From a prototype Dakar Raptor to a complete guide to lifting a Ford Transit, a better bug screen for vans, new KO3 tire sizes, better packing cubes, and more fresh gear! Here’s the best new stuff I’ve found recently:
- Ford Raptor T1
- Eagle Creek Pack-It
- Garmin x Porsche
- AeroPress Go Plus
- Pretty Great instant coffee
- Transit Suspension Lifts
- Devos area light
- Granite Juicy Nipples
- Fieldcraft survival bag
- BF Goodrich KO3 updates
- The Bug Wall
- Alu-Cab bundles
Fresh Gear, Gadgets & Tech
Ford Raptor T1 is purpose-built for Dakar
Even the regular Raptor’s aren’t made for overlanding per se, but I can’t help but pine for this one-off, purpose-built Raptor T1 off-road racing truck. Designed for the 2025 Dakar Rally, it’s powered by a naturally aspirated V8, rolls on 37″ tires, and is held together with a steel space frame and carbon fiber body panels.
Ultimately, four of them will need to be made, but this first build debuted at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. It uses a double wishbone suspension front and rear with Fox coilover shocks with three-way and four-way adjustable external bypass dampers with remote reservoirs at each wheel. Total wheel travel is 350mm (13.78″) with 400mm of ground clearance, 70ยบ approach angle, and 2,300mm (90.55″) track width. (video here)
Eagle Creek Pack-It cubes get big upgrades
I’m a packing cube convert, and Eagle Creek’s are now better than ever. They’re made with 100% recycled fabric (some from salvaged ocean plastics), use YKK zippers, and come in a wider range of models.
The Isolates are great for clothing and come with or without see-thru mesh main panels, but there’s also water resistant and waterproof bags for keeping the wet in (or out). The E-Tools bags are great for electronics and charging cable organization, and new Gear bags are reinforced for carrying tools and gear. MSRP from $25 to $149, full collection here.
Garmin x Porsche Design Epix Pro
For a mere $350 more than a standard Garmin Epix Pro, you can get this limited edition Porsche Design version of their top sports smart watch. It has the same HR tracking, training, and timing features as the original, but comes with a custom-engraved start-stop button featuring the Porsche crest.
The band is unique, too, and it’s programmed with custom home screens featuring the Porsche Crest, Porsche logo or 12 different vehicle logos, plus your choice of digital or analog timekeeping. MSRP $1,250.
Aeropress Go Plus Travel Coffee Kit
The new AeroPress Go Plus is a redesigned version of their popular travel press that packs into an included stainless steel, vacuum-insulated 16oz tumbler. The kit includes a stirrer that folds down to fit inside the press, too, and a removable base that stores 25 paper filters.
The press is their standard size, so it only makes 10oz of coffee at a time, but the packability of the system is the draw here. MSRP is $79.95, comes in black and tan.
Pretty Great instant coffee
If the AeroPress is too slow for you, Pretty Great’s instant coffee sells itself with its name. Made in two roasts -a medium roast Guatemala and lighter, cold brew-friendly Brazil- both are single-source, expertly roasted, made into espresso, then freeze dried and packed.
They come in 30-serving pouches for $50, and each serving is the equivalent of two espresso shots. It’s also available in single-serve 5-packs for $15.
Recent Stories
How to lift your Ford Transit
Want to make your Ford Transit camper van a little more capable off road? Here’s everything you need to know and all the parts & options to lift and upgrade your Transit suspension by up to five inches! Read more...
Devos area light gets app control
The new Devos Lightranger 2000 lets you control all of the features, color, brightness, and direction with their app. Read more...
Granite Designs Juicy Nipples
Granite Designs’ colorful Schrader valve caps add a bit of style to your rig while doubling as a valve core removal tool on the top. Flip it over and press down for quick, easy air downs at the trail head. Read more...
Fieldcraft Survival seat-back go bag
It’s a backpack that converts to a seat back organizer, letting you keep your emergency supplies organized and ready to go, no matter if you’re on wheels or on your own two feet. Read more...
BF Goodrich releases more KO3 sizes
If you’ve got 16″, 17″, 18″, or 20″ rims, you might be in luck. And there are still a LOT more sizes to come. Read more...
The Bug Wall does more than keep bugs out
Thanks to a clever modular design, you can keep bugs, rain, and wind out, and even keep prying eyes off your bikes and toys without hindering access. Read more...
Alu-Cab bundles their ultra-slim tent
If you need something thin and (relatively) light, the Alu-Cab LT-50 is a great option. And now they have two bundles to get you out there camping quicker and easier. Read more...
Field Notes
- Ford made a 2000hp Transit SuperVan to race Pike’s Peak
- Watch this before adding a “long travel” suspension mod
- Here’s a million-dollar off-road camper van
- This robo-cooler will follow you off-road
- Veteran Overland Coffee supports vets
- Get up to 60% off in LIVSN’s Warehouse Sale
Wandering Thoughts
I’m prepping my van for a cross-country trip. We’re going to hit some killer trails in NorCal and Idaho with friends, with some mountain biking on the way to and from our home in NC.
Before every trip, I’m thinking about what to bring, mainly by considering:
- What did I bring last time and not use?
- What did I not bring and wish I had?
Usually, the answers are:
- Too many clothes and things to prep meals.
- Nothing.
It’s funny how much stuff accumulates in my van.
At most, there are four of us on any trip. Do I really need seven blankets?
If I’ve never used my auxiliary fold-out solar panels, do I really need to keep them on board?
Am I really going to do fancy meal prep after a full day of driving?
The answer to all three is “No.” But there’s a black hole-level pull to the idea of being ready for anything and everything.
This Boy Scout mentality has me lugging around more stuff than I need, like a weighted security blanket.
I think it’s time to go minimalist.
At least for one trip.
Other than safety and recovery gear, which is the stuff I bring but hope to not have to use (while also secretly kinda hoping I get to use it), I’m going to see how little stuff I can get away with.
My hunch is I’ll be fine, and have more room in the van, and then that’ll be the new benchmark for future trips.
I’ll report back after this trip, but lemme know what you think. Tried paring down and regretted it? Or never looked back? What’s the one thing you never leave home without? Hit reply or leave a comment and lemme know!
Cheers,
Adventurous Way of Life covers the best new gear, gadgets, and tech for those who dig the outdoors, health, fitness, camping, cooking, overlanding, vanlife, and the adventurous active lifestyle. Subscribe here to get our periodic newsletter recaps by email.
Be the first to comment