Gear Patrol | Spirit of Adventure, Passion for Gear

Paranoid Android

In-car telematics are a losing proposition. As many features as brands tout it seems like it’s hardly 6 months before your $3000 navigation and audio system are outdated. If you’re like most American’s and own your vehicle anywhere close to the average of a decade then forget about it — you’re lucky to even have [...]

Dos Caminos

With enough room for you, a companion and your ride, the Tenere Expedition Tent ($399) is easily one of the best motorcycle adventure tent solutions we’ve come across. Developed by the minimalist two-wheeled trekkers at Redverz, the Tenere offers designs specific to motorcycle expeditions. Consisting of two vestibules along with a separate inner-tent, the main [...]

Rolling Stone

Looking for a pair of sinister wheels for your sinister ride? Well, even if you aren’t, you’ll still appreciate the work that goes into a set of Vossen Wheels. With over 25 years of experience, Vossen’s measured approach of design and engineering has created a portfolio of some of the best looking wheels we’ve ever [...]

Porta-pull

The worst thing about a vehicle-mounted winch is its lack of versatility. Sure, it’ll get you out of your oh-too-brave off-road shenanigans, but come home, cabin, or other winch-duties it’s tough to rely on a one-trick pony. Recognizing the challenge, the Warn Pullzall Handheld Winch ($499) provides cordless 1,000-lb load pulling capabilities. Two included rechargeable [...]

Lighten your load

So your Ford F-150 is in the shop and you’re forced to take your diminutive Toyota Yaris to Home Depot to pick up some 2x4s. That ain’t gonna work. You can pay to rent one of their vans to bring back a small supply, or you can simply bring along your Malone HandiRack inflatable roof [...]

Checking your 6 while looking at 12

“The bike goes where your head goes.” Or so go sage words of instruction from the motorcycle lessons you took ages ago. The problem is, that when you’re checking what’s behind, you risk throwing off your balance. The Reevu MSX1 $350 helmet takes neck-craning out of the picture. Using a passive glass-free mirror system, the [...]

For your two-wheeled trip to Hoth

Looking like you just disembarked a Rebel Snowspeeder instead of your Ducati Monster 796, the Roof Boxer V8 Motorcycle Helmet is Star Wars pilot cool and full to the brim with high-end doo-dads. Moldable and washable inner lining and cheek pads, 180 degree chinbar rotation, free-moving visor (regardless of chinbar position) and multiple air intakes [...]

Nice Rack

If you’re not a serious biker, the idea of marring your whip with a typical bike rack for occasional trips might make you cringe. On the other hand, SeaSucker Auto Bike Mounts ($150-$630) use powerful vacuum cups with built-in pumps to stick to your vehicle’s surfaces. Developed initially for diving applications, the automotive racks have [...]

Living it up at the Tenthouse

For the past 25 years, Eezi-Awn has been constructing roof tents in South Africa. Their tents are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, vibration, and abuse on high impact overland journeys. Stocked here in the US by Equipt Expedition Outfitters based in Salt Lake City, the roof tents instantly converts your otherwise unoccupied roof into [...]

A Different Kind of Backup Plan

The HitchSafe Vault ($70) may not be relevant to those of you lucky enough to drive something like the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca, but if your whip has a tow hitch, then it may come in handy just when you need it most. That’s because this solid steel vault is designed to [...]

Get The Cure For Your Ailing Auto

It is never a good thing when the “Check Engine” light is glowing at you from the dashboard – is it going to be a $50 fix, or a $500 setback? And is the repair shop really being honest about the problem and the price? If you’ve ever had these thoughts, you’ll be glad to [...]

Cupholders, Check. Power Windows, Check. Wi-Fi, Check.

Your car provides you freedom and, though you may prefer your car to take you away from the trappings of technology, sometimes you need stable internet access whilst road tripping (be it for work, family trips, or the Gear Patrol RSS feed). Autonet turns your car into the local Starbucks (sans lattes) by creating a [...]

Ice Ice Baby

Michelin (Tire, not Stars, but the same company) has a new winter tire, and it’s shaping up to be one of the best out this year. Providing as much ice and snow-prowling capabilities without forgoing every bit of gas mileage you pay dearly for ,the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 is just as good serving as your [...]

Say No To Paycheck Burning Speeding Tickets

It’s nearly impossible to search for a radar detector online (or elsewhere for that matter) without turning up gobs of tests, opinions, and other information. Taken as a whole body of research, one unit stands out above all the rest – Valentine One. The V1 radar detector has been the benchmark for other detectors for [...]

Dirty Cars Be Afraid... Very Afraid

This thing really sucks. Sorry, I couldn’t resist – cheesy and obvious. Metropolitan Vacuum Cleaner Company got their start in 1939 (Happy 70th Anniversary) and has grown into a multidivisional company with market share in pet grooming and drying, computer maintenance, inflators/deflators as well as car, bike, and floor care products. The Metro Vac N [...]