American Adventurist Archives : American Adventurist

Overland Expo East 2021

This was a busy year. Overland Expo East was to be our third Overland Expo event within the space of a few weeks, and it seemed like I had just returned from Colorado when it was time to go again. Overlanding is different east of the Mississippi, and I was keen on seeing how the East Coast version of Expo was doing. As usual, I left Northwest Florida a couple days early for a bit …

American Adventures

Overland Expo West 2021

For what feels like forever, Overland Expo West has been part of the calendar, like a holiday or some event that is just always in May. It’s just always assumed that it’s going to be there, it’s just a question of which weekend in May. Then things changed, and May came and went twice without Overland Expo West. Meanwhile, the folks at Lodestone Events persevered, and thankfully they were able to lock in dates for …

American Adventures

Colorado or Bust: Overland Expo Mountain West 2021

Overland Expo Mountain West almost didn’t happen. For most of us, the last year+ was like a dystopian B movie on many levels, complete with terrible casting and an even worse plot line. Because of all that, there was an uncomfortable feeling right up until the day I drove away from Florida for Colorado that this event would somehow get derailed too. I know the event organizers likely aged a few years with worry and …

American Adventures

Jeep fires back at Ford with new JL Wrangler Xtreme Recon Package

A new Jeep® Wrangler Xtreme Recon package raises the bar for the competition while taking the brand into new territory. June 25, 2021 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Jeep® 4×4 capability is legendary, and the brand continues its leadership position as the most capable 4×4 in the world. As the brand continues its 80th Anniversary this year, it is elevating its capability game yet again with the introduction of the new Jeep Wrangler Xtreme Recon …

Gear and Skills

Battle of the Boxes: AluBox vs Zarges

We put our trail tested Alu Boxes up against their rivals from Zarges

Gear and Skills

Throwing Shade

Reviewing Force Protector Gear's entry into the Overland vehicle market

Gear and Skills

Fishing for Fun & Survival

In a backcountry survival situation, FISHING is an excellent source of food, and in some environments it may be your ONLY source of food. During normal times, trying your hand at fishing with some of the more arcane techniques can also be a whole lot of FUN! As Hank Williams Jr once said, “We’re from North California and South Alabam’, And little towns all around this land. And we can skin a buck, and run …

Gear and Skills Vehicles

TESTED: Lightforce Lights HTX2 Twin Pack

For the last ten years, I’ve had a pair of Lightforce Blitz lights on the front of my Tacoma – and they’ve been awesome lights. Ten years is a long time to have any product, and it’s even more impressive when you consider that these lights have been outside for that entire time. These lights have baked in the Arizona sun, and frozen in the Colorado winter. They’ve held up to more than 150,000 miles …

Vehicles

Jeep Farout Concept Vehicle

Initially slated to be revealed at this year’s Moab Easter Jeep Safari, Jeep® introduced their Gladiator Farout Concept today, intent on leveraging the Jeep Gladiator’s excellent 4×4 payload and fuel-efficient 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine. They also teamed up with some well known brands in the overland industry to make it instantly ready for long range vehicle based adventure travel. Where would you take it? Please comment below and tell us your thoughts! Jeep® FarOut concept …

Gear and Skills

A Better Way to Leave No Trace

We review Last US Bag's latest foray into the 4WD utility bag market, aptly code named "Oscar's Mobile Hideout"

American Adventures

The 2020 Desert Rendezvous

Editor’s note: Back in 2010, our “Rendezvous Conspiracy” of like minded Adventurists sat around a campfire in the Southern California desert dreaming up ideas to get out and explore more often. That quiet conversation resulted in the first Desert Rendezvous. Fast forward ten years and American Adventurist grew to tens of thousands of followers across the social media spectrum with members in all 50 states. Early on we made it our business to promote responsible …

Gear and Skills

TESTED: Offgrid Trek 215w Solar Blanket Bug Out Kit

I’ve been going back and forth trying to decide between adding a dual battery setup to the Jeep, or finding a better solar option for “unlimited power” when stationary. Like most of you, I need peace of mind running the fridge in camp and easy access to power for charging USB devices. At Overland Expo East 2019 I ran across a veteran owned Canadian company that makes serious expeditionary grade kits that are ready for …