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Break open the annals of Overland Journal, and you're bound to come across well-worn Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, and truck campers traversing large swaths of land in some remote and far-off location. Back in the day, overlanders (a.k.a. world travelers) needed a passport, a good chunk of cash, and loads of time for such epic adventures. Today, all you need is a Jeep or Toyota, some trendy gear (we’ll get to that), and bam—you’re an overlander. But wait—remember when overlanding meant crossing continents, not just crossing the county line or driving to the nearest National Forest? These days, it feels like overlanding is more about spending the weekend in the woods creating social media content than actually pushing boundaries and exploring new cultures.
The Spirit of Overlanding
Back in the not-so-distant past, overlanding and long-distance vehicle exploration were far removed from the mainstream. Back then, overlanding meant crossing continents, tackling large, untamed regions like the Australian Outback, Continental Divide, or Serengeti. Usually it was the affluent or those with too much time (retired folks) who embarked on these long-distance expeditions. But with the explosion of overlanding, a new breed of adventurers has emerged—those who might not have the time or financial resources for globe-trotting but still crave the thrill of exploration.
Chris Scott, author of the Overlander's Handbook, defined overlanding as "a lifestyle that involves using a vehicle to travel to remote destinations... It's about exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and challenging yourself both physically and mentally. It's about self-reliance, adventure, and a deep connection with the places you visit." But let's face it, not everyone can drop everything for a month-long, wallet-draining expedition. Does that mean that overlanding should only for the elite? Absolutely not. In fact, it's time we modernize the definition of overlanding—make it more inclusive, and maybe dial down the pretentiousness a notch.
Redefining Overlanding and Dropping the Pretentiousness
While many of the original definitions of overlanding put forth decades ago tend to make sense, they also, by their definition, exclude vast numbers hobbyists and weekend warriors from being considered true overlanders. If only 1-2% of this crowd qualifies under those old-school definitions, what about the rest of us? So, if one doesn't need to drive to the Arctic Ocean or trek the Silk Road, what defines the modern overlander? Does driving three hours from your suburban home to a campsite qualify as overlanding when 90% of the journey is on paved roads? Let’s be honest—no, that’s just a weekend camping trip. And guess what? There's nothing wrong with enjoying a peaceful weekend in the woods! We love long weekends where you can pull into camp, unpack, and kick back without worrying about packing it all up the next morning.
So if overlanding doesn't require driving thousands of miles across a continent, but it's more than driving out to your local national forest, what's the modern definition? First, let's agree there's a ton of grey area, with plenyt of overlap between car camping and off-roading. Hunters, anglers, rock climbers, hikers and backpackers, and mountain bikers all venture deep into the woods for their hobbies. The difference between those an overlanding? The journey itself is the star of the show. Sure, you can hike, fish, or climb along the way, but the main event is traveling to remote spots and soaking in nature and local culture. But how much travel is required before one is "overlanding"? Well, brace yourselves—purists might get their knickers in a twist, but here’s our take: "Overlanding is a form of vehicle-assisted adventure travel to explore remote and less-traveled regions. It's a multi-day journey that emphasizes adventure and self-reliance, connection with nature, and cultural immersion. While it often involves off-roading or traveling through rugged terrain, the central theme is around exploration and discovery, rather than the distance covered."
This isn’t about lowering the bar; it’s about recognizing that the true essence of overlanding is the journey, the experience, and the adventure along the way—whether that’s across a continent or a few remote counties. What we’re saying is that the spectrum should expand to include travelers who meet the basic definition but may not have the time or resources for epic, long-haul trips. Think of it like traveling to Europe—whether you go for a week or a year, you’re still immersing yourself in a new culture. The same goes for overlanding—the more you do it, the deeper you can immerse yourself. And guess what? Plenty of overlanders on shorter trips dream of tackling those long-distance expeditions one day. Why rain on their parade by telling them they’re not “real” overlanders? If you’re spending a few days in the bush or some other remote location and getting lost in the experience, congrats—you’re an overlander, no matter what your odometer says.
Drawing a Line
These days, if you drive five miles down a dirt road with your tricked-out new 4Runner or Rubicon and pop a rooftop tent, congratulations—you’re officially an overlander! It’s easy to blame the outdoor recreation industry for slapping the “overland” label on everything to sell more gear. But hey, those companies need customers, and with the boom in camping, off-roading, and remote travel, the market’s grown like wildfire. Whenever a hobby blows up, there’s always some dilution, and the purists will groan that the newcomers have ruined overlanding.
And you know what? There's some truth to that. Many folks with the latest "overlanding gear" may never venture beyond the campsite at the end of that five-mile dirt road. But guess what? Some will. They may begin with a shorter track like the Mojave Road (which still offers a true overlanding experience) and begin working their way up to longer weeks-long or even months-long trips. We should wecome folks, teach them about principles like Leave No Trace, laud the benefits of heading into cities and towns for the sake of cultural immersion, and the experience that can only be found when one truly pushes the pursuit of adventure to the limits. Are we really doing more than stroking our own egos by telling these adventure seekers they aren't "real" overlanders?
Gear Does Not Make the Overlander
Nothing screams adventure like a polished new rig rolling off the lot with oversized mud terrains, a fresh set of bright orange traction boards, a snorkel, rooftop tent, and more aftermarket lights than a Baja 1000 truck. But here’s the kicker—not one of those classic overlanding definitions mentions gear. And thank goodness for that! Blame consumer culture for pushing the idea that to join the overlanding tribe, your rig needs a specific set of mods and gear. We call BS! You can just as easily drive the Pan-American Highway in a 25-year-old bone-stock Tacoma as in a half-million-dollar EarthRoamer.
To the newcomers wondering what vehicle and gear you need to start: Before you drop $60,000 on a shiny new rig and thousands more on gear and mods, just know that the best overland vehicle is the one you already own. And the same goes for your gear. Most of us have a cooler, sleeping bag, and tent lying around, and if not, we bet a friend does. If you’re nervous about taking your two-wheel-drive sedan into the woods, ask a buddy with AWD or 4x4 to tag along. So, head out to the woods, get lost, and see if it speaks to your soul. If you find yourself loving it, then you can start figuring out which gear to upgrade.
Overlanding is DEAD. Long Live Overlanding!
Have the masses killed the true spirit of overlanding? Maybe. Or maybe overlanding is just going through its awkward teenage years—growing fast, a bit confused, trying to find its place. Or perhaps it’s just taking a long, slow detour, like any great overlanding journey. And if overlanding is just hitting adolescence, perhaps the definition will evolve as it matures.
Remember the true spirit of overlanding—it’s about the adventure, the stunning places we explore, the people we meet, and the cultures we experience—not the gear, the flashy rig, or the Instagram likes. Whether your overland journey covers 2,000 miles or 200, it’s the spirit of exploration and discovery that keeps the adventure alive and the soul nourished "I've never seen anybody really find the answer. They think they have, so they stop thinking. But the job is to seek mystery, evoke mystery, plant a garden in which strange plants grow and mysteries bloom. The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer."
-Ken Kesey
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