The Daily - August 11,2021 - 36

Big Trends
O V E R L A N D I N G
Road Ready
The latest overlanding gear is convenient
enough for all kinds of camping.
By Berne Broudy
ACCORDING TO THE RECREATION
Vehicle Industry Association
(RVIA) " campervans " is the fastest-growing
segment in the world
of recreational vehicles, with 7,222
sold in 2020, up 70% from the year
before. Historically, campervans
accounted for only about 9% of
motorhome sales, but that number
jumped to 18% in 2020. As more
people invest in driving adventures
as an alternative to fl ying to
a destination, both vehicles and
accessories are evolving.
" On the whole, overlanding and
vanlife are growing rapidly around
the country as housing costs
climb and work-anywhere appeal
continues to rise, and campervans
are seeing a particular surge, " says
Matt Felser, co-founder and CMO
of Dave & Matt Vans. " Amid that
growth, more people increasingly
use their vans for full-time living,
whether as an affordable housing
solution or to pursue an alternative,
mobile lifestyle. "
Dave & Matt Vans's LV|59 is the
Swiss Army Knife of lifestyle vehicles.
With the amenities for fulltime
mobile living, it combines
the benefi ts of a Class B RV and a
campervan in one, for comfortable
camping, recreating, or being on
the road full-time. Solar- and alternator-charged
lithium batteries
power the vehicle's fridge, freezer,
microwave, coffee maker, cooktop,
and more. The composting toilet
only needs to be dumped every few
months, and a collapsible rinse
station packs away when you're
36
done showering.
" The overland category is gaining
a lot of traction with consumers
who historically have been more
aligned with traditional outdoor and
camping activities, as well as those
that are more RV-camping focused, "
says Peter Pontano, Ignik's director
of marketing and product development.
" A new class of 'overland lite'
consumers bridge the overland/
vanlife categories. Vehicle-based
camping is now a legitimate form
of adventure, and it requires robust,
durable products that provide elevated
comfort, convenience, and safety.
We're building products with the
same quality expected for overlanding,
but theyyre price-accessible for
those who are just getting into it. "
Ignik's FireCan ($200) is a portable
propane-powered, forest-safe
fi re pit that replaces wood fi res,
which can put out up to 4,000
times more carbon emissions than
propane. The compact and versatile
FireCan uses a tried-and-true
ammo-can design that's easier to
stow and transport than traditional
round fi re pits. The container is
made from heavy-duty steel with a
high-temperature powder-coating
fi nish for durability. Mesh sides
show more fl ame and release more
heat, and foldable legs pop out for
a safe, raised fi re surface, then tuck
away for compact storage.
" Overlanding continues to grow
within the industry-providing
a wild and unique way to see the
country and spend time outside, "
says John Merris, CEO of Solo
/ OUTDOOR RETAILER SUMMER 2021
Stove. A critical component of
overlanding is selecting the right
gear-from your rig down to what's
packed inside of it. Space is usually
at a premium, so high-quality gear
that serves multiple purposes can
be extremely helpful. " Solo Stove's
new Fire Pit Cooking System is
a great example. It's a fi re pit with
a removable cast iron grill, so you
can have a tasty wood-fi red meal,
then settle in for the ambiance of a
contained campfi re.
" Overlanders tend to be in the
'buy it for life' category of shoppers,
with a focus on versatility, self-reliance,
and value, " says Lennart
Jansson, product manager at Hults
Bruk. " The jack, shovel, and axe
combo are nearly ubiquitous to
overlanding for good reason. When
an adventure turns into survival,
you need tools that are dependable
and proven in the backcountry. "
Hults Bruk's Agdor line of axes,
including the Montreal 28, will
replace Hults Bruk's Standard line
of axes in the U.S. Hand-forged
from high-quality Swedish steel,
expertly tempered, painted iconic
blue, and sharpened ready to use,
the axes have solid American hickory
handles and premium leather
sheaths that are handcrafted in
Waynesville, North Carolina. The
Agdor 15 Hatchet ($109) fi ts under
a car seat, and it can clear a campsite,
chop kindling, fashion hot dog
spears, and drive tent stakes.
" Whether you're a first-time
camper or experienced overlander,
people are looking for
ways to make their base camps
more comfortable and livable-
and repelling mosquitoes is essential
for outdoor enjoyment, "
says Michael Younger, Thermacell
Repellents CMO.
Thermacell's EX90 Adventure
Repeller is built for the toughest
mosquito environments and
includes adventure-ready upgrades
like nine hours of battery life, a
lock top and lanyard clip, weather-resistant
rating, and a 20-foot
radius of mosquito protection at
any elevation, all in a new, more
durable design.
The Daily - August 11,2021

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