Overland Bound

The Ultimate Non-Alcoholic Drink Guide for the Campfire

Corrie Murguia — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 20:52:18 +0000

There is a long tradition of enjoying an adult beverage by the campfire, especially after a long day on the trail. But non-alcoholic drink options for these campfire moments are typically limited and… boring.

I speak from personal experience. My first few campfires after going sober could be summed up by a can of La Croix and a good attitude. I would watch friends unlock mini liquor stores out of the backs of their trucks, and I would sit quietly by the fire while my hands warmed up a trail-shaken can of Pomplemousse.

I did not miss what alcohol did to my health, but I did miss the ritual and reward of a special drink amongst friends. And thanks to a rapidly growing market segment of alcohol abstainers, there are more drinks for the sober and sober-curious now than ever. And some of them are pretty d*mn good.

The list below represents seven years of experimenting, exploring, and taste testing to create a booze-free beverage worthy of any campfire ring.

All opinions are my own, and I fully acknowledge that my subject matter intensity on this topic is borderline ridiculous. Take what you will.

But first things first. What to know before you go.

Non-Alcoholic Drink: 0% vs .5% ABV

A few things to mention about beverages that are .5% alcohol by volume (ABV):

At .5% ABV, you would have to drink 10 cans in one hour to match the effect of one can of 5% ABV beer.
Foods such as ripe bananas (.4-.6%) and hamburger buns (1.2%) have higher ABV than any of the drinks listed below.
Here in the US, the Food and Drug Administration considers drinks with less than .5% ABV to only have trace amounts of alcohol, allowing a company to label their drinks non-alcoholic.

Real Talk: It is essential to understand what works best for you, especially if you’re in recovery or have an allergy. Please research in advance.

Non-Alcoholic Versions of Hard Liquor are a HARD NO (Trust Us)

A rule of thumb from years of taste testing and experimentation: Stay away from non-alcoholic whiskey, gin, tequila, or other spirits that attempt to recreate hard liquor. Very few stand independently, and most leave our palettes sad and our stomachs queasy, with one exception. (See below.)

If you miss the complex flavor profiles of hard alcohol, focus instead on NA spirits like Seedlip, aperitifs like Ghia, or phenomenally crafted beverages from Curious Elixirs. None of these beverages attempt to recreate alcohol. Instead, they focus on creating a complex and satisfying drinking experience that encourages sipping and savoring.

Now let’s get into it!

Best .5% Alcohol Beer: Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA

Cases of bright blue Run Wild are in just about every grocery store and liquor store fridge for a reason. Run Wild offers all the hoppiness and complexity of an IPA with less than 0.5% alcohol. Cracking open an ice-cold can at the end of the day gives you the whole sensory experience of beer without the buzz.

I have poured a cold can of Run Wild for many family members, friends, and trail buddies. In the words of my IPA-loving younger brother, “If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known.”

If you prefer an IPA with more bite, check out Free Wave Hazy IPA, also by Athletic Brewing. It is also a winner.

Best 0% Alcohol Beer: Asahi Super Dry Zero

A few 0% beers are on the market, Heineken Zero being the most well-known.

Skip it. Seek out Asahi Super Dry Zero instead.

Asahi pulls off a full-bodied lager-style NA beer that retains a robust body and avoids the watery graves most 0% lagers swim in. The Super Dry Zero is more malt than hops (but the hops are there) and avoids the slightly sweet aftertaste typical in 0% options.

Be sure to pick up the Super Dry Zero. The Dry Zero is OK but much thinner on the palate.

Best Spirit That Doesn’t Pretend to be an Alcohol Derivative: Seedlip Grove 42

Seedlip Grove 42 is a fantastic base for a wide range of NA cocktails. Add 2oz of Grove to cranberry juice, give it a little sparking water and a splash of lime, and you have an excellent non-alcoholic drink.

Grove’s flavors blend blood orange, mandarin, lemon, and ginger, making it a joy when mixed with tonics, soda water, ginger ale, or fresh juice.

Honestly, the entire Seedlip collection is worthy, but Grove is the one I keep returning to. Head to their website and check out their recipe page for inspiration.

Best Mocktails: Curious Elixirs No 2 & No 4

Curious Elixirs is in a category of their own. They make no attempt to replicate alcohol – instead, they focus on creating botanical drinks with tons of personality that reference established drinks.

Curious Elixirs No. 2 is the most complicated NA cocktail I’ve experienced. The first time I drank this over ice with a slice of lime, I just about fell over – there’s a very slight hint of a smoky mezcal underneath a sweet/savory pineapple and ginger ‘burn.’ It somehow tastes like a margarita, but it is entirely different at the same time. This is my favorite summer campfire ‘adult’ beverage.

Curious Elixirs No 4 suggests an Italian blood orange Aperol spritz for those who love a bit more citrus. Add a sprig of mint to your drink, and you’ve got something far beyond the ordinary.

Best Mixers: Portland Syrups

Portland Syrups is a playground. You can create your own 100% non-alcoholic drink by using one of their syrups with sparkling water and adding garnishes like rosemary sprigs or citrus wedges. Throw a bottle or two of these into your mobile pantry to play with, and you’re set.

Best NA Hard Liquor Drink Alternative: Monday Gin

If you want to give one NA spirit a go, make it Monday Gin.

Monday Gin has a heavy juniper nose that carries all the way to the midpoint of the drink until it settles into a mild sour citrus/grapefruit tail end. The juniper in Monday is the element that pushes it into acceptable territory. The complexity is there.

I don’t suggest drinking Monday on its own, but then again, how many gins did I ever drink on their own?

Mix Monday in your favorite tonic, and you have something close to the real thing. Plus, Monday has zero carbs, zero sugar, and zero calories for the health-conscious.

And make sure you have ice. Drink this lukewarm at your own peril.

Runners up that are still winners:

Ghia Sumac & Chili (canned) – Aperitif with a burn. Ready to sip in its can.

De Soi Golden Hour (canned) – Adaptogens for the win. An excellent blend of herbaceous and citrus notes makes this an enjoyable sipping experience.

Surely Brut (canned) – Hits the right sparkling wine notes, but like all NA wine, it falls off quickly. This at least gets the front of the drink right and mixes brilliantly with OJ.

Brew Dog Punk AF – Lots of Hops at just 25 calories per can

As someone who has gone from clutching a La Croix with disappointment to creating my own unique non-alcoholic drinks, I hope this inspires you to explore, experiment or just have fun next time you’re socializing around the campfire.

A non-boozey cheers to you!

Overland Bound One 11.21 is Summer Ready

Corrie Murguia — Thu, 25 May 2023 13:08:36 +0000

What’s new in Overland Bound One

Summer adventures are about to begin and Overland Bound One is READY for it. Version 11.21 of Overland Bound One is packed with a full suite of new features, performance improvements and a few changes to make planning your next adventure easier.

Here are the highlights:

Quick visual filter system to easily view all your saved Points of Interest (POI) to assist with trip planning
3D Terrain Preview
GPX import and save improvements
New Map Layer: Fire
Offline sync system for POIs improved
POI creation streamlined with easy toggle for Public/Private
Upload multiple images when creating a POI
Improved UI for navigating POI pop up and display cards on the map
Performance improvements (image cache, POI & Member/User data)

Create your own map view

The new ‘Saved’ tab in the map allows you to quickly view the locations that are most relevant to you. With just one tap you bring the POIs you want to see to the top of the map. Adding or removing these points is as easy as tapping an icon and marking the save button

Create a Custom View for Your Overland Trip

When you save a point of interest by bookmarking it, you can create a personalized view of the resource map in the Saved tab.

Only view what is relevant to you on your overland, car camping or adventure travel journey.

All your locations in one place

With the improved sync system for POIs, users can now easily keep their saved locations up-to-date across different devices.

POIs created as a quick save or full save while offline will automatically sync once your device connects to the internet or you manage to find that one sliver of cellular reception.

Easier than ever to upload GPX files + 3D preview

GPX import and save is even easier, allowing users to quickly import shared or saved GPX files from other mapping sources.

The 3D Preview feature provides a more immersive view of the terrain, helping users plan their overland adventures more effectively.

Share that free Wi-Fi spot, keep that campsite for you

Creating public or private POIs has also been streamlined, making it easier for users to share or keep their favorite spots to themselves.

We’ve loosened up the details required for private POIs so you can quickly mark your map with as much or as little detail as you need.

Want to share more information like that awesome local coffee shop with the free Wi-Fi or your trusted mechanic? Awesome! Just add the pertinent details and save your POI as public.

Your location contribution earns you major map points and helps other adventure travelers on their overland trips.

Never forget a spot with multi image upload

And you can now upload multiple images when creating a POI, providing more context and visual information about the location.

Map improvements

There have been updates to POI pop-ups and display cards on the map to provide a more intuitive and seamless experience.

Additionally, improvements have been made to image caching, as well as how all the map data is handled to optimize performance.

Spot fire activity before starting out on your trek

And finally, the new Fire map layer helps users stay informed about wildfire activity in their area.

Overall, the latest update to the Overland Bound One app brings multiple features and improvements together to make it a robust tool for planning and executing all your overland journeys.

Combined with the tap and snap route planner, location from image uploader, Rally Point event planner and the community forums, we have you covered EVERY step of the way.

You can download Overland Bound One for iOS or Android for free. Annual members receive full access to all trip planning and navigation tools in the Resource Map plus 5% off all gear in the Overland Bound Gear Store.

Join today to get started.

Overland Gear and Equipment: Don’t Forget The Basics

Corrie Murguia — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:06:27 +0000

It wouldn’t be painting with too broad a brush to say that most people who fall into the overlander category are overland gear and equipment junkies. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing: it’s natural to indulge in the wants, rather than the needs of our builds. However, there is a downside to this inherent urge: we overlook upgrades to our rigs that aren’t ‘exciting’. If it doesn’t throw out thousands of lumens of light, make our vehicles a little bit taller, or give us a little more power, it can feel lackluster. Again… this isn’t a bad thing. But in the larger conversation of preparation for off-road exploration, it pays to drill down and focus on the basics. We Are Fragile Humans are fragile, and for whatever reason, we like to play with things that are trying to hurt us like axes, knives, fire, propane, winches, etc.. FACT: As overlanders we pride ourselves on seeking out remote locations. Lesser known fact: Remote is derived from the latin “not close to a hospital.” So what does all this mean? Carry a first aid kit. Carry a trauma kit. Have solid comms. Be able to put out a fire. These are musts. (Go see if you can stuff that fancy light bar on your truck into a wound to stop the bleeding.) First Aid & Trauma Here are the basics: Keep a First Aid Kit for minor injuries, light cuts, abrasions, burns. Keep a Trauma Kit for life threatening injury. A First Aid Kit will have your basics for treating scratches, light burns, small cuts, blisters and other scrapes. Think band aids, wound cleaning tools like alcohol pads and neosporin, gauze, athletic tape, pain killers, etc. Example items you want to have in your trauma kit include clotting sponges/bandages, tourniquets, splints, trauma scissors and dressings, gloves, etc. These are the tools that allow you to stop bleeding, immobilize a sprain or break, or control a penetrating trauma. And because you never know if things are going to end “rubber side up” while overlanding, it’s a good idea to have multiple kits accessible at various entry points in your vehicle. A Basic First Aid kit stashed in the drivers side door. There are wide variety of kits available online (Amazon returns 52,082 results in its online search alone), so find a kit in your spending comfort zone but do not cut costs and skip the basics. Here’s an outdoor first aid/trauma kit combo for $50: Adventure Medical Kits Sportsman Series Bighorn Medical Kit And you can’t just carry these kits, you must know how to use them. I find that medical classes are the most ignored, yet critical, for off-roaders/overlanders. It’s a perishable skill as well. You’ll forget things, and consulting a manual when you’re trying to stop bleeding is not the best on the job training. Get Trained A quick search around the internet can point you to numerous classes and resources to help educate and prepare yourself for first aid emergencies. For example, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) offers weekend long Wilderness First Aid Training courses at locations around the globe, as does WildMed. Good kits can be put together for a great price, and by taking medical training you’ll realize what’s important to have and what you can leave at home to save space. I carry at least 2-3 trauma kits in my vehicle, stashed in the door pockets, with tourniquets present in each door or visor panel. These kits are not just for me to use on someone else, but for someone else to use on me if the moment arises. Communications Have access to communication for reaching first responders. While it’s important to have a CB or Ham Radio for communication on the trail when you overland with a group, communication only works in an emergency if someone happens to be listening on a frequency. If you pride yourself on being away from civilization, be forward thinking in being able to reach civilization. I’m a big proponent of systems like Satellite communicators, they’re a fraction of the cost of a satellite phone, they’re more reliable than a cellular phone, and you only need to use them ONCE in a critical situation to justify their cost. A one time purchase in 2015 has paid off on the trail for Overland Bound #0000. Overland Bound co-founder Corrie Murguia has this experience. “We bought our DeLorme (now Garmin) Garmin inReach back in May 2015 and we immediately used it to plot and track our off-road excursions. It was definitely an investment we considered carefully. It’s not an impulse buy. I liked that we could activate and deactivate our service based on if we were home or on the trail. We didn’t put it to the test until September 2015 when we coordinated an off-road trail repair via text message/satellite. There are no words to describe when you send a text message confirming a spare part is on its way and will arrive in 3 hours while you’re in the middle of nowhere. Hugs, high fives and relief were abundant.” Overland mishaps aren’t a question of “if”, it’s “when”. Be prepared and know what technological resources are available. Fire Suppression It’s not just our bodies that need to be looked after, it’s also our vehicles. It is alarming to consider the amount of people who travel without a fire extinguisher in their vehicles. And even more critical, the number of people who travel with an extinguisher but out of arms reach. If you store it out of reach, you’ve basically put it on the moon. ” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”> Quickly accessible by being within arms reach of the driver. Good quality fire extinguishers range from $40-$100. Whether that’s an ABC for gasoline or grease fires, or a gas based (halon style) for electrical or interior fires, there’s a bunch out there. What’s $40 to keep your high dollar investment from burning to the ground? We also all make campfires, and campfires can get out of control. Don’t be that person who burns down their rig and/or the forest because a widget from REI was higher on the list than basic fire suppression. Don’t Forget Your Basic Overland Gear and Equipment Roof racks, tires, suspension, light bars are all awesome, but life is a perishable and fleeting thing. Make the investment into the systems and products that can maintain your investment into this wonderful thing called life. The life you save may just be your own. Become part of the Overland Bound Community! Connect with Members near you and around the world with our interactive Member Map, Event Calendar and Overland Rally Point Trip Planner! Go to the Overland Bound Store to get your Member Emblem and join the team.

HIT Roof Top Tents – Hinterland Industries

Corrie Murguia — Tue, 30 May 2017 21:55:51 +0000

We have enjoyed hitting the trail with the Rincon HIT Rooftop Tent from Hinterland Industries! And we’ve gotten to know Graham, owner and creator of HIT. We asked him to share his story from his early days tent camping with his father in Australia, to where overlanding and Hinterland takes him today. Read on for insight and inspiration!

Graham Holloway, Owner Hinterland Industries and Creator of HIT Roof Top Tents
When did you launch Hinterland Industries Tents?
We started laying the groundwork for Hinterland Industries Tents in spring of 2015. Then came design, testing, and vetting manufacturers to find the right fit for our vision of what we wanted to bring to the market. The result, HIT Roof Top Tents.
What inspired you to jump into this market?
We had some ideas (to improve RTT’s) so we decided to make our ideas into reality and started Hinterland Industries Tents. (HIT). This meant boots on the ground and spending time in far away places on the factory floors to be fully present and immersed in our startup. This was one of our founding principles. It was paramount that we stay present and hands on at every stage of our production.
How long have you been overlanding?
I guess it started about 1981-82. As a young child my father and I traveled around Australia tent camping with him on a bicycle and me in the trailer behind him. Eventually we traveled across the US in a 1968 VW transporter, you know, the old pickup truck with the front end like a van? He had a canvas top for the bed of the truck and that’s where we lived. This was all early 1980’s. Fast forward to the mid 90’s and I bought a 1973 International Scout II before I even had a license. That’s the beginnings to our present endeavor.

What’s your background in the overland market?
I started welding and fabricating almost 22 years ago, and have done a variety of builds from classic jeeps to modern Land Cruisers. Three years ago we built our first offroad/overland trailer. Since then, we have been refining that platform.
We will be releasing our new and improved trailer models later in 2017 and have other areas of vehicle upgrade and outfitting we are expanding our scope to as well.
When did the entrepreneurial spirit hit you?
As early as I can remember I’ve always had that drive. Although I wasn’t able to fully support myself solely from the fruits of my labors until I was 28. At that time, I stopped being a W2 employee and went full time self-employed. Haven’t looked back since. Granted, this makes for very long hours and a lot of time invested that isn’t “on the clock” but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Where do you see overlanding as an industry going in the next 5 years?
In my opinion, overlanding in its modern form is still in its infancy here in the US. The markers I’m watching all point to strong growth in the coming years.
What inspires you the most as a business owner and overlander?
I would have to say it’s the innovation and seeing the bar set ever higher all the time. And the camaraderie within the group as a whole. There are a lot of great companies out there right now and we are honored and proud to be a part of this as well.

Overland Bound #0000 on the Mojave Trail with the Rincon RTT© Credit Barry J Holmes ©
Favorite destination/camping spot?
We love the desert and coastal areas quite a bit, but our overlanding is more of a hybrid. Similarly, we have a couple rigs that are purpose built. Beginning with some that make us able to travel for extended periods in tame to moderate terrain, others leading all the way up to our highly modified FZJ80 that we tackle very technical trails and local’s yet still don’t compromise on our creature comforts and love of great meals.
What’s your favorite part about being outdoors?
Being off grid. No cell phone. No computer. Thus, apart from Ham radio for emergency, we’re fully self reliant and we’re comfortable with that.

Learn more about HIT Tents and Hinterland Industries here! And a big thank you to Graham for allowing us to use and adventure with his gear!

Overland Gear For Winter: How to Prepare for Cold!

Corrie Murguia — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 17:00:23 +0000

Overlanding in the winter requires lots of planning, prepping and a thorough inventory of your gear. There are so many options available to help prepare for the cold, but what overland gear for winter should you focus on?

In preparation for our 5 day trip to Moab this past December, we asked Overland Bound Forum Members for their advice on how to outfit to overland in winter. We wanted to know their personal experience battling frigid temperatures while adventuring outdoors.

The response was tremendous, and the recommendations were priceless. Michael and I were able to navigate the cold (-7F at one point), and we got to experience the beauty of Moab safely without shivering our way through it.

Read on for insight and personal experience to help you choose the right equipment to keep you warm and safe this Winter season!

Overland Gear for Winter
@stringtwelve

Overland Bound Member 0102

Founder 500

Lifestyle Overland

IMO, bang for buck you can’t beat Columbia outerwear gear. It goes on sale fairly regularly if you’re willing to do a little hunting for it. Amazon, Cabelas, Bass Pro are all good sources. I picked up their 3-in-1 parka at Cabelas this time last year for $80 bucks (was $220 retail).

Base layers are key as well, so long as you don’t over do it. I like a thin, moisture wicking thermal underwear from Under Armor or similar, then build on top of that. The in-between stuff doesn’t have to be anything special, but we love Columbia, Carhartt and Mountain Khaki pants for the lower outer layers.

If you want to be warm, like legit “screw-this-cold-and-layers-and-mummy-bags-BS” kinda warm, then get a Buddy Heater from Mr. Heater. You can use it in your tent or even vehicle (with caution) to turn your shelter into a sauna. Sure it’s a heat source in a confined space, but we can debate safety factors on another thread. Just do yourself a favor and put this in your rig. When you’re tired of trying to be warm, pull it out, crank it up, (and) soak up the heat.”

Mr. Heater Little Buddy – Our favorite new addition to the Overland Bound kit.

@TXpedition

Overland Bound Member 2570

I’ve got these silk long johns that are awesome in the cold. Thin and light but very warm.

Also for the tent I have a Mr Heater little buddy. I turn it on when I get in the tent to sleep, in about 5 minutes it’s nice and toasty. Of course your tent size will determine the time it takes.

I also take those mylar emergency blankets with me to put under my sleeping bag if it’s really cold. Helps radiate the heat back up to your body. Of course I also take my trusty Mexican wool blankets, too.

Ice Breath & Frozen Feet
@B Wild

Overland Bound Member 2420

I suggest wearing something like a comfortable hat or Balaclava for when you are sleeping to keep your ears and neck from getting to cold, at least keep them close just in ca

SmartWool. Smart investment.

se. FYI if you cover your face with your sleeping bag to stay warm, the moisture from your breath can accumulate inside around your face and possibly freeze. Not fun!

@Twin Magnolias

Overland Bound Member 2322

That under armour base layer stuff is pretty good for the cold. I’m fine with some cold as long as my feet don’t get cold. For that I am all about some Smartwool socks. I never thought I’d pay $15+ for socks, but don’t think twice about them.

Double Up on Sleeping Gear
@boehml

Overland Bound Member 2489

Anything merino wool is excellent clothes wise (stinks less too). Also, a Merino Wool buff is super useful because it still keeps you warm even if you happen to get wet and can be used in like 800 different configurations. Last weekend I used my merino buff in 5-degree (-15C) weather and it worked to keep my head warm. If you’re going to bundle up the rest of your body but skip the head and neck, you’re probably not going to be as warm as you could be.

Grabber All-Weather Blanket

Sleeping in 5-degrees can also suck. In lieu of a liner, I used my smaller 30F bag inside a larger (wider) 0F bag. I spun it around so that the hood on the 30F bag covered the front of my face but left a little hole for breathing so I didn’t feel suffocated. I happened to be sleeping on the ground too, and a normal space blanket helped to radiate my warm body heat captured in the sleeping pad back to my body. One of the best nights I’ve had in the backcountry, and I’ve had my fair share.

@Ferd F-150

Overland Bound Member 2619

Living up here in Cold A$$ Eastern Canada…layers! Next to skin items should be comfortable and water wicking (to remove sweat away from your body). Do not overheat yourself! Put your clothes for the next day in the bottom of your sleeping bag to keep warm, and wear as little as possible to bed (except your head).

Gear wise, I have an outbound mummy bag (-10°C), a wool liner, and polar fleece liner. Total rating of approx -30°C. I use a mylar emergency blanket between my tent and fly and another on the tent floor. Now it’s a 4 season tent!

Balaclava and Booties
@mmnorthdirections

Overland Bound Member 0364

Founder 500

Wool beanie, should be able to cover ears and face/balaclava, greatest heat loss is our cranium!

Wool socks, as high a percentage as you can find, they wick moisture and still work when damp.

No form fitting clothing other than your first layer, then all over clothing should be large enough to accommodate layers under. The goal is to have space to trap heat loss and prevent wind chill as this is the killer in cold dry climates.

Tent or vehicle must have ventilation (just crack the window) to off moisture/condensation.

Drink as much or more water than you think you need, cold weather is deceiving when you don’t feel like drinking something cold.

@anderz0nic

Overland Bound Member 0468

Founder 500

REI Down Booties. Can’t say enough about these.

Wool fingerless gloves for cooking.

Salomon winter hiking boots. Super insulated and comfy for hiking.

Insulated water storage devices. Again, REI is my go to for this. I have many different size storage containers.

Smartwool insulation. There are many different “weights’ of insulation. I typically stick with the “medium” grade.

Hot Cocoa and Peppermint Schnapps! 😀

Bang for Buck
@OregonTrail4runner

Overland Bound Member 2053

Boiling water. No hassle.

Woolpower is out of Sweden where they supply insulating garments for the North Sea oil fields. Expensive, but lasts for years. No special care required. My stuff is 10 years old and still going strong.

Simms is a fishing brand out of Bozeman, MT. The Coldweather pant or shirt is just fleece lined, but very toasty. I’m sure there are other similar garments out there.

JetBoil. Boil water in 90 seconds. In my rig year round.

@shizzy

Overland Bound Member 2292

As already mentioned, Under Armor / base layers. If you have TJ Maxx or Marshalls or similar discount stores in your area, regularly troll their racks. I’ve found under armor randomly for easily half price. It’s always hit or miss, but anytime I find myself driving by one, I stop in, make a quick pass by that rack to see.

And yes, Merino wool. Another cheap guy tip, thrift stores. Check the tag on the entire rack of sweaters in your size and look for ones made of merino wool. Around here, most sweaters are $8-$10 and as long as you don’t care what the sweater looks like, you can get some quality wool for cheap.

I’m a huge fan of those cheap fleece throw blankets. They stuff easily into nooks and crannies in your rig and if you are cold, slip a couple in your sleeping bag with you.

Fleece and Fire
@Recon2x

Overland Bound Member 1834

Warmest layers and gear the Army ever gave me was made from polartec. They have top and bottom grid fleece thermals. I’ve become slightly obsessed and a huge supporter of their cold weather layers. They’ve kept me warm numerous times sleeping in a hole in the ground for several days in freezing temperatures.

@GoldenStateAdv.com

Overland Bound Member 0708

The only thing I can recommend as a must have for winter camping is a quality fire starter kit. You can have all the nice warm clothes, but you’re still SOL if you can’t get a fire going. If you can successfully get a good fire in rain and snow without exhausting yourself, you can tackle anything.

Michael’s Takeaway from Utah
Gloves. Really good gloves. The Burton Gore-Tex gloves allowed me to dig us out of the canyon at 10 degrees F without losing my fingertips.

Two layers of warmth + grip

Is there anything you would add to the list? Leave a comment and let us know.

Happy adventuring this Winter! Outfit & Explore!
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2014 Long Travel Toyota Tacoma Rig Walk Around

Corrie Murguia — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 19:27:43 +0000

This is a Rig Walk Around we have wanted to do for a long time. We were delighted Lisa and Nick, Overland Bound Members #1069, took the time to introduce us to their 2014 Toyota Tacoma Overland Setup with long-travel suspension!

It’s an impressive rig that has seemingly limitless configurations for trips of every type – from long distance, to rock crawling, and traveling with 2 people or 5. One look and you could easily think it would cost north of $100,000 to modify and outfit, but they assure us it is not true. Their strategy was to watch craigslist and forums, and buy used. They also do most of the work on the truck (if it does not require welding).

They spend most of their time trekking around the Sierras in California, and you might just run into them on Slick Rock Trail, but they also travel around the country whenever they get the chance. Enjoy more pictures of their epic adventures below and follow them on Instagram!

About Us

Overland Bound is the fastest growing Overland Community in the world with thousands of members world wide. The community is committed to make getting outside and connecting with nature as easy as possible.

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2015 Jeep JK Rubicon Rig Feature

Corrie Murguia — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 13:00:56 +0000

2015 Jeep JK Rubicon Rig Profile
Name
Bob B.

Overland Bound Member
#0447 – Founder 500

Home Base
Culver City, CA

Occupation
Retired Police Sergeant

Overlanding Since
I think I became an Overlander in 2015 when I started venturing further ‘off the grid’ and it became about the journey and not just the destination.

What modifications have you made so far?

Front and rear LOD bumpers, RockHard sliders, Frontrunner ½ roof rack, Off-road Elements Limb risers with Rugged Ridge hood hold downs, Vector Dock (spans the dash and I can attach my phone, GPS and IPad), Kenwood stereo with Garmin navigation, front and rear cameras.

Suspension: Rubicon Express 3 ½” lift with a TeraFlex steering stabilizer.

Tires: BFG Mud Terrains, KM2, 35×12.50×17 on stock Rubicon wheels now painted black, Spidertrax wheel spacers.

Shelter: ARB awning attached to the rear of the roof rack.

Electrical: Factory inverter and I carry a Noco Genius Boost GB40 battery jumper. I’ve used the jumper twice for friends and both times it started first try.

Lighting: KC LED spot and driving lights, and I replaced interior lights with LED lights. Huge improvement.

Grand Staircase-Escalante, UT

Storage: Action Packers and duffle bags.

Recovery: Smittybuilt 9500 winch, various straps, Max Traxx ramps, shovel, HiLift jack. I also have a mounted 10lb PowerTank and I carry a portable Viair 400P compressor.

Security: Factory Jeep.

Nav/Comm: DeLorme in Reach and MotionX on dash mounted IPad/ Cobra 75wx CB with a Yaesu 7900 VHF/UHF ham radio.

Mechanical: Chrysler 3.6 motor with automatic transmission and manual transfer case. Front and rear electric lockers with an electric front sway bar disconnect.

Camping: Basic tent/sleeping bag and now a TemboTusk Skottle.

What process did you go through selecting your rig?

I was never a Jeep guy before, always Toyota. After watching many videos and thinking of the situations my rig would get me through; flat terrain, climbing, rocks, types of weather etc. I rolled the dice on a 2015 Jeep JK Rubicon and haven’t looked back.

What influenced your Overland vehicle choice?

With front and rear factory locking differentials, it seemed like the Jeep could get me into and out of many locations.

What are 3 things that you *really* like about your rig?

Front and rear locking diffs, the ease of working on it whether it’s adding aftermarket parts or maintenance, and the tons of aftermarket parts available.

What would you add or improve?

I’m running out of things to improve! Maybe the factory lighting and definitely the gas mileage. To be fair, I happily trade the mileage for a capable rig.

Rooftop or ground tent?

Ground, I’d like to have a RTT but don’t want to deal with the extra weight up top.

When did you first hear the term Overland?

I first heard of it several years ago but never put it into perspective until last year when I started exploring more.

North Rim, Grand Canyon

What is it about Overlanding you enjoy most?

I enjoy getting out and seeing new things that are way off the beaten path. I’ve also met some great people and made good friends having this common interest.

Longest trip completed/planned?

My longest trip so far has been the Overland Expo West in Flagstaff Arizona, Grand Canyon, and Grand Staircase in Utah. This trip definitely gave me the itch to explore more of Utah and to explore Colorado.

Have you ever had to make a trail repair – If so what? If not, what are you prepared for?

I’ve been lucky so far to not have any notable trail issues. I’ve tried to outfit my rig to be self-sufficient just in case. I like to be equipped to help myself or others I’m travelling with whether it’s lending a tool or helping jump a dead battery.

What’s the one piece of overlanding equipment you can’t live without? (Besides your 2015 Jeep JK Rubicon.)

I can’t say I have any particular piece of equipment I can’t live without. I will say that my Powertank makes life so much easier by airing up my tires in a couple minutes and not waiting on a compressor.

North Rim, Grand Canyon

What’s your favorite destination?

My favorite destination is Death Valley. In one day, depending on the time of year, you can go from the dry desert floor to snowy mountains with so much to see in between.

Tell us one time when your rig saved you, or you were really impressed by it.

It always impresses me, kind of like a Billy goat the way it takes trails.

What else should we know about your rig?

I’ve done all but the suspension myself. Aside from enjoying the work, it keeps me hands-on and the maintenance up to date.

Gratuitous water splash. Just because.

Hinterland Industries Roof Top Tent Install

Corrie Murguia — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 18:49:11 +0000

We recently installed a Roof Top Tent on the Overland Bound Rig for the first time. In this video, we unbox the Hi Tents (Hinterland Industries) RTT and step through the installation process. We hope you find it useful!

The install was fairly straightforward, taking about 2.5 hours start to finish. This includes setting up the tent for the first time after the installation was complete.

We will be doing a review of this tent once we get a chance to use it in the wild!

More information on HiTents: http://bit.ly/HiTents

Under Pressure: Onboard Air Compressor Setups

Corrie Murguia — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 18:19:02 +0000

Author: Brenton Corns
Overland Bound Member #0070
YouTube 4xFar Adventures
Instagram 4xFar_Adventures

Photo Credit: Jonathan Chacon OB1502 IG: @chacon.jmc

There are a variety of reasons to upgrade to an OBA (On Board Air) setup in your rig. Maybe you’ve purchased bigger tires and the little $30 compressor from the auto parts store won’t cut it any more. There’s the option of running air tools, though that may also require an air tank.

You’re options are basically a CO2 setup or an air compressor. Each has their pros and cons and the conversation is as age old as the roof top tent vs. ground tent debate! It’s up to you to ultimately decide what will work best, based on your needs. Let’s take a look at the characteristics of each. In this article, we’ll discuss:

Cost
Performance
Mounting
Duty Cycle
Brands

Tell us in the comments below which you prefer!

CO2 and Nitrogen Tanks
CO2 is liquefied carbon-dioxide, typically stored in a 10# or 20# tank. Power Tank is the standout (and most $$$) manufacturer of tanks and accessories. Their yellow powder coated tanks are well known, and seen among the 4WD community.

These tanks need to be stored upright and hard mounted inside your rig. For ease of access to the tank for refilling, there is usually a metal strap that unlatches and the tank can be pulled out. This must be accounted for when picking a mounting location. For example, my CO2 tank is only 4″ away from the ARB fridge. Without the fridge slide, there would not be enough room to fully open the latch straps and then remove the tank.

When it comes to filling tires, the speed at which CO2 performs this task is second to none. It’s extremely fast, and can produce a large volume at the same time. This is important if you want to re-seat the bead of a tire. Using a large ratchet strap around the tread of the tire will direct the expansion to the sidewall, and seat the bead easier/faster. This is true if you’re using CO2 or a compressor.

When using a CO2 tank, you never have to worry about the noise level. The only sound you hear is the slight wooshing inside the tire as it’s being filled.

A CO2 setup can be setup can be put together fairly inexpensively, but you’ll have to shop for the individual parts. The Power Tank option can be as much as a really good compressor. CO2, no matter how big of a tank you have, is a limited resource. When you’re out, you’re out. Unheard leaks can ruin your fun when you go to air up at the end of a trail and find an empty tank. Or to run that air tools for a trail fix. Cheap regulators can freeze over and cheap hoses can splinter if frozen for too long.

Refills can be a big deciding factor. Check for availability in your area for this service before buying a tank solution.

It’s illegal to fill CO2 tanks within San Francisco. I have a friend who welds and I’ll drop my tank off with him to get refilled in the East Bay. You’ll have to find a shop that will preferably return your same tank. Some only do a tank swap of what they have in the back room. A 20# tank costs me about $25 to fill.

The number of times you can refill your tires will depend on the size of the tire, and pressure ranges (say 15PSI up to 40PSI). The only way to determine how much CO2 you have left is by weight, and maybe shaking to feel for the level of the liquid. A pressure gauge for the tank (not what is coming out) will show full pressure until the tank is empty.

Lastly, CO2 is soluble with the rubber compound found in tires. It permeates through the material and escapes into the atmosphere, thus reducing the tire pressure over time. If you wheel often enough, you can keep this in check due to the constant refilling of tires, and checking the levels. But if you only go out every couple of months, you should periodically check your pressure levels, and consider refilling with air at a gas station.
Air Compressors
These can range from a cheapo unit that can barely fill a passenger tire up to something that can run air tools without missing a beat. There are a few notable companies out there making well thought out and put together compressors; Viair, ARB, Extreme Outback to name a few.

Your typical air compressor will run off of a 12V power supply with a rated PSI (pounds per square inch) and CFM (cubic feet per minute). While the PSI is important, the best way to determine if a compressor suits your needs is to look at the CFM rating, and at what pressure. Just because the box says the maximum pressure is 300PSI doesn’t necessarily mean it can move a large volume of air. Look for a CFM rating around 2 (or more) at 100PSI.

The more amperage drawn by the compressor will mean a more powerful unit. The number of amps can reach 80 or more. So if you’re looking at a compressor that only comes with a cigarette light plug, you’re probably better off leaving it on the shelf at the store. You will also want to run wiring that can easily handle the power rating of the compressor.

Even with a large capacity battery, it’s a best practice to have your engine running when the compressor is running. The increased voltage to the compressor will make it run a bit faster and reduce the amount of load on the vehicle’s electrical system.

A good compressor will be heavy and have it’s own mounting requirements. Some can be mounted in any position, even upside down, in or out of the vehicle. You’ll also need to keep the area around the compressor open to allow sufficient airflow for both cooling of the motor and output to the hose. If there’s an on/off switch it should be easily accessible even when the truck is fully loaded with gear. These factors should be a major deciding point on the unit you purchase.

If you are going to be “the air guy” out on the trail and fill up a bunch of tires, or need to run air tools for a while, you’ll want to take into consideration the duty cycle of the compressor.

The duty cycle is how long you can run the compressor before it needs time to cool down.

A 50% duty cycle at 30 minutes means that after a half hour of continuous use, it needs another half hour to cool down. Whereas a 100% duty cycle can run non-stop. The number of tires you can fill at a time will depend on the duty cycle. And again, the size of tire and pressure ranges for your needs will help determine what duty cycle you’ll need, or should avoid.

Some, but not all, compressors will have built-in pressure cutoff or thermal cutoff to avoid potential permanent damage. There also may or may not be an on/off switch on the unit itself. If not, there’s typically disconnect on the power cables when you want to turn it off.

Expect to pay anywhere from $300 up to $600 (or more) for a good compressor. If permanent mounting isn’t a viable route, many manufacturers offer the option of a kit. These usually come in a metal or plastic case that can house the power cables, airline and gauge and can be removed from the vehicle when not needed, or moved to another vehicle.

Something not always talked about, but worth taking into consideration is the noise level of the compressor. Some can be pretty quiet, but typically you won’t want to hang around and hold a conversation with someone right next to it.

A compressor is a complex setup, with points of failure including the moving parts, and electrical connections. Troubleshooting is more involved if it stops working, and it’s hard to replace just a single part if it breaks.

We’d be interested to know which you prefer, and to hear your experience using both onboard air solutions!
Overland Bound
Overland Bound is the fastest growing overland community in the world. Thousands of Overland Bound Members world-wide are waiting to help you no matter what your skill level, and no matter what you drive! If you’d like to join this awesome community, and find a challenging connection with the great outdoors, join us! Head over to the forums and read more about what we stand for in the Overland Bound Guidelines . If you are ready to join, check out the different Member options in our store. It’s a one time fee to help us continue to spread the word! We look forward to having you and seeing you on the trail!

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Overland Rig Wants Vs. Needs

Corrie Murguia — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 16:52:42 +0000

So you bought your first rig, or you want to outfit your current setup even more… Most Overlanders have one question on their mind when it comes to rig enhancement and improvement: Where do you start? After attending the 2016 Overland Expo West, the Overland Bound Team walked away clear reminded: There are a TON of gear and accessory options for Overlanders, and chasing after the newest, shiniest thing can be very seductive (and expensive). One of the best ways to filter through your options is to ask yourself three questions before making your decision to upgrade and modify: What situations on the journey am I preparing for? (Scope) How much of my budget do I have to allocate to the solution? (Cost) How long will it take to be “overland” ready? (Time) Overland Bound’s core principle number two is, “It doesn’t matter what you drive: The only requirement of an Overlander is that the vehicle serves the job required, safely.” Consider this carefully! Our core principles: Core Principles on OB Forums Once you distill down the functionality you are seeking, you can focus your time and budget on the solutions specific to you. We asked Overland Bound Members to tell us about more about their vehicles, and how they made their modification decisions. Read on to learn more about what inspired them on their overlanding journey! Each member has different requirements! What did you modify first? Steve – Overland Bound Member #0202 Vehicles: 2008 Subaru Outback and 2016 Toyota 4Runner “On both, tires! Road biased all-terrain Geolandars on the Outback, and BF Goodrich KO2s on the 4Runner with 50 miles on the odometer. Tires, because that’s the best bang for the buck on any non-paved surface when compared to stock tires. On both vehicles, this simple improvement opened a huge range of places I could go.” ‘Winterpeg’ – Overland Bound Member #2861 Vehicle: 2008 Toyota FJ Trail Teams “First was a winch. I like to “Outfit and Explore” and make it back. My previous 4×4 did not have a winch and I got into a LOT of trouble with my wife because I was late for supper due to being stuck on a “quick” little detour on the way back home. Four hours later, and a long distance call to a friend to get me out, I was home. This was almost a decade ago and I STILL hear about this…” Jeff – Overland Bound Member #0327 Vehicle: 2007 Jeep JK (2-Door) “Lighting. (It’s a) cheap and good way to learn about the simple parts to take on and off.” Mason – Overland Bound Member #0364 Vehicle: 2010 Toy FJ with Off Road Package “Tires and suspension – BFG AT. Road behavior with the BFG AT was bad (My FJ did not like them), so now I run GY Duratrack and they work very well. The street stock tires just did not work.” Kevin McC. – Overland Bound Member #0102 Vehicle: 2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition “We cut a factory tire down on our first trail and promptly made our way to the tire store the very next morning for a complete set of BFG KO’s All-Terrain tires. Since this upgrade, we have NEVER had another flat.” JDunk – Overland Bound Member #0446 Vehicle: ’06 Jeep XK (Commander) “Lift and tires was the first thing. The XK is basically a massive station wagon from the factory: long wheel base and comparably short ground clearance.” What is the biggest factor in your decision making for what and how much you spend on your rig? Jordan B. – Overland Bound Member #0750 “For me all initial mods/repairs or upgrades were based upon gaining reliability. For me the rig being reliable is most important.” What are your additional thoughts on this process? “There are a lot of projects left to do: armor on the undercarriage, sliders, new roof rack, RTT, new lights, on board air… the list goes on and on. It’s a time thing. If I’m always working on the rig, I can’t enjoy it or the world it’s built to explore. Though, budget is a pretty big reason also.” Long story short, it’s about tires and suspension first and foremost. After that, the sky’s the limit, but be sure to carefully consider the needs of the journey! Head to our forums to ask members directly! As you endeavor to create or enhance your Overland rig… It doesn’t matter what you drive. There is no modification point that magically tips you into the Overlander category. If you feel the call of adventure… Welcome to the crew. The best journeys are in front of you. Get outside and find them! New to Overlanding? Looking to share adventures with an awesome crew of explorers? Become an Overland Bound Member by purchasing your Member Emblem. Each Emblem is laser etched with a unique Member Number that is yours for life. // Buy Overland Bound Membership & Emblem: New Member