Overlanders love gear. Everyone knows that. And Overland Expo is THE place to see the latest and greatest gear from exhibitors across the board. Over the weekend we scoured the aisles of Overland Expo West looking for some cool new gear. Some of these items are brand new to the market, but others are simply new to us. That fact is one of our favorite things about Overland Expo. You never know what you’ll find. That being said, here are some of our favorite items from Overland Expo West presented in alphabetical order.
Aeronaut Outdoors
We’ve been fans of Aeronaut Outdoors for a while. The founder taps into decades of work at some of the biggest outdoor gear companies and considers every aspect of each design. The newest addition to the line, the Booster, is rated to 55 degrees F on its own, but living up to its namesake, it can boost your sleep system by an additional 10 degrees. Plus, it’s packed with smart features like wing grabs at the corners, so it’s easy to wrap up, loops on the sides align with Aeronaut’s other quilts for a cozy combo, and the integrated pocket keeps your essentials close or transforms into a pillow.
AluCab MODCap Family Module
AluCab is known for their awesome tents and canopy campers, but their latest offering is going above and beyond even by their standards. The MODCap debuted a couple of weeks ago, but only its cap and wedge camper form were shown then. Overland Expo West attendees got an early look at this new MODCap option that’s incredibly spacious, and as the name implies, it has plenty of room for a family. The roof rises to the side, and an additional platform flips out to make plenty of sleeping area, plus the truck bed is still available to build out however the end user sees fit.
JackRabbit Mini eBike
Ebikes have become popular in recent years, but the majority are heavy and require lots of room for storage. The JackRabbit bikes, on the other hand, are around 30 lbs. and quickly fold flat for an overall thickness of 7 inches. With a quick setup and a push button throttle you’ll be on your way in no time. Various models and battery options are available to match your desired range. After a brief test drive, we can also guarantee they’re just downright fun to ride.
ICECO APL35
ICECO debuted their all-new compact APL35 fridge at Overland Expo West. This dual-zone fridge is well designed from its attractive exterior, is crafted of aluminum, and will undoubtedly stand up to years of use while also taking on a great patine. Inside, it offers the ability to dial in two temperature zones to meet your food storage needs so you can keep some items chilled while others are frozen until you need them. The APL35 opens on the long edge, and it features a multi-position locking lid. This means it can fit into a wider variety of rigs, and you don’t have to worry about the lid snapping closed if there isn’t room for it to fully open. The APL35 weighs in at a mere 32 lbs., and it can be paired to a Bluetooth app in order to adjust the temp and keep an eye on other metrics. We can’t wait to review one of these later this year.
Leitner Designs INEOS Grenadier Kit
The INEOS Grenadiers were definitely plentiful at Overland Expo, and several trusted Overland Expo exhibitors are starting to produce accessories for this new platform. Amongst them, the engineering experts at Leitner Designs have released a whole suite of products to up the utility and capability of the Grenadier. The front bumper light bar allows for increased illumination that effortlessly blends with the front bumper. MOLLE panels that work on both sides are integrated with the L track on the Grenadier and can accept a wide variety of cargo. Leitner has also developed a spare tire relocation kit that allows a 35-inch tire to be carried on the back without interfering with rear doors. Up top, Leitner’s innovative platform rack and GEARpods provide plenty of cargo management.
READ MORE: The Best Overland Rigs of Overland Expo West 2024
Mammoth TL ‘Tall Boy’ Trailer
Mammoth Trailers have done it again. The new TL model, aka the Tall Boy, provides an incredible amount of space in a well-crafted package. While the TL is definitely comfort-focused, it’s plenty capable with 22 inches of ground clearance, 33 in. BFG tires, two spares, a Timbreen 5200HD independent suspension system, and plenty of mounts for light and recovery equipment. Once you’re in camp, your outdoor space is as comfortable as your indoor space with a 270-degree awning, 50 gallons of water storage, a solar system, and a slide-out kitchen.
Midland GXT67 PRO Handheld GMRS
Midland Radio debuted the new GXT67 PRO at Overland Expo West. These powerful 5-watt handheld GMRS radios are repeater capable and offer an incredible amount of communication capability in a small package. For those that may not know, repeaters act as middlemen for two-way radios and greatly increase the maximum effective communication range. The GXT67 PROs also features an impressive battery, with up to 5 days of standby mode, and they can recharge in 4 hours. Soon, we’ll have a review of these awesome radios here on The Compass.
STKR Concepts Telescoping Lights & Wireless Remotes
The lighting pros at STKR Concepts had all three models of their telescoping Fli lights on display at the Overland Expo. The 6.5, 8, and 10-foot models are all packable and provide light to your campsite or outdoor gathering. Specifically, we like the 10-foot Fli-OVER-LANDER model that cranks out 2,600 lumens and includes a small magnetic remote. Along with white light mode, an amber mode is also included. It deploys in seconds and provides 6 hours of light on high and 72 hours on low. As compact as the Fli lights are, you could easily stash a couple in your rig without issue.
Tripod Torch
Propane firepits allow you to have the atmosphere of a campfire without scouring for wood or hauling it in; plus, they’re practically instant in terms of setup. While we’ve seen several introduced in previous years, none have been as small and packable as the Tripod Torch. This tiny inferno packs down to nearly nothing and provides a great flame. It even includes three reflectors to harness all of the heat or for cooking duties. When packed, the Tripod Torch takes up so little room that you can keep it in your rig at all times without taking up precious cargo space.
Wildsam Field Guides
While electronic means of navigation and travel are more prominent than ever, the classic and dependable field guide still has its place. There’s tons of information about any area on the internet, but the problem is you have to slog through information that’s outdated, skewed, or just downright wrong to get to the good stuff. That’s where Wildsam comes in. They’re passionate about guidebooks, and they’ve developed field guides for regions, cities, national parks, road trips, and even the moon. Each is filled with helpful information, insider facts, and room for your own notes. It’s difficult to understand how thorough a Wildsam guide is until you flip the pages. We definitely suggest picking one up for future trip inspiration.
WildTop Soft Top
Plenty of overlanders use a truck cap or bedrack. But there are pros and cons to each. However, the new WildTop Soft Top gives overlanders the best of both worlds. The integrated bed rack can support up to 770 lbs, and the canvas sides can easily roll up and be secured with magnets for easy access to your gear. The canvas is 100% waterproof, paired with heavy-duty zippers, and it’s available in a variety of colors. On top of all these great features, the WildTop is easy to install in under 90 minutes.
