Overland Journal Gear Guide 2023

REAL-WORLD EXPERTISE As an automotive engineer specializing in chassis and body integrity, I was pleasantly surprised to find such an informed article in the Summer 2022 issue. Roof loading [“How Much is Too Much?”] and GVW (gross vehicle weight) is such an important part of what I do, and it is great to see a magazine take on a topic so often overlooked. The author [Sean Gorman] obviously knows the engineering involved, but also [includes] real-world applications. I’ve never read something that combines the expertise to inform an engineer and the explanation that would relate the importance to the average reader. Thank you, Overland Journal, for providing a beautiful magazine and a tremendous source of real-world expertise. Josh Warner 1993 Mitsubishi Montero SMELL THE ROSES I’ve listened to every episode…

JOE FLEMING A born and raised American, Joe has been living in South Africa for the past five years with his wife, Monique, her son, Madden, and their now four dogs. He and Monique built South Africa’s top beard grooming brand, Bonafide Beards, along with Africa’s trendiest barber shop, Bonafide Barbers. Joe is a motorcycle enthusiast who, after a year of growing Bonafide Beards, found the need to bring together like-minded individuals who ride. That is when the community of Bonafide Moto Co was created. He has a passion for adventure, rock climbing, documenting his travels, and encouraging his international audience to come and experience his new home and country of South Africa. RICHARD GIORDANO Richard Giordano completed a 48,800-kilometer overland journey from Vancouver, Canada, to Ushuaia, Argentina, with his…

Life Giving Warmth was started by Paul and Carolynne LaRue to keep their daughter, Brianna, warm while out on adventures. Brianna has cerebral palsy and needs to stay warm because of the poor circulation her disease causes. So out of necessity, the company was born with the creation of the Cozee, the world’s first-ever battery-powered heating blanket. Now, Life Giving Warmth has created the Kodiak, a rugged battery-powered blanket for those who love the outdoors. In anticipation of the season turning, I tested this new offering in some colder temperatures at high elevations. It made late-night stargazing sessions cozier and kept me comfortable for hours past bedtime without having to retreat to my sleeping bag. Once you charge the two included batteries in advance, you can take this blanket anywhere.…

Simple is nearly always better than complicated, and lighter is frequently superior to heavy. Such is the case with the new MoonShade by Moon Fab, an impossibly compact (when stowed), simple, and light awning suitable for most overland applications. When I first purchased my Scout camper, I wanted to forgo the heavy, bolted-on wing awning and instead chose this 9- by 7-foot stowable unit, which only weighs 8 pounds and fits in a 28-inch long soft case. The MoonShade uses 13-millimeter tension poles to create a sturdy support for wind buffeting and rain shedding. Nineteen-millimeter telescoping support poles set the height and angles, along with stakes and guylines, to limit lifting during gusts. What separates the MoonShade from other awnings we have tested is the supplied and available accessories, like…

The electric revolution has taken hold, with every segment of the transportation industry offering electrified solutions. From vans to boats, we are seeing rapid adoption of this proven technology, now delivered with the range and performance to meet the needs of discerning buyers. While the most remote overland expeditions are outside the scope of EVs (today), there are so many fun applications for their use while adventuring, including motorcycles. Enter the Volcon Grunt, a scrappy moto with balloon tires, reverse, 75 miles of range, and even 400 pounds of payload. Riding the Grunt is a joy; the retro lines and comically huge tires bring a smile to the face and a steady flow of questions from onlookers. It feels powerful but somehow not dangerous, and I was even able to…

When it comes to jackets, choosing between down and synthetic can be a challenge. Often the choice in chilly but dry conditions, down is packable with a higher warmth-to-weight ratio, while synthetic is more water resistant and gentler on the pocketbook. While many brands successfully compromise by constructing a down and synthetic hybrid, Outdoor Research recently introduced their VerticalX SuperStrand synthetic fill, which arranges fibers in strands (versus sheets), resulting in more loft, compression, and a better warmth-to-weight ratio than the typical synthetic jacket. While attending overland rally events, camping with friends in the Canadian Rockies, and embarking on amulti-day backcountry hiking trip, I packed along Outdoor Research’s SuperStrand LT Hoodie to determine if this rang true. I noticed the packability of the jacket immediately. At 9.6 ounces, Outdoor Research…