After disappearing for a few weeks (October was CRAZY), we're back with a massive update episode!

We're recapping Outdoor Adventure Rendezvous 2024, doing an epic jerky taste test with Yellowstone Natural bison and elk jerky, and talking about the wildest builds we saw at Overland Expo. Plus, the READY Pack backpack pre-order is LIVE right now - link below!

We also spill the details on an absolutely insane custom VW Vanagon hybrid build running on portals with a BMW motor. This thing is going to be legendary.

We're retiring some products to make room for new gear, and we're heading to Georgia Bushcraft next week.

Drop a comment if you were at OAR or Expo, and let us know what you want to see on the podcast going forward!

🎒 READY Pack Pre-Order: https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/products/ready-pack

🧑‍🍳 Dialed Camp Kitchen Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dialedkitchen/dialed-camp-kitchen

🔔 Subscribe for weekly overland gear reviews, trip reports, and adventure content

This week, our friend The Overland Medic stopped by the studio for a catch-up. We recap an awesome weekend at Adventure X Fest with the Mountain State Overland crew—sharing stories from the trail, rigs we checked out, and the overall vibe of one of the East Coast’s premier overland events.

We also dive into some gear we’ve been testing and loving lately. Plus, Matt gives a quick shop update on what’s happening behind the scenes here at Blue Ridge Overland Gear.

And for those in the Made it to the end Club, stick around until the very end for a special update you won’t want to miss!

*Please bear with the roomy audio. Our recorder malfunctioned.

Welcome back to the Blue Ridge Bonfire Podcast! 🔥 This week’s episode is packed with everything from wild rigs and new gear finds to taste-testing local spirits and gearing up for fall events.

We kick things off discussing a six-wheel Jeep Gladiator, dive into some new outdoor gear like the Nestout waterproof battery, and share updates from the BROG shop—including progress on our new backpack and EDC upgrades.

Then it’s time for something a little different: a tasting featuring Sutlers Gin and Virginia Distillery’s American Single Malt. We talk bottles, branding, and why these spirits might just belong on your next camping trip. 🍸🥃

Other Topics:

• 🚴 Adventures with Mission Miles and Project Recover

• 🦌 Rick’s Rant

• 🚲 New bike shop shoutout in Lynchburg/Bedford

• 🛠 Shop updates: backpacks, chest rigs, and EDC XL tweaks

• 📅 Outdoor Adventure Rendezvous coming October 24–26 – with gear swap, 5K, gravel ride & food trucks

  
  

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment below. Full-length episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen. On YouTube, watch for segment videos rolling out between episodes.

👉 Made It To The End Club - https://tinyurl.com/3cn3peve

Virginia Distillery - https://www.vadistillery.com/

Sutler's Spirit Co. - https://www.sutlersspiritco.com/

In this episode of the Blue Ridge Overland Gear Bonfire Podcast, we’re mixing trail talk, gear reviews, and a little snack-time science—because who says overlanding can’t be delicious?

We start with the Titan Terrain Depth Gauge—a weighted, buoyant pole with depth markings and a hand-lined reel designed to make water crossings safer (and way more fun). Then we head to Georgetown, DC, for a look inside the brand-new Huckberry store, stocked with everything from and Tender t-shirts to Astraflex shoes—and maybe even a future coffee bar in the works.

Other highlights this week:

• The latest Overland news (including Stellantis vehicle updates)
• Why Columbia’s new ad campaign is getting our thumbs-up
• A few fresh mechanical headaches from Logan’s Land Rover LR3
• Responding to your comments from last week’s episode

As always, we’d love to hear from you—drop a comment and tell us what topics or gear you want us to cover next.

In this episode of the Overland Bonfire Podcast, we reconnect with a longtime friend of the Blue Ridge crew—someone you’ve probably seen in past trail tech videos and rig walkarounds. While he’s spent over a decade in the overland scene, this conversation is less about his latest build and more about where that journey has taken him next.

Two years ago to the day, he made the call to shut down his trail tech brand. Now, he’s launched Evolution Woodworks, a business that brings his background in craftsmanship and design into a new chapter. We dig into what it took to make that leap, and some of the interesting things he is doing in this new chapter.

We also swap stories from past overlanding trips, reflect on the value of doing things by hand, and talk about finding balance between utility and beauty in the things we build.If you’re into craftsmanship, small business journeys, and gear that tells a story, this one’s for you.

Check out Evolution Woodworks → https://www.evowoodworks.com/

In this special episode of the Overland Bonfire podcast, we sit down with Brock Stevens—a fellow adventurer we connected with through Instagram. Brock stopped by the shop in his 1971 Land Rover Santana Series II to sit down and talk to us.We talk about how we met Brock, his awesome new rig (a video of that is in the works), along with some other awesome things he is involved in. Brock currently works for Mkii and TornekRayville watches. He also has a background as a Navy Diver and is currently involved witha great organization called project recover. Project Recover - https://www.projectrecover.org/Mkii - https://mkiiwatches.com/Tonrek Rayville - https://tornek-rayville.us/Follow Brock - @deepsea.edc on instagram

In this episode of The Overland Bonfire, we're joined by elite PRS competitor Keith Baker, who stopped by the shop while in town for a match. With a brand-new truck built for long trips and backcountry travel, it was the perfect time to help him dial in some overlanding storage solutions for his gear-heavy lifestyle.

We kick things off with a jerky tasting session, then dive into a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from the precision rifle scene and the camaraderie within the PRS community, to hunting stories and Keith’s favorite vehicles over the years. If you're into overland truck setups, shooting sports, or just love hearing shop talk between seasoned outdoorsmen, this one’s for you.

🎯 Whether you're planning your next overland rig or looking for gear tips for your next match, you’ll find plenty of insight in this episode.
🚙 Be sure to watch the full truck organization video featuring Keith’s rig—coming soon!

Buy vs. Build: Which Overlanding Rig Strategy Is Right for You?In this episode of the Bonfire Podcast by Blue Ridge Overland Gear, we're diving into one of the most debated topics in the overlanding community: Should you buy a turnkey rig or build one yourself from the ground up?Join us as we break down the pros and cons of building your own overland setup versus buying something ready to hit the trail. We talk timelines, budgets, mistakes we’ve made, gear choices, and how your lifestyle, skills, and goals should guide your decision.Whether you're gearing up for weekend adventures or planning a cross-country expedition, this episode will help you make smarter decisions about your rig.

🔧 Topics Covered:

• Time and money trade-offs between buying and building
• Common pitfalls in DIY buildsWhen a turnkey solution makes more sense
• Real-world experiences from the BROG crew
• Tips for getting started without getting overwhelmed

If you’ve ever stood in the garage staring at a pile of gear wondering where to start—or dreamed of rolling off the lot ready to roll—this one’s for you.

👇 Got questions or want to share your rig story? Drop it in the comments!

Get ready for a riveting Ask Us Anything (AUA) episode! We're pulling back the curtain and diving deep into your most burning questions about overlanding, gear, adventures, and everything in between.A huge shoutout to all our incredible listeners and followers who took the time to submit their questions. Time Stamps:00:00 - Intro00:12 - Jerky review04:28 - Any plans for a larger duffle?05:33 - One bag design you haven't made?09:08 - Camp chef bags?10:01 - Why so awesome?10:44 - Biggest surprise success?16:05 - Customer Ideas21:01 - Bucket list destination29:01 - One thing you learned the hard way on a trip33:48 - What would your CB handle be?---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Blue Ridge Overland Gear - Reclaim Your JourneySHOP NOW: https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2TInbINexaZME_0mhW_bnwINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/blueridgeoverlandgear/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/blueridgeoverlandgear---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The BROG team dives deep into everything you need to know about vehicle power systems for off-grid adventures! Matt, Rick, and Logan share their real-world experience with trail power management, comparing different setups, and essential gear for extended overlanding trips. Whether you're planning your first overland build or upgrading your current rig, this episode covers the critical power solutions you need to stay charged in the backcountry.🔥 EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT: Submit your questions now for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode! We want to hear from YOU about overlanding gear, BROG products, or even that infamous coffee table we can't stop talking about! Comment below or message us directly.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Blue Ridge Overland Gear - Reclaim Your JourneySHOP NOW: https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2TInbINexaZME_0mhW_bnwINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/blueridgeoverlandgear/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/blueridgeoverlandgear---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👇 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro & AMA Announcement5:30 - temperature Issues12:45 - Matt's Take on Solar Panels24:18 - Ecoflow Deals35:22 - Pheasant