Table of contents for July - August 2021 in TREAD

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…

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…

Most off-road builds are fueled by the fire of hitting trails to rock crawl or heading to the desert to rip whoops and jumps—but not this one. “BRIAN’S LOVE OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND HIS ARTISTIC EYE TOGETHER PUSH THE AESTHETICS OF THIS RIG. THIS IS EVIDENT IN HIS CHOICE OF MODIFICATIONS. THE RIG HAS A STYLE THAT PUSHES THE BOUNDARY OF THE GX COMMUNITY IN BOTH LOOKS AND PERFORMANCE.” Brian McGee built this import off-road monster to the most remote places in order to fuel his passion for photography. He built this rig to transport himself to the highest peaks and the farthest valleys to take night photos of the cosmos. However, this build got away from him and turned into the beast you see before you. Chasing Memories Brian has…

The smell of Mother Nature’s freshness after a hard rain wafts across your nose as you’re surrounded by majestic pine trees and muddy trails. Miles into a desolate, hardly used area, what once was a hard-packed dirt track gets narrower—allowing little room for adjustment. Suddenly, a 4x4 slides off the trail and into a perilous position. However, the winch mounted on this adventure rig hasn’t ever been used. It’s seen thousands of miles but wasn’t practiced with or learned about. Uh, oh. Understanding how to use a winch, knowing its capabilities and limitations and how to maintain it properly are critical. Newcomers and seasoned travelers, alike, can make off-road excursions safer with winch know-how. You Bought a Winch and Installed It. Now, What? Stretch the winch rope. Whether you own…

Athirst for adventure doesn’t keep the curious away. Not to mention that a thirst for car modification also doesn’t keep an enthusiast away. Andre Alvarez, owner of this 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Premium, soon learned that his commuter is also great for fun times off the pavement and adventures in the great outdoors. Proving that one can fit quite a bit into a smaller package, Andre built himself an overlanding rig capable of going places he never imagined. We first met Andre at King of the Hammers 2021, where his outgoing personality drew us in to learn more about him, his skottle skills and his Crosstrek. “ANDRE ENJOYS FINDING THE HIDDEN GEMS AND LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORY WITHIN THE VASTNESS OF THE MOJAVE DESERT. TRIPS SUCH AS THE MOJAVE ROAD OR…

If you’re into oddball vehicles, rad vans or quirky four-wheel-drives, you might have heard of the Mitsubishi Delica. The Delica Star Wagon and Delica Space Gear vans are popular among adventurers worldwide. These 4x4 adventure vans have gained a global cult following because of their versatility, capability and style. Because Mitsubishi Delicas were never sold in the United States, prospective owners need to wait at least 25 years before importing or purchasing one that could be registered in the States. All out-of-country vehicles not officially sold in the United States (as in, not federalized to meet strict requirements for them to be for sale here) can be imported once they’re 25 years old. Our neighbor to the north, Canada, has the same rule, but it’s only 15 years. Because of…

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…

Like clockwork, the familiar feeling of hesitation mingled with excitement creeps in prior to each and every border crossing. Preconceived notions about a country swirl through your mind—a mix of reports from other travelers, captivating photographs in earmarked guidebooks and details from blog posts you’ve read. But now you are here, at the›frontera. Stamps are pressed into the pages of your passport, and paperwork is filled out, granting you the freedom to exit one country and enter another. Into the Unknown The day had come for us to step into the unknown: Perú. To be honest, we weren’t sure what to expect. Fellow travelers had spun tales of jaw-dropping landscapes but lamented the rundown towns, piles of trash strewn along coastlines and unfriendly encounters with locals. Cruising along Ecuador’s Highway…

With summer here, family trips with adventure pets are bound to happen. Perhaps you travel with your pet year-round. With so many options out there, seeking items beyond the local chain store is sometimes necessary to find exactly what you need. From food crates to dog beds and water bowls, we’re here to help you hunt down the latest effective and quality pet gear available. Taking a page from our story about traveling safely with your dog (“Four Wheels and Four Legs,” page 62), included are some options for a first aid kit, travel dog bowls and more. Let’s face it—your furry best friend needs some great outdoor gear. FILSON/DOG BOWL Every adventure dog needs a good travel bowl. The collapsible dog bowl from Filson folds to store in a…

After my day of surfing and fishing, darkness starts to descend on a remote, sandy beach. Temperatures drop enough to send chills throughout the air. Ocean waves crash onto the shore, creating the perfect symphony of solitude. The lack of cell phones and iPads makes eyes wander to the sun setting low on the horizon and then up to the stars starting to show themselves. This is living; this is what it’s all about. Isn’t it? Sophie Hollingsworth was tired of living in cities stifled by skyscrapers. She longed for something different. She wanted to challenge herself and sleep under the stars—something she wasn’t getting with the hustle and bustle of populated life. However, developing a fascination for Australia from a young age, and then actually visiting the country via…

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…

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…

Light-duty trucks bring the most sales in the United States, with many people using them for multiple jobs. Additionally, as the population of outdoor explorers and enthusiasts grows, trucks need to do more. One of the first accessories often considered is a bed rack. If you’re one to do your research, you probably already know about Leitner Designs. It manufactures one of the best truck bed cargo racks on the market—the Leitner Active Cargo System (ACS). It offers quality craftsmanship and innovative design to bring versatility to the truck owner who partakes in multiple outdoor adventures or needs their truck to do more. Dirt bikers, mountain bikers, hunters and others who have various passions for adventure need the ability to make use of their truck bed on some days; on…

Have you ever wondered about the best way to explore that off-road terrain we all love traversing? I think about it relatively often. I have an overland-style Lexus GX460 build and a KTM 950 adventure motorcycle. Both are amazing at long-distance adventure travel, and both are quite capable in technical, off-road terrain. But which one is best for the next off-road adventure? Is there something better and/or more fun out there? The GX is a really versatile tool, because it’s fully locked, on 34s, is well-armored and has all the recovery gear you might need. It’s also just a bit too nice—as my daily driver—to truly beat up on super-aggressive terrain. The 950 Adv is a big, heavy, powerful, street-legal rally bike that easily tackles harder terrain than it should,…

You’ve finally completed your truck build, called your boss to request a few days off and packed supplies for several days of off-the-grid living. The purpose: a long drive into the mountains to set up camp by an alpine lake and unwind for a long weekend. The driving experience, alone, is enough to justify the expensive truck accessories and PTO for some, but the adventure doesn’t need to end once you set up camp. Your camp shouldn’t be a place to spend your whole weekend. Instead, it should be a “launching pad” for more outdoor adventures. Fishing is a natural complement to many overland trips and offers a new and exciting hobby to pursue in all the beautiful places your truck takes you. Adventurous anglers have been overlanding for years,…

Because I’m an off-road vehicle owner, it’s very easy for me to focus on the sexier food- and drink-cooling options on the market (such as onboard fridge/ freezers) over traditional, ice-cooled chests. The fascination with these mobile fridges is real, and the reasons are totally understandable: The capability they give us, as well as the impressive technology they're packed with, are truly game-changing. But, as great as they are, they can also be completely cumbersome and “overkill” for use in some instances. I was headed to a quick, one-night car-camping trip in the vicinity of Southern California’s Big Bear Lake a few weekends ago. I decided to forego taking my 4x4 adventure rig and took my daily driver car instead. I was headed to a prepared campsite that hosted permanent…