Is Overlanding Dead?

[Tommys]

Folks,
This is a question that is increasingly being asked. I have researched this phenomenon and summarized how a rugged pursuit of adventure became a mainstream trend. But not before the curve of COVID.
Interested? Read/watch a comprehensive study on the subject that proposes an answer that YOU will make.
Overland Death?

 

[Flipper]

The fad is over except for the die hards. This site used to be 4-5 pages of new posts everyday….now maybe 2-3 posts for a whole day. Looks like the party is over.

 

[smritte]

The only people asking the question are the ones who jumped on the "Overlanding Bandwagon". I cant even count the number of fads I've watched die. But yes, the people who jumped on the fad are wondering. For the rest of us the only difference it makes is our favorite areas are no longer crowded. The only good thing that came out of it is the evolution of some of the equipment.

I think the ones most effected are the ones who jumped on the fad and made u-tube channels. Now their trying to come up with any gimmick they can to get views. A good example is all the "Is overlanding dead" videos that started popping up about two years ago.

To directly answer the question, NO its not dead. The fad chasers just lost interest, that's all. As for the forums, the ones that catered to the fad are losing people. Others that had a strong base before the fad have only lost a few people. I didn't read your survey but I hope you included off-road forums that have been around for a few decades.

 

[Sparksalot]

The only people asking the question are the ones wo jumped on the "Overlanding Bandwagon". I cant even count the number of fads I've watched die. But yes, the people who jumped on the fad are wondering. For the rest of us the only difference it makes is our favorite areas are no longer crowded. The only good thing that came out of it is the evolution of some of the equipment.

I think the ones most effected are the ones who jumped on the fad and made u-tube channels. Now their trying to come up with any gimmick they can to get views. A good example is all the "Is overlanding dead" videos that started popping up about two years ago.

To directly answer the question, NO its not dead. The fad chasers just lost interest, that's all. As for the forums, the ones that catered to the fad are losing people. Others that had a strong base before the fad have only lost a few of people. I didn't read your survey but I hope you included off-road forums that have been around for a few decades.

The fad has peaked. Now the equipment buying opportunities are here.

 

[John and Mandi]

Nah, as far as I can tell, more people than ever are engaging in multi-country vehicle dependent travel. Now, trendy rooftop tent camping may be diminishing.

 

[JimBill]

The only people asking the question are the ones who jumped on the "Overlanding Bandwagon". I cant even count the number of fads I've watched die. But yes, the people who jumped on the fad are wondering. For the rest of us the only difference it makes is our favorite areas are no longer crowded. The only good thing that came out of it is the evolution of some of the equipment.

I think the ones most effected are the ones who jumped on the fad and made u-tube channels. Now their trying to come up with any gimmick they can to get views. A good example is all the "Is overlanding dead" videos that started popping up about two years ago.

To directly answer the question, NO its not dead. The fad chasers just lost interest, that's all. As for the forums, the ones that catered to the fad are losing people. Others that had a strong base before the fad have only lost a few people. I didn't read your survey but I hope you included off-road forums that have been around for a few decades.

In addition to he equipment evolution, the knowledge base has grown greatly, including trials still being mapped on GPS and the like. The best thing I like are the creation of long travel discovery routes.
Things always cycle. Another output of this contraction is the "minimum mods" videos coming out now. Just enough lift for the tires you need (not want), weight considerations, keep weight off the roof, do you really need 25 gallons of gas strapped on, and the like are now being questioned. My ill equipped daily drivable rig that fits in the garage is now in fashion.

 

[smritte]

In addition to he equipment evolution, the knowledge base has grown greatly, including trials still being mapped on GPS and the like. The best thing I like are the creation of long travel discovery routes.

I'm going somewhat agree with what you said. The knowledge base evolved with the equipment but mapping wise, most of us already had all the routes mapped. I personally gained nothing extra. What it did do was make people not have to explore and research to find things.

The minimum mods thing has always made me laugh. You have two ways to build a vehicle, proper and improper. A properly built rig has tuned suspension and the driveline match's the environment its driven in. This isn't new. When people ask me about suspension mods, they always remark "I'm not racing Baja with it!" That's correct because if you were the build would be diffrent. People just wanted to look good without the cost.

You mentioned, your "I'll equipped rig fits the garage". Cool, it should (unless you have an RTT). We don't need a bunch of bolt on crap, just what's we need for what we do. That just proves you are ahead of the curve.

 

[rgallant]

Same as it has always been, those of us who want to drift down FSR's to camp and have a fire will still be out there. The rest will fade away.

I view like all the what is overlanding discussions, when people said you have to drive on off road tracks for huge distances, but their huge distance was 500 miles. That is a weekend trip here in BC, still remote lots of times without cell phone coverage and you need to be prepared for a breakdown.

 

[MOAK]

My wife & I went from having the really cool hobby of exploring North America, ( overlanding) to it now being our lifestyle. Taking your jeep to an off road park, or your neighborhood’s favorite trails, or loading down your rig with way too much stuff and camping in a state park, in my humble opinion, is not overlanding. The term overlanding was temporarily co-opted first, by people that wanted to sound cool, as if they were engaged in something very special, then co-opted by marketing strategists in order to develope and sell more products. ( which we all have benefitted from ) So, no, overlanding is not dead. What is in the process of dying out is the engagement of the casual fan. They came, they tried it, now they are moving on to the next big fad. Which, we will all benefit from. We just finished the first leg of our 5 year journey. We had no problems whatsoever in finding wild campsites and no problems making on the spot reservations for National or Provincial parks. A couple years ago, that was not true.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Folks,
This is a question that is increasingly being asked. I have researched this phenomenon and summarized how a rugged pursuit of adventure became a mainstream trend. But not before the curve of COVID.
Interested? Read/watch a comprehensive study on the subject that proposes an answer that YOU will make.
Overland Death?

Does this mean I can get a bunch of equipment at cut rates, like this? Ok by me, then

Overland starter pack! RTT/awning/fridge

https://overlandpros.com/product/wraptor-2500/ 730$ https://overlandpros.com/product/wraptor-4k-wall-set/ 299$...

www.overlandbound.com

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Folks,
This is a question that is increasingly being asked. I have researched this phenomenon and summarized how a rugged pursuit of adventure became a mainstream trend. But not before the curve of COVID.
Interested? Read/watch a comprehensive study on the subject that proposes an answer that YOU will make.
Overland Death?

Does this mean I can get a bunch of equipment at cut rates, like this? Ok by me, then

Overland starter pack! RTT/awning/fridge

https://overlandpros.com/product/wraptor-2500/ 730$ https://overlandpros.com/product/wraptor-4k-wall-set/ 299$...

www.overlandbound.com

 

[LostWoods]

This site used to be 4-5 pages of new posts everyday….now maybe 2-3 posts for a whole day. Looks like the party is over.

I came back to see if there was anything local now that it's cooling off to find I can't access rally points without the app now. I thought the point of this site was to bring people together, and that doesn't need to be another app on my phone. It's not unique or specialized enough to survive as an internet forum so good riddance.

 

[highboy4x4]

The only people asking the question are the ones who jumped on the "Overlanding Bandwagon". I cant even count the number of fads I've watched die. But yes, the people who jumped on the fad are wondering. For the rest of us the only difference it makes is our favorite areas are no longer crowded. The only good thing that came out of it is the evolution of some of the equipment.

I think the ones most effected are the ones who jumped on the fad and made u-tube channels. Now their trying to come up with any gimmick they can to get views. A good example is all the "Is overlanding dead" videos that started popping up about two years ago.

To directly answer the question, NO its not dead. The fad chasers just lost interest, that's all. As for the forums, the ones that catered to the fad are losing people. Others that had a strong base before the fad have only lost a few people. I didn't read your survey but I hope you included off-road forums that have been around for a few decades.

I am in the middle of a 3 week run thru the Appalachian Mountain ranges and I have barely seen a sole on the FSR’s. The only “campers” I have seen are in the NPS paid spots along the creekside. I have yet to see a dispersed camper. I say all this to bolster your comments about the fad-chasers! Good bye, so long, arrivederci, adios, Si longtemps,

Is Overlanding dead? If you have to ask the question, it’s dead for YOU!

 

[Flipper]

Down to 3 posts on a Saturday?

 

[FishinCrzy]

Personally, I would like to be out discovering new and remote places. My health is still good compared to most of my contemporaries. The ones that are still alive. One thing being very far out on the proverbial limb, as in overlanding, has reinforced is to listen to what your gut and instincts are telling you. Mine said, "Don't got to the Rockies this year, buy that boat you've been looking at for several years". So I did. Now as my bank account recovers and I explore new watery places heretofore inaccessible within my 150 mile home territory I will start budgeting for new tires and batteries, sunglasses, etc., and start planning for next summer. I am trying to get up to the Outer Banks before it gets too cold. That's about eight hours from me. I keep my RTT on the truck and packing for short trips to the coast or river is easy and quick. 90% of my overlanding has water and fish involved.

And, the biggy from this past year was that hurricane that came far inland from the Gulf and ripped all the way into N.C. Dinged me pretty good on the way there. Luckily no structures damaged but lots of trees and debris that was blocking access around the place and had to spend some money to get some of it moved with heavy equipment and I am waiting on cooler weather to get back on the cleanup. All in all I feel fortunate to be in decent shape going forward. I'LL BE BACK!

 

[ZombieCat]

Wait, what? Overlanding is dead?
I must have missed that memo while I was out OVERLANDING for the last three months! Happy trails, y’all!

 

[roots66]

I've been wondering this for awhile now. Not only has there been a significant drop in forum posts (especially new members), but the last several monthly meet-ups in Central Texas have been only myself. A year ago, each meet-up was 12-15 folks, some driving from hours away.

That said, I only see benefits here:

• a loss of fair-weather friends is not really a bad thing
• cheaper and more available equipment means I can finally get items that have been out of stock for years, now at a lower price.
• quieter trails and camping locations is never, ever going to make me unhappy

So, I guess my wife and I can now stop "overlanding" and go back to "off-grid camping" like we've done for last several decades.

 

[roots66]

Folks,
This is a question that is increasingly being asked. I have researched this phenomenon and summarized how a rugged pursuit of adventure became a mainstream trend. But not before the curve of COVID.
Interested? Read/watch a comprehensive study on the subject that proposes an answer that YOU will make.
Overland Death?

Very good article. I was at the 2025 Austin Overland Expo mentioned and yes, it was ridiculous.

The below paragraph from the article says it all. However, those of us willing to persevere through valley will be rewarded with the mountaintop.

The hobby was commodified, packaged, and sold to the masses. The result is a landscape of "overland" expos that are little more than glorified trade shows, and trails that are now so crowded you're more likely to see a line of heavily modified rigs than a solitary sunset. The quiet places are gone, replaced by the roar of engines and the chatter of people who are more concerned with getting the perfect Instagram shot than preserving the land they're on.

 

[MOAK]

I am in the middle of a 3 week run thru the Appalachian Mountain ranges and I have barely seen a sole on the FSR’s. The only “campers” I have seen are in the NPS paid spots along the creekside. I have yet to see a dispersed camper. I say all this to bolster your comments about the fad-chasers! Good bye, so long, arrivederci, adios, Si longtemps,

Is Overlanding dead? If you have to ask the question, it’s dead for YOU!

. Exactly- hey- we will be in Dolly Sods beginning Wednesday night thru Monday morning. It’d be cool to run into you!

 

[MattK]

I'm going to give my hot take and I can't believe I'm going to sort of defend what's gone on the past 10 years...please don't take it personally. This is a late night stream of consciousness on a road trip to have a Super Pacific X1 installed on my truck to make my post-prostate cancer treatment camping life easier.

So, we're blaming Overland Journal for beginning publication in 2007 and sharing their passion with whoever would buy a subscription? The Hansens for starting Overland Expo in 2009 and then selling it to an event company because it became too much for them to manage.? etc. etc. (btw I went camping with the Hansens down in Mexico in 2018 on accident as a circle of friends and friends or friends went on the trip. Nice folks.)

We could stop worrying about what we think it is and should be and just keep doing what we're doing - camping, car camping, overloading-landing , off-roading and live and let live. Let's not gatekeep ideas and what things evolve into. Things take on a life of their own eventually. It's no different than "I saw x band in a bar back in the day and they sold out for the money!". But eventually, they'll be back in the bar and that's just how life goes.

I've been car camping since I was 19 with a 2wd Ford Ranger down in Baja in the early 90s not knowing any better about having a full-size spare, 4wd, recovery gear etc. looking for surf spots. Nothing but a crappy military surplus sleeping bag that was soaked from dew in the morning and some cans of beans, sleeping in the ribbed bed of my truck. You go one year and there's no one out and the waves are yours to take. Next year the same spot is overrun. It's just how it goes. Does it suck? Yes. But you have to adapt. Keep searching. It's not a new phenomenon. Word spreads, much faster now, yes. But nothing is secret or ignored forever.

You can still go to events like Overland Expo and take all kinds of courses about navigation, treading lightly, how to travel internationally, how to connect with other folks doing what you're doing and interested in. So I think the Expos are valuable but YOU have to make it what you want. It's there, you just have to sift through the noise. Does a discount on a certain something you would like to have hurt? Nope.

Keep getting out there. Don't get jaded. Expend your energies on your adventures. And if you see a white 2020 Jeep Gladiator on 37s with camping gear on it at the grocery store. Don't hate. I can only afford one vehicle!