Happy Holidays, Adventurers!
We’ve been crushing the SEMA coverage, plus the usual new tech, vehicle, and product stories, so there’s lots to catch up on! Here’s the best from SEMA:
Overland Vehicle Mega Gallery!
Wanna see 37 of the best overland builds at the show? This roundup ranges from mild to wild, from bolt-on to full-custom, with a couple of absolutely bonkers mashups like the HellTaco and Proffit’s resto ‘59 Land Cruiser. So many cool rigs!
Best New Suspension
We’ve got new and updated suspension from aFe, Carbon Shocks, Ironman 4×4, King Shocks, Koni, Old Man Emu, Radflo, and the first-ever off-road entry from performance brand Tein!
Best New Roof Racks & Storage
Two killer new options (and a collaboration) with Kuat and Diode Dynamics stole our hearts with very slick integrated light bars, but there were a lot more new rack and storage options on display. Check out the latest from Thule, Ironman 4×4, DV8 Offroad, Expedition One, Flated, Intrepid Overland, Landace, Turn Offroad, Urander, Westin, and XG Cargo.
Separately, we also covered new racks and more from Rhino Racks, plus new RTTs and awnings from Yakima!
Best New Lights
Lots of new lights from lots of brands, plus some very interesting control pads, wireless remotes, and new optics. If you’re planning to add lights, here’s the latest and greatest.
Best New Winches
From ultra-light to ultra-compact, there were several great new winch designs and models to fit more vehicles.
Killer Toyota Concept Vehicles!
Toyota out did everyone with a massive display of concept vehicles, with a heavy emphasis on off-road capable rigs, plus a few sports cars just for fun.
Kia WKNDR Adventure Van Concept
Kia only had two concept vehicles, but they swung for the fences with the WKNDR adventure van concept. If people’s reactions are worth anything, we’d be surprised if they don’t take some of this concept into production.
In the meantime, they’ve formally announced the Tasman pickup truck, but it’s only for select markets at launch, and North America isn’t one of them.
Want more?
Check out all of our SEMA coverage, there’s a LOT more to see, from RTTs to tools, Jeep concepts to ARB’s new brushless air compressor, and so much more.
Recent Posts
2025 Overland & Vanlife Event Calendar
We’ve updated our list of the biggest, best overland events for 2025. Not all of them have announced their dates yet, but we’ve logged the ones that have and will keep updating. Bookmark this post and start adding them to your calendar!
Far Out’s Soft-Sided Camper Topper
Some camper toppers expand upward. This one expands outward, creating sleeping space for four and plenty of room to stand inside. Check out all the details of Far Out Camping’s soft-sided Canopy Camping System and go big(ger) with your pickup.
Tyler’s Holiday Gift Guide for Overlanders & Vanlifers
Not sure what to get the traveler in your life? These (sometimes surprising) gifts are the little things that make every trip and day on the road better, with lots of options well under $50.
Here’s Why eBay Built 4 Killer Overland Vehicles
If you think eBay Motors is just a clearing house for people’s spare parts and clearing out their garage, you’ll be as surprised as we were to learn how many brands, retailers, and other top-tier vendors use the platform as their online retail store. Plus, you can check out four very cool vehicles they built exclusively with parts from… yep, eBay!
On Screen
Reroutes: In Search of the Qhapaq Ñan is a massive, intricate road network in South America that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here’s what it’s like to bikepack it from La Paz,Bolivia to Cusco, Peru.
Field Notes
- DeFeet x Steve Wolf Nat’l Parks Woolie Boolie socks look rad (pictured)
- T-Mat floor boards make truck bed organization easier
- Eagle Creek’s Pack-It cubes now 100% recycled w/ eco-friendly DWR
- Keeper’s KwikFeed ratchet straps can adjust length much faster
- Step22’s Pangolin tool pouch looks amazing
- Voormi’s Everyday Gaiter might be the best face warmer ever
- ILE’s insulated Lunch Bag Tote is perfect for single-day outings
- I love ExE’s “Overlan-Duh” patches & T-Shirts
- Apparently you can charge your EcoFlow at Tesla chargers
- Luno Life makes pretty cool window shades for car camping
- Parkour brand OLLO is finally making proper kids shoes
- Um, here’s a cordless “virtual” dog leash
- New Nemo Tensor 4-season sleeping pad is thick, warm & quiet
Big Deals
If you’re still scouring for deals, many of the brands in our Black Friday / Cyber Monday roundup still have sales going on. Worth a look if you’re on the bargain hunt!
Wandering Thoughts
It’s funny to me that an $850,000 off-grid, all-terrain camper was the absolute winner in our video coverage from SEMA.
I mean, the market for such things is infinitesimally small compared to things like tires, lights, etc. But our video walk through of the new Earth Roamer LTX got almost 10x the views of any other video we made from the show.
But, remember Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous? Or Cribs? Or maybe you like Caleb Simpson’s “Can I tour your home” Instagram videos.
I think it’s part voyeurism, and part just wanting to see what something so expensive looks like.
It’s easy to dismiss luxurious expensive items as being only for rich people who’ll never really get them dirty.
In the cycling world, we make a lot of jokes about dentists that buy $15,000 bikes but barely ride them. They can afford them, because dentists make a lot of money, but also maybe don’t have a lot of free time to enjoy those bikes. (That said, they do have four-day work weeks, so maybe they’re the ones laughing at us…)
Fortunately, most very expensive, high-end vehicles and technologies quickly trickle down to the rest of us. So, when people R&D over-the-top, highly advanced gear aimed exclusively at the top of the market, we all benefit.
So, here’s to million-dollar rigs and the crazy ambitious and creative people pouring years of their lives into making wild concept cars and incredible machines.
Also, Happy Holidays!
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