Badass off-roaders, functional trailers, and problem-solving rooftop tents: here's what caught our eye this year.
This story is part of our end-of-year series This Year in Gear rounding up the most notable releases of 2020. For more stories like this, click here.
2020 was a huge year for the world of overlanding. The pandemic precluded air and sea travel for many, and escaping civilization alone became an ideal way to travel. Not surprisingly, overlanding — which had been a burgeoning trend — exploded in popularity.
Below are some of the overlanding developments we found most interesting over the last year — whether new and more capable vehicles, innovative trailers or just a great rooftop tent.
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If you're a hunter, you know the feeling of trekking for hours carrying heavy equipment, only to arrive at your location already tired. But that doesn't have to be the case. The Backou Storm Electric Hunting Bike is an electric hunting bike that won't scare off wildlife, as it's completely silent. It's a full suspension ebike that makes use of the best mid-drive motor on the market, the Bafang Ultra, which offers 160Nm of torque and plenty of power for heading up steep fire roads and hills. Plus, it will travel more than 40 miles on a single charge and can carry a 300lb rider plus a fully loaded trailer of gear.
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Australian Off Road produces, as the name suggests, incredibly robust, Outback-ready off-road camping trailers. The Sierra ZR offers a cheaper, pared-down version of AOR's mobile bunker Sierra, offering the same functionality and off-road readiness without the built-in sleeper compartment.
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Bollinger unveiled a chassis cab version of its B2 electric pickup. A truck with 614 horsepower, 668 lb-ft of torque and 15 inches of ground clearance sounds like overkill for fleet use (its intended purpose), but its 5,000-pound payload rating could make it an ideal base for a badass electric overlander.
Based on a Mitsubishi Fuso commercial truck, one wouldn't call the Earthcruiser EXP sexy. But what the EXP lacks in the looks department, it makes up for with capability, including features like a custom 4x4 system and 11 inches of ground clearance. It's one of the few vehicles out there that can follow a Jeep Wrangler up a rock course and offers a bathroom (though don't try and use the latter while doing the former).
Ford launched the Bronco to great fanfare this year. It's a beast on the trail as-is, but this two-door Sasquatch package from the 2020 SEMA Show highlights a key feature: modularity. With easily swappable front fenders and rear quarters, a Bronco owner can use their rig as intended off-roading on the weekend, then transition back to the stock look for the Monday-to-Friday grind.
Off-roading RVs are great, but they don't have the same maneuverability as your favorite off-roader. German company GehoCab came up with a solution: cutting your favorite off-road SUV off at the C-pillar and replacing the trunk with a super-lightweight carbon camper shell. The conversion will work with the Jeep Wrangler, the Mercedes G-Wagen, the Land Rover Defender and even the new Bronco.
LeBron James may be the ideal celebrity to endorse the new GMC Hummer EV pickup. The Hummer's power, athleticism and versatility will redefine what capability means for pickup trucks. It will be as quick as a Porsche, more formidable off-road than a Jeep Wrangler, offer better range than the Hummer H2 did with its 32-gallon gas tank — and not use a drop of gasoline.
Jaguar Land Rover wouldn't sell Jim Ratcliffe the tooling to build new Old Defenders. So the head of Ineos created his interpretation, the Grenadier, with help from G-Wagen builder Magna Steyr. It will use BMW engines (and maybe hydrogen fuel cells), a ZF transmission and axles, and look as much like an old Landy as it can get away with.
Jeep revealed a new plug-in hybrid version of the Jeep Wrangler, the Wrangler 4xe. It will make the Wrangler an even better overlander. The 4xe retains the Jeep trail-rated capability, it adds about 100 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque over the stock V6 and it will earn an estimated 50 mpg-e (miles per gallon equivalent) while packing a 25-mile EV only range.
We finally drove Land Rover's all-new Defender this year. It was worth the wait. Its looks will polarize, and it's not the body-on-frame agricultural vehicle of yore. But it is exceedingly capable on-trail, as all Land Rovers are. And few overlanders shift more easily to being an everyday luxury car.
The Lexus LX 570 is a rebadged Toyota Land Cruiser, so Lexus could have slapped on a roof rack and some chunky tires on one and called it an "overlanding concept." Instead, Lexus partnered with Expedition Overland on an overhaul that included supercharging the engine to 550 hp. And the J201 was not just for show; Lexus entered it in the Rebelle Rally.
Australian company Mobi Nomad's Mobi X trailer packs most of the functionality of home, including a kitchen, bathroom, and potential sleeping for up to six, within a small off-roading ready trailer footprint, all for a reasonable price.
The Ram 1500 TRX includes an underhood graphic of a T. rex clutching a dead raptor. That says what you need to know about this truck's intent. Its supercharged V8 puts out a staggering 702 hp, which propels the more than three-ton truck from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds. It's also capable and comfortable.
Camping trailers are supremely functional, but many people don't want to tow them. The VenturePack from Talus Expedition Gear offers full camping trailer functionality, but fits inside a truck bed. It's also cheap enough that you could buy it, a well-equipped Ford Ranger and a great rooftop tent — and still come in under $50,000.
Price: $13,750
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Rooftop tents are excellent. The trouble with most of them is, they take up your entire roof rack, eliminating it as a place to store gear. Thule Tepui's newest tent, the Foothill, folds into a 24-inch footprint, leaving the other half of the rack for bikes, surfboards or other gear.
$70 OFF (13%)
The V10 used to be Dyson's top-tier stick vacuum, but it was eventually replaced by the slightly more powerful (and much more expensive) V11. This makes the V10 a great value, as it's usually $150 less than the V11. Thanks to this sale, it's even a better value than the V11 right now.
READ OUR GUIDE TO DYSON VACUUMS
$329 OFF W/ CODE SALE30 (83%)
The CPO jacket is a classic silhouette that never goes out of style. Todd Snyder upgraded this one with premium a cotton-linen Herringbone that will break in and only get better over time.
READ ABOUT THE BEST STYLE DEALS RIGHT NOW
$125 OFF (56%)
All-Clad's big factory seconds sale is on, which means there's no better time to buy factory seconds from the superior cookware brand. Like this Copper Core 10-inch Fry Pan, which is a big-time upgrade for your kitchen that you can score for just a Benjamin.
READ WHAT MAKES ALL-CLAD COOKWARE BETTER
$974 OFF (15%)
Is anything left to be said about the Eames chair? This is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture to come out of the 20th century and is a must-have for any furniture aficionados (if you can afford it).
READ ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT MID-CENTURY PIECES TO KNOW
$62 OFF (38%)
These are loaded with some of Nike's best features, including React outsoles for ultimate efficiency on the road and Flyknit uppers for a lightweight, sock-like feel.
READ ABOUT THE BEST FACE MASKS FOR RUNNING
$58 OFF (40%)
Colorblocking is in and we love the color combo on this half-zip fleece. Plus you get pockets to keep your hands warm, which isn't a common feature on a fleece like this.
READ ABOUT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE FLEECE
$98 OFF (50%)
Using half bison fiber and half wool, the Bison Ultralight weighs less than a pound and offers extremely well insulation. It also sports a recycled ripstop shell with a PFC-free DWR coating and compactly folds into its own pocket. At half off, this is a steal. READ OUR DOWN JACKETS GUIDE
$2 OFF (11%)
Get started on spring cleaning a little early and organize your home with these HDX Storage Bins. They're tough, stackable, and dang cheap.
READ ABOUT ONE OF OUR FAVORITE NEW STORAGE SOLUTIONS
$39 OFF (50%)
Four-way stretch, seamless construction, and extreme breathability make this our pick for the best premium workout shirt. It is simple, and simply good.
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$36 OFF (25%)
This collab between Outdoor Voices and Hoka One One pairs an award-winning running shoe with OV's sharp eye for design to make a shoe that looks as good as it feels.
READ OUR TAKE ON WHAT RUNNING GEAR IS WORTH THE MONEY
$66 OFF (35%)
Not only is this one of the most versatile packs around, it eschews some of the "ugly" features on a standard outdoor pack for a look that is actually super stylish. We welcome an outdoor pack that values both style and function.
READ ABOUT OUR FAVORITE BAGS OF 2020
$80 OFF (50%)
Perfect for winter, these boots are made with fully waterproof leather and vulcanized rubber, keeping you dry whether you're sloshing through snow on the way to work, doing work in the yard, or going out for a hunt.
READ HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR BOOTS
$34 OFF (50%)
Everlane does basics extremely well — it's kind of Everlane's thing. The brand's 18-wale corduroy fabric shirt is a great option for the winter months and at half off you truly cannot beat it.READ OUR GUIDE TO CORDUROY SHIRTS
$11 OFF (24%)
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 25 percent off, you do it.
READ ABOUT THE BEST WATER BOTTLES AROUND
$30 OFF (17%)
The complete package, this sound bar connects via Bluetooth, has its own subwoofer and passive radiators, is wall-mountable, and can connect via HDMI, optical or AUX connections.
READ ABOUT THE BEST AUDIO PRODUCTS FROM 2020
$15 OFF (25%)
Carhartt is everywhere right now, with good reason. The brand's hardy garments are the epitome of workwear, this shirt jacket included. Flannel speaks for itself, but additional hand pockets and fleece lining round out this wardrobe staple.
READ ABOUT THE NEW WORKWEAR
$71 OFF w/ CODE EXTRA20 (60%)
This chronograph re-issue of Timex's original military-style watch has an aluminum 40mm case that provides strength without the weight. If you're looking for a daily knock around with chronograph features, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
READ OUR GUIDE TO TIMEX WATCHES
$4 OFF MONTHLY COST (66%)
If you're a student, there's never been a better time to get a Hulu subscription. The discount also doesn't expire — it lasts as long as you're enrolled as a student.
READ ABOUT THE BEST TV'S OF CES 2021
$10 OFF W/ PURCHASE OF 2 MASKS (33%)
If you are working out a lot, you're going to need more than one mask. Under Armour has created one of the best sports-specific masks and right now if you buy two you get a great deal.
READ ABOUT THE BEST MASKS FOR RUNNING
$76 OFF W/ CODE SALE30 (55%)
Todd Snyder's collaborations with Timex always hit. Paired with a vintage military-inspired band, this bullseye design is straight from the Timex archives.
READ THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MILITARY WATCHES
$50 OFF W/ CODE FRESH20 (33%)
Whether you want to move some of your most frequently used herbs indoors or don't have space outside for a garden, the AeroGarden Harvest is a perfect solution, with clearance for up to a foot of growth and room for 6 plants that grow five times faster than soil.
READ ABOUT THE BEST HOME PRODUCTS OF 2020
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Adidas used sustainable Parley Primeblue material to make its Primeknit upper even better, then combined it with Boost midsoles to make the ultimate earth-conscious workout shoe.
READ ABOUT THE BEST RUNNING SHOES OF WINTER
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This plant-based protein is keto-friendly and supports healthy recovery post-workout. The perfect companion to a 2021 fitness resolution.
READ OUR MOST SHOPPED FITNESS GUIDES OF 2020
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The Jabra Elite Active 65t are sports-focused headphones (IP56) with great sound quality for listening to music and taking calls. Also compatible with Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant, this is one of our top picks for sports-focused earbuds.
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