These exhibitors and sponsors help make Overland Expo East the best overland gathering in the region

In just a couple of months, Overland Expo returns to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia for the final event of the year. This is your chance to check out the latest and greatest gear from over 250 exhibitors representing overlanding, adventure travel, and more. Even though early October might have you thinking of autumn colors and cool nights around the campfire, it’s also a great time to get a jump start on holiday shopping, so why not check out the gear in person?

Amongst the exhibitor rows at Overland Expo, you’ll find a wide array of companies representing every niche inside of the overland and adventure travel communities. From fully outfitted adventure vans to a rack that helps you get your mountain bike out to remote trailheads, you’ll find it all. If you’re looking for a new backcountry abode, we’ve got you covered. From ground tents and rooftop tents to fully outfitted off-road camper trailers that will suit any rig. Speaking of rigs, you can check out the latest and greatest accessories to get your suspension, organization, recovery kit, lighting, and more upgraded.

Check out the full exhibitor list HERE and be sure to check back, as we will be adding more leading up to the event.

Photo by John Allen

Photo by John Allen

Photo by John Allen

Photo by John Allen

Photo by John Allen

Among the exhibitors, you’ll find our amazing sponsors that bring special areas of Overland Expo to life. From the happy hours brought to you by Torque Wheels and Toyo Tires to the Camp Subaru Live! party and the Women Who Wander Pavilion sponsored by U-Haul International, you’ll find plenty to do each evening of the event. Be sure to stop by the Overland Essentials Area sponsored by Midland Radio to brush up on the basics, no matter if you’re a beginner or pro overlander. We’re happy to be working with some of the best in the business to make this another great event for the community.

Title Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors

Special Area and Event Sponsors

During and after the event, be on the lookout for coverage and round-ups from our excellent media partners. You can also find their booths, say hello, and pick up a copy of their magazine and sign up for a subscription — if they do that sort of thing.

Media Partners

Whether you’re looking to outfit your rig, buy a whole new unit, see the newest products at the best prices around (many exhibitors have event-specific deals and specials), or just check out some cool gear in between classes and parties, Overland Expo is the place to be and East — taking place from October 3-5, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia — is the last chance of the year to check out the best gear in the outdoor recreation and overlanding spaces. End your season right — Buy your tickets today! Click the link below to learn more and secure your spot.

Chris McCormack has been one of Overland Expo’s most popular instructors at our EAST event for several years now, so we were thrilled when he told us he was planning to do a cross-country trip this summer and hit as many Overland Expos as he could. Chris is a seasoned travel photographer, motivational speaker and humanitarian who has explored more than 30 countries in the past decade. As a speaker, Chris says his “seminars and presentations are designed to transport audiences into different cultures, encouraging personal growth and a deeper understanding of the world.” You can learn more about Chris, his photography, and the immersive tours he leads around the world at TheChrisMcCormack.net. Attendees at Overland Expo WEST, Pacific Northwest, Mountain West and EAST will be able to hear Chris speak about his adventures in Iceland, Mongolia and Guatemala. Chris will also lead seminars on adventure photography and solo travel. To learn more about Chris, continue reading below.  

Q&A with Chris McCormack: 

Tell us about your rig:  

2024 Shineray Mustang XY200 – Chinese motorcycle 

You can find “better” or more luxurious motorcycles to buy or rent in Mongolia but believe it or not, it might not be in your best interest. If you’re riding in the Steppe of Mongolia, you won’t find any Jiffy Lubes or Advance Auto Parts! All of the nomads who live in the steppe, have the exact same motorcycle! So, if your motorcycle breaks down, you crash, or need to change a blinker, with the Shinery Mustang, you can ask the nomads for help, and 99/100 times, they will be there for you.  

All-time favorite campsite: 

Mogollon Rim, Coconino National Forest, Payson, AZ, USA 

What’s your go-to overlanding meal?  

When I’m in the USA – chicken quesadillas 

When I was in Mongolia – Goat & Tuna 

Best silver-lining story? 

In 2016, I landed in Myanmar and went to the ATM at the airport to withdraw local currency, the Kyat. I had just lost TWO debit cards in Bali. I was down to only my credit card. But… when I went to the ATM, it asked me for a pin number… What?! I don’t have a pin number for my credit card! I couldn’t withdraw any money! At the time, debit/credit cards weren’t widely accepted yet so I asked the taxi’s for a quick ride into town and once I figured out my finances I’d give them 10x the amount. As if I told the funniest joke, they laughed so hard at me and pointed to my gold chain as payment for a $5 ride.  

With really no other options to get into town, I decided to start walking along the highway. Taxi after taxi would pull over to give me a ride but when I signaled, “No. Money.” with my hands, they sped off. 

The 13^th taxi driver pulled over and asked me for a ride. At this point, I was losing patience from explaining the same thing, the suffocating humidity, and thick exhaust from the shifting trucks driving by me.  

The driver of the 13th taxi spoke English and said, “No problem, get in.” After triple checking and making it 100% clear I had no money to give him, I got in the taxi. 

To make a long story short, while I waited for my debit card to be mailed to Myanmar from New Jersey, we spent the next seven days together. He took me to as he said, “special places every tourist needs to see if visiting Myanmar”. He bought and snacks water for me. He paid for my food at restaurants, we took mini road trips together and I spent time with his family in his village.  

I will always remember his humbleness, generosity, and kindness.  

His name was Aung Zaw OO. He was my guardian angel from Myanmar.  

All because I had lost two debit cards. 

What is an area of overland travel that you think you have nailed? (e.g. are you a proficient mechanic, provisioner, etc.) 

 To some it may seem rudimentary but to others it seems impossible. I think I’m really good at always finding a place to stay. I don’t usually book/schedule accommodations or sites in advance, I’d rather keep my options open and have my travel as flexible as possible. Less deadlines = less pressure. 

What is an area of overland travel that you feel you could use some improvement in? (e.g. would you like to learn more recipes so your diet while traveling is more varied.)  

I definitely need to be better at fixing my own car/motorcycle mechanical problems that pop up every once in a while. Sometimes, I don’t have the proper tools/space to be able to fix everything but I can definitely be better at learning how to fix the rest of the issues. 

To see Chris’s photos, learn more about his adventures, and hear his advice on taking great photos on the road and traveling solo, stop by one of our Overland Expo events this season. Our next event is Overland Expo WEST, taking place this coming weekend from May 16-18 in Flagstaff, Arizona. For more information and to purchase tickets, click the buttons below.

Article written in collaboration with Chris McCormack 

The new year brings another exciting season for the Overland Expo Film Festival. We are excited to announce the call for entries for our 11th season.

The film festival features content created by both amateur and professional filmmakers in the overlanding community, featuring inspirational tales, beautiful landscapes, and stories of travels near and far. If you have a cinematic story to tell (or want to nominate a film), head down to the Apply Now button below.

Film Festival Dates

Overland Expo West

May 16, 2025: Flagstaff, Arizona

Deadline to submit a film: MARCH 14, 2025

Overland Expo PNW

June 27, 2025: Redmond, Oregon

Deadline to submit a film: April 18, 2025

Overland Expo East

October 3, 2025: Arrington, Virginia

Deadline to submit a film: AUGUST 2, 2025

Curious about the films we’ve shown in the past? Here’s a short selection of films from past seasons:

CAMP 6 ROAD, A ROUTE THROUGH THE HEART OF THE CHIQUIBUL

Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route Documentary Film (CABDR-North)

Water Safari Versus

We spent a good part of our time at Overland Expo East this year scouring the vendor, camping, and parking areas for standout overland rigs of all shapes and sizes. From the recently released INEOS Grenadier to a couple of truly classic builds, here are the rigs that we wish were in our driveways.

Restored in Madrid, Spain, the Land Legends 1997 Defender 110 attracted a lot of attention from admiring passersby over the course of the weekend. The team completely disassembled the vehicle and meticulously restored it to mostly original condition. At first glance, you’d swear this nearly thirty-year-old vehicle just rolled off the showroom floor. Under the hood is one of the cleanest 300 TDIs you are likely to see.

As you look closer, you see a host of subtle touches that bring a modern flair, a subtle touch of luxury, and a couple of fun design twists. We appreciated the tweaks to the grill, which hint at a little something beyond your ordinary Defender. The custom leather interior is an impressive blend of luxury and utility that brings a little high-end Range Rover feel to a classic expedition rig. The Marshall speaker in the center console adds a fun, additional British nod to the custom Land Rover.

The Land Legends team has a portfolio of other custom Land Rover restorations on their website if you are curious to see what else they’ve done.

INEOS Grenadier Standout

One of the big takeaways from the East show is how popular the Grenadier has gotten in such a short time. There were dozens to be seen and vendors were not shy about showing their love for the new platform. With all the impressively built examples in the show, our favorite was to be found in the camping area. If you are looking for a build blueprint, this might be it.

The build begins with a pair of X Spec brackets mounted to either side of the vehicle. On the driver side, there’s a X Spec storage box for easy access to essentials and on the passenger side, there’s a 30-liter fuel can conveniently mounted just above the gas fill port. Jim, the owner of this beauty, has a small lithium-power pump that can transfer gas straight out of the jerry can into the vehicle.

The roof rack sports a Clever Shade 270 ultralight awning that lives up to its namesake. The entire awning can be demounted from the in about 20 seconds. Protecting the rocker panels are White Knuckle Off Road’s new Grenadier sliders. Just below the awing, Jim has a set of Narva lights and brackets that add a little Australian panache to the build. Around the front, the new LFD Off-Road winch mount with a Warn XD12s winch is doing recovery duty. To top off the build, there’s a Toyota Supra shifter installed that we all agreed was a nice upgrade over the stock shifter.

Lust Worthy Jeep Gladiator Mojave

Parked next door to the Grenadier was another of our favorite builds, a 2021 Hydro blue Gladiator Mojave. This is the Gladiator build that Jeeper’s dreams are made of. The build features a 3.5″ 4-link, long arm Metalcloak suspension kit augmented by Clayton springs that allow the vehicle to clear 40-inch Yokohama tires wrapped around Method Wheels. Despite the massive tires, drivability is maintained with a Yeti steering component upgrade. To handle the extra forces on the drivetrain, the owner has replaced the stock axles with chromoly and plans to truss the rear axle soon.

An Alucab Canopy Camper fills the bed where the owner has fit it with custom cabinetry he built, as well as bench cushion covers repurposed from the original Alucab mattress that came with the camper. Throughout the interior, one finds a host of Blueridge Overland bags and a few Front Runner cases, which store all the offroad and camping necessities. All the build details could fill a book, but check out the photos to get a better sense of the many mods the owner has done. This is a Gladiator we’d like to see a lot more of.

NASA Moonlander Colorado

With all the action inside the event, it’s easy to miss all the interesting rigs in the parking lot. While hunting down our favorite vehicles, we spotted a Chevy Colorado sporting a Ravica Moonlander camper. We are big fans of the Moonlander’s innovative approach to a camper that puts the sleeping position side to side over the truck bed. The white, modern aesthetic of the camper blended brilliantly with the white Gen 2 Colorado, and we appreciated the owner’s fun nod to NASA with the astronaut peering out of the rear window and the flag on the tailgate. We look forward to seeing more of the Moonlanders, especially their new Moonlander X, and we expect to see more of soon.

1989 Land Rover Defender 110 World Traveler

This Land Rover spent its early years crossing Africa and Europe before being imported to the US by its current owners who have continued it’s travel adventures stateside. Since 2015, they’ve put nearly 60,000 miles on the venerable rig, exploring nearly all of the national parks, in addition to being a frequent visitor to Overland Expo.

The 3.5L V8-powered rig has had a number of upgrades since coming to the US. Most prominent is the Tepui rooftop tent that is mounted over the front of the cab and deploys over the hood, leaving quite a bit of real estate on the safari rack for storage and as a rooftop platform. The passenger side has a 270-degree Safari Equip awning that provides an impressive shade footprint. Around the back is a set of impressively made DIY drawers with a high-vision orange interior that we are surprised more people haven’t adopted. With an extended-range fuel tank, the right-hand drive Defender is an impressive adventure rig we look forward to seeing again at next year’s events.

1990 Nissan Patrol Rarity

Sadly, too few Nissan Patrols have made it to the United States. We were delighted to see one in the camping area and get to talk to the owner, Vince, about the build. He bought the 1990 GQY60 Nissan Patrol while living in Guatemala back in 2014 and brought it back with him when he returned to the US. The Japanese standout rig is powered by a 4.2-liter diesel engine and sits on 35-inch tires. The vehicle has a 4″ Dobinson lift with Superior Engineering shocks in the front and Fox shocks in the back. The black beauty is outfitted with a bevy of ARB upgrades featuring their bumpers, snorkel, roof rack, and awning. Hopefully, more people will take cues from this build and import their own.

2002 Ford F250 Work and Adventure Truck

This Ford F250 might just be the rig to have for an end-of-the-world scenario. The mostly stock 2002 houses the infamous 7.3L PowerStroke diesel engine that puts power to a Dana 60 in the front and a Sterling 10.5 in the rear. Around the front, the owner adapted an M1085 steel bumper that we are pretty sure could plow through just about anything.

The rear of the truck is a highly customized Reading electrician’s box that features interior and exterior camp kitchens, multiple water systems, solar, a wood-burning stove, and room to sleep two in a tiered bunk format. Provide a massive bit of weather protection is a Bundutech 360 awning and a shower enclosure that hangs off the back of the box. It’s clear that a lot of design time has gone into its many features. We were most impressed with the custom-fabricated helical ladder the owner built to access the roof without sacrificing clearance at the box. It’s a work of art. Sadly, we didn’t get a good picture of it to show off his welding chops.

1996 F150 Nostalgia Build

It’s hard to believe this beauty is 28 years old. Where has the time gone? One might argue that the 1992-1996 generation of the Ford F150 is its most iconic version. Though, in our opinion, it’s a little too soon to use the term “classic”, they are already getting that title and are beginning to catch the attention of collectors. Seeing this build in the camping area, it’s not hard to understand why they are making a resurgence in popularity.

This particular build focused on era-appropriate mods that transport us back to the halcyon days of the mid-nineties. The thoroughly rebuilt suspension features a 4″ Rough Country lift with 6″ Superlift coils in the front to even out the stance from its heavy steel front bumper and 12,000 lb. winch. The period-correct Hella lights are a nice touch where modern LEDs would have ruined the vibe of the build. The owner is planning on tackling a renovation of the camper next, and we are looking forward to seeing it completed at a future Overland Expo.

Sprekko Dream Van

We got the chance to spend some time with the first Ekko that came off the assembly line earlier this year. The build out was done by FreedomVanGo and the build sheet reads like a laundry list of some of the best components available. The modifications begin with the super single tire rear conversion that brings the platform down to four tires that are lifted with a Van Compass 2-inch lift that clears 33-inch tires. Protecting the underbody is a full set of skidplates protecting everything from the engine to the rear diff. Terrawagon fender flares and mudguards keep the sides of the van safe and clean.

Just about every system on the van has been upgraded. The propane heater has upgraded to run off diesel, electrical has been built around a Lithionics powerup package and it has an upgraded alternator that can charge the entire system in about 2 hours. If you need power in camp, there’s a large GPS guided solar array on the roof that will keep the electrons flowing. For sunny days, the typical awning has been replaced with a massive 14-foot affair big enough for you and a dozen or so fellow campers to comfortably seek shelter under.

The list of upgrades goes on and on. If you want to see the entire list, head over to the FreedomVanGo website.

If you love checking out rigs like these, be sure to join us at one of the five Overland Expo events for 2025. Locations and dates will be announced soon. Keep an eye on the Overland Expo website for more details.

Mountain State Overland Tundra

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Some might say you can’t explore the East Coast with a big truck, but the team at Mountain State Overland has some trips that prove otherwise. This new build from the MSO team was in the creator area, and it takes the Tundra’s backcountry capability to the next level. This full sized Toyota features a host of upgrades, including wheels, suspension, Goose Gear organization, a snorkel, an AluCab ModCAP camper, skids, onboard air, and much more. We can’t wait to see where Eric and Rachel take it as they wrap up their build.

1989 4Runner

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

One of our staff members has recently been shopping for a first generation 4Runner, so we’ve had our eyes open for inspiring examples. This beauty in the Gomammut booth definitely caught our attention. The body has been repainted, but it is the original color, and we can’t imagine any other way. On the back, a DIY rack system allows the low-profile mounting of the rooftop tent. With a slight lift and some Baja Designs lights, this build is tasteful and unique.

Sequoia Limited Adventure Mobile

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

When we got behind the wheel of the new Sequoia platform, we were more than impressed. We’ve seen several on the trails and at Overland Expo, but this particular example caught our eye. It’s based on the Limited Trim and outfitted with an iKamper tent plus a vestibule room. Some rock sliders provide protection on the trail, and we’re sure the owners will have years of adventure with this rig.

Exceptionally Outfitted Sequoia

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

And now, on the opposite end of the Sequoia spectrum, this first gen is an excellent build. We couldn’t ID the bumpers, and they might be DIY, but no matter their origin, they’re awesome. These, plus the sliders and winch, make sure the Sequoia is capable and protected on the trail. Up top the Overland Vehicles System and CVT Awning have shelter covered. Black Rhino Wheels and a modest lift keep it rolling over any obstacle.

Tembotusk 1995 HZJ77 Landcruiser

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

While we see plenty of Cruisers, we don’t see a lot of the 77 series. This one is equipped with a turbo and some rather rare features and options. The power windows, heat & air conditioning, and suspension seats are paired up with a five-speed manual transmission. It’s riding on leaves and a solid front axle for plenty of offroad capability. Outside a solar panel, the exterior is relatively stock, but that doesn’t mean it lacks style. Thanks to TemboTusk for having such an awesome rig in their booth.

Absolute Classic FJ40

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

We didn’t catch up with the owner of this beautiful rig, but we can tell that it’s a well-cared-for machine. With some lift and an appropriately vintage Warn winch, it’s ready for any adventure. We really need to see more FJ40s out there. Oh, and bonus points for a tent that matches.

Overland First Gen Tacoma

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

A quality first-gen Tacoma is starting to be a rarer sight, given that these trucks are getting up there in age, and their legendary dependability means they’re often pushed into service for tough tasks. While this truck is nearing vintage status, it’s outfitted with some of the best gear out there. A RoofNest tent provides shelter, a Roam box is great for extra storage, and navigation and communication are assisted by the WeBoost.

Classic FJ80

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Those red, orange, and yellow stripes have a way of drawing our attention, and it was awesome to see a well-loved and well-equipped Land Cruiser that’s over 25 years old at Overland Expo East. The owner has put in plenty of sweat equity and ingenuity since he’s rebuilt the engine and built the rear bumper from a Coastal Offroad DIY kit. On the opposite end, an ARB bumper provides protection and a mounting location for the Hi-Lift jack. It’s also been upgraded with an Old Emu Suspension to enhance the ride and to make up for the added weight of the armor. It’s also sporting a water tank, auxiliary lights, a rooftop tent, and a snorkel to round out the overland package.

GP Factor – Bull Bar

The fabrication masters at GP Factor debuted some new parts for the INEOS Grenadier at Overland Expo East. The Bull Bar Grill Guard is made up of five separate pieces, so it’s easy to replace if damaged; plus, the middle tube can be swapped out for various light mounting options. The five-part construction greatly decreases shipping costs as well. The Bull Bar is constructed from 3/16” (0.187) HRPO A36 Carbon Steel with 1.9” diameter tubing featuring 0.125” (1/8”) thick walls. This bull bar is built to withstand the demands of rugged use. The main pillars boast an I-Beam construction for added strength and an impressive look. With pillars and bar mounts all measuring 3/16” thick, when assembled, the combined thickness reaches 9/16”. It mounts to the bumper using eight factory mounting holes to ensure stability and support without modifying any factory components. It’s finished in Black Oxide for added corrosion resistance, and not only does this finish match the Grenadier components, but the overall aesthetic makes it seem like this component could have easily rolled off the INEOS assembly line.

Significantly more out of sight but just as important for a fully overland kitted rig, the Grenadier Hidden 12.5K Winch Kit ensures that the Grenadier drivers are ready for backcountry recoveries. It features a Come Up 12.5k SealSlim winch 65ft. of synthetic line and a GP Factor Fairlead. Just like the Bull Bar, it seamlessly integrates with the factory bumper to increase the Grenadier’s capability. And just like all of GP Factor’s products, these INEOS accessories are made in the USA.

Crooked Finger Designs – Battery Pack

The Crooked Box is a next-level auxiliary battery system for van and truck campers designed for quick off-grid adventures. This compact, easy-to-install power solution combines high-performance features with effortless usability, making it perfect for camper builders and DIY enthusiasts. The Crooked Box includes a built-in MPPT solar controller, DC-DC charging, and fused outputs for 12 circuits, allowing seamless integration of inverters and shore power. Its tough aluminum case and aircraft-grade hardware ensure durability, while the fully serviceable design means you can maintain it with ease.

Inside, you’ll find a powerful Expion 360 LiFePO4 battery, a Redarc BCDC charger, and a smart shunt with Bluetooth monitoring. At 14” x 10.75” x 11” and 45 lbs, it fits perfectly into tight spaces. Battery options include 100, 120, or 132AH (expandable), with a charge rate of 25A or 40A and a maximum discharge of 1200W. The Crooked Box is hand-built in Washington and designed to make your DIY dependable and convenient.

DrawerSystems.com – LR3 and Grenadier Drawer Systems

DRAWERSYSTEMS.COM is known for its expertly crafted custom-made drawer systems for a number of SUVs. Their builds can range from the wild to the mild, depending on the customer’s needs. Owner Chad makes a number of bespoke drawer inserts for different models of SUVs, and at Overland Expo East 2024, he had a Land Rover LR3 and an INEOS Grenadier on display. Both rigs featured well-constructed drawers, onboard water, and fridge options, electrical system, and best of all, they’re easy to remove if you need additional cargo space.

With a DRAWERSYSTEMS.COM buildout, you can choose between a 30-liter drawer fridge or a traditional fridge slide. Chad also offers water systems that integrate with in-vehicle tanks, or you can opt for a hook that works with an external tank. Everything about his products encourages the customer to dial in their organization system to meet their needs. We can’t overstate the build quality of these bespoke drawers.

Thule – Outset Hitch Mounted Tent

One of the more interesting things we found at Overland Expo East was the Thule Outset hitch mounted tent. Weighing in at a svelte 160 lbs., the new tent design takes the benefits of a quick deploy roof top tent and puts it on your towbar. While stowed, the tent packs down to a modest rectangle sitting a little less than 30 inches from your bumper. When unfolded, the assembly provides a three-person tent with a 2-3/4″ thick mattress. Adjustable legs allow you to level the tent independent of the vehicle. The Outset will be available in early 2025.

Boxo USA – Metric and SAE Combo Tool Roll

Boxo USA had its new metric and SAE combo tool roll on display. The new 82 piece set includes a curated selection of the most commonly used tools for vehicle maintenance and repair. The tools are all organized in an easy to find and labelled format in their Cordura nylon tool roll that packs up surprisingly small for such a diverse collection of tools. The set comes with a dry bag to further protect your precious tools. If you are on the hunt for a tool set for your vehicle, be sure to check these out.

Decked – Cargoglide

The recently released CargoGlide 1000 from DECKED brings a number of new features to the already convenient and heavy-duty product. As you might expect, the CargoGlide 1000 has a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds. The old model offered 70% extension, but the new CG 1000 bumps that up to 75%, which translates up to 13 more inches depending on the truck bed size. The new look of the CargoGlide goes far beyond aesthetics. The rounded edges and rubber bumpers eliminate snag points, and they’re still compatible with accessories like the optional high sides. The handle release has also been updated to be easy to access and utilize. If you’re looking for even more customization of your truck cargo system, there’s a half-width slider available as well.

Ironman 4×4 – Delta Wing Awning

Ironman 4×4 had their new Delta Wing Awning on display this weekend. Available in 90, 180, and 270 degree models, the awnings were notable for a couple innovative features, as well as a compelling price point. The first thing you notice about the new awning design are the built-in tri-color LED strip lights at the underside of each of the awning arms. Powered from a USB power source, the low-profile lights can be set to three different illumination levels.

The 320 gsm ripstop nylon blackout fabric lived up to its name and provides an understated aesthetic that matches Ironman 4×4’s new design direction. The stout aluminum awning arms are attached to a steel L bracket and have swing out, extendable (and removable) legs for extra support when its needed. The 270-degree awning weighs in at a modest 44 lbs. and an MSRP of $799.00.

Tusca Outdoors – HitchHiker Camper

With the cost of campers and overland trailers skyrocketing, Tusca Outdoors has a new take on the classic camper box – their HitchHiker Camper. The teardrop-esque design comes in at roughly the cost of a higher end rooftop tent at just under $3,000 and is designed to be bed or trailer mounted depending on the mounting kit you pair with it. The boxes come in two standard lengths – 79 and 89 inches to fit a variety of mounting platforms. If the standard lengths don’t fit your application, Tusca also offers a customized version that modifies the length and width to fit smaller vehicles and trailers.

The boxes tip the scales at a surprisingly light 190 and 200 pounds, respectively, despite offering four season rigid insulation and an abuse-resistant interior and exterior lining. The HitchHiker is made in Lebanon, Pennsylvania and can be shipped anywhere in the United States. If you are looking for a lightweight, customizable camper solution, Tusca Outdoors may have the solution for you.

We’re just over a week out from Overland Expo East 2024! And just like the rest of our events, it will be a jam-packed weekend with classes, exhibitors, and thousands of awesome rigs. However, you want to be sure to put one part of the event at the top of your “must-see” list, and that’s the Overland Expo Foundation Charity Raffle. Not only is it a great chance to score some awesome prizes, but all of the proceeds go to support the Overland Expo Foundation. Throughout the year, the foundation works to increase trail access, clean up heavily impacted areas, and support groups that introduce new people to the wonderful overlanding community.

When we say it’s a great chance to score some prizes, we mean it. There are literally hundreds of items up for grabs, and many of these are big-ticket items. New gear gets added to the prize table right up until the start of the raffle, but we already know that some great items are going to end up there. Here’s just a sample of what you can expect on the prize table.

• BuiltRight Industries Bedside Rack System in the form of a $500 gift card
• BoxoUSA 82 piece metric and SAE Tool Roll and Dry Bag
• American Expedition Vehicles Recovery Kit
• Sea to Summit Detour Essentials Camp Kitchen
• Gazelle Tents T4 Overland Edition
• Five tires from Nokian Tyres
• Midland Radio prize pack
• TailGater Tire Table

Overland Expo East is just around the corner! It’s our last event of the year and your chance to learn from some of the most inspiring and experienced overlanders around! The list of classes is far too extensive to list here. Classes and courses start at 9 AM each day, and they’re spread around the event at classrooms, the ADV Skills Area, the Kids Adventure Area, the Overland Essentials Area sponsored by Midland Radio, and more. There are far too many to list here, but you can check out the full schedule linked below. Before we dive into that, let’s take a look at some of the new educational opportunities that you can expect at Overland Expo East 2024.

Storytelling Pavilion 

Image by Michael Ladden

In case you haven’t heard by now, in response to the overwhelmingly popular 2023 Creator Area and the associated Content Creator Panel discussions we held last year, Overland Expo has added a new multi-purpose area called the Storytelling Pavilion. This space includes a teaching area tent that hosts education on topics related to content creation, such as expedition photography, adventure photography, and video editing clinics. To truly get “into the weeds” of the content creation lifestyle, attend “Making Money as a Content Creator” with Amanda Zito and join the roundtable discussion “Overlanding as a Content Creator,” where our panel of content creators will candidly share a “behind the scenes” look into their world.  And when you’ve had enough “how to” instruction at Overland Expo, the Storytelling Pavilion is where you can come to sit back, get inspired, and take a (vicarious) journey to Belize, Mongolia, Baja, Quebec, or go Euro-tripping or globe-trotting with some of the most well-traveled adventurers Overland Expo has ever hosted: Patty Upton and Denise and Frederick Cook. In addition, a select group of content creators will be camped just down the hill with their rigs, so if you’re looking to chat with or get an in-person tour of the rig of an overlander you’ve been following for a while, this will be your chance. Head to the Creator Area to meet Mike Ladden of @DriveTheGlobe, Chef Chad White of @TrailFeast, and Maria Barrera of @RoamingReckless, to name a few.  

Women Who Wander Pavilion 

Overland Expo – particularly its female director of programming – was thrilled to launch “Women Who Wander” at Overland Expo PNW, and we can’t wait to share this space with our attendees at Overland Expo East. Honoring and catering to one of the fastest growing communities in the overland space, “Women Who Wander” will feature female-specific education during the days throughout the weekend and a fun, engaging fireside chat on Friday evening from 5 pm-7 pm. These are the faces you can expect to see in this exciting new area: 

Photo: Rachael Flatt

Photo: Connie Rodman

Photo: Deb Lee

Photo: Lory Perfect

Photo: Azure O’Neil

Olympian Rachael Flatt will present: 

• Lessons Learned as an Olympian Turned Overlander

Connie Rodman will teach:  

• Fear: Don’t Get Over It, Get Through It 

Deb Lee, Cyndee Schneidau, and Lory Perfect will cover hygiene in: 

• No Sink. No Problem. A Self-Care Junkie Shares Her Secrets 
• Cleansing in the Wild: Hygiene and Potty Logistics 
• Ladies, Let’s Talk Poop 

Rebelle Liz Long will cover: 

• Map and Compass Navigation 
• Rebelle Rally Format and Enduros 

For those interested in honing their self-awareness and safety, Alan Glickman and Paul Seehafer will teach: 

• Discrete Defense 
• Personal Safety  
• Camping Solo Safety Tips 

Check out the full schedule for more details, and make sure to join the various daytime and nighttime networking sessions for women.  

Fresh Cooks in the Overland Expo “Kitchen” 

Make sure to check out our new feature chefs in the Backcountry & Culinary Pavilion: 

Lee “Natty” Trebotich 

Lee (a.k.a. “Natty”) is a seasoned biologist and world traveler with a master’s degree in botany, specializing in medicinal and edible plants. He has been cooking for 20 years and founded “Food for Adventures,” which focuses on feeding, educating, and providing outdoor communities with the resources and knowledge about eating well while exploring. They do so by offering services such as private cheffing, outdoor catering, expedition cooking, and outdoor education. Natty will be joining us at Overland Expo East to lead a clinic on backcountry foraging, cooking, and medicinal plants, and he’ll also teach a cooking demo based on backcountry-appropriate recipes.  

Amanda Zito 

Amanda is an adventure rider, artist, and full-time content creator (you can find her videos on her YouTube Channel “As the Magpie Flies.”) Amanda has visited every U.S. state in the lower 48 on a motorcycle, and her goal is to encourage more people to get outside and enjoy the world on two wheels. She has taught (and will continue to teach) Motorcycle Camping Basics 101 and 102 and Motorcycle Camp Cooking in our ADV Skills Area, but having just released her first cookbook, Amanda will be leading cooking demos at Overland Expo East 2024.  Join her on Saturday morning for her class: “One Skillet, One Burner: Tasty Tomato Orzo.” (She will also be leading cooking demos in the ADV Skills Area. Head there to learn how to make Amanda’s Camp Tacos and Beet Bourguignon.) 

Connie Rodman 

Connie is a familiar face at Overland Expo, having attended every single Overland Expo EVER. Little known fact: until two years ago, Connie was responsible for feeding the entire Overland Expo staff, three meals per day. We’ve been waiting to tap into Connie’s wealth of culinary experience, which includes cooking for multiple overland expeditions, and are thrilled to have her join us to teach “Making Your Own Dehydrated Meals” on Friday and “Food Storage, Preparation, and Provisioning” on Sunday.  

Chef Chad White of Trail Feast 

While Chef Chad White is somewhat new to the overland community, he has been renowned in the culinary community for years. White is a two-times James Beard Award semifinalist for best chef in the Northwest and Pacific Northwest region in both 2020 and 2022. He is also an alum of BRAVO TV’s Top Chef from Season 13. When Chef Chad White isn’t delighting and amazing guests at his Zona Blanca restaurant in Spokane, WA, he offers custom-curated Trail Feast culinary experiences in the backcountry. Chef Chad White will be joining us in the Creator Area and teaching cooking demos next to his rig throughout the weekend.  

In addition to all of these new teaching areas and instructors, storied overland travelers, and accomplished chefs, you can count on Overland Expo’s programming to provide the quality, core, essential education that we know is necessary for every traveler, such as: 

• Daily Vehicle Checks 
• Stop the Bleed 
• Bubble Gum & Duct Tape 
• Winter Camping Essentials 
• Finding Awesome Dispersed Campsites 
• The Art of Solo Travel 
• Campsite Safety & Security 
• Intros to traveling Canada and Mexico 

In addition to some advanced and niche subject matters, like: 

• How to 3D Print Your Own Customized Overland Gear 
• Overland / Cyber Safe 
• Tuning & Repairing Your 4 Paw Drive 

Check out the full schedule to see all of the other dynamic offerings our educational programming has to offer at Overland Expo East 2024.  

INEOS Grenadier will be sponsoring a Ride and Drive experience at Overland Expo East 2024 with the highly anticipated Grenadier 4×4. The Ride and Drive will give the chance for enthusiasts and adventurers alike to get up close and personal with the rugged capabilities, robust engineering, and off-road prowess of the vehicle on a custom-designed off-road course.

Photo by Ineos

Photo by INEOS Grenadier

Photo by INEOS Grenadier | Testing in Morocco

INEOS representatives will be on site to share more about the brand’s commitment to innovative engineering, its unwavering dedication to quality, and drive for adventure and exploration.  Earlier this year, our Editorial Director had a chance to take the Grenadier around the test course at Overland Expo West. You can read about his impressions here and see some photos of that ride and drive below.

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

With its rugged performance, uncompromising quality, and unwavering spirit of adventure, the Grenadier is poised to become the vehicle of choice for off-road enthusiasts across North America. 

Come experience it for yourself in Virginia very soon! 

Throughout the year Overland Expo has launched a new addition to each of our 2024 events with the new Women Who Wander program. This new addition has provided a space for women overlanders ranging from novice to expert to share their experiences. Lady overlanders are one of the fastest growing communities within the overland community, and we’re happy to feature female-specific education during the days throughout the weekend and a fun Happy Hour on Friday evening from 5 pm-7 pm near the Toyo Tire Oasis Bar and Food Court. For more information about what you’ll find in this exciting new space, please continue reading. 

Daytime Education 

We’re thrilled to feature a dynamic and accomplished roster of instructors in the Women Who Wander Pavilion: 

Connie Rodman spent her honeymoon on her very first overland journey… through Africa. In Connie’s class “Fear: Don’t Get Over It, Get Through It” she’ll talk about using fear to make you more confident about the road ahead.  

Full-time overlander, Deb Lee, will tackle the tricky topic of pooping on the road. She’ll discuss the techniques and products that make it less of an obstacle for those hesitant to get too far away from the grid, lest they miss that old porcelain fixture.  

Rachael, a 2010 Olympian in women’s figure skating for Team USA, will reflect on what she learned as an elite athlete and how these lessons prepared her for overlanding adventures and building a new rig with her husband Eric, a Mountain State Overland guide.  

Alan Glickman and Paul Seehafer are back by popular demand to teach their classes about safety, situational awareness and self-defense and long-time overlanders Lory Perfect and Cyndee Schneidau will cover the topic of hygiene on the road from a variety of angles and perspectives.  

Lory Perfect and Cyndee Schneidau will cover hygiene on the road from multiple perspectives, and Rebelle Rally competitor Liz Long will teach classes on traditional navigation and Rebelle Rally formats. 

(Note: with the exception of Alan Glickman’s classes, all are welcome to attendee these sessions – while the classes are tailored towards women, we guarantee that anyone in attendance will come away with valuable new insights and knowledge.)  

Evening Fireside Chats Series for Women Who Wander 

On Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm, all ladies are welcome to join us in a special area adjacent to the Oasis Food Court & Bar Sponsored by Toyo Tire USA. Harkening back to the “good old days” of Overland Expo Ladies’ Nights, we invite everyone to grab their happy hour drink, head into the Women Who Wander lounge and gather ’round a “campfire.” While guests are welcome to simply mingle and network, we’ll have a few more structured Q&As and community conversations: 

Q & A: How Not to Die in the Desert as a Rookie Rebelle 

The Rebelle Rally is 8-day, women-only, traditional navigation rally that stretched 1500+ miles through California and Nevada. Connie Rodman, from the prospective Rebelle Rally Team “Tried and True – TNT” will get all of the dirt from 2023 Rebelle (and Overland Expo’s director of programming) Azure O’Neil. When Azure and Eva Rupert competed in the Rebelle last year, their goals were 1. To get as many checkpoints as possible before noon. 2. Not to die in the desert. 3. To be good teammates to one another and all Rebelles. While rookie-to-be Connie will surely have several questions of her own, everyone around the fire pit is welcome to ask Azure their most burning questions about how to Rebelle.  

Meet the Most BadA$$ Adventurer at Overland Expo 

Before the invention of GPS technology, Patty Upton and her late husband, Loren, took their 1966 CJ-5 through the Darien Gap and around the world. She has always been fascinated by maps, exotic places, and different cultures. After meeting Loren, she stepped through the Looking Glass and into the world of overland expeditions and a lifetime of adventure. Patty will be giving a can’t-miss presentation about her travels during the day in the Storytelling Pavilion (those who have heard her speak before say it is one of the most captivating and inspiring stories they have ever heard). This fireside chat is an incredible opportunity to ask a true living legend questions about her wild and phenomenally interesting life.  

You can learn more about Loren and Patty here.  

Head to Arrington, Virginia, from October 4-6, 2024, for fall colors, fantastic riding, and tons of fun at Overland Expo East! October is prime riding season in the Mid-Atlantic region and Overland Expo East is chock full of inspiration to fuel your next adventure.

Get Geared Up!

Overland Expo East has all the gear you need to pack your panniers perfectly. Head over to Sea to Summit for tents, bags, and lightweight camping gear. Stock up on travel-worthy food from Mountain House and Alt Route Meals. Round out your kit with a sweet new Planetary Designs coffee brewer, a purpose-built Spyderco knife, and a packable towel from DryFoxCo.

Plan your route and navigate with ease using onX Offroad or a new Garmin GPS. If you’re eyeing an international adventure, head over to the Adrenaline Addicts booth. They offer all-inclusive tours and motorcycle rentals in Colombia with multiple locations so you can explore this fantastic country on two wheels!

Find Your Next Ride!

Don’t forget to bring your riding gear to Overland Expo East! You’ll have opportunities to demo the Harley Davidson Pan America and Yamaha’s whole range of adventure bikes. If you’ve got your eye on something electric, LAND Moto has some awesome e-motorcycles that absolutely rip. For the three-wheel aficionados, California Side Car will have several options onsite. Make some space in your garage because you might just have to ride home on a new bike!

Level Up Your Skills!

Classes are the cornerstone of Overland Expo, and East has tons of engaging classroom sessions to prepare you for all your adventure ambitions. Keep an eye out for the full class list coming soon!

Come Camp All Weekend!

No matter what direction you’re coming from to get to Overland Expo, there’s a great route to get there. Ride on into the Motorcycle Campground and get ready to have a blast and a half! You’ll want a Motorcycle Weekend Pass with Camping to spend the nights under the stars with all your new best riding buddies.

Overland Expo East is always awesome! Whether you join us for a day or camp out for the long haul, grab your riding gear and get ready for a great event and loads of two-wheeled inspiration.

Since its inception in 2009, Overland Expo has grown exponentially, having expanded to four events, each featuring hundreds of vendors, over 100 presenters, trainers, and VIPs, and more than 500 session hours of education. Overland Expo East is just around the corner, and with so much to choose from, it can be both exhilarating and a bit overwhelming for the first-time attendee to an Overland Expo. With that in mind, here’s a brief introduction to what we have going on, along with some tips to get you going.

Things to Do Before You Arrive

First things first. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, head over here and do that. With your tickets in hand, be sure to download the Overland Expo app. It’s also available in the Google Play and Apple App stores. The official app gives you access to the event map, event schedule, and an easy way to find the vendors or classes you are looking for. The app will be updated with East-specific info a couple of weeks before the event, so be sure to select Overland Expo East in the app dropdown menu before you arrive.

Once you arrive, the overland world is your oyster. Here are the highlights to get you on your way:

Educational Opportunities

A huge part of our event revolves around education. Classes are open to everyone and run all day long in our education pavilion, the DIY area, and in some cases, in the vendor area itself. There are a ton of classes ranging from cooking classes at the Backcountry Skills and Culinary Skills Area to electrical and solar systems, first aid on the road, budgeting for travel, overland marketing, and nearly two hundred other classes over the course of the three-day event.

For people newer to the overlanding world or people looking to refresh their skills, be sure to check out the classes in the Overland Essentials Area sponsored by Midland Radio, where you can get a thorough education on foundational skills like trip planning, map reading, and navigation, communications, and what to do if something goes wrong, among many other topics.

If you are looking for a bit of travel inspiration, head over to the new Storytelling Pavilion. As the name suggests, this is the place to hear people like Patty Upton, Graham Jackson, Jason Specht (Mountain State Overland), and many more recount their overland adventures. There are three full days of inspiration waiting for you at the Storytelling Pavilion.

For those wanting to go deeper into a topic, the Round Table Pavilion hosts roundtable panels and Q&A sessions with our experts. Topics range from travel medicine and wellness to borders, checkpoints, and bribes. Here’s your chance to interact with the people who have done what you want to do.

If you have kids with you, be sure to check out the Kids Adventure Area, where we have kid-centric adventure classes running all weekend long. If your kids want to learn about fire building, first aid, knot tying, or a laundry list of other topics, be sure to stop by. One important note – parents need to stay with their kids at these classes. While the education is oriented toward kids, there is still a lot of great content for parents looking to bone up on their backcountry skills alongside the next generation of overlanders. You check out the education schedule at the link below.

Vendors

No doubt, the vendor area is one of the most popular parts of Overland Expo. This year, our East event has over 250 vendors, and the number is increasing every day. Just about anything overland-related you can imagine can be found for sale, but the most enjoyable thing may be just wandering around and discovering new and interesting kit. You’ll find some in-booth classes, giveaways, and demonstrations going on in the vendor area – a further reward for wandering about a bit. The complete list of vendors can be found here.

You’ll find exclusive deals aplenty throughout the area, with some vendors offering their best prices of the year. If there is something particular you are looking for, check out our evolving show specials list to see some of the best deals to be had.

Honda Ride and Drive

If walking around the vendor area gets you Jonesing to get behind the wheel, look no further than the Honda Ride and Drive. There, you’ll get the chance to test drive the much-anticipated 2025 Ridgeline TrailSport and 2025 Pilot TrailSport around a custom offroad course designed to show you what these trucks are capable of. Pro-tip – the lines can get long for the Ride and Drive, especially during midday. If this is high on your priority list, you’ll find the best opportunities in the morning. Find out more about the Honda Ride and Drive here.

INEOS Ride and Drive

And you’ll have the chance to take the INEOS Grenadier around the test track that mirrors the challenges you’re likely to find out on the trail. The Grenadier is a sturdy and classically designed rig that’s purpose-built to provide an adventure-ready vehicle that you can drive anywhere. Don’t miss out on this chance to check out this offering in the 4×4 world. And, once again, be sure to sign up early; our Ride and Drives are always popular.

Relax at the Bivvys

When you need a break during the day, you can relax in one of our bivvys, sponsored by Hankook Tires, enjoy a comfortable camp seat provided by GCI Outdoors, and power up your devices with Yoshino, our power product partner.

Happy Hour

After a fun-filled day of classes, food trucks, vendor visits, and socializing with like-minded overlanders, it’s time for a change of pace. Evening activities kick off with happy hour at the Toyo Tires Oasis Bar and Food Court, which runs from 5-7 p.m. each evening of the event. Each night, you’ll find a bevy of food options, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink choices, live music, and a great place to sit, relax, and talk with your newfound Overland Expo friends. And during the Happy Hour on Friday, be sure to check out the Women Who Wander event, where you can meet and network with lady overlanders with thousands of miles of adventure experience.

Evening Parties and Film Festival

After Happy Hour wraps up, be sure to swing by the Toyota Fireside Chat on Friday night and the Honda booth party on Saturday night, both running from 7-9 PM. And the opportunities to grab a bite aren’t limited to the evening hours. Be sure to check out the Toyota Camp Breakfast at 8:30 on Saturday morning.

On Friday night, join us at the Toyo Tires Oasis Bar and Food Court for the Overland Expo Film Festival for a night of cinematic adventure designed to inspire your own travels.

On Saturday night, don’t miss the Overland Expo Foundation Raffle at 7 PM at the Toyo Tires Oasis Bar and Food Court. This is your chance to score tons of prizes while also supporting the Overland Expo Foundation. It’s an Overland Expo tradition and a big hit year after year, so don’t miss out! You can purchase raffle tickets when you get your tickets for Overland Expo online or on-site at the Overland Expo Foundation Booth.

Ready to Join Us?

For some of us, one of the most interesting aspects of overland travel is seeing what kind of diverse and dynamic flora (and fauna) abound at each new campsite our journeys bring us to. What if that new-to-you flora could not only be appreciated for its uniqueness and beauty but could also be used to augment your dinner plans? That’s why Lee “Natty” Trebotich will be joining us at Overland Expo East to share and educate on foraging in the wild and creating delicious meals – and even medicinal solutions – with flora found in the wild.  

So, when Lee “Natty” Trebotich reached out about teaching a class on foraging in the wild, cooking food, and constructing medicinal applications with this locally found flora, we jumped at the opportunity to have him join us at Overland Expo East.  

Natty is a world traveler and a seasoned biologist with a master’s degree in botany that includes a focus on medicinal and edible plants. He owns Food For Adventures, which offers services such as private cheffing, outdoor catering, expedition cooking, and outdoor education. In addition to his experience in nature’s kitchen, Natty has more than 15 years of educational experience, working with organizations such as the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Audubon Society, and multiple universities.  

We are incredibly excited to learn from Natty about what the hills of Virginia hold in store for dinner! To learn more about Natty, keep reading for our interview with him.  

Overland Expo: Tell us about your rigs:  

Lee: We utilize two rigs for our company and overland adventures: 

1. A 2014 Nissan Frontier equipped with an NSO rack, H2GO filtration system, Sylvan Sport rooftop tent, and pop-up Trailer (The GOAT). 
2. Our other rig is a 2011 Jeep Wrangler (2 Door) with an NSO attachment. It also features a Sylvan Sport rooftop tent, which is our original and reliable workhorse that can navigate any terrain. 

Overland Expo: What is your all-time favorite campsite?  

Lee: This is a tough question, but my favorite campsite is nestled in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in Idaho. For the past ten years, I have been visiting a secluded spot by a river. It’s a private dispersed location that I revisit annually. 

Overland Expo: What’s your go-to overlanding meal?  

Lee: I’m the type of person who enjoys embracing local culture, so I like to make the most of regional ingredients, dishes, and recipes when I’m traveling. However, when I’m in the wilderness, my go-to comfort meal is biscuits and gravy. This dish holds a special place in my family, and I always find joy in adding a local twist to this classic recipe whenever I can. 

Overland Expo: What is your best silver-lining story?

Lee: Although it’s not part of an overland story, the setting was in the backcountry of Colorado for our wedding in October. We found ourselves deep in the South Park Valley of CO, where just days before the ceremony, there was a continuous snowfall for a full 24 hours. With an outdoor wedding planned, we feared it would either be chaotic or completely canceled. However, miraculously, a day before the wedding, the skies cleared, and the sun emerged, melting the snow in the valley and leaving the Rockies in the background dusted with white. It turned out to be the ideal weather and backdrop for our unforgettable “Adventure Wedding.” 

Overland Expo: What is an area of overland travel that you think you have nailed? And what is an area of overland travel that you feel you could use some improvement in?  

Lee: As the owner of an outdoor cooking company and the lead “Adventure Chef,” we have effectively specialized and refined the outdoor culinary experience for both front-country and backcountry settings. 

I aim to enhance our overlanding experience by finding a more efficient method to carry extra fuel in the backcountry. Despite having a small ROTO Pak, I believe there is a more effective solution available. 

Overland Expo: What does your division of labor look like while traveling?  

Lee: My spouse and I typically divide the tasks while traveling. With a 14-year-old dog and a 4-year-old daughter, there is an added layer of responsibility during our trips. While my wife usually takes care of shopping and planning, I concentrate on cooking, recipes, and managing social media. 

Overland Expo: All great answers! Thanks for chatting, and we can’t wait to see you in Virginia in a few short weeks!

If you haven’t secured your tickets for Overland Expo East, don’t delay.

At Overland Expo, you can check out amazing rigs of every shape and size, get inspired by travelers from around the world, and, of course you can check out the latest and greatest in gear. And amongst the 250-plus exhibitors at Overland Expo East 2024 in Arrington, Virginia, October 4-6, you’ll find some great deals. From special offers on new gear to discounts on overlanding essentials, you can expect some great deals to pop up in the exhibitor area. Here are just a few of the special offers you can find at Overland Expo East 2024.

Check out these deals at Overland Expo East

And if you haven’t secured your tickets, there’s still time!

Join us as we continue the 10th Season of the Overland Expo Film Festival at Overland Expo East in Arrington, Virginia, October 4-6. The film festival brings a curated selection of films documenting vehicle-based travel adventures to the Toyo Tires Oasis Bar and Food Court on Friday evening.

Van by a River – The Abby Holcombe Story

Ten years ago, Peter and Kathy Holcombe bought a Winnebago RV and set out for a lifetime of adventure on the road with their nine-year-old daughter, Abby. They raised and educated Abby as they pursued their travel photography business and inspired her to embrace a love of the outdoors and kayaking – a passion that would lead her to chase a Freestyle Kayak World Championship and embark on her own journey as a Winnebago + Adventure Wagon ambassador. Growing up in an RV isn’t what most people would think is normal. But to Abby Holcombe, living your life in one place and only traveling once or twice a year for vacation doesn’t seem normal at all. Raised on the road since she was nine years old, Abby’s life experience is built around adventures rather than routines and possessions. The more she travels, the more she realizes that “home isn’t a place—it’s a feeling you get when you discover something new with the people you love.”

Film Maker Bios: Mark Nevils and Joe Sir

Mark Nevils – Raised in the heart of the Midwest and educated at the University of Missouri’s renowned School of Journalism followed by Drake University’s Executive Master’s Business program, Mark’s career has been defined by chasing the nexus of creative and strategy. He has spent decades in the advertising and corporate world progressing brand marketing, creative direction and interactive content production for classic American companies like Maytag/Whirlpool, Polaris, Indian Motorcycle, and Winnebago while also founding a successful LA-based film production company at a time when production companies adept in commercial business applications combined with connective storytelling and emotive adventure cinematography were difficult to find.

Joe Sir – Currently the VP/Creative Director for a full-scale marketing and creative agency called Chessfight, Joe has a long history of immersive filmmaking and cinematography in the outdoors industry including hunting, camping, fishing, and anything else that takes you beyond your comfort zone.

FEATURE FILM: Latitude 70

Latitude 70 is a documentary that takes us on the fascinating journey of the couple Roy and Michelle, who traveled the world for over three years and four months, traveling 141 thousand kilometers in a total of 51 countries. In this, which was the couple’s second trip around the world by car, the main objective was to reach, by driving, three Latitudes 70°N – one in Alaska, one in Norway, and one in Siberia. In their constant search for great challenges, the couple faces remote regions that few dare to visit, arriving where, literally, the roads end.

The film draws parallels to the three attempts on Latitude 70, involving the viewer in a story of perseverance, ranging from encounters with bears in Alaska to the monotony of good roads in breathtaking landscapes in Norway. Siberia’s Latitude 70, the most challenging of the three, is a stunning portrait of extremes: as there are no roads that reach this far north, the only way to reach their goal is to drive over frozen rivers. Determined, they face the Siberian winter in the coldest inhabited location in the world. Roy and Michelle endure extreme conditions, with temperatures reaching –55⁰ C, forcing them to ensure their survival and keep the car running for 40 consecutive days.

The documentary allows us to closely follow their struggles, achievements, and moments of connection with the people they meet along the way. Latitude 70 is a moving and inspiring story of courage, determination, and passion for exploration. The film takes us beyond known limits and shows us how, to achieve a simple ideal, we subject ourselves to experiences and learning never before imagined.

Get ready to embark on this journey of challenges and discoveries, which will awaken in you the desire to go in search of your own Latitude 70.

Film Maker Bios: Michelle Francine Weiss and Roy Rudnick

Roy is a businessman; Michelle is an architect. At a certain moment in their lives, when work inside four walls no longer provided them so much satisfaction, they took courage and dropped out of normal life. They decided to search in the world for their true passions and left for their first round-the-world expedition by truck (2007-2009). Contaminated with a real sense of freedom, they rapidly hit the road again in the second round-the-world expedition named “World by Land—70º Latitude”, which objective was to reach by car three points on the globe above the 70th north parallel (2014-2017).

The wealth of information provided by the more then six years away from home led them to the decision to share their experiences in the most diverse ways. And so, they became photographers, writers, speakers and directors—disseminating the cultural diversity of our planet.

Join Us at Overland Expo East

The Overland Expo Film Festival is included in your ticket to Overland Expo East, October 4-6, at the Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, Virginia.

Visit Honda at Overland Expo East for the opportunity to drive the Honda Pilot TrailSport SUV and Ridgeline TrailSport truck. The track will highlight the Pilot and Ridgeline’s off-road capabilities that exceed the needs of most light-truck buyers.

2025 Ridgeline TrailSport

Ridgeline TrailSport brings even more off-road capability to the Ridgeline lineup. Exclusive rugged hardware includes a new off-road tuned suspension that improves articulation and off-road ride quality without sacrificing Ridgeline’s exceptional on-road comfort and best-in-class handling with a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and award-winning torque-vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel drive.

The TrailSport also adds a steel underbody protection that shields its oil pan from sharp rocks and other off-road hazards, as well as Ridgeline’s first-ever application of all-terrain tires which take its rugged capabilities even further. Standard General Grabber A/T Sport tires substantially improve TrailSport’s traction in dirt, sand, mud, rocky terrain and snow, but remain quiet and comfortable on the road.

2025 Pilot TrailSport

Pilot TrailSport brings even more off-road capability to the Pilot lineup. Exclusive rugged hardware includes an off-road-tuned suspension with an additional inch of ground clearance, robust steel skid plates to better protect the underbody from damage on the trail, and expanded all-wheel drive capabilities engineered to get weekend adventurers even further off the beaten path.

The new and more capable i-VTM4 system features a stronger rear differential that can handle 40% more torque and provides 30% faster response, optimizing traction in all driving scenarios, especially slick conditions on and off-road along with a new Trail mode which optimize Pilot’s off-road capabilities.

We’re one month out from Overland Expo East, where thousands of overlanders will gather in the Blue Ridge Mountains to check out the newest gear, learn from a wide range of experts, and get inspired to head out on future adventures. While there’s plenty happening each day of the event, the action doesn’t stop once the sun sets at Overland Expo, so grab a seat by the fire, get a snack, and enjoy the fall weather in Virginia with us.

Join us at the Oasis Bar and Food Court, Sponsored by Toyo Tires, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This is the place to grab a drink, dine on delicious food, and meet your fellow Overlanders. Happy Hour is for exhibitors, instructors, attendees, and everyone else who makes Overland Expo a special place to gather. Also, during the Friday Happy Hour, don’t miss the Women Who Wander event. This is your chance to chat with some of the most experienced lady overlanders, including the legendary Patty Upton, Rebelle Rally competitors, and several far-traveled members of the Overland Expo team.

On Friday, October 4 be sure to swing by the Toyota Fireside Chat. This is your chance to hear about the all-new Toyota truck and SUV line up from the designers and engineers behind these models. After a brief presentation the Toyota team will answer your questions all while everyone enjoys fireside snacks.

Wrapping up Friday, the Overland Expo Film Festival is a great place to get inspired by a variety of filmmakers who will showcase their work from a wide array of adventures.

On Saturday evening, the action continues with the Honda Booth Party. Honda always brings the good times with music and food, so don’t miss this. Last, but certainly not least, the Overland Expo Foundation is hosting their Charity Raffle. This is your chance to win thousands of dollars in overland prizes will supporting the great work that the foundation does.

If you haven’t secured your tickets for Overland Expo East, don’t delay, it’s a great event and we hope to see you there.

Virginia has been the home of Overland Expo East for several years now, and not only is Oak Ridge Estates an excellent site for the event, but the surrounding area offers something for adventure lovers of every variety. 

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

If you’re looking to explore north or south of Oak Ridge Estates, but you’re not quite ready to hit the interstate, then you’re in luck. The Blue Ridge Parkway traverses 469 miles, and a little over 100 miles of that travels through the Washington and Jefferson National Forest. You’ll find ample opportunities to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains on and off pavement. Our Trips and Trails offer suggested off-road routes that will point you towards some beautiful ridge-top vistas and deep hollows full of old-growth forests. 

Photo by Rick Stowe

Enchanted Creek, for example, turns off of the parkway and features plenty of pitch, roll, and mud over the course of the 7.6-mile track. If you’re looking for water crossings and rolling hills, you can head west to Broad Run. For a slightly tamer trail that still packs in sweeping views and options to hike local trails, Fenwick Mines is just a few miles north of Broad Run. These three examples are just a tiny fraction of the tracks available in the area. With so many forest roads and two tracks crossing the mountains, you’re sure to find a great opportunity to explore. 

Parks 

Virginia has an incredible park system. From the Wilderness Road State Park at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains to Kiptopeke State Park on the Chesapeake Bay. Many of these parks are beautiful and protect wild and historic places, but one of them holds a truly unexpected sight.

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Near Glasgow, Virginia, you’ll find Natural Bridge State Park. While rock arches aren’t necessarily rare on the eastern side of the United States, this one is especially spectacular and hidden away until you’re almost under it. It’s only a short walk from the visitor’s center, and on the way to the bridge, you’ll pass another natural wonder. The 1,600-year-old Eastern Cedar that died in the 1980s is still something to behold. Standing alongside the same creek where it’s been for centuries, it’s amazing to think about the history this tree has witnessed from its place near the bridge.

Rivers

Photo by Twin River Outfitters

Photo by Twin River Outfitters

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

The Blue Ridge region is crossed by too many streams and rivers to mention. If you only have time to visit one, we suggest you check out the James River, and there are few places better to do so than the town of Buchanan. Minutes off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this small town sits tucked between the surrounding mountains. The James River bisects downtown Buchanan where you’ll find a swinging bridge spanning the waterway. The bridge provides a great view of the area, and you’re just downstream of a public boat launch and the local outfitter. You can bring your own boat or rent one, and Twin River Outfitters offers shuttle services on the James. 

Towns

While we’ve offered plenty of suggestions for great wilderness areas to explore, Virginia has wonderful towns to visit as well. You can find plenty of small towns along the backroads of the region, you can also visit some great urban centers if you’re looking to switch it up.

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Roanoke has a great downtown area with enough museums, restaurants, and businesses to easily fill a week of exploration. Each Saturday, you’ll find a farmer’s market that offers produce, crafts, and other local goods. The Roanoke River runs through town and provides opportunities to fish and float. Roanoke is criss-crossed by a system of greenways that allow you to explore on foot or by bike. 

Breweries

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

While there are hundreds of breweries to choose from in the Blue Ridge region, we only know of one that offers excellent drinks, a great menu, and a centuries-old treasure hunt. That’s right, a treasure hunt. Beale’s Brewery, located in Bedford, Virginia, is named after the legendary Beale’s ciphers from the mid-1800s. These puzzles are reported to lead to a treasure valued at over $43 million. So if you find yourself in need of a drink, or a new quest you can drop by Beale’s for a bit of both. 

So the next time you’re in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, hopefully for Overland Expo East, take some time to explore all that this beautiful region has to offer. There are plenty of opportunities to wander into your next adventure, no matter where you go.

As summer turns to fall, another exciting Overland Expo is just around the corner. Overlanders from all over the world will once again gather in Arrington, Virginia, to celebrate a shared passion for vehicle-based travel, equip themselves with the best gear on the market, and get trained and inspired at Overland Expo East 2024. The event is bigger and better than ever with the return of long-time sponsors and exhibitors and the addition of many exciting new ones. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be revealing more news about the deals you can expect, educational opportunities, the special events happening throughout the weekend, and much more.

We wanted to share the amazing list of sponsors, exhibitors, partners, and visitors already lined up for Overland Expo East 2024. Among the brands listed here, you’ll notice plenty of familiar faces and some new names bringing innovative products to the overlanding world. You can find the full list of currently confirmed exhibitors below.

Title Sponsors

We’re excited to work with some of the best in the business as our Title Sponsors for Overland Expo East 2024. Bronco Nation is sponsoring a special camping area, and we will have legendary in-booth parties with Honda and Toyota.

Each of our sponsoring companies is helping Overland Expo East 2024 be one of the largest overland gatherings in the world with more to offer attendees than ever before. From power to wheels and small camp accessories to fully built rigs, our sponsors are a great sampling of what you can expect to find in the exhibitor area.

Be sure to check out our exclusive Ride and Drive opportunity with Honda. You can test out a number of Honda vehicles on a special custom course designed to show you what these vehicles can do. Stay tuned for more details!

Supporting Sponsors

Our Supporting Sponsors include some of the biggest names in the overlanding space. They make the vehicles and gear we need to explore the world around us. Be sure to keep an eye on the schedule and the Overland Expo mobile app to stay up to date on the special events, demos, and everything else that will be happening over the weekend. The app will be live two weeks before the event.

Special Area & Event Sponsors

Throughout the weekend, you can come by the Oasis Bar and Food Court, Sponsored by Toyo Tires. There you will find a great selection of food and drinks, a great location to enjoy a meal, and in the evenings happy hours each night followed by special event programming like our Overland Expo Film Festival and the Overland Expo Foundation Raffle.

When you need a break during the day, you can relax in one of our bivvys, sponsored by Hankook Tires, enjoy a comfortable camp seat provided by GCI Outdoors, and power up your devices with Yoshino, our power product partner.

For people newer to the overlanding world or people looking to refresh their skills, be sure to check out the classes in the Overland Essentials Area Sponsored by Midland Radio, where you can get a thorough education on foundational skills like trip planning, map reading, and navigation, communications, and what to do if something goes wrong, among many other topics.

Media Partners

We’re also excited to work with a great Media Partners team that will cover Overland Expo East during and after the event. Be on the lookout for coverage from their respective outlets.

Don’t forget to lock in your tickets for Overland Expo East, happening in Arrington, Virginia, October 4-6, 2024, at the Oak Ridge Estate. See you there!

There are a number of legends in the world of overlanding, and we couldn’t be happier to announce that one of those incredible individuals will be joining us at Overland Expo East 2024. Patty has been a part of education and the Women Who Wander program all throughout the year, and once again she’s bringing our countless miles of wisdom to attendees.

Please continue reading to learn more about Patty and her journey. 

Patty had always said she had been traveling since before she was born.  In fact, in mid-1953, she traveled from California to New Jersey to enter this wonderful world with her maternal grandparents by her mother’s side.  Patty’s dad was in the Marine Corps, and every three years, they had their bags packed, anxiously awaiting “orders.”   

In grade school, Patty’s favorite toy was a world globe.  She was fascinated with places like Karnack, Cairo, Timbuktu, Kashmir, Jerusalem, Machu Picchu, and countless more.  Reading the stories of Livingston, Stanley, Burton, and the adventures of Osa and Martin Johnson fueled her imagination and her desire to travel.    

After spending only a few years in any one place, Patty and her family found themselves in the former Canal Zone in the Republic of Panama.  She graduated from Balboa High School in 1971 and attended the Canal Zone College for two years.  

Patty then began working as a secretary/receptionist at the Canal Zone Girl Scout Council and felt right at home.  She’d been a member of the Girl Scouts since the age of seven and had achieved the rank of First Class, the highest award a girl member could receive at that time.  Later, Patty was to become office manager at the Girl Scout office, but eventually, that position was phased out due to the US/Panama Treaties. 

At this same time, the opportunity to join Loren full-time on his Jeep expedition, A World Odyssey – The Epic Voyage of the Sand Ship Discovery, presented itself, and she jumped at the chance and took that leap of faith.  Their goal: to drive one American-made vehicle around the world on a north / south course, from Roads End, North America, to Roads End, Europe, via the southernmost road in South America and the southernmost road in Africa – all on land, except for the South Atlantic Ocean.   

To hear more about Patty and Loren’s adventures with the Sand Ship Discovery, be sure to be on the lookout for Patty’s sessions throughout Overland Expo East. (Please note: Patty is looking for a museum home that is suitable for the Sand Ship Discovery. If you or someone you know has connections with an appropriate museum or a contact at Jeep who might be interested, please see Patty at the event or contact azure@overlandexpo.com to get in touch with her.)  

Overland Expo: What is your all-time favorite campsite?   

Patty Upton: Wow!  This one is hard.  Five years of living in the Sand Ship Discovery provided a lot of campsites.  Ones that stick out in my mind for their sheer beauty are several just off the Pan-American highway in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, the Kalahari Desert in South Africa, and the Etosha Pan in S.W. Africa (Namibia).  Then there were others that were favorites because of the challenges that we were faced with while camping there, such as the campsites on West and East Mishap Hill in the Darien Gap and, of course, Broken Axle Camp in northern Sudan.  

Overland Expo: What was your go-to overland meal?

Patty Upton: Once we were out of the Darien Gap that would be eggs and potatoes. 

Overland Expo: What is your best silver-lining story?

Patty Upton: Again, five years traveling, so there were several, and I do believe they all had happy endings. Every one of them made us stronger and more determined to push on.  But the one that was the most frightening was when we broke a rear axle in northern Sudan.  But you’ll have to attend my presentation to hear about that one.  

Thank you Patty. We’re always happy to get a chance to chat with you. We can’t wait to see you in Virginia in a few weeks.

Photo John Allen

Photo John Allen

Beyond the camaraderie, you also get to stay within easy walking distance of all of the action Overland Expo has to offer without needing to rush. This allows you to enjoy the evening activities and really dive into the community. No matter what part of the outdoors lifestyle you love or how you get out into the wilderness, Overland Expo undoubtedly has something for you. The attendees, exhibitors, and staff all share a passion for backcountry adventures across a wide range of endeavors. And don’t just take our word for it!

There’s something special about getting to speak with the vendors in person that you don’t get from the web. And we’re from eight hours away, but we’ve already made friends with the campers around us. It’s been great weekend and we still have a day left!

-Edwin Charlebois, Weekend Pass with Camping Attendee

We like to get here on Thursday morning when camping opens to see all the cool rigs pull up! We never get tired of that. We keep coming back because you get to see lots of innovative products at the expo and hangout with people with great stories in the campgrounds.

-The Robert Family, Weekend Pass with Camping Attendees

Now, let’s take a look at everything Overland Expo has to offer!

Exhibitors

Photo by Taylor Bayly

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Taylor Bayly

Amongst the hundreds of exhibitors, you’ll find plenty of familiar names. Helinox, Benchmade Knives, Mountain House, Big Agnes, Kokopelli Packrafts, Exped, GCI, GRAYL, Peak Refuel, and many more. Plus, we have hundreds of smaller companies that you may not have heard of, but they still make some great gear. Just recently, we met some great folks from Pacific Adventure Works, Midnight Forest, and Suweeka Bike Racks, and they all make amazing products designed to help you enjoy your time outside. No matter if you camp for the sake of camping or if you’re heading out to climb, paddle, bike, or fish, there’s plenty of gear to increase your capability and comfort on your next trip.

Classes

Photo by Taylor Bayly

Overland Expo isn’t just about the gear; we have hundreds of class hours covering everything from backcountry cooking and canine first aid to gear repair and astronomy. All of these classes are taught by passionate enthusiasts and experienced travelers from every corner of the community.

Social Events

Photo by Taylor Bayly

Photo by Taylor Bayly

Photo by Taylor Bayly

Photo by Taylor Bayly

Photo by Taylor Bayly

When the sun goes down, Overland Expo keeps going! Each night, there are Happy Hours, where everyone comes together, enjoys a drink or two, and plans the rest of their evening. You can head out to a booth party, check out the film festival, or win some awesome prizes at the Overland Expo Foundation Charity Raffle. No matter which one you choose, you’re bound to have a great time and meet some fellow adventurers who share your passion for exploration.

Be sure to check out our last event of 2024– Overland Expo East in Arrington, Virginia, October 4-6, 2024.

Overland Expo Mountain West is only six short weeks away! And there’s only one more Overland Expo in 2024 after that! So don’t miss your chance to score shirts, jackets, hoodies, and accessories that let the world know that you love to hop in your rig and explore the backcountry. Each event will have exclusive graphics that are only available at that location, but of course, we’ll also have branded items available across all four events throughout 2024.

Be sure to stop by our merchandise truck to shop for hats, jackets, shirts, patches, pins, and more for yourself and your whole family! And don’t wait until you’re on your way out. It’s not uncommon for popular items to sell out!

And, if you can’t make it to Overland Expo Mountain West, don’t fret. The gear truck will be at Overland Expo East on October 4-6 in Arrington, Virginia.

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Overland Expo Film Festival, and we are excited to announce the call for entries for our 10th season.

The film festival features content created by both amateur and professional filmmakers in the overlanding community, featuring inspirational tales, beautiful landscapes, and stories of travels near and far. If you have a cinematic story to tell (or want to nominate a film), head down to the Apply Now button below.

Film Festival Dates

Overland Expo West

May 18, 2024: Flagstaff, Arizona

Deadline to submit a film: MARCH 14, 2024

Overland Expo PNW

June 29, 2024: Redmond, Oregon

Deadline to submit a film: MAY 2, 2024

Overland Expo East

October 5, 2024: Arrington, Virginia

Deadline to submit a film: AUGUST 2, 2024

Curious about the films we’ve shown in the past? Here’s a short selection of films from past seasons:

The Devil’s Road: A Baja Adventure

Ride BDR A 10-Year Retrospective

Why We Roam | Ep 2 | Tim and Marisa Notier

Even if you don’t plan to submit a film, you can catch the film festival at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona, May 17-19, 2024.

DOD Outdoors — Uma Folding Wagon + Table Top

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

We can’t deny the utility of a wagon. It’s great for moving stuff around in camp, if little ones get tired, they can hitch a ride, and they’re super handy when you’re back at home. The Uma Folding Wagon takes the whole idea up a level. “Uma” means horse in Japanese, and this is definitely a workhorse item. The frame is constructed of high gauge steel and powder coated, and it’s load rated for 220 lbs. The optional table top provides a flat surface, and the whole package packs away for easy storage when it’s time to hit the road. 

Forged Authority — MK2 Dorothy

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

As soon as we saw the MK2 Dorothy, we knew that this was something totally different. While solar systems are available in every shape and size, this is the first time we’ve seen someone harness the wind to power their equipment while overlanding. It’s obvious that the Forged Authority team knows what they’re doing. The system is mounted on a compressor-driven extendable boom that measures nearly 9 feet. The whole system can be set up or broken down within minutes. Over the weekend of Overland Expo East, the MK2 Dorothy generated a cumulative 100 kWh. 

Ignik — Topside Heated Blanket

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

When the fire has died down, and it’s time to crawl into your tent, there are those few minutes when you’re waiting to get cozy and drift off to sleep. That is, unless you have the Topside Heated Blanket from Ignik, then you can just dial in the temperature setting and be ready to count sheep moments later. 

REEB Gear — MOLLE Panel and Bins

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

REEB Gear makes some expertly crafted items for organizing your vanlife accessories, and at Overland Expo East, they debuted a new line focused on the kitchen area. The Bin System clips onto metal MOLLE panels and allows you to secure spices and other kitchen gear. The version that holds the Hydro Flask bowls is particularly interesting because these bowls make great reusable containers for bulk dry goods when you might not need a huge quantity on a trip. The MOLLE panel itself utilizes REEB’s QRP system that adds .5-inch diameter holes to the normal slot system and accepts a number of loops, pins, etc., to meet a variety of mounting and organizational needs. 

Red Bear — AluCab Canopy Camper Interior Kit

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

One of our favorite parts of Overland Expo is seeing how everyone builds out their rigs, and that goes double for campers that come as a blank canvas. This interior from Red Bear builds upon the AluCab Canopy Camper’s flexibility with drop-down access to the exterior cabinet, a folding table top, slide-out fridge, modular seating, and more. Plus, the lightly stained wood keeps the interior bright and inviting. We can’t wait to see what other build-outs Red Bear designs next.

Green Chili Adventure Gear — Z-Drag Recovery Strap

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Recovery gear for bikes isn’t nearly as fleshed out as it is for 4x4s, but this kit from Green Chili can get you back on your way in minutes. The Z-Drag Recovery System fits in a relatively small bag, but inside, you’ll find 74 feet of webbing that can get you and your moto out of a sticky situation. The system provides a 4:1 pulling ratio for self-recovery and a 5:1 ratio when you have help. A laminated instruction card is included to ensure you never blank on how to rig up the system when you need it. Outside of recovery situations, it’s also useful for hoisting your bike for repairs or removing trail obstacles. All of this functionality packed into a piece of kit that weighs less than 3 pounds it’s a no-brainer. 

Rockslide Engineering — Step Slider

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Not all rocksliders make great steps, and side steps don’t always make great rocksliders. However, Rockslide Engineering brings the best of both worlds with their Step Slider line. Providing plenty of protection on the trail and an auto-deploying step, it’s a great combination of capability and convenience. The step deploys a full 12 inches down from the body of the slider when the door is opened. After closing your door, the step automatically retracts and sits flush with the body of the step slider. The outer body of the Step Slider is crafted of 10-gauge steel, so you can be sure it can stand up to plenty of trail abuse.

Skotti — Pack Flat Grill

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

A multifuel grill that packs flat is easy to clean, and there are some cool accessories. Sign us up! The Skotti grill can heat up via a gas canister, or it can easily be used with charcoal or wood. It’s made up of nine pieces, assembles quickly, and weighs in at just 6.6 pounds. The stainless steel means it’s easy to clean, and the case wipes down with ease. It might be small, but the Skotti is also mighty! It cranks out an impressive 8,500 BTU/h, so grilling up your dinner will take no time. 

Sloggn — Base Deck System

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Cargo space is always at a premium, and the crew at Sloggn wants to help you claim some underutilized space. Their open-source Base Deck System is designed to mount into a hitch, and then a variety of attachments help you carry whatever you need to transport. The list of options is impressive, from bikes and recovery gear to coolers and contractor boxes. For SUVs that lack internal storage space or anyone looking to carry more stuff outside of their rig, the Base Deck System is a great option.

Wrappon — Trekker WT-4

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

Photo by Rick Stowe

The Wrappon toilet systems are some of the most innovative on the market, and the Trekker WT-4 brings that impressive performance to any rig looking for a simple solution for bathroom duties. Featuring a strong slide, waterless operation, and low profile design, the Trekker WT-4 can be tucked away in just about any camper or van build. Internally, the wag bags spool off of a roll, and they’re sealed with a push of a button. It’s one of the most impressive backcountry bathroom systems we’ve seen.

For a closer look at some of this gear, check out the video below.