One of the best things about overlanding is that it means something different to almost everyone. But whether you鈥檙e in search of unspoiled campsites or just love the drive itself, the goal is the same: use your vehicle to venture further off the grid. Getting there, though, means upping your gear and skills. So we called up Walt Wagner, an off-road driving instructor and聽 owner, to find out how overlanders of all skill levels can take their game to the next level. Turns out it鈥檚 easier and less expensive than you might think.
The Best 国产吃瓜黑料s Are Often Close to Home
Yes, Moab and Death Valley are spectacular, but you don鈥檛 need to plan a trip to one of these famous spots to have a legit overland adventure. By exploring areas that are within a day鈥檚 drive of your home, even if you live in a big city, says Wagner, you鈥檒l get out more often and gain valuable experience in the process. To find nearby back roads and campsites, Wagner often uses the聽, a purpose-built all-terrain navigator that comes preloaded with apps including iOverlander and Ultimate Campgrounds. 鈥淒on鈥檛 overthink it,鈥 Wagner says. 鈥淛ust do your research, and then get out of the house and go see some spot you鈥檝e never seen before. It鈥檚 that simple.鈥
The Gold Standard in Navigation
Whether you鈥檙e new to overlanding or looking to go deeper than ever before, Garmin鈥檚 new Overlander rugged navigat辞谤听packs all the navigation tools you need into a single, rugged package. High-res topo maps, thousands of campsites and other POIs, pitch and roll sensors, and much, much more.Upgrade Your Vehicle Only When Necessary
If you spend a lot of time on Instagram, it鈥檚 easy to think you need absolutely every overlanding upgrade known to man. That鈥檚 not true, Wagner says, noting that a stock Subaru Outback will get you up most fire roads and into some of the prettiest spots on the planet. If the road is rough, he recommends basic, relatively inexpensive upgrades like better tires (Falken makes a great pair of聽) and some basic recovery gear like聽. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need a ton of extra gas cans or recovery tools. Extra gear will just weigh you down,鈥 he says. If you are going to upgrade, Wagner says it鈥檚 best to let your vehicle tell you when it's time. If your all-wheel-drive vehicle can鈥檛 get up the roads you want to explore, then it might be time to think about a true four-wheel-drive SUV or truck.
Challenge Yourself, But Do It Safely
Some of the most spectacular overlanding roads鈥攕uch as the聽, in Canyonlands, Utah鈥攔equire only a little bit of off-road knowledge. Other roads, however, like many of the聽, require significantly more driving experience. Wagner says anyone who wants to graduate to the more difficult roads can do it safely with a couple of simple steps. First, he recommends taking an off-road driving class, where you can learn both vehicle-maneuvering skills and recovery techniques that will get you unstuck. These classes are offered by experts at overlanding events across the country, including聽 as well as smaller gatherings like the聽. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to build your skills in these controlled environments, especially in classes where you can use your own vehicle,鈥 he says.
Next, Wagner says there鈥檚 lots of gear that can help, too. The Garmin Overlander, for example, has an integrated pitch and roll feature that helps you determine if your vehicle can safely navigate聽steep or angled聽roads. Every vehicle is different, but Wagner suggests watching that feature and taking notes as you drive difficult roads to determine which angles start to make your vehicle feel off-balance. Finally, Wagner says you can also build your chops by taking guided tours. Places like Moab offer tours where you can drive your own vehicle but follow a guide who will safely help you navigate tricky terrain.
Build Your Camping List Over Time
There鈥檚 no such thing as the perfect camping gear list. In fact, Wagner says his kit changes a little nearly every time he heads out. That鈥檚 because he鈥檚 always paying attention to what he uses most, or doesn鈥檛 use at all, and he suggests you do the same. Gear that鈥檚 constantly in use goes on the permanent list, gear that鈥檚 used only occasionally goes in the maybe category, and gear that鈥檚 never used stays at home.
Once you have your permanent list, you can also start considering upgrades. Take tents, for example. Wagner suggests people start with a regular ground tent, because they鈥檙e less expensive. If, after a couple of trips, you think a ground tent isn鈥檛 comfortable enough because you鈥檙e sleeping on uneven terrain, it could be time to graduate to a rooftop tent made by a company like聽 辞谤听. Wagner spent years camping out of rooftop tents, but because he and his family often go out for weeks at a time, he moved on to an even more robust and comfortable platform, the聽, which comes with tons of storage and living space. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to make upgrades, but make them in a graduated way that fits your needs,鈥 Wagner says.
For more than 30 years, has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary markets, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation.