Overlanding and Offroad articles

Quick Facts: Subject: UCLA self-powered tent prototype (magnetoelastic fabric generator) Published in: Matter, Cell Press, online 31 July 2026 Team: Eight authors, UCLA Department of Bioengineering Peak output: 0.094 mW per 20 by 20 cm panel Sustained output: roughly 7.9 microwatts per panel, derived from the study's capacitor data ...

After years of overlanding across the American West, I've watched a predictable pattern play out: new off-road builds skip skid plates. Someone picks up a capable rig, starts researching mods, and immediately fixates on lift kits, bigger tires, or a roof rack. Those upgrades are all fine. However, the...

Quick Verdict: This foil packet kielbasa and cabbage recipe cooks sliced kielbasa, shredded cabbage, diced onion, caraway seeds, and butter in one flat-packed packet. It goes straight over coals. It is Central European comfort food that packs flat and travels well on a multi-day trip. Flat-pack fold it and...

Quick Facts: Problem: A loaded bed rack adds cargo room, but it rarely gives you a flat surface to work from at camp Solution: YASSA STEP, a deployable step that folds flat into a genuine truck bed platform Mechanism: Single-motion swing-out deployment, locks under load, folds flush when stowed ...

Quick Facts: Question: How long will wildfire smoke last, and do you go anyway Typical duration: Days to weeks under a strong temperature inversion, per EPA Metric to watch: Air Quality Index driven by PM2.5 Threshold shift: EPA lowered the Good ceiling from 12.0 to 9.0 µg/m³ in February...

Overland Mountain West Expo isn't just a gathering of off-road enthusiasts. It's a celebration of adventure, innovation, and the gear that makes every journey possible, and this year's lineup at The Ranch in Loveland, Colorado, is no exception. If you're eager to explore the latest in overlanding technology, accessories, and...

Every year at overland expos I watch buyers walk up to a shiny trailer with knobby tires. Then they ask if it will handle real off-road duty. After decades of overlanding across the American West as the founder of 4WDTalk, I've learned the honest answer is usually no. A true...

Quick Facts: Topic: Powering a 12V diesel air heater off-grid Startup draw: roughly 7 to 18 amps, depending on the unit Running draw: 1.25 to 2.45 amps on OEM units Typical power station 12V port: 10 amps maximum Common failure: the port shuts off during the glow-plug cycle Fixes:...

Quick Facts: Case: Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Forest Service Judge: Ann Aiken, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon Order filed: August 10, 2026 Areas closed: Banshee Hill and the southwestern edge of the Umpqua Dunes Curfew: 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the North Riding...

Quick Facts: Topic: Veteran-owned overlanding gear brands Brands covered: 10 Categories: Solar, recovery rope, knives, vans, bedrolls, build shops, mattresses, guided trips, retail, storage Branches represented: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force Price range: $28 pouches to $127,395 van builds Prices checked: 11 August 2026, direct from each brand ...