On the Clock: New Gear at Overland Expo PNW 2023

The 2023 Overland Expo PNW event was my 16th Overland Expo. It was the second year for the PNW show, but sadly I missed last year. I had low expectations for finding really new gear at this show, since Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Ariz., was just a few months ago and is the largest and oldest event. I was pleasantly surprised, however, and found quite a bit of super cool new gear.

Overland Expo quoted me numbers from this year’s show at 17,000 attendees, a 6% increase over last year, and 395 exhibitors, a 14% increase over last year.

2023 Overland Expo PNW: ‘On the Clock’

I dug through the 395 vendors at Overland Expo PNW this year, and when I came across truly new and interesting gear, I gave the company 1 minute “On the Clock” to explain its product. The video below is the result.

If you prefer text and photos, just scroll down. It’s all there as well, with links to the 16 companies I interviewed.

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2023 OEX PNW: New Overland Gear

Let’s dive into some of the details for each of these new products that I found at Overland Expo PNW 2023.

VSSL Gear Nest Coffee Pour Over

VSSL Gear is known for cool, compact, adventure kits and a super-high-quality, portable, coffee grinder. Its latest product, available September 1, is the Nest Coffee Pour Over kit. The system will cost $225, including the new Java Grinder. Without the grinder, the system is only $75. You can even just buy the mug and pour over piece for $50, or just the mug for $25.

Most of the kit is made of double-walled 80% recycled stainless steel, including the pour-over part — to help keep the water hot. The system even comes with a stainless steel reusable filter. It all fits into itself for storage and transport and weighs in at 2.2 pounds.

The all-black system comes out in September, with an all-white version coming out in March 2024.

Agawa Gear ADK 26

Agawa Gear makes versatile, quality, camp tools for reasonable money. The next product it is releasing is the ADK 26, which will launch on Kickstarter in August, with deliveries expected to start in November.

The Agawa ADK 26 is a collapsible camp hatchet/forest axe. It packs down into a compact CORDURA sheath, with an all-in weight of about 2.6 pounds. It expands to a 26-inch-long axe and has a 1.5-pound head. Pricing will be around $175.

Onwrd Supply MAP System

Onwrd Supply is also launching its products on Kickstarter in August. It is showing its product for the very first time at Overland Expo PNW 2023, however. The Onwrd Supply MAP (modular accessory platform) System is a custom MOLLE panel product for small gear organizing in vehicles.

Up first are three sizes of its seat back organizing system and a headrest product. The Bench ($500), Single ($300), Single DLX ($300), and Headrest module ($100) are the launch products. These prices are MSRP, but Kickstarter launch pricing will be less. Onward Supply is a Bend, Ore., company, with products being produced in Vietnam.

Pacific Adventure Works

Car camping just got elevated by Pacific Adventure Works. It has come up with a high-quality, lightweight, adjustable, and collapsible bed platform that will work in just about any vehicle. The system is made of aluminum and CORDURA, weighs just 30 pounds, and rolls up like a burrito to 8 x 10 x 40 inches. It adjusts from 9.5 to 15.5 inches high so you can optimize it for your personal gear storage and platform headroom needs.

The Pacific Adventure Works vehicle sleep platforms —$599 for the single wide, $699 for the double wide, and $799 for the XL — are hitting the market this October. Impressively, they are made in the U.S. out of U.S.-sourced materials.

Pelican Adventure Case TX Series

Pelican Products has taken its Cargo Case series and removed the front and rear mounting plates and added interior accessories to create the new Adventure Case line. This line will hit the market this fall and initially come in two sizes — TX50 for $200 and TX80 for $250. The cases will come in black, OD green, and desert tan. But, the features that are useful are the new lid stays and interior organizer trays.

Also, new this year will be available MOLLE interior lid panels. They will work in both the new Adventure Series and the Cargo Box series of cases.

Flated Air Carrier Sport

Flated makes some very cool dropstitch-style inflatable vehicle accessories. The Air Carrier Sport is the latest in its now three sizes of roof cargo carriers. It is a longer, narrower, and more sleek version — 2″ W x 78″ L x 20″ H. It fits on any roof rack and can be deflated, rolled up, and stored in its carry bag.

Think of the Flated Air Carrier Sport as the inflatable version of the beloved Yakima Rocket Box. It is perfect for snowboards, skis, kayak paddles, and even surfboards (up to 6’6″ long). The key is that it still leaves rack space for other things, like bikes and kayaks. It is available now and retails for $729.

AT Overland Truck Cap

If you lop the pop-top off of an AT Overland truck topper camper, you’d get its latest product, the AT Truck Cap. It is a very light, insulated aluminum construction, truck cap/topper that can be customized with hatches, windows, vents, roof racks, and more.

Pricing starts at $5,500, and each is custom ordered and made for your specific truck. The current lead time is about 2 months. You can order an AT Truck Cap direct, or through your local retailer, like Salt Lake City’s Equipt Expedition Outfitters.

Oregon AT Topper Bug Screen

A product that every truck topper camper should have is a bug screen system. Oregon AT just brought to market a Topper Bug Screen kit that will work across nearly any truck topper, but was built and optimized for AT Overland toppers.

The kit is offered in two sizes, one for mid-size trucks and one for full-size, and retails for $295. The Oregon AT Topper Bug Screen kit installs with sail-track across the top and Velcro on the sides. It then is zippered at the sides and has a center split with magnets, to make it work easily with drawer systems and fridge slides.

Tune Outdoor M1

The lightweight pop-top truck camper revolution is alive and well, with an ever-expanding market. One of the latest and most interesting products in the space is the Tune Outdoor M1.

The truck topper camper offers a full-pop design and loads of interior space, including a queen-size bed. Because of its custom extrusion construction, it can fit any vehicle. Tune Outdoor campers are made in Denver, with pricing starting at about $13,000. There is currently a 6-8-week lead time.

Outsider Overland Campers

Yep, I found yet another new pop-top truck camper at Overland Expo PNW 2023. The Outsider Overland Campers have all-stainless-steel construction and offer a full-size bed — accommodating a traditional mattress. The tailgate is even rebuilt and integrated into the rear lift gate, a unique feature.

The base camper weighs in at about 720 pounds and starts at $26,000. A camper that is fully loaded with all the systems will run about $48,000. Outsider Overland Campers are custom-built for any truck and are made in northern Kentucky.

American Adventure Lab MASS WL System

If you want to have access to the rear spare location in your new Grand Cherokee and still have a drawer system, fridge slide, or the like in the back of your vehicle, American Adventure Lab has a solution for you. The new MASS Platform for the Jeep WL is a hinged mounting plate that replaces the cargo floor in the back of your Grand Cherokee. It weighs in at about 60 pounds, hits the market later this summer, and will cost about $600.

Long-Range America Ford Ranger Replacement Tank

If you want more range out of your 2019-2023 Ford Ranger, you’ll want to talk to Long Range America. It now offers a 37-gallon replacement tank — stock is 18 gallons.

The Long Range America Ford Ranger Replacement Tank is Australian built out of 3mm aluminized steel, requires no frame cutting for installation, and offers up to 700+ miles of range. Initial pricing is $1,999 shipped, and it will be available this fall/winter.

BellFab Dometic Water Jug Universal Mount

One of the best new overland products last year was the Dometic Water Jug system. However, Dometic hasn’t come up with any great mounting solutions for the jug.

The just-released BellFab Universal Dometic Water Jug Mount is the solution we’ve been looking for. It retails for $150 and comes in raw aluminum. The hole pattern on it works with MOLLE panels for mounting, but can also be mounted from its bottom, sides, or back.

Expedition Essentials MSPAM

If you carry loads of electronics on your van life travels and like to have them close at hand, the latest dash mount from Expedition Essentials is a great option. The Expedition Essentials Mercedes Sprinter Powered Accessory Mount (MSPAM) has 14 mounting locations on it and offers two USB outlets — either A or C. It just launched and is available now for $375. Expect about 2.5 hours of installation time.

Beyond Clothing Fall 2023 Collection

Beyond Clothing gave us a rundown of the three new products it is introducing in its fall 2023 collection. They are all part of its layering system.

First up is the Ascent Glide Hiker Pant. It comes out late this month and will run $135. It offers a low-bulk waistband and a built-in gaiter system in the pant cuffs.

Next up is the Beyond Alpha Aura Jacket. It comes out in mid-September for about $180. It features Polartec Alpha insulation and comes in both men’s and women’s versions. The men’s has weather protection added on the shoulders and hood.

Last to hit the market is the Beyond Drilight Waterproof Jacket. It comes out in October for around $229. It is a GORE-TEX shell that has fully taped seams and is made in the USA.

Scout Campers GFC RTT Option

Last, but not least, in our roundup of new products discovered at Overland Expo PNW 2023 is the latest option on Scout Campers. For the 2024 model year, Scout Campers will be offering a custom Go Fast Campers (GFC) rooftop tent (RTT) on its larger camper models. This new, wider GFC RTT is a $5,995 option and provides a second bedroom to the Scout truck camper, with access from inside and outside the camper.