TREAD July - August 2021

As I fly home from an exciting weekend out in Uwharrie, North Carolina, I can’t help but reflect on all that happened over the eventful weekend. While there, we attended Overland Challenge and also spent time with Overland Experts (OEX). We grabbed some content for a future story, and Tony let me drive their right-hand-drive Land Cruiser BJ70, which was also a manual. I warned him that I’ve only driven manual a couple of times, but he motioned for me to jump in. Mind you, this is one of my all-time favorite vehicles, and a chance to drive one was a dream come true. Tony’s guidance and instruction made driving this (literally) foreign vehicle easy (a much different experience than when I tried to learn tennis from my father, who…

O1. TUFFY/TAILGATE MOLLE LOCKBOX FOR JEEP JL & JK Expanding on its range of secure storage products for Jeeps, Tuffy is now offering a MOLLE-compatible lockbox for the Wrangler JL and JK. The heavy-duty TG Table Box fits JL and JK models equipped with or without an OEM hard or soft top. The boxes attach to the inside of the tailgate for secure and convenient storage and are designed with a MOLLE attachment grid for versatility. MSRP: $344 tuffyproducts.com O2. ALUBOX/ALUMINUM STORAGE CASES Dust- and water-resistant and stackable, AluBox Aluminum Storage Cases are the choice of overlanders for storage inside or outside of a vehicle. They’re available in a wide range of sizes to ensure the safe transportation and storage of valuables, fragile items and sensitive equipment. The…

01. ARTILECT/BOULDER CREW & LEGGING Artilect is all about sustainability. This company uses high amounts of natural merino wool, along with small amounts of synthetics that are combined with a Nuyarn structure to make the Boulder’s merino base layers warmer, tougher, lighter, drier, more-stretchy, longer-lasting and with a smaller carbon footprint than others offer. MSRP: not listed artilect.studio 02. OUTDOOR RESEARCH/ MEN’S FERROSI HOODIE This hooded jacket features extra durability layered onto the shoulders, elbows and forearms, while its body and arms retain a super-stretchy, incredibly breathable and undeniably comfortable soft-shell performance. Its stretch and breathability are second to none, and its durable construction and weather-resistance offer welcome protection against the elements. MSRP: $97 outdoorresearch.com 03. DANNER/TRAIL 2650 CAMPO The Trail 2650 Campo was designed for warm-weather…

Summer is upon us, and it’s time to make your ride stand out and shine. If you ask us, the best way to do this is by fitting your rig with a new set of wheels. Upgraded, aftermarket wheels are often lighter, stronger and almost always better-looking than the stock rollers you’re currently riding on. In addition, strength and weight reduction can increase fuel mileage and performance ... and the good looks will turn heads as you drive by. We’ve collected a few of the latest releases here. Which set caught your eye? TITAN 7/T-AK1 FORGED OFF-ROAD WHEEL This premium sport, off-road wheel is one of the lightest of its kind in the world. “AK1” stands for “all-terrain attack” and is a fully forged wheel with anti-slip knurling for added…

One of the best tools, if not the best tool, to carry on oneself on the daily is a folding pocketknife. These pint-sized utility dynamos come in handy in a variety of ways throughout your busy day. Whether you’re hard at work in the office or relaxing by a lake, a good pocketknife can help you get all sorts of tasks done. We’ve collected some of the latest knives from a selection of highly respected knifemakers for you to review. Which one will you choose to grace your pocket? 01. FILSON/ TITANIUM FRAME-LOCK KNIFE CLOSED LENGTH: 3.75” OPEN LENGTH: 6.5” BLADE LENGTH: 2.75" BLADE MATERIAL: S35VN stainless steel HANDLE MATERIAL: Titanium WEIGHT: unlisted MSRP: $195 filson.com 02. KERSHAW/ RANDOM LEEK CLOSED LENGTH: 4.0” OPEN LENGTH: 7.0”…

Since the beginning of time, mankind has been fascinated with flight. The 8th-century Berber merchants heading for Timbuktu most certainly observed the occasional tawny eagle overhead, envisioning its view of their camel caravan marching across the Sahara. Leonardo da Vinci’s obsession with the subject prompted him to sketch human-powered “ornithopters” (winged flight); and, as the science of photography evolved in the 1800s, it was only natural that cameras would accompany lighter-than-air dirigibles and blimps. Aerial photography hit the fast track when Orville and Wilbur Wright launched the “Wright Flyer” in 1903, finding its place in military reconnaissance aircraft such as the World War I-era B.E.2c and the Cold War Lockheed U-2. Fast forward to today, and the work of centuries of dreamers and technological innovators has made its way to…