**** NOTE… I’m currently revising the content on this particular page so it’s a bit of a mess. Thanks.
What is Overlanding? Well, like many other activities… it depends on who you ask. One person might say it’s a mix of camping and “wheeling,” while the next might focus on international travel, and the third person might focus entirely on exploring the backcountry on smooth gravel roads or easy trails. I wouldn’t say that any are inherently right or wrong. But I think it’s clear that the current state of “overlanding” can be a little confusing. And, today I want to try and figure out why it’s so difficult to answer a seemingly simple question.
Maybe we should begin by addressing my own current state of confusion. Now, if you asked me about overlanding ten or twenty years ago, I’d quickly provide a pretty clear and mostly concise response. I knew what overlanders were up to, where they were going, and how they might go about getting there. But, over the course of a couple decades, I’ve become increasingly hesitant to even attempt to define overlanding. Partly because I don’t want to offend anyone, gate keep, or embarrass myself. But, if I do find myself questioning overlanding’s boundaries, what it means to me, and where the industry might go over the next ten to twenty years. So here I am… investing my free time writing a lengthy article, mostly for myself, examining how we got from where we once were I thought “we” were to where we find ourselves today.
Way back when paperboys roamed the streets and air bags were just catching on “overlanding” seemed to neatly described a fairly obscure, but incredibly appealing form of global travel. The people I read about didn’t travel halfway across the globe to bob about on a cruise ship for ten days. They weren’t content with flying to Europe to safely snap a few photos in front of a popular tourist attraction then fly home to brag about how well traveled they were. And they certainly weren’t eating multiple meals at touristy chains or familiar fast food joints in an “exotic” foreign country. The people who appealed to me were traveling like they belonged in the pages of National Geographic. They were driving across Siberia, immersing themselves in the culture of remote villages across Africa, and getting themselves out of sticky situations in the absolute middle of nowhere. On a scale of Clark W Griswold to Doctor Jones — these influential adventurers existed mostly on the same side of the scale as whips, brown fedoras, and archaeology.
How did things evolve from adventurous travelers to Tacoma’s on 35’s camping next to the Mojave Trail? Early on, I assumed that if someone was traveling abroad in a 4×4 (on their own dime) they were most likely overlanders. However, as the internet and social media slithered into our daily lives I quickly learned that cats can play instruments and that overland travel as I knew it was starting to look a bit different. By the 2010’s the it seemed that overlanding had forcefully elbowed its way into the mainstream and what was I once understood as international travel by vehicle was becoming…. muddy. And, while it’s not entirely a bad thing… it is just something I’ve observed.
Today I often open my phone and see “overlanding” experts lecturing all over social media. When I go to buy a tent or fuel for my little camp stove I find overland themed products sitting on the shelves of my local big box camping retailer. And, even when I’m virtually window shopping new cars on YouTube; modern automotive journalists are talking about the latest overland-ready offering from Toyota, Ford, GM, etc. I feel like it’s both overwhelming and pretty damn exciting at the same time. I would have never expected to live in a time where outdoor gear junkies, former JDM car enthusiasts, and wheelers now peacefully coexist in the same forums, comment sections, and Starbucks parking lots.
Personally, I think it’s really great to see the increased interest; especially from the outdoor industry, small business owners, and journalists. I’m also happy to see people modifying cars for a purpose that (mostly) doesn’t involve showing off, cruising the boulevard, or financing car parts that only look cool. But, to be frank, I do think we’ve arrived at a point where overland travel’s core identity just might be beginning to fade from existence. And that’s exactly why, after almost eight years, I decided to hop on to this page and revise a few things.
Before we continue… the things I’ve already said and am about to cover below are not meant to criticize, gate-keep, or trivialize what others do or say. If someone wants to call a trip to a state park overlanding it doesn’t bother me one bit. Same goes for those who see overlanding as a form of recreational off-roading. People are free to say or do whatever it is that makes them happy. But, I do want to reflect on some things I’ve struggled with personally and work through some points of confusion I’ve encountered over the years. So remember, the following is only one person’s opinion — and that person sincerely wants to see the new “overland scene” succeed. Whether you love what I’m about to say… or absolutely hate it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter, and the best way to reach me is on my Instagram account — @ExpeditionWire.
Here we go…
Disclaimer: I’m often wrong and reserve the right to change my mind in the future.
The Current Overlanding Landscape (in The US and Canada)
Throughout the US and Canada the current state of overlanding appears to be heavily focused on four wheel drives, camping, and the associated gear people use on shorter duration adventures. There are also a number of full time or transient overland enthusiasts following good weather, attending overland themed events, and leveraging wild camping as far south as the Baja Peninsula as an alternative to traditional housing. These overlanders seem to be very similar to what you’d also see in the RV space, snowbird lifestyle, or vanlife movement — only slightly more rugged. A large number of gear and vehicle build enthusiasts also comprise the current North American overlanding landscape and based on what I’ve witnessed online these enthusiasts parallel what you would see in the EDC (Everyday Carry) community or the import build scene that was prominent in the late 1990’s and 2000’s. Somewhat less common in the larger overland community is a focus on international travel; though this segment often appears in publications like Overland Journal or attends events like Overland Expo.
Speaking of Overland Expo… as of 2024 there are myriad overland themed events throughout North America (mostly concentrated in the USA, though there are some in Canada and Mexico as well). And these gatherings attract a lot of attention from enthusiasts, businesses, and various overlanding personalities. Recently Overland Expo’s numerous events alone boast attendee counts well over 70,000 in total each year. Between these larger regional shows you’ll see a handful of fairly local rally’s, meetups, and parking lot functions that bring smaller groups of overland enthusiasts together in places like Plain Washington, British Colombia, or your local off road shop parking lot.
While the prominence of overlanding in real life is impressive… I’d argue that it’s even more widespread and influential in online spaces. If you open Instagram you’ll find accounts like Overland Kitted, Overland Bound, Lifestyle Overland, and Forge Overland each of which have follower counts in the hundreds of thousands. Switch over to YouTube you’ll find overland themed channels with views in the millions… Expedition Overland, Epic Family Roadtrip, Overland Bound, and 4XOverland to name just a few. And, countless smaller accounts throughout social media embrace the term overland in their handle or bio. There are even overland themed satire accounts and channels with a copious amount of self deprecating humor (or overtly critical observations cloaked in humor). It seems like no matter where you turn “overlanding” is not only present, but prominent.
Whenever a trend arises naturally commerce will follow. Sprinkled throughout all of that online content you’ll certainly see countless products placed to target the overland consumer. From camping gear, to luggage, to brand new 4x4s it seems like everywhere you turn someone has the perfect product for your overland lifestyle. While one could easily in favor or against the gear-centric side of North America’s overland industry – there are quite a few people supplementing their nomadic lifestyles exchanging either money or equipment as payment for product placement. Influencers like Bound for Nowhere, Hourless Life, Gondirt’n and many more have ongoing relationships with companies like RedArc, Dometic, and Four Wheel Campers.
While the commercial side of the industry is great; I really think there’s more behind growth we’re seeing than simple marketing and product placement. I sincerely feel that the biggest thing fueling the boom is the community. I’d argue that it’s not consumers chasing goods and influencers, but the opposite. Those with something to sell see a community that, year of year continues to grow and they want a piece of the action. But, if I’m correct in my assumption… why are people flocking to the community if it’s not just a superficial attraction to ditch lights, roof tents, and 12 volt refrigerators?
Good people. I really think the secret sauce is that the community comprises good people from a broad cross section of society. From camp outs, to trail rides, to weekend rigs and coffee events the community is incredibly open, welcoming, and friendly. The overland space is booming because it’s a place where it’s surprisingly easy to connect and build friendships. Common interests like four wheel drives, camping, wilderness, and travel bring people from many walks of life under a single umbrella term — overlanding. You’ll find adventure motorcyclist mingling with full time vanlifers… people who love tent camping chatting with seasoned global travelers… and even those who are into RVs and cycle touring are often embraced both online and in person.
Beyond their friendly and welcoming demeanor US based overlanders tend to be incredibly good stewards of public lands. You’ll often find various groups and organizations cleaning up trash and even when their alone in the wild few pose a problem when it comes to missteps like waste disposal, littering, or driving where they shouldn’t. I can’t think of a single group of 4×4 / camping enthusiasts who reflect the values of Tread Lightly better than the overland community. It sure as hell isn’t those side by side riding, Monster chugging maniacs ripping up the Desert Southwest. But I digress… at the end of the day overlanders seem to be good people.
Perhaps another part of the reason overlanding is currently so popular is that there isn’t really much of a definition or boundary between what is and is not overlanding. It’s Everyone is welcome and like a bunch of earth-tone wrapped evangelists; self proclaimed overlanders are out and about spreading the good word. But, are some getting a little over zealous spreading the gospel of Overland Bound, fly by night influencers, and acquisition hungry organizations like Dometic? Are tensions rising between those milking a trend for the chance at a set of free BFG’s and those looking to fulfill their dreams of global travel? I really hope the answer is no… but before I get too far off track I think it’s important to find some common ground. Maybe we can all get along.
A few things everyone can agree upon
Whether you’re a seasoned global traveler, the proud owner of a serialized overland badge, or a small family dipping your toes into the world of overland travel at your local state park there are plenty of things we all have in common with one another.
1. Overland Vehicles
I think we can all agree that “overland vehicle” is a hard thing to define. If you’re like me you might know one when you see one, but if pressed the differences become hard to sort out in a concise manner.
From the highest and broadest level, common in the US overland market, pretty much anything with wheels can be an overland vehicle. I’ve seen everything from minivans, to giant 6×6 trucks, to side by sides, to bicycles promoted as a great overland vehicle online, in overland publications, and at events like Overland Expo. And it makes sense. If you say that overlanding is travel that includes basically anything on wheels because things with wheels provide a reasonable alternative to hoofing it or hitchhiking.
If one person thinks overlanding is off roading you can’t really say that their 4×4 isn’t a good overland rig… because it is. And for those who see overlanding as global travel by vehicle, sedans and minivans can access well over 90 percent of the world’s roads. Generally speaking, in the broad context of the current overland landscape in the US and abroad there’s not really an identifiable trait that separates an overland vehicle from a… um… not overland vehicle. If you can nail down the difference in a single concise sentence or two you’ve got me beat.
2. Overlanders Camp and Campers can Overland
Whether it’s an old photo of a Land Rover at the center of camp in the African bush, or a late model 4Runner parked next to a lake in the Rockies — camping is a key component of overland travel. And, trying to say that one is overlanding and one is just camping is next to impossible without additional context. If you’re a traditionalist and point to the former as the overlander you could, by your own standards, be completely wrong. Perhaps the 4Runner is a couple from Switzerland traveling south through the Americas and the Rover is just out on a weekend jaunt a few hours from home.
No matter where you stand on the definition of “what is overlanding” superficial differences can certainly be deceiving. And beyond that if you define overlanding as camping in a 4×4… both are clearly overlanding. Plus who doesn’t love camping? Even if I’d spent 40 years on expeditions and traveling the globe overland, there’s no way I’m going to turn down a camping trip with friends in a beautiful part of the country.
At the end of the day a majority of international overland travelers camp… because there are no other options, it’s affordable, or because they love it. And, what kind of jerk is going to look down on a young family camping in the national forest because they’re dipping thier toes into what they call overlanding.
3. Gear is great
Basic camping items, recovery gear, and other essentials are incredibly useful / important to all kinds of overlanders. Some things will help you get home safe after a weekend testing the limits of your 4×4 and other things will provide a taste of home when you’re 12 months and 12,000 miles from home living out of a Jeep.
People definitley tend to get carried away with gear, I do, and I understand the critique when people go a little too far for the ‘gram. But, some people (myself included) take great pleasure in shopping for high quality gear that COULD prove useful on the Silk Road… even though my trips are typically well under a week. I think I find a lot of pleasure in the gear overlanders use, even though some might not really consider me to be a true overlander.
However, before I end this particular thought I will say that I find it disturbing that some people think they need to spend a lot of money or go into debt to camp, overland, or get into the back country.
4. Into the wild
I don’t think anyone can argue that remote destinations are key to overlanding. Whether you’re exploring Utah’s public lands or Bolivia it would be hard to call it overlanding if your tires never leave the pavement. I think this is one of the things that separates “us” from those traveling by RV, car, van, etc. My understanding is that you can travel the length of the Americas in pretty much anything to include an RV, but regardless of where you roam I think we can all agree that calling anything in a class A RV “overlanding” is a bit of a stretch. Now if you’re driving that Winnebago across the Sahara, through the jungle, or into the Amazon I stand corrected.
5. People Traveling Abroad by Four Wheel Drive are Overlanders (for the most part)
While its hard to say that someone traveling through the home country, to remote locations, by four wheel drive isn’t an overlander… it would be silly to say that someone exploring remote parts of the globe by 4×4 far from home aren’t either. Bottom line… the people who are able to break away from the comforts of home, visit remote parts of countries, and the security of a regular source of income are overlanders. No questions asked.
Notable examples over the past 100 years include the Cambridge / Oxford Expedition, the extensive travels of the Wescotts aka “The Turtle Expedition,” Barbara Toy, and Tom Sheppard. These, and many others, traveled the globe by 4×4 long before Instagram, YouTube, or even the birth of yours truly. More recent examples with blogs, audio books, YouTube channels, and Instagram include travelers like Dan Grec, the Lost World Expedition, the Bell Family, the Giordano‘s, Overland the Americas, and the Hylands. All of which share a passion for global travel by 4×4 just like the travelers who came before them.
While one could easily present a case that I’m overlanding through the Southwestern US on vacation… it would also be easy for another to say that I’m just camping, touring, or whatever. But, if you try to say that the Wescotts aren’t real overlanders — that’s just foolish.
However…
Now while I truly believe all of those things are true and are widely accepted throughout the overland community — I think there is always room for discussion about any topic. When it comes to overland travel there can and probably should be at least some boundaries or at least open discussion.
I think this is especially important when people are trying to get into a hobby / lifestyle and everywhere you turn there’s conflicting information. One resource says that international availability of parts and consumables is something to consider when overlanding. But, the next batch of experts say that “it doesn’t matter what you drive,” that the latest 4×4 is the “best” overlander, or that you need 37” tires on your Toyota “overland build.” Without context or direction people can easily be influenced to spend hard earned money on something they’ll never need.
I think the same can be said for things like radios, drones, or other overland electronics. Radios are regulated at home and abroad and some satellite communication devices will land you in jail if you’re caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think drones are still a no-go in Nicaragua — and wouldn’t be surprised if they’re banned elsewhere. But, YouTube and IG overland accounts are overflowing with drone footage (which I admit looks pretty incredible).
So where are some areas that I think there’s a bit of confusion or conflicting information… lets take a look.
Random Questions I’ve Pondered
Was the Camel Trophy an Overland Event?
If you’ve never heard of the Camel Trophy I highly recommend looking into it when you have time. Without getting too far into the weeds it was an 4×4 competition sponsored by Camel (the cigarette company) and Land Rover; it has been referred to as the Olympics of 4x4s. The reason I bring this up is because it has a lot of overlap and is highly respected by the overland and four wheel drive communities. One could argue that the event is overlanding pretty easily… but I think there’s also a case for the contrary.
Those sitting in the camp that asserts something along the lines of “The Camel Trophy was the greatest overland event of all time” can easily find common ground between overlanding (of any flavor) with this event. First and foremost the competitors traveled over land – just like another overlander. Beyond that the Defender 110, a favorite among overlanders, played a critical role throughout the event’s multi decade run. And no matter how you slice it Land Rover’s vehicles are perhaps the most widely associated with overlanding, expeditions, and off-road performance. Ubiquitous overlanding goodies like winches, roof racks, and fuel cans helped the teams participating in the event navigate incredibly difficult terrain.
However, many could argue that just because it looks like overlanding doesn’t necessarily make it so. First, the Camel Trophy was a competition with teams of drivers from around the world. These were hand selected professionals competing in an event intended to enrich sponsors financially. I’m sure they all had wonderful and life-changing experiences, but without the investments made by Camel, Land Rover, and other sponsors hardly any of them would be driving a brand new 110 through incredibly challenging terrain half a world away from their homes. And not to detract from their achievements, but there were support vehicles and medical assistance in the area as far as I’m aware. A “traditional overlander” is by many definitions often far from the convinces of modern medicine or road side assistance.
I think many enthusiasts could go on for hours and hours about how incredible the event was, its ethical or moral impact, and how it influenced the overland industry. But, I’ll jut stop there and move on to the next topic before I ruffle too many feathers or confuse myself. For now I’ll just make a mental note that if the travel over land is a competition or sponsored it likely doesn’t make sense to call it overlanding.
Am I on an Expedition?
This is sort of a tough one. The blurred line between expedition and overlanding has been prevalent for decades. Large overland vehicles are widely known as expedition vehicles, there are plenty of examples where overland travel takes on a bit of a commercial twist and people call it an expedition, expedition style travel certainly brings a more defined image to mind compared to overlanding. If i say I’m building an expedition style vehicle it’s implied that taking it to incredibly remote locations is in the cards. I understand that most “real” expeditions are scientific in nature or have well defined goal with supporting objectives… but the debating the differences become a bit pointless because the term is incredibly subjective and has been used interchangeably for so long.
But, just to be clear — a true vehicle based expedition typically comprises a team, multiple vehicles, and a well defined purpose. I actually purchased this domain as with the idea of building a tool to promote and disseminate press releases for actual expeditions (thats why its expedition wire… sort of like PR Newswire), but actual expeditions are pretty rare and generate a disappointing amount of media interest. So, I pivoted to turning it into a more overland or “expedition” style travel site rather than investing my free time to scour the web for people trying to make it to the geographic North Pole or something similar.
I do recall seeing an article penned by Jonathan Hanson at one point that somewhat sarcastically outlined the differences like this (I’ll paraphrase so excuse any misinterpretations)… if you have a sleeping bag and tent in a pickup — you’re camping. If the tent and bag move to a Land Rover — you’re overlanding. And, finally if the tent and bag are in a Land Rover with your name on the door — that’s an expedition.
When does recreational Off Roading turn into Overlanding?
Some might say it’s the moment you hoist a roof tent onto your 4×4 or when you set up camp after a day of wheeling on some incredible technical trails at 2.5 mph all day. But, I think that’s a bit of a stretch and a result of people associating overlanding with poor road conditions or exciting photos that overlanders share from the sketchiest moments of a trip.
I think thats a little I’ve heard people say, on multiple occasions, “you can’t overland that…” And, while I think they mean well, I think what they’re trying to convey is that the vehicle in question doesn’t have the off road chops to conquer the terrain they’re imagining in their head. If overlanding means wheeling with a bit of camping thrown in to the mix the perfect overland vehicle could eventually morph into a completely custom Jeep or tube chassis rig on 40 inch tires that started “overlanding” when it drove down the ramps of the car trailer on which it arrived. Therefore I think it’s reasonable to say that a highly modified vehicle and the trails it’s designed to tackle are fairly far from overland travel any way you slice it.
Furthermore, if we return to the idea that you cannot deny that people traveling remote parts of the globe can be considered ovelanders — navigating technical terrain becomes an increasingly moot point. Someone it the middle of a country ending in ‘stan probably doesn’t want to risk mechanical failure in the name of recreation or fun. And if they did tackle a technical obstacle it would be because they absolutely had to or because the alternatives don’t pass the risk v. reward assessment. I could go on, but I think it’s safe to say that overlanding and recreational off roading have little in common beyond the occasional use of a transfer case or center locking differential; and dirt/sand/rocks beneath the tires.
While both can take place on dirt, I feel like a key difference is that overland travel doesn’t actively seek out the challenge of highly technical terrain. The speeds that a Jeep navigates trails in Moab or on the Rubicon just aren’t conducive to exploring a continent. At a few miles per hour it would take ages to drive the Pan American, Silk Road, or circumvent navigate Africa. And there just aren’t enough recreation 4×4 trails or areas abroad to support the idea that off-roading and overlanding are one and the same. At the end of the day many overlanders encounter technical terrain as a consequence of poor road maintenance, sever weather, or the lack of modernization in the regions they tend to explore.
Roadtrips, Grand Touring, 4×4 Touring vs. Overlanding
Is overlanding just a roadtrip with some dirt thrown into the mix? What about those behind the wheel of a two door luxury vehicle meandering through the backroads of Europe, are they overlanders? I’ve heard that Australians “invented” overlanding… so why do they have magazines with names like 4WD Touring Australia while “Overland” is a magazine that in the course of 60 plus years probably hasn’t featured a single 70 Series Land Cruiser? It would seem that the lines between 4×4 touring, grand touring, and the good old road trips are often blurred with the various definitions of overlanding.
Let’s start with Australia… I’ve actually noticed that “overlanding” is gaining popularity down under, but historically I’ve always considered Australia as the home of 4×4 (or four wheel drive) Touring. So what exactly is a four wheel drive tour? Personally I think it looks a lot like what many enthusiasts in North America now call overlanding. How so?
First and foremost from what I can gather touring in Australia looks a bit like this… Leave work on Friday or after work leading into a holiday, drive to dirt, camp, drive on dirt, camp (drink some stubbies and cook over a fire if permitted), drive some more the next day, and keep that cycle going until you’ve reached the end of your weekend / holiday. I’ve never done this my self, in Australia that is, but I’ve had a blast doing the same thing here in the states. The main difference is that I’d rather end the day with a tall boy than a stubby.
Next up Grand Touring. Well if you’ve ever seen GT stuck to the back of a car you’re at least somewhat familiar with Grand Touring. Although… like overlanding the term became diluted over the years and the Elantra GT isn’t exactly in the spirit of what people were thinking in Europe when they described a two door, luxury car that could cross the continent at high speed. On the same lines I doubt those behind the wheel of a Ferrari 250GT or Bentley Continental GT might not be enjoying the same lodging as the proud owner of a ‘93 Ford Probe GT. Although… I would like to cruise across Europe in something that might ruffle some feathers like a slightly loud and conspicuously American Ford Mustang GT (preferably a S550 or S650 variant). Regardless of how you do it… I bring this up because Grand Touring involves traveling across international borders, taking in culture (food, wine, beer, etc.), and not knowing what the hell 80 percent of the people around you are saying. Sounds like we caught some of those smug overlanding elitists with their khaki colored pants down, right. We’ll not exactly, I think Grand Touring stands apart in a few ways. First no one in their right mind is taking a $250k USD car off pavement… and doing so in remote parts of the world where people are fairly lucky if they take home tens of dollars per day is probably a dick move. Second, Grand Touring implies a degree of speed associated with motorways or at least paved backroads – overlanding isn’t off-roading slow, but its certainly not fast. And lastly if you stick to the strict definition on a grand tourer, self sufficiency will suffer due to limitations related to cargo volume and payload. Granted, Overlanding does (or can) combine a lot of the traits of Grand Touring, but I think its safe to say that they are very distinct from one another.
Finally we arrive at the classic American Roadtrip. I see it as the star-spangled response to snooty Europeans driving across continents in powerful and well-appointed luxury cars. In the states we drive across the continent in a Suburban, station wagon, or mini van… turning heads because our children are losing it instead of because our Ferrari is so well kept and sounds glorious.
Exploring the backcountry vs. Overland Travel
Backcountry adventures or exploration look a lot like overland travel, and to most people the two are on in the same. Both can involve mildly technical terrain, and camping. But exploring the backs country looks a lot more like the four wheel drive touring you’ll see in Africa than the more extreme end of long term overland travel. The areas explored are typically more regional (close to home) and the duration is typically a weekend or a couple weeks if you have some vacation saved.
Exploring the back country, especially in the Western US can give you a taste of overland travel. But, you’ll miss out on a lot of the excitement involved in exploring a new culture, urban areas, language barriers, and border crossings.
I regularly enjoy camping or exploring the back country, but i would personally place what I do between car camping and overlanding (skewed more toward car camping). But, when I do venture out in to the world behind the wheel of a four wheel drive I assume the years of experience gained from camping and exploring the forests and deserts of the American west will prove valuable. I look at it the same way I’d view sailing… if I wanted to someday circumnavigate the globe by boat; I’d start by getting comfortable with the basics close to shore. The big problem I’ve seen in the overland space is that there are a lot of “experts” on YouTube giving advice who’ve barely left or know what lies beyond the “marina.”
Do these differences matter much?
I’m sure there are people out there who would spend many hours and consume countless IPA’s or sparkling waters arguing over the differences or lack-there-of, but in my opinion arguing or passionate discussions don’t help much. If you’ve spent months and months exploring the most remote corners of the globe by Land Rover you’re not going to make many friends if you’re telling everyone around the fire that they’re wrong. And on the other side of the debate, if you’re constantly trying to validate what you do as equivalent to something significant and rare you’re just going to look immature, naive, or dishonest. Sort of the way former military people can stretch the truth or exaggerate a less than exciting job or deployment in the company of those with little military experience or understanding. It’s all fun and games until you’re elaborating on your exploits around a fire and some guy turns out to be a Green Beret or something.
Well, these are just some of the things that cross my mind whenever I’m mulling over what overland travel means to me and how the term seems to be changing as the years go by. Most of my “overland” friends have never heard these things and probably never will. And, I’d highly recommend that you consider the same path. It’s good to have a broad understanding and question your beliefs, but if you turn into a know it all you’ll be in a small camp whether you’re overlanding in Africa… or “overlanding” on the Mojave Road. I guess if you’re touring Europe in a $300k GT3RS you’ll be fine with being alone, but thats a situation I’ll never be in… so I’ll just keep my mouth shut in public until I win the lottery.
What is Overlanding? And how did I arrive at my position.
Part of my perception probably has a lot to do with being raised in rural America. Looking back I remember that only a handful of the “rich” kids went on real vacations or had even been on an airplane. Our vacations centered on camping, hunting, or family gatherings. I honestly doubt that any of my friends or family were aware of people trekking around the globe behind the wheel of a modestly equipped four wheel drive. This was obviously by no fault of their own since most were busy working lots of hours at low wage jobs to keep food on the table. It’s just how things were… and probably still are to some degree. Those I knew who had ”seen the world” as they often put it only did so in service of their country, taking part in one of the three most “recent” conflicts. Honestly, I was sheltered by a mix of geography, technology, and financial insecurity (perhaps a bit of bigotry as well if I’m being honest). I don’t want to paint a grim picture of my childhood or those like it…. It had its ups and downs. It’s just that the downs were numerous enough that I started looking for an out at an early age.
By the mid 90’s my desire to travel (as far from my small town as humanly possible) and my interest in 4x4s collided in the pages of a magazine and I discovered that regular people were exploring places I’d only experienced in the pages of National Geographic or on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. Before I finished the article I knew that someday I could be a half a world away from rural America driving past lions, fording rivers, and burning through an endless supply of film canisters documenting my journey. In that moment, and over the course of the next decade, overland travel was clearly defined in my young and impressionable mind.
In a nutshell; I see Overland travel as people exploring the world by vehicle — most often in 4x4s. At least thats how it was originally presented to me years ago. When I first read about overlanders and adventure motorcyclists the descriptions and photography ignited my curiosity and established a clear goal for how I’d spend my eventual retirement. At some point in my life I’d be lucky enough to drive through Africa in a Land Rover, cross the former Soviet Union in a truck camper, or bushwhack my way through various jungles in a Jeep or Land Cruiser. As I aged, information spread faster, and the internet helped connect myriad likeminded humans. Overlanding started to gain traction in North America and its growing popularity forced me to continually reinterpret what I considered to be the holy grail of international travel.
To this day I consider myself a fan of overlanding rather than an actual overlander. And prior to maybe 2005 to 2010 or so I had no interest, reason, or motivation to seek out a definition of Overlanding. I just knew it when I saw it. Until maybe 2015 to 2020 I never thought about what makes an Expedition different from a competition or publicity stunt. But, as I started to see more and more people show interest in overlanding I couldn’t help but ask myself — is there an argument that supports a more rigid definition?
For years my personal definition remained as follows:
- Overlanding is rooted in global travel
- Overlanding is not commercial or competitive
- 4x4s (and maybe 6×6’s to some degree) are the modes of transportation
- Overlanding requires a certain degree of self-reliance and routes need to be somewhat remote
- Cultural experiences and new landscapes (flora / fauna) are cornerstones of overland travel.
Looking back today — that might sound a bit elitist or like I was trying to be a gatekeeper. But, in all honesty that wasn’t the case. I grew up in the outdoors, camping in 4x4s, riding dirt bikes and ATVs… and never once conflated those activities with my own definition of overlanding. It was simply something different. Sure, there was clearly some overlap… but at the end of the day overlanding was its own thing.
Does this site… and the modern overland industry need a definition
To be completely honest I have a hard time isolating exactly what is considered “old school” overlanding from old school expeditions and publicity stunts. And, for the most part the distinctions don’t really matter much, but it can be a fun topic for discussion. Between the earliest years of the automobile and today there have been countless examples of people traveling abroad by vehicle. But, to me the biggest distinction for this genre is “abroad.” For decades travelers have packed a car and headed into the unknown. Some called it an expedition, some were doing it to garner publicity, others were overlanding, and most were engaged in some combination of at least two of those things.
I don’t want this to come off as overly critical, but I do want to share some thoughts on where I think there’s a bit of confusion, unnecessary overlap, or cases that could benefit from a more focused approach. From influencers, to manufacturers, to people new to “overlanding”… I truly believe there is a huge gap in the application of the term. I often see or hear people use “overlanding” as a verb to describe the act of driving on dirt, rocks, or mud. That alone leads me to believe that there is a bit of confusion or lack of alternative options, and I’ll get to that shortly. The same goes for “overland” used as an adjective. Manufactures and influencers often modify a noun. For example “overland table” or “overland tires” or “overland vehicle.” And while there is certainly a need for this application the lack of focus or understanding… “overland” is simply used in place of words like “camping” in order to attract attention or
While there are a lot of things all self proclaimed overland enthusiasts share — there’s also a bit of overlap and observable differences we can see in other hobbies, lifestyles, genres, etc. Some examples that come to mind include camping, vanlife, motorcycle touring, 4×4 touring (as used in Australia), bike packing, grand touring, off-roading, road trips, and even full time RV-ing. They all have both common themes… and easily observable differences. One of the main ones is that each has their own publication(s). While many might struggle to nail down a solid definition of “overlanding” few can argue with the fact that magazines (and other books / periodicals) exist.
However, with that said I strongly believe that both this site and the industry as a whole can benefit from a bit of focus, reflection, and direction. I’m a one man show, and most of the people in the modern overland industry as small businesses, so without direction there’s a chance that we can all take on too much. Without some sort of boundaries a publication could lose focus and start covering backpacking, a recognized overlanding event might feature side by sides, or the core idea that overlanding is travel-centric could be lost altogether.
To clarify; does overlanding need to be strictly defined? No, in my opinion I don’t think it would benefit from an overly rigid set of guidelines or rules. And, it’s a free market so people can certainly do what they want. But, as a realist and maintainer of this site — I definitely think overland travel (and the like) need a focus or direction. Without direction the industry will continue to consume other hobbies and activities. But perhaps even more troubling the history and pioneers who laid the groundwork to build this booming industry will fade into oblivion — replaced forever by clever marketing, Instagram models, and those only looking to make a quick buck.
Our Overland Focus
While my views on overlanding have changed a bit over time and I’m certainly more open to change than I have been in the past, I know that I need direction. So my focus moving forward, at least as it pertains to overlanding on this site, will be toward international travel by 4×4 (or similar). Now with that said… that doesn’t mean that I am going to exclude anyone or anything that doesn’t fit my exact definition. But, I will do my best to use that as a focal point to keep this site on topic.
I think that should work quite well. I don’t want to exclude those of us (myself included) who aren’t yet able to travel internationally, but enjoy buying gear proven in harsh environments or a bit of overland LARPing on the weekends. But, I’m not going to blindly promote junk just because it says overland either. I make next to zero dollars on this site and thats okay with me. I’m also not going to put out self appointed experts whose sole claim to fame is that they’re good at self promotion, social media, or making YouTube Videos. To be honest, I’m just going to do my best to provide anyone interested with a valuable resource or point of view in a rapidly changing industry.
Where I feel focus is lacking
It’s just camping…
First up… the camping argument. I personally feel like camping has become too much of a focus in the overland industry. Tents, camping appliances, and chairs often take center stage on websites and at overland events. The way I see it is that yes, overlanders camp — but not all campers are overlanding. I’ve seen this problem rear its ugly little head myriad times in the comment sections. “I remember when we just called it camping,” is a common snarky reply. And just for transparency I’m a huge camping gear nerd. But, taking the focus off of travel in favor of a ridiculous and elaborate camp setup completely misses the mark.
If you’re on a camping (or on a hunting trip) a lavish camp can be fun in many ways, from shopping to sharing a drink with friends and family around the fire. If you move more towards “touring” as the Australians call it… packing up and setting up as you move every day becomes a bit of a nuisance. And, for those who are traveling overland abroad camping gear needs to be unobtrusive, robust, and reliable. The latter requires camping gear to provide shelter, food, and a bit of comfort while traveling. The former however is an opportunity to focus on the gear and use it to enhance the experience in the wild. Those are just my thoughts and I reserve the right to be completely wrong.
So how can the industry… or at least my little website promote change? I plan to start by highlighting only quality camping gear that is simple, quick to set up, and easy to put away. I also want to focus on practicality and be clear when things are a luxury instead of a necessity. For example a titanium fork and spoon are completely unnecessary, but can be a really nice and practical gift or upgrade. However to be honest a fork from the kitchen is probably pretty common in the kit carried by myriad German travelers. But thats just a matter of preference and price. What I strongly disagree with is the pushing of silly “overland camp” stuff that is cheaply made and has zero purpose outside of recreational camping. Examples might be two person camp chairs, flimsy collapsible camp kitchens, or janky / heavy tables.
The Gucci fallacy
I’ve heard the complaint that “overland gear is too expensive” at events and online. But the truth of the matter is that overlanders (traveling abroad) are frugal to a near fault. They might splurge on a piece of critical gear or something that they’ll use daily for the next three years — but wasting money is not a core trait of an “overlander.” Those traveling, or emulating those traveling, realize that some items provide value independent of prince and others are expensive just because. But, blaming (or promoting) expensive junk does little to help people reach the goal of global travel. Nor does it help build a sustainable business in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Some things cost more than expected for a good reason… while others are like fast fashion luxury brands that only exist because they’re expensive. At the end of the day expensive is subjective… but if you’re pushing the narrative that something is “Gucci” for no reason you’re missing the point.
Influencers and “Experts”
Oh influencers… the profession everyone loves to hate. Often for no reason, but frequently with good reason. The problem I have with them as it pertains to overlanding is that many self proclaimed experts have little to no experience traveling by vehicle. And to make things worse many “overland” experts aren’t very well versed in camping, 4×4’s, or the things they’re being paid to promote. Some of the “biggest names” in gear and content creation are leading people astray and pushing complete junk on them all in the name of making a few bucks. I personally think it’s pretty horrible and hope that most are doing it with good intentions but little real world experience or understanding. Sorry… that subject sort of hits a nerve with me.
Tribalism
I’ll come back to this later… i need to have a beer after that section about influencers and huge RV companies creeping into the “overland space.”
Conclusion
The opportunity side of this growth is absolutely incredible. Accessibility and popularity allow regular outdoor enthusiasts like us to get a taste of a lifestyle that’s existed for decades, but was always a bit out of reach. Today, we don’t have to quit our jobs and ship a 4×4 to the Amazon to get a taste of the overland lifestyle. And thanks to a booming industry we’re spoiled for choice whether we’re looking for tires, tents, or tools. But, from my own observation, both opportunity and confusion seem to run rampant these days as definitions morph and sub niches develop. And while I’m no expert I can definitely recognize a bit of flawed logic making its way to center stage.
Overall the growth of an industry, lifestyle, or hobby is a net positive for nearly all involved. However, there are almost always growing pains associated with popularity or growth. New conflicts arise between various groups, scammers move in to seize opportunity, and veterans can feel like they’re being marginalized. The positive that I see in this particular situation, is that overland travel has a strong foundation, tons of inspirational figures, and an impressive history that serves as an excellent point of reference to keep us moving in the right direction as the industry continues to expand here in North America. And for a website with very limited resources… it’s probably a good idea to have some sort of goal and defined objectives to work toward.
Without getting too bogged down in details what exactly am I trying to accomplish here as it pertains to overlanding? First, I need to establish some guardrails to make sure the time I invest building this site isn’t a fools errand — constantly chasing trends and making desperate attempts to pass myself off as an all knowing expert to build an audience. To be honest, I can get a little distracted at times and laying this out will allow me to revisit it from time to time. And second, there are a ton of voices pushing gear over travel and while that’s good for business… it hurts those who may someday want do travel abroad by 4×4. Gear and gadgets are fun and many are quite useful, but when you’re on your deathbed the time spent traveling abroad in a 4×4 will be far more valuable than a garage full of gear. I hope that to some extent this site will help you think critically of what really matters. Not because I know all the answers, but because I’ve made these mistakes over and over. Finally my revised intent with ExpeditionWire.com is to provide relevant information consumers, manufacturers, and those reporting on the overlanding industry can use as a point of reference.
The old version of this page (like many others you’ll see online) was overly vague, easy to digest, and nearly devoid of critical thought. My hope with the revised version is to explore my own assumptions, make you question yours, and hopefully add a somewhat unique perspective to a fairly crowded space. Best case scenario I help a few travelers, overland enthusiasts, and small business owners find a bit of focus.
Overlanding Guides, Skills, and Resources.
- Overland Essentials – Our picks for the skills and gear you must have to get started.
- Basic Gear – Things you’ll want and need beyond the items that will keep you safe and out of trouble.
- Camp and Kitchen – Gear to improve meal prep, sleep, and time spent in the overland campsite.
- Choosing a Vehicle – Information on popular adventure vehicles
