Carl Zeiss 24-70mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens with an f/1.8-2.8 aperture. Through that glass, the RX100 IV can capture still images at a rate of 16 fps…

If you spend enough time on the trail, you or one of your traveling companions are going to experience a catastrophic breakdown. Due to the significant loads put on the chassis and suspension when traversing technical terrain, the failure will likely include once-connected parts separated by a jagged air gap. In the old days, we hooked up batteries with jumpers and stick welded the bits back together. Voltage was difficult to manage and the welds weren’t pretty, but they usually got us home. This changed in 1997 when Ready Welder introduced their wire-feed portable MIG unit. The most recent model, the Ready Welder II ADP-CS, has a cold switch function that cuts power to the tip when not welding. It accommodates a 1-pound spool of flux-core wire but can also…

James Baroud calls it a raked roofline. Engineered to mitigate the disadvantages of the wedge shape without limiting its benefits, the Discovery Space EVO is one of the more innovative tents in our test. Its high peak creates an enlarged wall with a corresponding oversized door. That bigger opening maximizes air pass-through and increases the ingress of natural light. With an additional 22 inches of vertical height at the foot of the tent, there is no hazard of contacting one’s feet against the upper shell. It is an efficient and clever use of space—hence the moniker. The large rear opening and two side doors have partial mesh-backed panels, as do the dual windows at the rear corners. With all of the mesh windows exposed, the Space has impressive ventilation with…

We first tested the Evasion EVO two years ago atop Overland Journal’s Land Rover LR4. It was our introductory experience with James Baroud and at that time we would have been hard-pressed to offer suggestions for improvement, but improve it they did. The latest model has better ventilation and a simplified construction. The Evasion we evaluated previously scored favorably due in part to the three full-size doors and one large window. Although it didn’t seem possible, they have added even more windows and true 360-degree viewing. Retaining the mesh-paneled doors at the sides and rear of the tent, the new Evasion now has two small windows at the rear corners and two massive windows covering the forward corners and front wall. When fully exposed, the mesh panels expose more than…

Examination of the truck reveals features and details that could only be conceived by minds that thoroughly understand the challenges of living on the road, in some of the most difficult environments on the planet. The names Gary and Monika Wescott are as familiar to overlanding circles as Mallory and Hillary are to mountaineers. They have been weaving an intricate web of tracks across and around our blue planet since the 1970s. Tales of their adventures have been featured on television shows, in international newspapers, and have graced the pages of magazines the world over. A seed of inspiration that originated at a café in Istanbul, Turkey, germinated into a lifestyle that has become the envy of millions. Their method of travel is slow, relaxed, and methodical, and resembles that…

Given a clean sheet of paper, how would you go about creating your perfect overland truck? Gather 10 overlanders and you will get 20 different opinions. Everyone has their own ideas and experiences, needs and tasks for vehicles, varied expectations of terrain and difficulties to face, theories on ideal ergonomics, and gut instincts. I moved to Cairo, Egypt, some years ago with the sole intention of exploring as much of the Sahara and Northeast Africa as I could. I have a well-equipped, overland-spec Land Rover Defender 110 back in Britain, with over 350,000 trouble-free miles on the clock from several African and European trips, but bringing her to Egypt would be a nightmare of idiotic bureaucracy and ridiculous costs. I decided to buy a vehicle in Egypt, despite the fact…

The Deadwood eschews all of the traditional rules of bicycle design, proving once again that working outside of the box can produce impressive results. Over the last several years the pursuit of bicycle touring has grown exponentially. Driving its popularity is a new breed of bicycles with unprecedented performance and capability. No longer is a rider sequestered to a narrow slice of pavement at the road’s edge, but can now cover routes of varied terrain. Whether traversing long tracks of bumpy gravel or serpentine sections of singletrack, the modern bicycle traveler can tackle any surface and cover hundreds, if not thousands, of miles. Central to the adventure by bike movement is Minnesota-based Salsa Cycles. Their extensive catalog of bicycles are built almost exclusively to suit the modern explorer, and their…

If you stop by Factor 55’s booth at a trade show you will find a variety of their winch shackle mounts disfigured, torn, and mutilated. This might seem odd, until owner Mike Costa hands you a spec sheet from the U.S.-certified destruction lab they use to dismember everything they produce prior to releasing it to the public. Mike, whom I’ve known since the mid-1980s when he was an aerospace engineer, is a longtime four-wheel drive enthusiast and a perfectionist when it comes to, well, everything. FlatLink E is a variant of the original FlatLink, and features a larger pear-shaped mounting hole to accommodate a .75-inch bow shackle, creating a closed-system attachment. It was designed with the latest 3D CAD system and analyzed for structural integrity with Cosmos FEA (Finite Element…

For the overlander with large power needs, the gas generator is once again a viable option. Gas generators have long been considered a power source of last resort. Their complexity, size, weight, and noise prompt most overlanders to rely on dual battery and solar solutions for augmented power supplies. That may have recently changed. With more than a half-century of experience producing backup generators for home and industrial use, Generac’s new iQ2000 is not just small and nearly silent, it has a host of user-friendly features never before implemented in a portable generator. For the overlander with large power needs, the gas generator is once again a viable option. At just 46 pounds with compact dimensions of 20 by 13 by 16 inches, the iQ2000 is considerably smaller than its…

Whether you travel to the thousands of cultural sites, the lowland jungles to view rhinos and crocodiles, or trek into the thin air of the Himalayas, Nepal’s cultural and natural treasures have survived the earthquake. On April 25, 2015, as millions of Nepalese went about their midday business, the country was racked by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The first wave of tremors persisted for almost a minute, with the following day further devastated by an additional 38 aftershocks. The immediate aftermath stunned the international community with reports of 8,800 fatalities, 23,000 persons injured, tens of thousands of citizens displaced, and entire villages reduced to rubble. For a country with a thriving tourist trade, a residual casualty was the subsequent collapse of their travel industry, right when they needed it most.…

Given the reputations of the products we tested, there were not many surprises. The negatives and missteps we uncovered were so minor, none should be considered a deal breaker. The mere mention of the word overlanding is often enough to evoke images of sunsets on the Serengeti, the silhouette of a truck marked for adventure by the outline of a roof top tent. Although roof sleeping is not commensurate with overlanding, removing the tent from that scene quickly erodes the idyllic picture. More than just a stylish accessory, they have been used for over a half-century and are favored for good reason. For those apt to travel in regions of the world where toothy creatures and things that slither lie in wait, retreating to an enclosed platform 6 feet off…

The award for the most unique roof top tent, if we were to give one, would clearly go to the BunduTop from Bundutec. Despite the common usage of fiberglass in the other four tents, Bundutec elected to construct their shell from aluminum, citing it is as a lighter-weight alternative. Their need to keep overall weight to a minimum is precipitated by the inclusion of a 2,000-pound winch to raise and lower the upper tent body. At 151 pounds as tested, they did an admirable job of attaining their weight objectives. It would be easy to fixate on push-button deployment as the only standout feature to the BunduTop, but it has much more to offer. With four vertical walls and a tall ceiling height of 40 inches, it is the most…

Few dual-sport riders will question the KLR’s reputation as a true around-the-world motorcycle. With its generous 6-gallon tank and reliability, it is a common choice for global travelers. The 650 has also proven to be durable, particularly in 2014 or newer trim; the latest model features stiffer springs and valving tuned for heavier loads. The seat is wider and more comfortable, allowing the rider’s backside to match the extended fuel range. Our team was so impressed by the 2014 KLR that we added it to our long-term test fleet and made a few modifications to prepare it for journeys further afield. FOR THE TRAIL At Overland Journal, we believe true adventure motorcycles should be suitable for remote and harsh conditions. We have found that it is entirely possible to prepare…

In 2003, my partner Karin-Marijke and I acquired a well-used, long-wheelbase 45 Series Land Cruiser. It was one of the last of its kind to roll off the assembly line in Japan in 1984, and came with front disc brakes, power steering, and a full-floating, limited-slip rear axle. Together with the über-simple, 4-cylinder, naturally aspired diesel engine (sans CPU), it was a reliable choice for a long and potentially ongoing overland journey. If you don’t understand any of the above-mentioned terms, don’t worry, in 2003 I didn’t either. To get to know the ins and outs of our vehicle and to better understand its basic maintenance needs, I sought help from Rocco, a well-known figure in the Land Cruiser community within our native Netherlands. I then rolled up my sleeves…

With a light push of the brake pedal, the huge wheels of the EarthRoamer came to a gradual stop. I lowered my window and a cold rush of mountain air instantly swirled about the cab, prompting my wife, Deana, to zip up her hoodie and wiggle deeper into her heated leather seat. I muted the radio and turned to her, asking, “Which way should we go?” After a brief pause as if to collect her bearings, she leaned forward and gave a cursory glance to the left and then to the right, seemingly lost in deep contemplation. She delivered her answer with the point of a finger. I couldn’t help but ask, “Are you sure?” She reached for the satellite radio, dialed in a Willie Nelson tune, and said, “Yes,…

It is hard to deny that the quintessential vision of trekking across the Kalahari, Serengeti, or Sahara involves a Land Rover Defender. There is something about its classic boxy lines, high, windowed roofline, and no-nonsense stance that draws one to dream about towering baobabs, migrating herds of wildebeest, and seas of sand. I recently had a chance to drive a Defender through Cambodia’s hinterlands with Overland Journal contributor and Land Rover aficionado Sam Watson. We spent weeks on the road together, in which time Sam expanded my knowledge of the breed and edified me on a plethora of Defender details. As we navigated our borrowed 110 along off-piste rice paddy tracks to villages seldom seen by outsiders, the thought of the Defender (at least as we know it) being phased…

Founded more than three centuries ago in 1697, Swedish manufacturer Hults Bruk is one of the world’s premier makers of hand-forged axes. From their factory located just north of the city of Norrköping, their small but dedicated team of 20 employees produce 100,000 axe heads each year, and they do it all by hand. One of their smaller and more versatile models is the Almike hatchet. With a 16-inch curved hickory handle and a handcrafted, zone-tempered, 1-pound head, the Almike is ideally suited for small chores like making kindling and felling small trees. Balanced for one-handed use, the handle is long enough to accommodate two hands for optimal control. With a slightly longer handle at 20 inches and fitted with a 1.75-pound head, the Aneby is designed for more demanding…

Two years ago we reviewed a prototype of ARB’s Intensity 9.5-inch LED in our comprehensive auxiliary light comparison. It was a fire-breathing torch, but a bit too large to mount on the ARB bull bar of our 2002 Tacoma test vehicle. With the introduction of the AR21, a 7.5-inch version, we were hot to get a set mounted and on the trail. Like its older brethren, it has a UV-resistant, powder-coated A360 aluminum body, durable polycarbonate lens, and Gore membrane breather. The multi-position mount is crafted from stainless steel, and the wiring loom utilizes Deutsch DT-06 waterproof connectors. The AR21 is also IP68 (dust and moisture intrusion) and MIL-STD-810G (vibration and overall ruggedness) certified, and RoHS (Restriction of Use of Hazardous Substances) compliant. The 21 3.5-watt SMD Osram LEDs emit…

Good designs are timeless, particularly when mated to quality materials and skilled craftsmanship. The Frost River Navigator bag—as is true for everything that wears their label—embodies a sense of classic elegance that harkens back to an era when goods were made well, and made to last. Small enough to qualify as a briefcase or field bag, the Navigator also offers enough capacity to serve as an overnight bag. An inner sleeve accommodates a laptop or tablet and additional organizers hold pens, cords, and chargers. Two large external pockets on each side are big enough to store bulky items and things best kept within easy reach. Constructed of 18-ounce waxed canvas sourced from American-based Fairfield Textiles, a family-owned company founded in 1838, the body of the bag is supple, durable, and…

For more than 40 years, Hilleberg has provided outdoor enthusiasts with tents many regard as the expedition gold standard. Known for their unique designs constructed with proprietary fabrics, Hilleberg tents are capable of enduring weather’s worst and have proven themselves in hostile environments ranging from the slopes of Mount Everest to the snowfields of the South Pole. With tunnel architecture indicative of the Hilleberg brand, the Nammatj 2 GT is an all-season shelter designed for severe conditions. Part of Hilleberg’s acclaimed Black Label category of shelters, the Nammatj 2 GT is constructed of Kerlon 1800 fabric which has a 40-pound tear-strength rating. The three-pole design is all but impervious to assaults from wind and snow, and makes for a quick and easy pitch. With 30 square feet of sleeping space…

Rally for Rangers was founded by the Mongol Ecology Center, an NGO operating out of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Their mission is to equip and support park rangers working to conserve Lake Hövsgöl and its surrounding areas. The lake is a vital national treasure and contains 70 percent of Mongolia’s freshwater and up to 2 percent of the world’s. In a land of few trees, this heavily forested region is in need of constant protection. Established in 1992 in response to the growing number of tourists overwhelming the region’s limited infrastructure, the park has a small team of rangers to patrol its borders. Massive in scale, it encompasses the entirety of the lake, and at 1.2 million hectares is larger than Yellowstone National Park. Water entering the northern end of the lake…

Over the course of the last few years there has been an increasing demand for compact roof tents. The advantages to light roof loads are universal, but the obvious catalyst for this new trend can be credited to the downsizing of vehicles used by a growing number of travelers. The Columbus Variant in its smallest of three sizes is more than just space efficient and offers a level of simplicity prized by many users. The single-ended hinge configuration reduces complexity, requiring only two lateral struts to elevate one half of the upper shell. Despite the fact it virtually eliminates headspace at one end, it permits a tall peak at the other. At a maximum of 59 inches tall, that extra height allows occupants to sit up or kneel, making menial…

The Maggiolina is one of the most traveled roof top tents the world over. The recipient of occasional design updates throughout the years, the latest iteration of the Maggiolina Extreme is expressly engineered for the rigors of overland travel and includes features designed specifically for that purpose. The most noticeable is the addition of extra rack rails and crossbars atop the shell to facilitate additional cargo storage. With a new shape optimized for improved aerodynamics, the Extreme still retains the unmistakable profile of an Autohome tent. The distinctive hump at the aft end of the body affords extra internal storage space when closed and adds to its wind-cheating efficiency on the highway. When opened, the four vertical walls, combined with a 34.5-inch ceiling height, give the Extreme an open living…

The plan was sparse on details, but rich with potential. As we approached the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal, the young girl inside the ticket booth opened the window and hung her head out. “Hello, I’d like to pay for me and the guys behind me,” I said. Momentarily nonplussed, her eyes gazed from me, down to our vehicles, then back up to me. “Well,” she said, “You’re the size of a smartcar, but you only have…” she craned her neck to double-check, “three wheels. So, I guess that sort of makes you a motorcycle.” And with that, our two Ural sidecars, loaded up with what could have easily been a Toyota RAV4’s worth of supplies, entered the holding lot. We passed row after row of cars before sliding down to…

In our age of innovation, many people have been led to believe that Mother Nature is no match for the laboratory. Amidst the multitudes of technologies invented by scientists are textiles with futuristic names like Dyneema, Vectran, and Hytrel. Some of those advanced materials were designed exclusively for surgical apparel, sportswear, to repel insects, or stop bullets. Try as they might, no one has yet to devise anything equal to the fibers produced by the humble sheep. Even with NASA’s proprietary creations like their heat-treated, crystalline-based, boron nitride nanotube fabrics, they still issue wool underwear to their astronauts and pilots. Unlikely as it sounds, wool transcends many of humanity’s advancements as one of the most significant discoveries of the last 10,000 years. Like many revelations, our ancestors stumbled upon the…