In the Fall issue of Overland Journal, we conducted a comprehensive soft-luggage test.  One of the products featured was the Ortlieb Motorcycle Panniers. The manufacture was correctly listed, but the sole-source for purchase was not included.

The Orlieb panniers can only be purchased at:

Aerostitch: and can be ordered at 800-222-1994 or www.aerostich.com

The retail price is $187.00

Luis and Lacey have been on the road for about 3 months and 10,000 miles, traversing the continental United States twice in preparation for their journey to Ushuaia.  Driving a 60 series Land Cruiser with a diesel conversion, they plan on driving to the southernmost place in the Americas over the next 1-2 years.  Having no hard-set plans, they will camp as much as possible in the roof-top tent in this self-supported adventure.

Here at Overland Journal headquarters, we had the pleasure to visit with them some as they were on their way to southern California, before they head south into the Baja peninsula.  With a custom-built kitchen, Engel fridge, and a myriad of magnets, these two will have an amazing overland experience on their Expedición Mundo Perdido.

http://www.lostworldexpedition.com/

The sun . . . Home in the Sonoran Desert . . . 4501 miles exactly. What a fantastic trip. Look for the complete trip story in an upcoming Overland Journal.

– Posted from my iPhone

Sierra Designs Wicked Light 45 sleeping bag ($230)

When out on a summer adventure such as can be had here in the southwestern U.S., sixteen hours of light per day is more than enough opportunity to wear a guy down. There’s nothing quite like crawling into a comfortable sleeping bag at the end of such a long day, but if the air isn’t cool enough, it can be frustrating—too hot in the bag, too cool lying on top. Even though nights can be balmy or downright warm when first turning in, they usually get cool enough in the wee hours to warrant a blanket or even a zipped bag at higher elevations.

Wicked Light 45 sleeping bag at Glen Canyon Nat’l Rec. Area

Over the summer I slept away more than a month’s worth of nights in the Wicked Light 45 from Sierra Designs and I can easily say this is a perfect mild-season bag for me. I’ve been using it for backpacking as well as overlanding in my Toyota 4WD and the versatility is impressive. I can adapt the bag to the situation and sleep comfortably.

Tuck stitching hides and protects threads

The semi-rectangular design employs snag-proof zippers (yes, plural, there‘s two of them) allowing the foot box to be opened separately for adjustable pass-through ventilation. Both zips ride on the same continuous track, so there’s no limit to how far you can open the bag from either end. Additionally, the bag can be fully unzipped at the lower corner, turning it into a lay-flat blanket; perfect for car-camping and sleeping on a larger mattress like an in-vehicle bed or a rooftop tent. While backpacking, I’ve really come to appreciate the lightweight materials and small pack-size. Weighing only twenty four ounces and packed down to six inches by sixteen inches, it’s a cinch to tote around and can shrink even smaller if you use a compression sack. Sierra Designs smartly did away with the bulky draft tube and full-size hood traditionally found on a mummy bag; things I certainly don’t miss on a 45-degree model, especially considering the snag-proof zipper design is effective keeping minor drafts at bay. If it does get chilly there is a draw cord to snug the collar closer, and along with a beanie or bandana, I sleep just fine. Another clever feature is two removable “Pad Locks“—lightweight, adjustable straps that securely center the bag on my sleeping pad. The shell is made of silky 22-denier polyester with tuck-stitching that helps to protect threads from abrasion and oils. Continuous baffles are insulated with cloud-like 800-fill goose down and allow for further adaptability to the temperature by allowing me to manipulate the insulation if needed. As always, the rating is subject to personal preference, but I find the bag to be true to its 45-degree claim on chilly nights. At the upper end of the spectrum, if the air temperature is over 70 degrees, it’s too warm to use as a bag and I‘ll just leave it unzipped or use like a blanket if needed.

Small pack-size is easy to manage

For those in damp or humid environments, check out the Wicked Hot 45 which is basically the same bag, but with PrimaLoft Eco synthetic fill, made from 50% recycled plastic and just slightly bulkier (not heavier) than this down version, and about fifty bucks less. SierraDesigns.com 800-635-0461

The original overland travel vehicle, Great Plains style (this private herd resides within the Thunder Basin National Grassland).

And some Great Plains humor:

– Posted from my iPhone

In the shadow of the Bighorns. Blackfoot Brewing courtesy Doug M in Montana. A great trail today but rain and snow forecast so we opted to camp out of the high country.

– Posted from my iPhone

Tom Palmore’s cougar at the Whitney Museum of Western Art; Corvette cowboy; jalapeño cheddar elk brats with sautéd red peppers and onions, bacon and baked beans, and oven fries.

– Posted from my iPhone

. . . At Crow’s Nest Pass resort, where we are giving a conservation communication workshop. It has been snowing and socked in pretty thick so we have not seen the area, which is a pretty dramatic part of the Rockies. The workshop is going well so far.

– Posted from my iPhone

– Posted from my iPhone

Kelty Saunter bag ($80)

Sometimes a messenger bag can be just the ticket when you want to travel with something quick and simple. Unlike a backpack, there is only one strap to contend with and usually one or two simple fasteners to open and close the bag. Taller and thinner than a duffle and easily swung from side to back, a messenger lends grace to a walk down an overcrowded bus or airline aisle, or a quick hop onto two-wheeled transport.

 
Kelty Saunter at an ancient ring fort in Ireland

Kelty has a line of such bags, and earlier this summer I took one along on a two-week hosteling trip through western Ireland. Called the Saunter, the bag blended into the trip marvelously, and along with a sheep’s-wool sweater, I didn’t feel like such an obvious tourist. Well, at least not until I opened my mouth to order a pint. 

While the Saunter wasn’t my only bag for the trip, it served well as a carry-on for the flights and an overnight bag for the hostels. One thousand cubic inches of capacity and two main pockets carried a change of clothes and a sweater, toiletries, and a few other miscellaneous items. Two smaller front pockets (covered with the the flap closed) easily held business cards, pens, and small electronics.

An old cemetery along the Ring of Kerry

The bag material is made of sixty percent recycled polyester fabric with a TPE coating and looks and feels remarkably like cotton canvas. The sewn-on flap straps, small pocket edges, and wear-patches on the bottom corners are all made of vegetable-tanned leather. The retro-metal hardware is solid aluminum and the shoulder strap webbing is recycled polyester. There is also a nifty little tote bag (also recycled polyester) that stuffs into itself and hangs from a small clip inside the Saunter. Easily carried in the palm of my hand when compressed, I unclipped and deployed it often on sorties to local markets for picnic supplies.

Bummin’ around Dublin 

The bag held up well to rough handling on the trip, and all summer for that matter. The appearance of the bag is no worse for the wear after hanging from fenceposts and being tossed about, from Irish pastures to all manner of floors, sidewalks, seats, car trunks, bar stools, and the like. One detail I’m not so crazy about is the use of Velcro for the buckle straps and main flap. No fault of the bag really, I’m just not fond of Velcro. I might reconsider if it could do its job silently, be impervious to grime and water, and not stick to non-Velcro fibers. Despite the TPE coating and tidy, strong stitching, the bag isn’t waterproof. It held up fine to minor splashes and spits of rain, but some seepage occurred when I purposely tested it by pooling water on the threads. After using and abusing it all summer I can report it’s a very sturdy bag and considering the classic appearance, you’d never guess it’s made with recycled plastics; a nice bonus. kelty.com 800-423-2320