TREAD July/August 2023

O1. BDS SUSPENSION/CONTROL ARMS FOR FORD BRONCO BDS designed their new HD Adjustable Control Arms as a bolt-in replacement for late-model Ford Bronco applications. Heavy-wall tubing construction strengthens these arms so they won’t fail, even in intense off-road applications. One end uses an OE-durometer rubber bushing to isolate road noise and vibrations while the other end uses your choice of a rubber bushing or a threaded flex-end to allow adjustable length to position the axle up to 30 degrees of misalignment when you’re twisted up out on the trails. MSRP: $441.04 www.bds-suspension.com O2. BESTOP/SUNRIDER TOP Replace the hardtop on your late model Bronco and enjoy the open air with a Bestop Sunrider Top. Enjoy the fresh air and sunshine by flipping back this soft top or close it with ease…

01. TENKARA ROD CO/ YARI ROD KIT Getting out on the water this summer? What about fishing from remote mountain streams? If you’re hiking, backpacking, kayaking – you name it – check out the newly updated Yari Rod Kit. The Japanese-made rod is lightweight and compact, designed for fishing light lines and light flies. Extended, it measures 360cm (11ft. 10in.), but it collapses down to just 53cm (20.8in) and it weighs in total 2.3oz – perfect for throwing in your pack. MSRP: $295 tenkararodco.com 02. KORA/YARDANG JERSEY Kora, a Himalyan-born outdoor activewear brand, incorporates yak wool into each of its designs. This quarter-zip is the perfect lightweight layering piece for the summer, made of 70% superfine merino and 30% premium yak wool, which both insulate and wick sweat fantastically well.…

Black Rhino / Fuji The Black Rhino Fuji monoblock wheel is inspired by the off-road wheels on Dakar Rally support trucks. They took the industrial motorsport aesthetic and made it accessible in truck, SUV, and crossover wheel fitments. Available in 17” sizes exclusively, the Black Rhino Fuji features a perfect blend of heavy-duty performance and stunning visual cues for modern 5-lug and 6-lug off-road and overland rigs. Offered in four standard finishes: Olive Drab Green, Gloss White, Matte Gunmetal, and Matte Black. blackrhinowheels.com Black Rhino / Alpha The Black Rhino Alpha wheel is an off-road evolution of their most popular street truck wheels. Featuring a motorsports-inspired mesh design, the Alpha is optimized to accommodate a broad range of fitments, including larger 8-lug truck hubs. Offered in 17x9, 18x9, and 20x10…

If your everyday carry knife is past its prime and you’re searching for an upgrade, what are the characteristics you look for? Durability, the proper sizing, weight, handle or blade material. No matter your needs or intended use, the list goes on and on. The best everyday carry knife is the one that best fits your needs. Here are some of our favorites – and some new releases. 01. BEAR & SON/ SLIDE LOCK W/ POCKET CLIP Overall Length: 7”Closed Length: 4.13” Blade Length: 3” Blade Material: D2 SteelHandle Material: Cocobola WoodWeight: 3.2 oz.MSRP: $107.99 bearandsoncutlery.com 02. HAVALON/ REDI Overall Length: 7.25”Closed Length: 4.25”Blade Length: 2.75”Blade Material: AUS-8Handle Material : Military grade polymer reinforced with stainless steelWeight: 3.2 oz.MSRP: $54.99 Havalon.com 03. OCASO KNIVES/ STRATEGY Overall Length: 7.84”Closed Length: 4.39”Blade…

If you’ve been interested in adding a trailer to your overlanding setup, meet Sprocket, the newest trailer from Off Grid Trailers (OGT). This new offering is modular, so you can start small and grow slowly as you add more accessories. Off Grid Trailers chose to build the Sprocket off the same chassis as their well-known Expedition trailer, as a lighter-weight and more affordable option. Its all-metal construction gives it extra structure, upping its off-road performance. We’ve known Off Grid Trailers for their quality craftsmanship and engineering, so we’re excited to see how this new trailer performs. The Sprocket comes with fewer standard features than the other Off Grid offerings, which is reflected in its price. “We have designed the trailer with modularity in mind, to make way for the after-market…

Before heading to Easter Jeep Safari this year, I did a final walkaround of my car hauler, an 18-foot Big Tex with my Expedicion de las Americas CJ-7 atop. As I inspected the tie downs, lights, electrical connections, tires, and safety chains, I thought of the dozens of towing accidents I’ve seen over the years and wondered what factors led up to having someone’s possessions strewn across the highway. In this Backcountry Skills, we’ll be exploring the equipment and discussing techniques of safely hauling our precious cargo, and how to avoid being the purveyor of the next Interstate yard sale. I have five trailers ranging from a small box unit for dump runs to a 26-foot toy hauler and tandem-axle sailboat trailer. But my first experience with toys on the…