If you’re just getting started in the overlanding world and looking for inspiration, or you’ve been immersed in it for years and want to connect with fellow adventurers while checking out the latest gear and rigs, the Overland Expo shows are where you want to be. With five events across the country, there’s likely one within reach—and trust me, it’s an experience you don’t want to miss. This past weekend, the OK4WD team made the trek to Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona. If you haven’t been to Flagstaff yet, it’s a charming mountain town nestled in the pines at around 7,000 feet elevation. The show takes place at the base of Mount Humphreys. While the sun might leave you with a solid sunburn during the day, you can usually still spot snow on the mountain peaks—making for a stunning backdrop to an already incredible event.

Our Lineup: Showcasing the Full Range

This year, we brought a lineup of standout vehicles and gear to showcase at Overland Expo West. The center of our display featured three INEOS Grenadiers: 

• The OK4WD Grenadier featuring a full GP Factor Interior System and an Alu-Cab Silenus Roof Conversion
•  The GP Factor Grenadier, sporting a GP Factor Half Interior System that lets you keep your rear seats, along with a Silenus Roof Conversion
• Buzz Overland’s Grenadier, built with a Buzz Overland System 3 drawer setup and an Alu-Cab LT-50 Rooftop Tent. 

These builds highlighted the flexibility and performance of the Grenadier platform, drawing a lot of attention throughout the weekend at Overland Expo West. 

We also teamed up with Mule Expedition Outfitters (Prescott, AZ) and Tiny Rig Co. (Westminster, CA), who brought three more impressive vehicles to our booth: 

• A brand-new Chevy Colorado fitted with an Alu-Cab Contour Canopy with windows
•  A Jeep Gladiator with a built-out ModCAP 2 Sleeper
• A Ram Prospector with the ModCAP Family Camper. 

Whether you're into compact builds, family travel setups, or rugged utility builds, there was something for everyone at Overland Expo West 2025.

New & Noteworthy Products from Overland Expo West

On the product side, our booth at Overland Expo West featured a curated selection of top-tier gear to give the attendees a closer look. Highlights included the Alu-Cab Gen 3R Rooftop Tent (equipped with a backrest and drop-down table), Partner Steel stoves, Wrappon portable toilets, Square Cookware, PMP Bottle Jacks, and a wide array of innovative mods from GP Factor, Buzz Overland, and Alu-Cab.

One of the best parts of events like Overland Expo West is the added value-- you can often take advantage of exclusive show discounts and giveaways. This year, we raffled off a fully loaded Alu-Cab Gen 3R Tent, making the trip even more worthwhile for serious gearheads. 

We also introduced several new and exciting products at the show: 

• Partner Steel unveiled new handleless griddles and 90-degree hose fittings- two smart upgrades that improve both storage and packability. Stay tuned for these to be on our website shortly! If you are eager, give us a call at 908-454-6973 to order now! 
• Wrappon debuted the Sunny, a new portable toilet that shares the popular Trekker's design features but comes in at a more accessible price point, closer to the PF-1, making it a great value for budget-conscious travelers. 
• From GP Factor, we showcased the new Starlink Mini Mount with dual-sided lockability. A sleek, secure solution for those running Starlink Satellites on the road. 
• Buzz Overland brought their Hinge Steps--designed specifically for the INEOS Grenadier--offering quick, stable roof access with rugged construction. 
• Lastly, the lightweight bottle jacks from PMP were a big hit, delivering lift performance with a compact, trail-friendly design-- ideal for off-road recovery when space matters. 

Inside the Industry: What We Learned at Overland Expo West

Our booth was just one of over 400 vendors at Overland Expo West this year, and we were in excellent company. We shared the event space with some of our most trusted partners in the industry, including REDARC, AEV, Kakadu, Sunflare, ARB, Partner Steel, and many others. The show is a true playground for overland enthusiasts. There is no shortage of inspiration when you are at the show as you can see insane vehicle mods, innovative accessories and gear, and every kind of sleep system imaginable. 

For us, walking the show is more than just browsing, it's a hands-on opportunity to discover what's new, what works, and what's next. It helps us guide our product decisions and ensures we continue to offer only the most capable, thoughtful gear in our store. In a saturated marketplace, selectivity is everything, and events like Overland Expo West help us stay ahead. 

Stay tuned- you might just see some new and exciting additions hitting our lineup soon! 

A Memorable Moment: Meeting Overland Legends 

One of the standout moments for me this past weekend was connecting with some of the incredible storytellers and influencers who shape the overland community. At the AEV booth, I had the chance to see Patty Upton's iconic 1966 CJ-5, a vehicle steeped in history. Growing up in the overland world, I'd heard my dad tell the story of the Uptons' epic 56,000-mile journey across the Darien Gap in that very Jeep, getting them an entry into the 1992 Guinness Book of Records for the first all-land crossing of the Darien Gap by vehicle. They had a dream of taking an American-made vehicle across the world, all on land, and made it a reality. My father owns a similiar model Jeep, and I vividly remember sitting in it, wondering how they managed to pack all their gear, let alone recovery tools, for such a grueling expedition! 

Seeing the CJ in person was truly surreal. Every inch of the vehicle had been used with intention-- special brackets under the hood held axes, shovels, and other essential recovery gear. Patty also shared her story on the Women Who Wander panel, where she and other remarkable women in the overland world spoke about their journeys and challenges. 

If you want to dive deeper into Patty and her husband's legendary adventures, I highly recommend checking out Outback of Beyond - their stories are nothing short of inspiring. 

Evenings Well Spent: Connecting Beyond the Booth

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Overland Expo without ending each night by sharing drinks and laughs with some of our favorite people in the industry. From brand reps and business owners to creators like X Overland and Expedition Rove, the evenings were just as valuable as the show—filled with good stories, great connections, and a shared passion for the overland lifestyle. 

We’re already counting down the days until Overland Expo East. Will we see you there?