This month we’ve rounded up some great items from our favorite brands. From traction boards to get unstuck in a hurry to a radio that makes sure you can stay in touch with your crew, there’s some great gear for every overlander.
Action Trax — Traction Boards with Stainless Steel Teeth
ActionTrax are US made by an FAA-licensed aircraft mechanic and Baja 1000 winning racer, and the materials are supplied by DuPont, so you know the quality is good. ActionTrax are specially designed for cold temperatures, sharp rocks, and heavy vehicles, all common trail issues in North America. ActionTrax can simply be put underneath any tire that is losing traction, and as the ActionTrax lugs engage with the tire treads, the vehicle footprint and traction are increased, allowing for a quick and easy vehicle self-rescue from sand, snow, mud, or rock. ActionTrax feature an aggressive sawtooth end for lateral slot cutting when there’s no vertical room to dig.
They also feature large hand holds for gloved hands, improved linking capability with 1-inch slots to tie two boards together, metal tooth add-on capability utilizing off-the-shelf hardware throughout the entire board, and a made-in-the-USA “No Questions Asked” 15-year warranty against the board breaking. The metal tooth version of ActionTrax is the premier model, with 72 stainless steel teeth installed on the ends where the most wear occurs.
MSRP: Standard Tooth $289, Stainless Steel Tooth $389, Orange Stainless on sale at $369
CBI Offroad — Prinsu Roof Racks
Whether you are gearing up for a cross-country Overlanding expedition, or just a weekend fishing trip, preparation can be stressful. There are bags that need to be packed, tires that need to be aired up, and food that needs to be prepped. With all that work that goes into planning a perfect trip, there is one thing that we recommend every expedition vehicle has. A Prinsu roof rack.
The Prinsu rack is a perfect starting point for wherever your travels take you. With racks designed for over 20 different makes of vehicles ranging from Subarus to Sprinter vans, they are sure to have something for everyone. Each rack is designed specifically for the intended vehicle, meaning you will get the sleekest and most aerodynamic rack on the market. The racks are also designed around individual components meaning options such as sunroofs and antennas will still work as the manufacturer intended.
All of their roof racks feature a modular design and are precision engineered from aluminum to be lightweight and durable. Handcrafted in the USA, they are built and shipped out of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Each rack features a limitless amount of mounting options for whatever your needs are.
Overlanding? Mount your recovery boards and high lift jack on the top of your rig. Avid fisherman? Mount some cargo boxes and a fly rod holder.
Camping? Attach a rooftop tent and an awning for the ultimate campsite.
These are only a few of the mounting configurations once you have the rack installed. Speaking of installation, that is usually quick and easy as most of the racks can be installed in your own garage. The installation process is generally designed around existing mounting points in the roof of your vehicle, but complete instructions can be found on prinsu.com.
Another benefit of choosing a Prinsu rack is the number of accessories available. Shed some light on the trail by mounting a light bar. Offer your campsite some shade by mounting an awning to the side of the rack. Rinse off at the end of the long day with a water tank mount. All of these can be easily reached by throwing a pair of Prinsu ridgeline handles on the side of the rack. These are all things that will make your adventure vehicle stand out from the rest and allow you to spend more time doing what you love.
It doesn’t matter if your rig is taking on the Rubicon trail or taking the family on a weekend getaway. A Prinsu roof rack will handle whatever you throw its way and more.c
MSRP: Starting at $620.00
Jackery — Solar Generator 1000 Pro
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro is perfect for families and individuals who like to enjoy life outdoors. Whether going camping, RV trips, exploring off the beaten track, or even just staying in the backyard, or for emergency backup, this product always ensures access to clean power, both on and off the grid.
The premium Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro 800W consists of four SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels and the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station, Jackery’s most-advanced solar generator yet with its fastest clean energy capture and charging rates and Ultra-Charging System, only takes 1.8 hours to fully charge with four SolarSaga 200W solar panels for solar and wall charging.
The entry-level Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro 160W is also featuring two Jackery SolarSaga 80W solar panels. Both sides of the 80W solar panel can absorb solar power, and the inside surface of the package bag of solar panels is also made up of reflective materials, which improves solar power’s use ratio to a large extent. Top-level recharging speed efficiency means that users can recharge anywhere and everywhere, utilizing the sun’s energy with maximum speed and efficiency.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro power station stores electrical power converted by solar panels, which collect solar energy from direct sunlight. The panel measures a neat 340 x 262 x 256mm, and at 11.5 kgs, it’s lighter and smaller than all equivalent models on the market. Its ergonomic design ensures compact ease, one-button power-on, and easy setup.
Jackery’s proprietary automotive-level Battery Management System (BMS) is designed to ensure the products’ complete safety featuring multiple solutions for over-current protection, short-current protection, over-discharge protection, overcharge protection, over-voltage protection, and thermal protection. It can monitor the health of each individual cell and battery pack, which shields its safety level and system, improving the battery life, and is shock-resistant to the highest level nine to fully protect the device.
The Ultra-Charging System Only takes 1.8 hours with four SolarSaga 200W solar panels in Solar and Wall Charging. The Solar Generator 1000 Pro 800W is Jackery’s most advanced and fastest recharging model yet offering.
MSRP: Starting at $1,597.00
Midland — MXPW500 Ammo Case Base Station
When hitting the road less traveled, it is important to have reliable communication to ensure one’s safety. With Midland Radio’s MXPW500 Ammo Can Base Station, off-roaders, overlanders, and outdoor adventurers alike can take powerful MicroMobile communication on the go.
The MXPW500 packs a punch with features allowing radio users to simply connect the base station to their MXT500 and take communication with them no matter how remote their location is.
The MXPW500 is made in the USA and built into a genuine, surplus ammo can. The base station is waterproof and nearly crushproof, ensuring that it stands up to the most rugged of environments.
When setting out on an extended excursion, power will not be a concern. The MXPW500 Ammo Can Base Station comes stacked with a 10Ah LiFePo4 Battery, providing up to two days of battery life for any adventure. The base station charges through AC power and Midland Radio’s MXPW01 Solar Panel (sold separately). With multiple power options, the MXPW500 is sure to bring communication throughout the duration of any off-grid expedition.
Built for the MXT500, the MXPW500 Ammo Can Base Station gives overlanders the ability to take maximum power radio range wherever they go. With 50 Watts of power, the MXT500 is the highest-powered radio allowed by law. That power brings unprecedented range and voice clarity. With the MXPW500 Ammo Can Base Station and MXT500, outdoor adventurers can stay safe by receiving the latest NOAA Weather Radio alerts, as well as the ability to reach others in case of an emergency. Those bringing the MXPW500 along can create lasting memories by staying connected with others in their group as they take in all that their adventure has to offer.
When paired with the MXT500 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio, Midland’s MXPW500 brings durable communication that adventurers can count on. Compatible with all of Midland’s walkie-talkies and MicroMobiles, the MXPW500 is perfect to set up at a base camp as others venture out to explore the area. The MXPW500 Ammo Can Base Station also gives overlanders the option to carry powerful radio communication from vehicle to vehicle without having to worry about installation.
While cellphone service is often spotty or non-existent in remote locations, adventurers are sure to want to keep their devices charged throughout their trip. The MXPW500 Ammo Can Base Station includes a 3 AMP USB Port for users to charge their equipment along their journey.
The MXPW500’s other features include a volt and amp meter, laser engraved faceplate, 3-Watt dual speakers, headphone jack, two sets of power poles, and a fan switch.
The MXPW500 does not come with the MXT500 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio. The MXT500 must be purchased separately.
MSRP: $599.99 with optional MXPW01 40 Watt Foldable Solar Panel $149.99
REDARC — Pure Sine Wave Inverters
No more sacrificing luxury! Take your home appliances wherever you go and discover power and convenience like you’ve never experienced before with REDARC’s Pure Sine Wave Inverters. REDARC Pure Sine Wave Inverters produce the output required for powering most 100-120 VAC equipment on the road. They allow the use of household appliances by replicating grid power to common household appliances. Producing a pure sine wave, REDARC’s inverters ensure smoother, more efficient running of appliances, including laptops and phone chargers, power tools, heaters, kettles, and more.
REDARC inverters have a wider input voltage range, and they work comfortably anywhere. All inverters feature multiple levels of protection, including overload, short-circuit, over-temperature, and a load-controlled cooling fan which engages when power consumption reaches a pre-set level. With REDARC inverters, you can take all the comforts of home with you while you travel – without fear of damaging your valuable appliances.
Cheaper inverters try to imitate a sine wave by ‘chopping off’ the corners of a square wave, creating a modified square wave. Modified sine wave inverters can often lead to appliances overheating. This is due to the square wave having faster switching times on each polarity change, which stresses appliances designed for pure sine waves. Light bulbs and shunt motors may be able to run on a modified sine wave, but for many other appliances, this will not be sufficient.
Available in 400w, 1000w, 1500w, 2000w and 3000w
MSRP: $250.00 – $1,260.00
READ MORE: A Look Back at Overland Expo 2022
Nomadix — Original Towel
A shower on the trail is a great way to refresh and recharge, but towels can be a pain to deal with, especially in humid environments. However, Nomadix provides a towel that not only serves multiple purposes but also performs as well as the high-tech fabrics that we use in lots of our outdoor gear. No matter if you need a beach towel, a yoga mat, or you’re just drying off post-shower, this towel can handle it. Plus, it features an antimicrobial treatment that keeps the towel bacteria-free and smelling fresh.
Nomadix makes their towels from GRS-certified post-consumer recycled plastic. This durable, sand-resistant material holds up over multiple washes and won’t stretch or warp over time. Plus, it holds many times its weight in water before feeling saturated, and it dries out quickly, so you’re never left with a soggy mess of a towel.
The Nomadix Towel is available in a variety of prints to fit your style, and when packed, it’s smaller than a water bottle.
MSRP: $39.95
Exped — Ultra 3R Duo Sleep Pad
If you want to upgrade your backcountry mattress for two or one with plenty of space to spare, check out the Ultra 3R Duo Sleep Pad from Exped. It provides 3 inches of loft and, depending on size, weighs between 2 and 2.5 lbs.
Each half of the Duo fills separately so both sleepers can dial in their ideal firmness. It provides a 2.9 R-value, meaning it’s suitable for three-season use.
The Duo is easy to inflate with the included Schnozzel pump bag that also acts as a storage bag and holds the included repair kit.
MSRP: $299.95
