Here at Overland Expo, we’re big supporters of camping year around, but several of us agree that if we had to choose, fall would be our top pick for adventuring season. It’s perfect for a night around the fire, and in many places, the foliage shows off its best colors. Let’s not forget that if you aren’t a big fan of insects and reptiles, the majority of them are starting to head to their winter hideaways. Before you head out on your own autumn adventures, check out our favorite picks for some new gear and classic pieces that we take into the backcountry.
CBI Offroad — 4Runner Dual Swing Arm Rear Bumper
CBI Offroad Fab has been manufacturing high-quality offroading and overlanding equipment for more than ten years. With a focus on superior quality and performance, each part is designed, engineered, and built by an expert team in a state-of-the-art facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA.
The 5th Gen 4Runner Dual Swing Arm Rear Bumper is the best that CBI Offroad Fab offers to take your 4Runner to the next level. This package offers specifically designed components with the truly “recreationally insane” enthusiast in mind. It gives your 4Runner the best in looks and vehicle protection that money can buy!
Specifically fitted for the 5th Gen 4Runner, this swing arm rear bumper offers the strength of 3/16″ plate steel with integrated side panel protection while following the original 4Runner body lines for a perfect fit. This creates a rugged appearance that looks tough and performs even better.
The design improves your rig’s departure angle, meaning much less skidding and scuffing while you take on the toughest trails and climbs. It also includes an integrated receiver hitch, welded recovery points, and the option for a straight or angled tire carrier. The dual swing arms allow you to mount a full-size spare tire, hi-lift jack, and fuel or water cans. This means that no matter where the trails take you, you will always be prepared.
You can choose from an optional black powder coating to add protection and style, or stick with bare metal if you want to color match your vehicle. While there is some cutting required during installation, the process is actually quick and simple with the right tools. The added strength, performance, and versatility in all terrains are well worth the time and investment in adding this awesome setup to your 4Runner.
Garmin — PowerSwitch
Garmin PowerSwitch™ brings wireless control to overlanding vehicle accessories. If you love taking your driving adventures into unpaved territory, you’ll love the experience even more with the Garmin PowerSwitch™ digital switch box.
It lets you wirelessly control your vehicle’s 12-volt accessories, such as light bars, horns, air compressors, differential locks, and more — right from the touchscreen of your Tread device or another compatible Garmin navigator or smartphone. Installation is a breeze. You can connect up to six outputs of 30 amps each without cutting into your dash or worrying about interference with other vehicle electronics. Discover the freedom of touchscreen switching with Garmin PowerSwitch.
Gazelle Tents — T4 Overland Edition
The Gazelle T4 Hub Tent Overland Edition has all the same great features of our most popular T4 Hub Tent, with additional upgrades to take this tent to the next level. Our Overland Edition includes an added durable footprint for floor protection, upgraded All-Terrain Stakes, and a water-resistant duffle bag. This tent spaciously provides 61 square feet of floor space and stands 78″ tall – sleeping four people with spare space for your gear. The T4 Overland Edition comes fully assembled and sets up, and takes down in under 90 seconds. Let the T4 Hub Tent Overland Edition take your base camp to the next level.
BoxoUSA and DECKED — Offroad Tool Box
DECKED introduces BoxoUSA x DECKED Off-Road Tool Bag with Tool Roll. The 80-piece set is designed for when the you-know-what hits the fan. It packs everything a vehicle owner could need, should Murphy’s Law strike, from the freeway to off-the-grid.
Thoughtfully curated by tool experts, this kit includes a 61-piece tool roll housed inside a high-quality Cordura® Nylon duffel with heavy-duty zippers. Designers incorporated an exterior molle webbing system for attaching and securing the bag just about anywhere. The Off-Road Tool Bag features five removable tool bags containing a full complement of metric sockets, wrenches, a pry bar, a tire repair kit, an electrical circuit tester, pliers, hammers, and other repair items — all the tools you need, and nothing you don’t.
READ MORE: Tales from the Trail: White Rim Road
Dometic — GO Compact Camp Chair
The sun is setting a little sooner, and that means more time around the campfire. It’s great to have a nice place to spend those hours in comfort.
The GO Compact Camp Chair is lightweight but sturdy. Plus, it has a sort of timeless design that includes beechwood arms and 600-denier fabric. It can hold up to 280 lbs. but folds down to fit into an easy zip-carrying case for storage and transport. If you’re still relying on cheap camp chairs, this option from Dometic is a great way to upgrade your backcountry furniture.
Kahtoola — MICROspikes
As the season progresses, the snow and ice will make their way back to summits around the country. If you’re looking for a bit more traction for your foot travel, you should check out the MICROspikes from Kahtoola.
The twelve 3/8-inch hardened steel spikes dig into icy terrain while the elastomer harness stays supple down to -22 degrees F.
It’s easy to see why some consider them classic backcountry gear once you pop a set on your boots and venture up icy trails with ease. They come in four sizes, and they’re designed to fit a variety of trail shoes and boots. When not in use, they pack into an included bag.
Kokopelli — Chasm-Lite Inflatable Paddle Board
The inflatable watercraft experts at Kokopelli are releasing their first paddle board, and it’s currently available for preorder on Kickstarter. This 10-ft. board is rated to carry 250 pounds, and it packs down into the included dry bag backpack. Of course, a portable paddle board needs a paddle, and this one includes a four-piece carbon paddle that’s just as packable as the rest of the kit. The board, paddle, and bag weigh less than 20 pounds, so you can pack them into backcountry lakes or toss them into your rig without worrying about the bulk of traditional paddle boards.
The Chasm-Lite goes from packed to ready to hit the water in minutes. It’s great for fishing, aquatic-based exploration, and even just relaxing float after a day on the trail.
Kokopelli has been making portable adventure-ready boats for over a decade, and it’s great to see them bring their raft and kayak expertise to the paddle board realm. If you’re interested in the Chasm-Lite, don’t delay. It’s only available on Kickstarter for a few more days.
Rumpl — Sherpa Puffy Blanket
Blanket weather, you know what we’re talking about. It’s tough to beat getting cozy under a nice blanket next to the fire or in your tent. Rumpl has been making great camp blankets for a while, and the Sherpa Puffy Blanket is the next evolution in their cozy expertise.
You can choose between a couple of patterns, but regardless of the aesthetic, you’ll get a Recycled 30-denier ripstop polyester shell that’s water, stain, and dirt-resistant. The insulation is made from post-consumer recycled material, and it’s machine washable. On the inner side, the sherpa layer is treated with an anti-static treatment, so you’ll have maximum warmth with minimum shocks. At the end of the trip, the blanket packs up small, so you can stow it for your next adventure.
Snow Peak — Titanium Double Walled 450 Mug
Cider, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, no matter you’re favorite hot drink, it’s even better when it stays warm on a chilly morning. This classic piece of kit from Snow Peak is the perfect vessel to keep your drink warm while you’re chilling.
The 450 Mug is vacuum sealed for optimal insulation, and the titanium construction can stand up to years of backcountry abuse. A good camp mug is one of those things that gets better with age as it picks up scratches, dents, and dings; it also collects the stories of your trips and trails.
