Innehållsförteckning för Gear Guide 2018 från Overland Journal

While the Velar certainly won’t be conquering the Rubicon, it can hold its own on the trail against any offering in the segment. My biggest concern with the Velar was in technical terrain, but I was pleasantly surprised by its competence. Land Rover’s Terrain Response system combined with the automatic rear locking differential and torque-on-demand AWD made quick work of the ledges and cross-axle obstacles, and the gearing proved to be adequate for low-speed work.While it certainly won’t be conquering the Rubicon, it can hold its own on the trail against any offering in the segment. The Velar’s capabilities still fall short of those found in the Discovery, while its price tag does not, making it a more difficult sell for overlanders. If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient daily driver…

Let’s be honest, if you imagine a motorcycle “touring suit” what comes to mind? The moon. This isn’t exactly what we picture while dreaming of motorbikes, road trips, freedom, and all other key words reminding us of Easy Rider or On Any Sunday. When I’m committed to pavement for days or weeks, I don’t want to be confined to a space suit. I need to dumb it down. Strip the layers and remove the excess. Which is why when I’m riding long-distance, I opt for more lifestyle-oriented outfits. A little more freeing, stylish, breezy. And a little less Martian landing, hazmat suit. My go-to bits and pieces are a combo of security, comfort, breathability, functionality, and style. The latter being the most subjective. I possess a wide array of helmets,…

It doesn’t take much effort to find yourself outside of cell phone coverage. For many overlanders, this solitude is welcome and often pursued as we seek what lies beyond. But when you must have communications for emergencies, doing work, or simply checking in, satellites are the answer. The Globalstar GSP-1700 satellite phone paired with the GSP-9600 WiFi hotspot is a great solution for a variety of communication-based needs.The phone allows for voice calls or texting, and when paired with the hotspot it provides a data connection for emails and light internet use on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer. I recently used this 9-ounce combination in remote areas of Iceland, sailing across the North Atlantic Ocean, and in the desolate ice-packed ›ords of Greenland. Considering my locations were some of…

We all know that sinking feeling, the vehicle digging in faster than forward progress can be achieved. This is usually combined with a rising tide, hungry crocodiles, and cantankerous bystanders. Getting stuck happens to all of us, or at least those willing to explore further afield. For me, getting mired has become a badge of honor, an opportunity to problem-solve, snap a few self-deprecating images, and learn about the joys of self-recovery. My worst stuck occurred at one of the most remote points on the planet, deep within the Australian Outback, over 500 kilometers from the nearest tow truck. It was the perfect storm: a cascade of events occurring within moments, a muddy track devolving into a flooded basin, the water getting deeper as we continued forward with no chance…

The privilege isn’t given to everyone…You must have suffered first, have suffered greatly, have gained some miserable knowledge. In that way your eyes are opened to it. -Henry James Curiosity and exploration are vital to the human spirit. The same intrinsic drive that may lead a toddler to stick a finger in an electrical socket has taken humans into space. For some of us, that motivation pushes us to foreign lands, searching for new wilderness. It may not be the depths of the Mariana Trench, but there’s something irresistible about laying tread on less-beaten terra firma. Perhaps it’s an innate human drive to conquer, discover, or tame. Whatever it is, it’s what got us to Kyrgyzstan in the first place. Between photographer Joel Caldwell, professor Joe Cruz, editor Lucas Winzenburg,…

You often hear “It’s the artist, not the tool,” that really matters. While that may be true in some cases, things definitely get more complicated when we’re talking about photographers and their choice of camera equipment. At its foundation, photography is both an art and a mechanical craft, and craftsmen definitely benefit from having a variety of special-purpose tools at their disposal. I know I have. After many years of professional experience, I put together specific tool kits for the various photographic challenges I tackle. We’ll take a look at how I prepare to go afield for a variety of professional tasks, but first a full disclosure on why you’ll see a lot of Canon equipment in the accompanying illustrations. While I have used and enjoyed all brands during my…

Sometimes you want a waterproof jacket that doesn’t look like you’re ready to conquer Everest. Gear that is at home walking the streets of New York City as it is hiking trails in the Sierras is Nau’s specialty. Along with a more fashion-forward approach to technical apparel, sustainability remains another of Nau’s core values. This fully seam-sealed, two-layer waterproof jacket is made from a blend of 53 percent organic cotton and 47 percent recycled polyester fabric. The material is further treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) that is free of harmful perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), so better for both you and the environment. Use a non-toxic laundry detergent such as Nikwax Tech Wash, which is also PFC free to prolong the life of the jacket. When you want a more…

Osprey’s expedition duffels are tough as nails, while still being a comfortable and functional carry. Available in a variety of colors and 40-, 65-, 95- and 130-liter sizes, the Transporter also offers versatility, allowing buyers to customize for their needs. Made from a burly 800-denier nylon fabric, the duffel won’t collapse on you when loading. Extended rain flaps over all zippers, along with a TPU coating both inside and out of the Transporter, ensure your gear remains protected from rain, snow, and even dust. Access to the main compartment is via a full-length U-zip that buckles down to keep it from opening mid-transport. While most duffels feature one cavernous void inside the main compartment, the Transporter offers a zippered mesh side pocket for storing toiletries and two buckled compression straps…

Positioned between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, Greenland is considered the world’s largest island, and it is covered with snow and ice. In late October, I met with Greg Miller—founder of the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum and the lead adventurer for the Expeditions 7 project—to discuss his next adventure to traverse the Greenland Ice Sheet over land. Greg said, “This is a unique opportunity to cross one of the largest ice fields on the planet and for one person to come along on the expedition for the benefit of the museum.” Greg came up with the idea while visiting the North Pole; confidence for the endeavor came from his success with E7 in crossing Antarctica. The expedition will occur in spring of 2018 and utilize three Arctic Trucks-prepared Toyota HiLux…

Of the dozens of items we shoehorn into our vehicles before we hit the trail, few are more vital than a means of elevating them when the need arises. Whether you get stuck in the sand or shred a tire, the often undervalued jack will be your best friend. With regard to vehicle-dependent travel we have many options: scissor jack, bottle jack, air jack, and post jack. And, since the first means for raising a horse-drawn wagon were created centuries ago, inventors have been hard at work developing ways to make a better mouse trap. For this issue, we are delving into products that will take your rig to new heights, along with a host of implements designed to make the task safer and easier. TESTING AND CONSIDERATIONS Our evaluation…

For many travelers, a tent is not just a weekend retreat, it is home on the road for weeks if not months on end. For those on extended journeys, spanning all four seasons and on roads prone to destroy delicate gear, finding a tent worthy of the trip is not easy. Over the last 2 years I set out to find the most durable, versatile, and livable portable abodes suitable to overland travel. Some are brand-new entries, others proven over the course of decades and hundreds of thousands of miles of travel. All of them are worthy of serving as your home away from home. BIG AGNES FOIDEL CANYON 2 With one of the most extensive offerings of tents in the outdoor industry, from pint-size to palatial, the Foidel Canyon…

The grass is greener on the other side, at least when it comes to Land Cruisers. As of 2014, Americans were able to begin importing the venerable 70 Series into the United States under the 25-year historic vehicle exemption. Fortunately, these are Toyotas, so even at a quarter-century old they are (often) still quite serviceable as legitimate overland platforms. In late 2014, we worked with Land Cruisers Direct to purchase a lightly used BJ74, the first year of the 13BT turbo-diesel and a mid-wheelbase configuration. It doesn’t exactly have the spaciousness of the Troopy, but is better for adventures on the technical routes common to North America. It arrived—all the way from Japan—complete with 1980’s decal stripes and the steering wheel on the right side. Just to make sure I…

No matter what I carry, I always have at least one “possibles bag” in my possession. The mountain men and early explorers of the American West coined the term, and it refers to a rectangular satchel or pouch that was carried everywhere and always. It was meant to transport and protect “every possible thing” that a hunter might need while afield. The lists below include only those items uniquely required to support my photography and don’t include the usual survival and comfort items. MINIMALIST POSSIBLES BAG Blower/brush combo Multiple pre-moistened lens cleaning tissues 5/32-inch L-type Allen wrench Spare battery Extra lens cap Spare SanDisk Extreme Pro card, 256GB Multiple quart-sized Ziploc freezer bags* A couple of feet of gaffer tape wrapped around a Sharpie CARRY-ON POSSIBLES BAG Everything from the…

“Mr. Collard, would you like the fillet, chicken cordon bleu, or shrimp scampi?” Gabriela asked, delivering my Jack and Coke with a friendly smile. Having a penchant for shrimp, I ordered the scampi. Dessert consisted of Swiss dark chocolate and a coffee with Baileys, after which I tapped the lay-flat setting on my seat’s control panel and tucked myself underneath a fluffy warm comforter. If I’d not known better, I would have bet the bank that I was dreaming—rather than sitting in a plane 37,000 feet over Central America. First class is in another world apart from coach. For starters, my knees are not crammed against the seat in front of me, there are copious expanses of real estate to open my laptop on the foldout desk, my elbows don’t…

In today’s world of electronic goodies, a challenge for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors is protecting equipment from the elements. After a few close calls with my iPhone I decided to invest in a proper case, but many were too bulky to fit in my shirt pocket.The Catalyst case, at only 11.4 millimeters thin, was the solution. From a protection standpoint, it carries an IP68 waterproof rating, MIL-STD-810G for drops and falls (2 meters), and is fully dustproof. The non-slip rubber exterior is easy to grip and doesn’t feel like a slippery fish in-hand. Both front and rear are clear, and the touchpad is as sensitive as the bare phone. A rubber flap at the base allows access to the charge and audio port, and all function…

The term marine grade is often indicative of sturdy, rubberized nautical application products made to resist degradation from water and sun. In the expedition or overland capacity, well-built products that can survive heavy wear and tear are your friends. A few years ago, Adam Wood’s sole products were U.S.-made, hand-sewn 11- and 15-inch Hi-Lift jack covers made out of marine-grade material, marketed under the name Jack-covers. At that time, I installed a unit on an exposed Hi-Lift X-treme perched on the front bumper of our Ford E350 4WD. Since then, it has protected the jack mechanism (which still looks brand-new) by repelling sand, mud, dirt, snow, ice, and coastal fog. The UV-deterring cover, comprised of a neoprene/ piqué lining and a vinyl exterior, also discourages mildew and microbes. The large…

RIGID FLASHLIGHT Kurt at Black Dog Cycle Works sent me this Rigid Halo 800 flashlight in 2013 after I did a gear test on LED auxiliary lights. He said, “This will be the best damn flashlight you have ever owned.” He was right. Although technology has been on a frantic pace, and I’ve used many new models at various times, the Halo 800 has been in my camera bag or truck for 4 years. It’s been dropped in the mud, bounced around the floorboards, used as a pry bar, and generally abused, and it keeps on ticking. $110 | RIGIDINDUSTRIES.COM | 855-760-5337 PASSPORT STAMPS: 27 MOST INTERESTING PLACE: ATRATO RIVER, COLOMBIA MACBOOK PRO As a journalist, there are some items you simply don’t leave home without. One is my laptop,…

Expedition 65 was not a tour; it did not even have a leader. While some might view that as a recipe for ending friendships, it played into a grand experiment and ultimately a transformative experience.The concept was born from a rushed trip to Bolivia and became a very rushed trip all the way to Ushuaia. Here is the hard reality of travel: there is never enough time—ever. That is how life works. However, there is more that can be gained from adventure, like the rapport established with those we ride with, and the changes to our notions of the world, shifted by the perceptions that form by actually being there.This is a story of those insights and those friends, with a bit of adventure thrown in for good measure. #EXPEDITION65…