Overland Journal

STRAIGHT TALK My wife gave me a Christmas subscription. She was so impressed when she contacted your office last minute and you got me the first issue in time for the holiday. [It’s] sad that even autos have become political, so thank you for your honest and non-biased review of off-road EVs. They are sure exciting to drive and have great tech, but many of us can’t spend $100,000 on one. I picked up a gently used 2008 Lexus GX 470 and turned it into a great off-roader with lift, new rims, tires, sliders, and all in I spent just $23,000. The old-school Toyota V8 is terrible on gas but so reliable—I love it. Keep up the great articles. Erich Meyer DOUBLE TAKE I really enjoy your magazine, I just subscribed I like it so…

KIRA AND BRENDON HAK Kira’s passion has always been travel and photography. For her, capturing an image to share with the “inside” world has the power to change mindsets. Kira is certain she will travel to every corner of this beautiful planet and spark an interest in others to do the same. Brendon has been behind the wheel his entire life, his first solo expedition being at just six years old. No matter the season, you can find him outside, twisting a throttle or stomping a pedal. So the wanderer met the horse, and Adventure Haks was born—a platform to share their photography and tales of their journeys, with the goal to simply enjoy life and inspire others to get outside and explore. @adventurehaks LUCIE HANES Lucie is a sport climber, ultrarunner, writer,…

For our first full-size project vehicle, we selected a halfton GMC with their AT4 (all-terrain 4WD) package. The base Sierra is known for its quality of assembly, overall driver comfort, and 60,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper warranty. In recent years, GM has been taking overlanding by storm, releasing model after model well-suited to this form of travel. It started with the ZR2 Bison and now includes multiple AT4 models, the new AT4x Sierra and Canyon, and the much-anticipated AEV variants. Ideally, we wanted an extended-cab, standard-bed Sierra, but it was not available in the AT4, so we chose the crew-cab, standard-bed option, which gives a 6.5-foot bed length and a 157-inch wheelbase. It’s a big truck with an overall length of just over 20 feet, so the extra clearance of the AT4 lift was…

While the trusty jerry can has proved itself time and time again, the introduction of the Dometic Go Hydration water jug and faucet proves that the classic water container can be modernized and improved. One of the challenges with run-of-the-mill jerry cans is the ability to control water during pouring, especially if you require anything from a couple of gallons to a quick toothbrush splash. Dometic’s 11-liter, BPA-free, foodgrade water jug includes removable webbed carry handles and built-in tie-down guides, which I found to be a minimalist and effective means of transport. The jug is offered in slate, glacier, or ash and features two top openings. One is a universal Nalgene top designed for easy attachment of water filters and accessories, a screw-on cap, or a spigot. The other has a…

I wore blue jeans when I hit the trail on my first motorcycle. They were the uniform of the day, despite providing I just a touch more protection than cotton pajamas in a get-off. When textile gear came of age, I moved on to a higher level of protection. Now technology has taken us back to the future with motorcycle jeans that protect in a fall instead of shredding. Riders no longer have to wear a touring suit to safely run a few errands or enjoy a multi-surface day ride. Unlike early Kevlar-lined motorcycle jeans, which were too warm and stiff for my taste, the Lombards are made from heavy but flexible 15-ounce Cordura Denim. A blend of cotton and military-grade nylon, this fabric has an AA rating (the middle of…

Of all the portable commodes on the market today, the InstaPrivy is the only one you wear on your head. From outside the privacy shelter, the user looks like an olive-drab ghost on Halloween or perhaps a tiny mobile grain silo, but the design is genius in its simplicity. The real focus is on portability. All of the components you need for your walk to the woods are conveniently organized in a 16 x 16 x 4-inch water-resistant backpack that weighs in at just a smidge under 7 pounds. The exterior features compression straps and buckles and two rows of MOLLE webbing. The pack’s padded and adjustable shoulder straps come with their own storage compartment to convert the bag to hand carry. Inside are thoughtful touches like custom pockets and tie-downs…