Our First Time at Overland Expo West 2025: What We Loved, Bought & Are Still Dreaming About

We finally made it to Overland Expo West 2025, and spoiler alert—it lived up to the hype. From epic overlanding rigs to gear we didn’t know we needed, this event was packed with inspiration. In this post, we’re sharing what Overland Expo West was really like—from the vibe on the grounds to the gear we grabbed (and the stuff still sitting on our dream list).

Whether you’re a seasoned overlander, a weekend warrior, or just obsessed with clever outdoor gear, there’s something here for you.

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Overland Expo West 2025 First Impressions: Was It Worth It?

Overall? Yes. Overland Expo West 2025 was well worth the trip. But let’s get real for a second—we’ve got to talk about the price and the pressure.

We went on Sunday (which is technically a shorter day), and after fees, tickets still ran us over $60 per person. It’s not exactly cheap, especially when you know you’ll be tempted to spend more once you’re inside.

Vendors actively pitched their products, and while we expected that, it quickly became a bit overwhelming. If you’re window-shopping or casually browsing, expect vendors to approach you with product demos and sales pitches.

The Vibe at Overland Expo West 2025

There were rows and rows of rigs—from full-blown expedition builds to cars with clever rooftop setups. We saw every version of outdoor adventure represented. You’ll see families, solo travelers, hard-core off-roaders, first-timers, DIY tinkerers, and lots of dogs.

We easily spent the entire day exploring (open to close!) and still didn’t see everything. If you’re planning a trip to one of the expos, give yourself two to three days, especially if you want to catch the workshops or sit in on product demos.

You can learn more about the event at Overland Expo West’s official site.

Gear Highlights: What We Bought & Loved

Grill Game Multi-Use Stainless Steel Grill

Let’s start with our favorite purchase: the Grill Game.

• Works with propane or charcoal
• You can use it as a grill, flat top, smoker, stove, and fire pit.
• Handmade and rugged—excellent build

We’ve already used it a ton, and after years of cooking on a Blackstone, this felt like a serious upgrade. We’re curious to see how it holds up to daily RV life use and not just overland weekends, but so far, we’re impressed.

PACT Outdoors Body Wipes

We missed picking these up at the show, but ended up grabbing them later without the discount. Sad face! These reusable towels and wipes are thick and soft. They’re already in our trail bag. Faiola-tested and approved. By the way, they also have a great hiking kit that includes a small shovel, a bottle of hand sanitizer, and a durable, washable case to store all the supplies.

HEST Sleep System

We picked the Hest Foamy later at REI using the Memorial Day Sale. It’s cozy and packs down nicely, but at the price, we’re still deciding if it’s worth the splurge.

We are also testing out the DeepSleep system. Stay tuned for a follow-up on this decision.

ICECO APL35 Dual-Zone Fridge

Okay, we haven’t bought this Dual-Zone Fridge yet, but it’s at the top of our list. The dual zones are a game changer because, yes, we’re the kind of people who think having ice cream on the trail is a necessity.

Rooftop Tents That Caught Our Eye

We’re on the hunt for a soft-shell rooftop tent that works for Tony and the girls (I’m team “sleep in the Jeep with the dogs”). Here are a couple that stood out:

Roam Adventure Co. Vagabond

The Vagabond Rooftop Tent provides us with extra flexibility, as it’s smaller when closed, leaving room on the rack for gear like a box or a Starlink. It’s also 6 inches shorter when set up, but honestly, we didn’t even notice once we climbed in.

• Capacity: 2–3 people
• Weight 150LBS
• Size (closed) 56″ x 48″ x 12″
• Size (sleeping) 56” x 96” x 52”
• Price: $2,099
• Bonus: Their ARC 270 Awning (92 sq. ft. of coverage!) looked incredible

23ZERO Walkabout 62 2.0

The 23ZERO Walkabout 62 2.0 offers a queen-size bed and sleeps 3+ adults comfortably. The 23ZERO Walkabout 62 2.0 offers a bit more interior space compared to the Roam Vagabond. However, it does take up more rack space when closed, so you’ll need to plan your gear layout accordingly.

• Capacity: 3+ adults
• Mounting Footprint: 48” (W) x 63” (L) x 14” (H) – 152 lb
• Sleeping Footprint: 62” (W) x 96”(L) x 44”(H)
• Price: Around $1,999

We’re also looking into their Breezeway 62 and the Peregrine PRO 270° awnings, which came in both 5-arm and 6-arm versions.

Other Cool Finds & Gift Ideas

We didn’t buy from all of these vendors (yet), but we took notes for future upgrades:

• Zarges Inc. – Rugged storage gear
• Barebones – Beautiful & practical camp kitchen gear! They would make perfect gifts
• Devos Outdoor – Lighting setups
• LavaBox & Tripod Torch – Portable firepits
• AERONAUT Outdoor – Amazing Blankets!
• Gazelle Tents, StōD Gear Co., Overland Gear Guy, ONWRD Supply
• The Perfect Bungee & ShockStrap Tie Downs

Brands We Already Use & Love

We spotted some of our go-to brands at the show and got pumped to check out their setups in person.

• Trails Offroad – Our trail-planning MVP
• Battle Born Batteries – Powering our solar setup
• AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) – We’ve added their parts to two Jeeps now
• Midland Radios – Our go-to GMRS comms
• Garmin – From dash cams to wearables, we use them daily
• MORRFlate – Tire inflation made easy
• Gaia GPS – We use this side-by-side with Trails Offroad
• Rhino-Rack – We’ve installed the Pioneer Rack System & Backbone on our Jeep

What We Missed

We’re still bummed that we didn’t make it into the indoor building—there were a few vendors we wanted to see. But hey, there’s always next year.

Tips for First-Timers

1. Give yourself at least two days—you’ll need it.
2. Don’t feel like you have to camp on-site. It’s fun but pricey.
3. Bring water, snacks, and something to take notes with. You will forget stuff.
4. Bring the wagon. It’s a lifesaver for hauling gear, brochures, and all those “I didn’t plan to buy this” finds.
5. Follow your favorite vendors on Instagram—many offer show discounts that last a few days after the event.

Final Thoughts on Overland Expo West 2025

If you’re into overlanding, off-road travel, or just love checking out trail-ready rigs and gear, Overland Expo West 2025 is absolutely worth it. It’s packed with inspiration and gear you didn’t know you needed.

We’re already making a list for next time, and there’s no doubt we’ll be back at Overland Expo West again. Want to see more gear we actually use? Check out our Things We Love page for more.

🎧 Don’t Miss the Podcast!

Catch the full episode—Ep. 153 of Off the Beaten Path but Not Lost—on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s trail ride through Cinder Hills OHV for Tony’s birthday bash!

FAQs About Overland Expo West 2025