Every Overland Expo gives attendees a chance to check out some of the latest and greatest gear from all facets of the overland community, and Overland Expo PNW 2024 was no different. Amongst the 376 exhibitors, you could find countless pieces of gear to help you stay more comfortable and capable on your next adventure.
The gear available is just as varied as the rigs and travelers at Overland Expo. There’s something for motorcycles, vans, trucks, and beyond. No matter if your build is mild or wild, you can undoubtedly find something for your rig. While it’s impossible to feature all of the cool gear, here are some of our favorite pieces of gear from Overland Expo PNW 2024 presented in no particular order.
Pacific Adventure Works — Hideaway Cots
Quality rest on any trip is imperative. Not only will you simply feel better, but quality rest also resets your body and mind, and that helps you avoid making mistakes in the backcountry. While that might not seem like a big deal, we all know that there are times when a slip-up in judgment can lead to equipment failure, trail damage, or worse. Pacific Adventure Work aims to provide a quick and convenient base for a good night’s rest. And their products are designed to work with a whole host of rigs. The cots are available in three different widths, and both the heights and overall length are adjustable. Even if your backseats don’t fold completely flat, they still have you covered. The legs are adjustable, and specific kits meet the needs of nearly every type of rig.
GRIDRACK — Cargo Management System
Cargo management is one thing when you’re out on the trail, but what happens when you get back home? GRIDRACK makes a line of products that will help you stay organized on your next adventure when you’re back at home and even out on the job site. It all starts with their bed slide, which is adjustable at three different heights. Then, you can pick out which accessories you need, and they all use GRIDRACK’s unique mounting system. It’s also compatible with E-track attachments. Plus, you can get adapters for other systems like Milwaukee PACKOUTS. But where it gets good is the mounting plates that will screw onto the wall and allow you to attach any of the GRIDRACK accessories. And, if that isn’t enough to ping the cool meter, there are also conductive charging components for the GRIDRACK system. We can’t wait to see how overlanders customize the GRIDRACK system once it’s available.
Adventure Series RV — EPIK Scout Trailer
There are a lot of great trailers on the market, and here are some of our favorites. But the makers out there continue to innovate, and that’s exactly how we would describe the EPIK Scout from Adventure Series RVs. This relatively small trailer packs a ton of living space and utility into a small package. Starting with an absolutely massive slideout bed, you’ll have plenty of space to move around. Up top, a sleeping platform provides room for a few more to catch some Zs. The awning covers the exterior fridge and the rear storage area, which also includes a pass-thru to the interior. All of this weighs in at a dry weight of 2,300 pounds. If you’re looking to be ready to hit the trail with the whole family at a moment’s notice, the EPIK Scout is a great message.
READ MORE: Miles of Adventure with the 2024 Overland Expo Ultimate Overland Vehicle
Montana Knife Company — Culinary Set
Montana Knife Company is known for making tough blades you can depend on for a variety of backcountry tasks. Now, you can take that legendary quality to the kitchen with their Culinary set. It includes three blades to handle all of your cooking needs. Plus, the set includes a heirloom quality leather tool roll to make transportation safe and easy. Each blade also features a sturdy blade cover for an added layer of protection. These knives are honestly nice enough to be your only knife set, and dinner guests will be in awe regardless of whether you’re miles away from the trailhead or just in the backyard.
Midnight Forest Fly — Rod Locker
If you fish or even know someone who does, chances are you’re aware of how much of a pain fishing rods can be in terms of transport. They’re delicate and cumbersome, and they don’t fit in most vehicles. There are some storage solutions, but they’re expensive, kind of cumbersome in their own way, and don’t work with a wide variety of equipment. The Fly Rod Locker from Midnight Forest has an answer to each one of these issues. For starters, it’s about half the cost of other options. It’s also designed to work with a wide range of roof racks and other mounting solutions. When it’s time to remove it from your rig, the Fly Rod Locker is only 72 inches long, so it’s easy to get it into the garage for safekeeping. If you’re looking to protect your fly rods while on the road, this is a great solution.
Suweeka — Lifter Bike Rack
There’s no denying that E-Bikes have risen in popularity in the last few years. However, most of them are heavy and can pose a challenge when loading and unloading from a rack. Thankfully, the fine folks at Suweeka have designed an amazing system that makes it as easy as pulling the trigger on your drill. The Lifter Bike Racks use a screw jack mechanism to easily lower and raise the trays for your bikes. When you’re ready to remove the rack, it breaks down into two easy-to-manage pieces using an ingenious attachment system. It’s worth noting that the trays and other components are as nicely designed and well-manufactured as other leading racks on the market. With a 240 lb. lifting capacity, you don’t have to worry about the rack not standing up to even the heaviest of E-Bikes.
Goose Gear — INEOS Grenadier Kit
There are some companies in the overland space that continue to crank out innovative products year after year, and we definitely count Goose Gear in that group. At Overland Expo PNW, we got to check out their complete kit for the INEOS Grenadier. This particular build includes the kitchen module, a seat delete, a storage drawer, and plenty of cubbies for utilizing every inch of space. As always, it’s crafted to Goose Gear’s high standards of quality. With this setup, you can have a full camp kitchen, plenty of storage, and a great place to sleep on top of the whole system. If you don’t want the whole system for your Grenadier, each component is available separately.
23Zero — Quick Release Tent Mounts
These are the next generation of the Quick Release Tent Mounts developed in partnership with Vanultra. They make it easier than ever before to set up and secure the hardware you use to mount your rooftop tent. They’re specifically designed to work with low-profile racks that feature 8020 crossbars that are common on lots of SUVs. Not only do they fit these racks that usually make it extremely difficult to tighten your tent down, but it’s secured with an electric deal in seconds. If you have an 8020-style rack and want the easiest solution for mounting your rooftop tent, keep an eye out for these awesome mounts. To truly appreciate how impressive this hardware is, you need to see it in action.
Rec-Salute — Drop Racks
Plenty of folks love to transport their bikes and boats via their roof rack. Unfortunately, these items aren’t always light, and therefore, lugging them on top of your vehicle can be a challenge. The Drop Rack system brings the rack to you with a simple crank system. With just a minute of cranking, you can load your gear with the rack at an angle off the side and at a much lower level. Then, it easily moves it back to the top of your rig. The Drop Rack system is compatible with a variety of roof rails, and it’s compatible with any T-channel accessories. Drop Rack was developed in Norway; it’s built in Germany, and Rec-Salute is the only USA importer of this awesome system.
