Overlanding and Offroad articles

The onboard kitchen debate divides overlanders like almost nothing else. After years of overlanding across the American West as the founder of 4WDTalk, I've hosted plenty of campfire arguments on the topic. Specifically, built-in-galley owners and Jetboil-and-cooler purists spend hours trying to convert each other. Neither side wins the...

Quick Facts: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest closures: 5 active fire orders; every ranger district except Naches carries one Verified: September 14, 2026 Headline order: 06-17-03-2026-36, Cle Elum Ranger District, for the Three Queens, King and Goat Fires Effective dates: August 24 through October 31, 2026 What is closed: 4WD Trails...

  Quick Facts: Topic: Camping sleep system gear for 2026 Products covered: 15 picks, 5 of them new for 2026 Categories: quilts, foam mattresses, air pads, cots, pillows, sleep audio Price range: $49.95 to $549.95 Lightest sleep-surface pick: NEMO Fillo pillow at 9.2 oz Warmest pick: HEST Foamy Wide at...

Most overlanders and expedition campers spend a lot of time thinking about what happens when the road ends. A lifted truck with mud tires is the answer for some. Others turn to tracked ATVs or amphibious rigs. But there's a category of terrain, frozen lakes, snow-covered marshes, braided river...

  Quick Facts: Vehicle: 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 hybrid (Japan market) Debut: September 16, 2026 Powertrain: i-Force Max twin-turbo 3.5L V6 plus one electric motor Output: 457 hp and 583 lb-ft combined Fuel capacity: 18.0 gallons, down from 21.1 Added weight: 375 lbs over the gasoline V6 it replaces ...

Quick Facts: Product: YASSA STEP, a deployable truck bed step and platform for an existing bed rack Mounting: Attaches to the rack you already own, not to the truck body Weight capacity: Up to 300 pounds, per the manufacturer Material: Aircraft-grade aluminum extrusion, anodized black finish Deployment: Single-motion swing-out,...

Quick Facts: Topic: Rated recovery points vs unrated hardware Number to read: Working load limit, never breaking strength Design factor: 6:1 on quality shackles, 3:1 on some budget hardware Reference figure: Crosby 3/4in shackle, 10,470 lb WLL Measured snatch loads: 2,900 to 4,600 lb in sand recoveries Marking standard:...

Quick Facts: Topic: Truck tariffs and the January 2027 price question In force now: 25% on imported cars and light trucks since April 3, 2025 Parts: 25% on listed auto parts since spring 2025 Heavy duty: 25% on medium- and heavy-duty trucks since November 1, 2025 January 2027 plan:...

Quick Facts: Series: 2026 Bell Tent Shootout, our first-ever shootout Tents: 5 models, 4 named now and 1 surprise Size class: About 16 feet, or 5 meters, across Scorecard: 6 categories, 10 points each, 60 points total Field tests: Condensation, water repellency, weight check, timed setup Format: 1 review...

Quick Facts: What happened: Four Western agencies announced fire restriction changes on September 8, 2026 States affected: Idaho, Oregon, Colorado, California Fully open: South Idaho dispatch area from September 11; BLM White River Field Office since August 31 Eased only: BLM Lakeview District and two western Colorado field offices ...