Spring will soon be in the air, at least for most of us, but if you’re still months away from seeing the thermometer break wintery temps, our apologies. Regardless of your weather situation, it’s always a good idea to check out some new gear.
Here are some of our favorite gear choices for heading out for your next adventure.
COMBAR™ Pro – ACLIM8
The COMBAR™ Pro from ACLIM8, Winner of the Red Dot 2019, is a powerful, patented, elite tool used for chopping, splitting, digging, hammering, and sawing. Every overland needs one in their gear loadout. Combining essential age-old tools with cutting-edge technology, it has a rigid shaft and solid head, which merges a first-of-its-kind folding hatchet blade with a trowel and hammer. In addition, the hollow, glass-reinforced polymer shaft contains a survival knife and folding pruning saw or can be a storage capsule designed to house personalized, mission-specific kits.
The shaft has an unbreakable design. The body comprises a high-end glass-reinforced polymer and an over-molded head. You can even use it to lift your motorcycle when repairing a wheel. When it’s chopping time, the first-of-its-kind collapsible hatchet unfolds and locks into place. Then, when the job has been done, it folds to provide safe carrying and room-saving storage.
The spade is made of solid Titanium and highly efficient to penetrate like a pick and easy to dig like a mattock. The hammer pad was designed for various fieldwork tasks, and no one needs to explain why it is such a valuable tool in every off-road adventure.
The fixed blade, survival knife, was built to complement the other COMBAR™ tools and fit snugly inside the hollow shaft. It has a slim and compact design with a glass-reinforced polymer ergonomic handle and an integrated belt clip sheath.
MSRP: $599.00
Prinsu Rack – CBI
Prinsu Roof Racks are the original, lightweight, modular roof rack system. From its inception more than ten years ago, they’ve driven a spirit of innovation and change and created a uniquely customizable roof rack system with unmatched versatility in today’s overlanding and offroading industries.
Engineered and manufactured in their state-of-the-art facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA, every model is designed with top-quality materials and constructed by highly-skilled craftsmen. Their goal is to keep superior durability, extreme functionality, and maximum longevity in mind. They test and use every product they make in the field, adjusting as needed to ensure top quality – and they live the adventure lifestyle every day, just like you.
The rack system utilizes high-grade aluminum to maximize strength while limiting weight. This results in a super capable structure that is easy to install, at the same time limiting additional weight on your vehicle structure, adding stability, and maximizing carrying capacity. There’s no one-size-fits-all here. Each model is uniquely engineered to match a specific make/model vehicle, limiting wind resistance and noise and adding a rugged aesthetic appeal that looks tough and sleek all at once. There are also options for wind deflectors, vinyl decals, lightbar cutouts, handles, and mounts for lighting and GoPro cameras.
MSRP: $260.00-$1,770.00
Windshield Wipers – Scrubbable
Let’s face it, windshield wiper blades are innocuous, pretty much there, and largely taken for granted. That is until you encounter thick, muddy, clay-like sod in the Southeast or ice sheets in the Antarctic. Right about then, you probably wish you had a wiper blade that did more than smear dirt and debris across your windshield to the other side.
It was in 2007 that Scrubblade was born, a novel idea created on the backside of a napkin for a more effective, better cleaning windshield wiper. If dual blades worked well in facial hair removal, why not on the windshield of an overlanding rig? There really is an advantage in getting rid of dirt, water, snow, or accumulated gunk in fewer passes, from a wiper blade whose name says it all: Scrubblade.
If Scrubblade doesn’t register immediately, you’re not alone. While they have been sold for more than a decade, it was big-rig truckers that first adopted them. They use the best products available to get their cargo to the destination, regardless of weather or road conditions. They discovered that not only did Scrubblades wipe and clean their windshields more effectively, the small triangular scrubbers found on the blades were designed to cut through debris for a cleaner, particle-free windshield. A trailing blade then removes any remaining water and debris for a significantly better wipe. Compared to the other wipers available in the Heavy Duty market, Scrubblades were found to be longer-lasting and more durable.
MSRP: $15.99-$24.99
Original Puffy Recycled Blanket – Rumpl
It’s never a bad idea to have an extra insulation layer during the shoulder seasons. It’s handy when the chill of night moves in, and if the temperatures drop while you’re in your tent, you can pull it up to stay cozy through the night.
The Original Puffy Recycled Blanket by Rumpl is made using 100% post-consumer recycled materials. The synthetic insulation keeps you warm, and it’s machine washable, so you can easily keep it clean between trips.
Rumpl offers blankets in various colors, prints, and limited editions. You’ll surely be able to find a blanket that fits your style, and they make great gifts for your friends and family.
MSRP: $99.00 – $199.00
Down Sweater Vest – Patagonia
Okay, vests are occasionally looked down upon from specific fashion standpoints, but on the other hand, they’re incredibly functional. Especially during the shoulder seasons, it’s tough to beat the added insulation but low bulk a vest provides.
Patagonia crafts some classic pieces. While some date back decades to the company’s inception, others have recently solidified their place as modern classics. The Down Sweater vest most definitely falls into the latter category.
Sporting down insulation and a classic cut, this vest is just at home in town as it is on the trail. It’s the perfect layer for throwing over a flannel or under a heavier jacket when you need just a bit more warmth. The vest is windproof and lightweight, the 800-fill-power down is sustainably sourced, and it’s certified by NSF International to help ensure that birds supply it are treated humanely.
The Down Vest is available in both men’s and women’s fits. If you want even more coverage and insulation, Patagonia also offers jackets and hoodie versions using the same shell and fill materials.
MSRP: $124.99-$179
Casbah Camp Rug – Mad Mats
We all know what April showers bring, but plenty of muddy campsites come along with those May flowers. Moving around your rig and tent only makes it worse, and no one wants to deal with more mud, especially when it’s while you’re preparing for dinner and getting ready for bed.
The Casbah Camp Rug from Mad Mats is here to help your campsite stay a little neater, and as an added bonus, it feels a bit homier. They’re made from 100% recycled plastic, and they’re UV protected to to ensure the color is here to last.
You can pick the colorway that best reflects your personal style, and the Casbah rugs are available in 4×6, 5×8, and 6×9 feet sizes. These rugs are handmade, so each rug is unique.
MSRP: $55.00-$125.00
Sun Shower™ Dog Raincoat – Ruff Wear
We pack a raincoat because we don’t like to get soaked, and our canine friends would appreciate the same level of preparedness. The Sun Shower™ Dog Raincoat makes sure your four-legged friend stays dry on their adventures.
It provides plenty of coverage with a stand-up collar and TailGate™ patterning. Plus, your pup can stay safe and secure utilizing the leash portal that aligns with most harnesses. The shell itself is lightweight, but in wintery conditions, it can be layered over an insulating jacket to make sure your adventure partner stays warm and dry.
Ruff Wear has a size for just about every dog, and it’s available in several colors.
MSRP: $59.95
Roo Single – Kammok
If you’re looking to upgrade your backcountry lounging capabilities, a hammock is a great place to look. Kammok’s Roo Single is a great choice that offers a comfortable place to relax no matter where you venture.
The 40D ripstop nylon ensures that you don’t have to baby your hammock in the backcountry. Even though it measures over 8 feet in length, it only weighs 10.7 ounces and packs down to the size of a grapefruit. It’s rated to hold 500 pounds.
The Roo Single is available in a number of colors ranging from vibrant to subdued. The whole package includes a Roo Single Hammock, two Dyneema Racer Slings, and two Kanga Claws. With this kit, you’ll have everything you need to rest and relax in the backcountry.
MSRP: On sale now $52.50
