All posts in “Vehicle Gear”

How Well Does This Unusual Backyard Fire Pit Work for Car Camping? We Found Out

Car camping has plenty of advantages, but the biggest by far is the ability to carry more gear than you would otherwise. If you’re hiking or bike-camping, you’re limited to whatever you can haul about using muscle power; use a motor vehicle as a base of operations, however, and the only real limit is the amount of space inside your ride. (And if that’s not enough, you can always add to that with a rooftop tent, bike rack or trailer.)

Usually, in my experience, that space in the back of the car goes towards extra food or drink, or maybe a place for an air mattress. But why restrict yourself to that? Empty space is empty space, meant to be filled with anything you can imagine. So when it came time for an early summer camping trip to Pennsylvania, I decided to put something unorthodox into the cargo area of the Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic: a Breeo X Series 24 fire pit and its associated Outpost camp cooking attachment. How’d it work? Read on, dear friend.

This steel fire pit isn’t exactly easy to carry

Did you know the Breeo X Series 24 fire pit weighs 78 pounds? Neither did I! At least, until I picked it up to load it into the back of the Range Rover. Luckily, the Velar‘s wide hatch and load floor height made loading the mighty metal bowl comparatively easy; God knows how I would have managed trying to put it into a sedan. (Also, chalk this up as one of the advantages of SUVs over station wagons.)

The weight wouldn’t have been so awkward if the fire pit had better places to hang onto. Unfortunately, its smooth metal skin is largely bereft of handholds, while its girth made wrapping my arms around it in a bear hug impossible — at least, without running the risk of slamming my chin into that steel lip. I wound up holding it by said lip with the tips of my fingers, a solution that I wouldn’t recommend for trips of more than 10 feet.

The Outpost grille attachment was a good bit easier to lug about, thanks to the handy carrying case it came with. Still, it never fit into it quite right; the metal post always protruded from it, which made loading it into the car with the other gear a bit of a game of Tetris.

Having the Breeo at the camp site was a delight

Setup once we arrived was simple, if not quite easy: shuffle fire pit to the edge of the cargo bay, lift with legs, stagger it to appropriate place on campsite and place down with slightly more vigor than anticipated; combine two pieces of Outpost and insert into slot; kick back with beer until fire time.

Once said time rolled around, the Breeo made all the effort of getting it there worthwhile. The thick steel walls provided spectacular protection from wind, while the vents at the bottom created a nigh-on perfect updraft to keep the flames growing once the fire had been started. If anything, it was too damn good; it burned so hot and bright, I wound up using twice as much wood as I’d expected.

Still, there was no arguing with the results: it made the ring-shaped “sear plate” cooking surface that surrounds the pit so hot, it cooked meat like a diner’s griddle. (In the interest of science, I set a match down on the plate, and it combusted within two seconds from the conduction.) Plus, the steel walls reflected the glow of the flames better than I’d thought, providing a nice source of illumination.

The Outpost wasn’t quite the grilling game-changer I’d hoped for, sadly. Even as hot as the fire was, the grille surface was too high above the fire to do much good. After all, it’s the coals, not the flame, that do the cooking, and the Outpost’s slot in the side of the pit puts the food a good two feet above the heat source. It worked well enough for cooking hot dogs and toasting hamburger buns, but burgers and vegetables themselves needed to go on the sear plate. If I were to use it again, I’d jam the post into the ground instead. (Which, to be fair, is also what you’re supposed to do with the Outpost when you take it camping on its own.)

…at least, until it came time to clean it up and leave

The morning we departed, though, the Breeo’s biggest flaw revealed itself: it’s incredibly hard to clean. Two night of hot-burning fires had left the bottom filled with a couple inches of fine, pale ash, with no easy way to clean it out. Being a fire pit novice, I hadn’t thought to bring a camp shovel, so we had to resort to scooping the ashes out with a paper cup and placing them in the camp site’s permanent fire pit.

Scrubbing the grease off the sear plate proved its own hassle, as well. Breeo suggests using a grille brush or scraper to remove big food chunks first, followed by a heavy-duty kitchen degreaser and a Scotch-Brite pad. We had…paper towels and hand soap. Between that and the mild headache that came with a dehydrating night of inhaling smoke and drinking less water and more alcohol, the cleanup proved a rather disheartening hour-long process.

To be fair, these are more flaws of user error than design; if we’d brought along all the right tools, it would have been much easier. Still, bringing all that would have added even more weight and complexity to the Breeo package — which it hardly needs. As a backyard fire pit, this Breeo fire pit seems like a wonderful companion. As a car camping accessory…it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth.

Breeo provided this product for review.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
Will Sabel Courtney

Will Sabel Courtney is Gear Patrol’s Motoring Editor, formerly of The Drive and RIDES Magazine. You can often find him test-driving new cars in New York City, cursing the slow-moving traffic surrounding him.

More by Will Sabel Courtney | Follow on Instagram · Twitter · Contact via Email

Apple Is Making It Easier Than Ever to Own an Electric Car

<!–Apple’s New Maps Will Make It Easier to Own an Electric Car • Gear Patrol<!– –>

might be enough to woo you away from google maps


Apple may have long occupied a place in the uppermost echelon of tech companies, but its navigation app can’t say the same. Launched for iPhones in 2012 as a way to keep from giving arch-rival Google all that sweet, sweet data, Apple Maps (since renamed just Maps) started out as a poor replacement for Google Maps, lacking in ways ranging from features to directions to information about locations. Since then — perhaps spurred on by the less-than-worldbeating launch — Apple has worked tirelessly to improve Maps.

But with the arrival of iOS 14, set to roll out to iPhones this fall, Apple Maps may have found its killer app, so to speak — at least, for anyone who drives an electric car. Because the newest version of the mapping software will be smart enough to automatically tell EV drivers when and where they need to charge on a long trip.

Apple announced the change as part of their comprehensive rollout of the newest iPhone operating system at WWDC on Monday, tucked away inside a cannonade of other software news. With the new update, Maps will use its knowledge of your particular EV’s specifications, including your car’s current available range and the types of chargers it can use, as well as outside information such as outside temperature and elevation changes along the route to better calculate when and where you’ll need to juice up.

All the new EV-oriented functions won’t be available for every electric car right off the bat, however. Apple said it’s currently working with BMW and Ford to bring their models into the mix, which means forthcoming i4 and Mustang Mach-E owners will likely be among the first to sample the new software. Considering how quickly CarPlay reached near-ubiquity, however, we doubt it’ll be restricted to those makes for long.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
Will Sabel Courtney

Will Sabel Courtney is Gear Patrol’s Motoring Editor, formerly of The Drive and RIDES Magazine. You can often find him test-driving new cars in New York City, cursing the slow-moving traffic surrounding him.

More by Will Sabel Courtney | Follow on Instagram · Twitter · Contact via Email

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Escort’s New Redline 360c Can Sniff Out Speed Traps Better Than Our Favorite Radar Detector

<!–Escort’s New Redline 360c Radar Detector Sniffs Out Cops at Crazy Range • Gear Patrol<!– –>

take it to the redline


A good radar detector may not be worth its weight in gold, but it’s more than worth the price if you happen to be the type of person who finds themselves exceeding the speed limit with regularity. The Escort Max 360c will run you $650, but if it saves you from a single speeding ticket (and the likely increase in insurance rates that would come with it), that’s well worth the cash. And take it from a regular user: while no radar detector can make up for poor driving, so long as you use it wisely, it’ll let you know about speed traps well before you ever could with just your eyes.

But the march of progress never stops, so it was only a matter of time before the Max 360c’s capabilities were exceeded. Meet the Escort Redline 360c — the newest, most powerful member of the company’s radar detector family, which goes on sale today for $750 on Escort’s website.

The company’s press release covers a lot of technical details that seem designed to appeal to Raytheon engineers, so we’ll distill it down to the basics: a new, more powerful processor and a litany of other upgrades allow it, according to Escort, to detect threats twice as far away as past models. And if you happen to live in one of those municipalities that frowns on radar detectors to the degree that they employ devices that can sniff them out, the Redline 360c uses so-called TotalShield tech to completely mask itself from those sniffers. Plus, like the 360c Max, the Redline 360c comes with GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, all of which enable it to tie into Escort’s constantly-updating crowd-sourced network of speed traps, speed cameras and red light cameras.

Oh, and it also uses a stealthy new design that looks as though a radar detector dreamed of being a B-2 bomber, then decided to dress for the job it wanted. In other words…it looks pretty damn cool.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
Will Sabel Courtney

Will Sabel Courtney is Gear Patrol’s Motoring Editor, formerly of The Drive and RIDES Magazine. You can often find him test-driving new cars in New York City, cursing the slow-moving traffic surrounding him.

More by Will Sabel Courtney | Follow on Instagram · Twitter · Contact via Email

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Some of the Best New Motorcycle Helmets of 2020

It may be happening a little later this year than usual, thanks to both coronavirus and cold weather in much of the country — but the fact remains that there’s nothing like slipping on a new motorcycle helmet for that first ride of the season. Yes, you may need to break it in a little, but considering that break-in process may require a bunch of long rides away from the house and fresh air, it shouldn’t be too much trouble.

You have to find that new helmet first, however. And to save you from falling into an endless cross-shopping rabbit hole, we’ve pulled together a list of some of our favorite new motorcycle helmets for 2020.

Sedici Strada II Helmet

For 2020, the Strada II has received a complete redesign from its predecessor. Its fiberglass shell is reinforced with Kevlar, shedding weight without sacrificing strength. It offers the fitment and customization options of a more expensive helmet at an affordable price point.

Icon Airflite Helmet

Icon’s Airflite helmet is for those looking for a versatile, reasonably-priced helmet with a more aggressive look. The chin vents are functional and give you that coveted Darth Vader-meets-Bane vibe — which you can compound with the drop-down sun visor.

Klim Krios Fastbak Helmet

The Klim Krios Fastbak helmet is made from carbon fiber. It’s one of the lightest adventure helmets ever created, but doesn’t sacrifice comfort, acoustics or safety to achieve that. Its Klimatek Fabric liner uses adaptive smart foam and anti-microbial fast-wicking textiles. Plus, it transitions easily between four different ride modes.

AGV K6 Helmet

The AGV K6 is a versatile, lightweight, aerodynamic helmet that’s fit for all riders. It’s made from carbon fiber and Aramid, in four different shell sizes. The solid-color design, refreshingly, tones things down a bit.

Bell Race Star Flex DLX Helmet

Paying $700-plus for a helmet doesn’t sound like a cheap date. But, sometimes, paying a premium is worth it. The Bell Race Star Flex DLX is 10 percent lighter than the Race Star, with speaker pockets and new triple-density cheek pads for added comfort. It also includes a Panovision ProTint Photochromatic shield that automatically adjusts to light conditions.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
Tyler Duffy

Tyler Duffy is Gear Patrol’s Motoring Staff Writer. He used to write about sports for The Big Lead and The Athletic. He has a black belt in toddler wrangling. He’s based outside Detroit.

More by Tyler Duffy | Follow on Facebook · Instagram · Twitter · Contact via Email

This Wild Pop-Up Rooftop Camper Is Basically a Super-Light, Nearly-Indestructible Tent

<!–Redtail Overland’s Rooftop Camper Is a Badass Carbon Fiber “Tent” • Gear Patrol<!– –>

time to stymie yogi


According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, an adult male grizzly bear can stand more than 10 feet tall when rearing up on its hind legs. We bring this up as a preemptory rebuttal to the question we know is coming: “Why on earth would anyone need a hard-shelled carbon fiber roof tent with impact-resistant windows?”

Admittedly, unless you’re planning on overlanding out into the Kodiak Archipelago, you’re not likely to come across any such honker specimens of Ursus arctos while car camping. But the Redtail Overland rooftop camper has plenty to offer even if you’re not taking on big bears.

While it lies flat as a rooftop tent when in transit mode, once stopped, the aluminum-bracketed carbon fiber box pops up into a secure, hard-sided shelter that can take on the worst that the wind and weather have to throw at it. A small diesel heater and a large fan help keep the interior comfortable — though you can also open hatches along the sides for maximum airflow when the weather is nice. (Don’t worry, there are screens.) A brace of solar panels provide up to 330 watts for the lithium battery, which feeds into USB ports and 110-volt outlets. There’s even dimmable LED lighting that’s controlled via an app.

Now, if you’re thinking that a rooftop tent that sounds like it was built by McLaren sounds expensive, well, it is. The smaller Redtail 90 that fits two adults costs $20,000, while the Redtail 110 that can fit two adults and two kids goes for $25,000. (Both are made to order, and available for pre-order now.) Still…can you really put a price on bear-proofing?

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
Will Sabel Courtney

Will Sabel Courtney is Gear Patrol’s Motoring Editor, formerly of The Drive and RIDES Magazine. You can often find him test-driving new cars in New York City, cursing the slow-moving traffic surrounding him.

More by Will Sabel Courtney | Follow on Instagram · Twitter · Contact via Email

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Everything You Need to Know to Start Living Out of Your Pickup Truck

Few experiences evoke thoughts of Jack Kerouac more than driving dirt roads with no destination in mind. Sure, the days of endless romantic Western road trips may be in your rearview, but the feeling of freedom that comes with kicking up dust and driving towards far-off horizons lives on…at least, if you know how to find it.

The vast majority of our county is federal land, laiden with a maze of forest roads. These were usable only for high-clearance rigs and tolerable only for those okay with occasionally getting stuck.  Growing up in rural Minnesota, it didn’t take long for me and my friends to figure out that the further we went into the maze, the fewer rules existed. In those years between getting a driver’s license and leaving high school, freedom is at a premium — and driving dirt was our way to chase it.

I was hooked on that feeling — and suppose I still am. Today, I live full-time in my 2015 Toyota Tacoma. A few months ago, I passed my four-year anniversary of the 4×4 life. I make a living as a freelance writer, and moonlight as white-knuckled offroader.  It’s just me and my dog, Bea, the open road…and a lot of gas station coffee.

With no storage unit or boxes stashed in my parents’ garage, I limit myself to what I can fit in the truck — and therefore prioritize durability and versatility over everything else. In the last four years, I’ve driven thousands of miles on old, muddy, rocky, rooty, snowy, and windy dirt roads, chasing the feeling of freedom. I’ve learned a lot in the process — primarily how to avoid getting into a pickle, as well as how to get out of them.

Whether you want to follow my tracks and live out of your truck or just get started off-roading on weekends, here are a few helpful hints and pieces of gear I recommend.

Tires & Wheels

Stock four-wheel drive vehicles are capable of more than most people expect, but they do have a common weak spot: tires. The first and most critical upgrade to any offroad vehicle is more durable, higher-traction rubber.

After testing a half dozen tires, I’m a devout believer in the K02 All-Terrain Tires by BF Goodrich. They’ve long been the gold standard of the industry, and make a huge difference on dirt and snow. I pair them with Ray 10 Wheels from SCS for a reliable adventure setup.

BF Goodrich K02 All-Terrain Tires

Stealth Custom Series Ray 10 Wheels

Added Traction

If you plan to go further in mixed conditions like loose sand, scree or mud, you’ll want a tire deflator and air compressor, which enable you to change your tire pressure according to terrain, temperature, and conditions. This formula takes time to learn, but the general rule of thumb is that decreasing your tire pressure gives you more surface area, and therefore more traction. There are some exceptions and downsides to lowering tire pressure.

Craftsman Air Compressor

ARB E-Z Deflator Kit

Recovery Tools

Regardless of your skills and knowledge, you will undoubtedly get stuck at some unlucky moment. The inevitability of this is, well, nearly certain. When you do, you’ll want a plan to get yourself out that doesn’t require calling a tow and a dent in your bank account.

I’d recommend starting with the basic recovery tools: a durable tow strap (and D-rings), a jack, traction devices, and a shovel good for mud, rocks, and snow. It’s always smart to go offroading with another vehicle and at least one other person and these tools enable them to help get you unstuck.

For those looking to go one step further, a winch mounted onto the front of your truck is a useful tool to get yourself (or others) out of harm’s way. I prefer the Evo 10S from Warn as the longest-lasting, most reliable option.

Sunferno Ultimate Tow Recovery Strap

Rhino D-Ring Shackles (2-pack)

Hi-Lift Jack (60-inch)

X-Bull Recovery Tracks

Tyger Folding Shovel

Warn Evo 10-S Winch

Emergency Supplies

It’s also smart to keep a small box with some safety supplies in your truck. For me, this includes a Garmin InReach for GPS communication, an MSR Guardian water filter, full-size first aid kit, a Petzl headlamp with spare batteries, work gloves, jump starter, and two-way radios. For longer or overnight trips, I would recommend adding a sleeping bag, an extra warm layer, and for dense-forest roads, a small chainsaw to clear downed trees.

I also bring along spare water and gas in Rotopax jugs, and am diligent to check my coolant, windshield and oil before most trips, too.

Garmin inREACH SE+ Two-Way Satellite Communicator (Refurbished)

MSR Guardian Military-Grade Water Purifier Pump

Petzl Tactikka Headlamp

M2 Basics Premium First Aid Kit

Mechanix Utility Work Gloves

DBPower 18000-mAh Jump Starter

Midland 50-Channel Two-Way Radio (2-pack)

Patagonia 850 Down Sleeping Bag

WORX 16-Inch Chain Saw

Navigation

You can get amazingly far with just Google Maps, especially if you plan ahead and download important regions offline before you lose service. I often supplement with Gaia, the traditionally hiking-oriented app, for a backup set of maps.

But for those that plan to do consistent and more remote off-roading, there are a trio must-have apps: onX Offroad, Trail Forks, and iOverlander. OnX is a well known and respected resource in the hunting world that recently launched the most complete set of maps I’ve ever seen – again, important to download ahead of time. Trail Forks, the community-built mountain biking app is great for finding all kinds of trails. iOverlander is a crowd-sourced collection of free campsites, as well as water refills and other important locations.

onX Offroad

Gaia GPS

Trail Forks

iOverlander

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

Want to Live Out of Your Pickup Truck? Here’s How to Start

Few experiences evoke thoughts of Jack Kerouac more than driving dirt roads with no destination in mind. Sure, the days of endless romantic Western road trips may be in your rearview, but the feeling of freedom that comes with kicking up dust and driving towards far-off horizons lives on…at least, if you know how to find it.

The vast majority of our county is federal land, laiden with a maze of forest roads. These were usable only for high-clearance rigs and tolerable only for those okay with occasionally getting stuck.  Growing up in rural Minnesota, it didn’t take long for me and my friends to figure out that the further we went into the maze, the fewer rules existed. In those years between getting a driver’s license and leaving high school, freedom is at a premium — and driving dirt was our way to chase it.

I was hooked on that feeling — and suppose I still am. Today, I live full-time in my 2015 Toyota Tacoma. A few months ago, I passed my four-year anniversary of the 4×4 life. I make a living as a freelance writer, and moonlight as white-knuckled offroader.  It’s just me and my dog, Bea, the open road…and a lot of gas station coffee.

With no storage unit or boxes stashed in my parents’ garage, I limit myself to what I can fit in the truck — and therefore prioritize durability and versatility over everything else. In the last four years, I’ve driven thousands of miles on old, muddy, rocky, rooty, snowy, and windy dirt roads, chasing the feeling of freedom. I’ve learned a lot in the process — primarily how to avoid getting into a pickle, as well as how to get out of them.

Whether you want to follow my tracks and live out of your truck or just get started off-roading on weekends, here are a few helpful hints and pieces of gear I recommend.

Tires & Wheels

Stock four-wheel drive vehicles are capable of more than most people expect, but they do have a common weak spot: tires. The first and most critical upgrade to any offroad vehicle is more durable, higher-traction rubber.

After testing a half dozen tires, I’m a devout believer in the K02 All-Terrain Tires by BF Goodrich. They’ve long been the gold standard of the industry, and make a huge difference on dirt and snow. I pair them with Ray 10 Wheels from SCS for a reliable adventure setup.

BF Goodrich K02 All-Terrain Tires

Stealth Custom Series Ray 10 Wheels

Added Traction

If you plan to go further in mixed conditions like loose sand, scree or mud, you’ll want a tire deflator and air compressor, which enable you to change your tire pressure according to terrain, temperature, and conditions. This formula takes time to learn, but the general rule of thumb is that decreasing your tire pressure gives you more surface area, and therefore more traction. There are some exceptions and downsides to lowering tire pressure.

Craftsman Air Compressor

ARB E-Z Deflator Kit

Recovery Tools

Regardless of your skills and knowledge, you will undoubtedly get stuck at some unlucky moment. The inevitability of this is, well, nearly certain. When you do, you’ll want a plan to get yourself out that doesn’t require calling a tow and a dent in your bank account.

I’d recommend starting with the basic recovery tools: a durable tow strap (and D-rings), a jack, traction devices, and a shovel good for mud, rocks, and snow. It’s always smart to go offroading with another vehicle and at least one other person and these tools enable them to help get you unstuck.

For those looking to go one step further, a winch mounted onto the front of your truck is a useful tool to get yourself (or others) out of harm’s way. I prefer the Evo 10S from Warn as the longest-lasting, most reliable option.

Sunferno Ultimate Tow Recovery Strap

Rhino D-Ring Shackles (2-pack)

Hi-Lift Jack (60-inch)

X-Bull Recovery Tracks

Tyger Folding Shovel

Warn Evo 10-S Winch

Emergency Supplies

It’s also smart to keep a small box with some safety supplies in your truck. For me, this includes a Garmin InReach for GPS communication, an MSR Guardian water filter, full-size first aid kit, a Petzl headlamp with spare batteries, work gloves, jump starter, and two-way radios. For longer or overnight trips, I would recommend adding a sleeping bag, an extra warm layer, and for dense-forest roads, a small chainsaw to clear downed trees.

I also bring along spare water and gas in Rotopax jugs, and am diligent to check my coolant, windshield and oil before most trips, too.

Garmin inREACH SE+ Two-Way Satellite Communicator (Refurbished)

MSR Guardian Military-Grade Water Purifier Pump

Petzl Tactikka Headlamp

M2 Basics Premium First Aid Kit

Mechanix Utility Work Gloves

DBPower 18000-mAh Jump Starter

Midland 50-Channel Two-Way Radio (2-pack)

Patagonia 850 Down Sleeping Bag

WORX 16-Inch Chain Saw

Navigation

You can get amazingly far with just Google Maps, especially if you plan ahead and download important regions offline before you lose service. I often supplement with Gaia, the traditionally hiking-oriented app, for a backup set of maps.

But for those that plan to do consistent and more remote off-roading, there are a trio must-have apps: onX Offroad, Trail Forks, and iOverlander. OnX is a well known and respected resource in the hunting world that recently launched the most complete set of maps I’ve ever seen – again, important to download ahead of time. Trail Forks, the community-built mountain biking app is great for finding all kinds of trails. iOverlander is a crowd-sourced collection of free campsites, as well as water refills and other important locations.

onX Offroad

Gaia GPS

Trail Forks

iOverlander

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

2019 Airstream Bambi Review: The Stylish, Easy Way into Camping Trailer Life

By this point, the only way you don’t know what an Airstream is if you’re a vampire who’s been asleep in a cave for the last century. The aluminum-sided travel trailers have been rolling along America’s roads since the ’30s, their iconic design capturing eyes with the same ease they reflect sunlight. They’ve been featured in countless films and TV shows, and transformed into homes, AirBnBs and works of art.

For 2019, the eight-decade-old company has added a new model to its lineup: the diminutive, adorably-named Bambi. Ask Airstream where the name “Bambi” came from, and they’ll say founder Wally Byam named it after a type of agile deer he saw while overlanding across Africa in the ‘60s. (Dollars to donuts he actually named it after a certain Disney movie, but that’s neither here nor there.) It’s been a common nickname for the company’s small, single-axle trailers for more than half a century — but now, the name has finally been given the honor of formally becoming part of the team, signifying the two-wheeled rigs that are the most affordable way to hop aboard one of the company’s classic aluminum trailers.

The Good: It may be compact, but the Bambi crams more usable space and features into its limited length than most studio apartments. My Bambi 19CB tester was the second-smallest variant, yet in spite of being a mere 18 feet 11 inches long — shorter than a Rolls-Royce Phantom — it had space for a two-burner gas stove, a stainless steel sink, a refrigerator and freezer, an LED television (with integrated antenna), a built-in stereo, a memory foam mattress (sized somewhere between a twin and a double), even a shower and a flushing toilet.

Even with all that gear inside, the interior has a fair amount of space to spread out. During an impromptu Brooklyn tailgate party, I managed to fit seven or eight adults (and one large dog) inside comfortably, with room to spare for snacks and a soft Yeti cooler backpack. A family with kids might find it cramped, but it’s more than spacious enough to serve as a good base of operations for a single adult or a couple.

Who It’s For: First-time Airstreamers looking to dip their toe into the world of trailering adventure; empty-nesters who want to roam freely in retirement but don’t want to wrangle giant trailers and full-size pickup trucks.

Watch Out For: Backing up. As the model that seems most likely to be adopted by trailering novices, you might think the Bambi would pack some sort of technological magic to help maneuver it in reverse more easily.

Nooooooooooooooooope.

Spinning my trailer 180 degrees required a good 30 minutes of Austin Powers-style shuffling back and forth, and that was with the help of the kind owner of the Hipcamp camp site we were staying at — a man whose own history included training people how to drive heavy equipment in the army. A backup camera is standard, though it wasn’t hooked up on mine; regardless, it wouldn’t have done much beyond tell me where I would have gone were I able to keep the thing moving in a straight line for more than three seconds. The first company to sort out some sort of idiot-proof trailer-reversing technology — brake-based torque vectoring? Computer-controlled active steering? SpaceX-inspired compressed air thrusters? — deserves to make a mint.

Alternatives: Safari Condo Alto R-Series ($29,500+); Homegrown Trailers Woodland ($39,495+); Forest River Alpha Wolf ($25,995+); Airstream Nest ($45,900)

Review: Full disclosure: In spite of more than a decade of driving and writing about automobiles, I can count the number of times I’ve towed a trailer on one hand. Actually, I can count the number of times I’ve towed that weren’t under the well-supervised confines of a media junket on one finger; that sole instance involved towing a U-Haul U-Box through a couple dozen miles of country roads, then winding up stuck at a closed bridge on a one-lane road because I couldn’t reverse to a turnaround spot.

So it was with a bit of trepidation that I hitched the Bambi up to the Ford Ranger XLT I’d borrowed as a tow vehicle for a weekend of criss-crossing New Jersey and the lower boroughs of New York City. Yet the Bambi-and-Ranger duo proved blissfully easy to handle, even when winding them through the tight streets of Brooklyn or on the open highways of the Dirty Jerz. The tidy proportions meant turns never proved a problem (at least, when going forwards); the trailer’s brakes were reassuringly dependable and solid, always snapping on in sync with the Ford’s discs; and the Ranger’s EcoBoost engine made easy work of the trailer’s weight, hauling it up to mile-per-minute velocity without issue. Going much beyond that felt a mite worrisome, however; by 70 mph, every imperfection in the road seemed to be magnified into a shimmy in the Bambi that prompted unwanted visions of tank-slapper flips or pileup-causing detachments.

Still, Airstream life isn’t about speed; it’s about taking things slow and easy, leaving troubles and stresses behind in favor of the freedom of the open road. (There’s a reason the Indiana-based company offers a Tommy Bahama trim level on some models.)

Once the driving and parking (and reversing, and re-parking) was done and I’d settled truck and trailer in the tree-lined camping spot within spitting distance of the Delaware River, the Bambi came into its own. The starboard-side awning’s coverage area is on the smaller side, but it’s enough to keep the sun off one or two chairs — or to give you a place to dry before coming aboard in a squall. The nice weather meant I parked my butt in a nearby camping chair instead, but it was nice to know it was there if needed.

My hosts provided fresh water and a power hookup, but I wound up needing neither; the on-board battery never came close to losing all its power, thanks to the solar panel mounted atop the roof. (Pre-wiring for a solar panel is standard, but the panel itself is an option; considering how well it worked, I’d suggest making it the first box you check.) Running the air conditioner built into the roof would probably guzzle the electrons faster than the solar panel could replenish them, but I never needed it, in spite of summertime temps; between the shady interior, the twin roof-mounted ventilation fans and the plentiful screened-in windows (and the screen door), the Bambi’s interior stayed breezy and cool all day long, in country and city alike.

The toilet situation, should you be curious, is best described as “acceptable.” The 19CB variant’s loo occupies an odd middle ground amongst Airstream lavatories; while smaller trailers and touring coaches place the toilet in the shower and larger ones have a miniature bathroom with an actual door, the 19-footer uses an odd W-folding wall that’s designed to offer some semblance of privacy for the tight corner. In practice, it’s less than ideal; let’s just say you should ask anyone else in the trailer to vacate the premises before using the restroom. Functionally, however, it works just fine.

Admittedly, I didn’t have a chance to use the shower — folding my frame inside that tiny space seemed like a violation of the Geneva Convention — so I can’t vouch for the efficacy of its handheld nozzle. (Exhibitionists might have better luck with the outdoor “shower,” a similar handheld nozzle with hot and cold knobs tucked away in one of the exterior ports.) That said, I never had any issues with the flow or temperature of the water blasting from either the kitchen or bathroom sink — which, like the keyholes in a nuclear missile silo, are exactly far apart enough that one person can’t use them both simultaneously — so I have no reason to assume the shower would be anything less than effective.

Another reason to assume the best from the hot water supply: the two-burner gas stove proved as adept as any found in a modern house, if a mite smaller. Same could be said for the kitchen table, which has room for four provided everyone’s comfortable rubbing flanks and knees; same goes for the fridge and freezer combo, too. (The latter can reportedly be quite the power suck; should you rather save the electrons, a good Yeti cooler and a couple bags of ice will likely be every bit as effective for 24-48 hours.)

Indeed, all told, the Bambi does an exceedingly good impression of a tiny, efficient apartment — good enough to tempt this New Yorker away from his hard-won one-bedroom. The night before I had to return the trailer, after my friends had left, I wound up laying in bed watching football on the television, eating a s’more made over the gas stove’s burner. The TV reception was better than in my apartment; the memory foam mattress was comfy than my couch; the sounds of the park beside me more relaxing than the rumble of cable trucks making their way home to their garage near my place. In that moment, it wasn’t hard to see the appeal in tossing that Great American Dream of Homeownership out in favor of living out my days in an elegant rolling apartment.

Verdict: By striking a perfect balance between size, style and comfort, the Airstream Bambi delivers the right combination of features to endear it to anyone who’s long harbored dreams of rolling across the land with a shiny trailer behind them, following the whims of the road. Sure, you can snag a new travel trailer for far less money — but doing so would mean swapping those timeless looks for the blocky looks and garish pseudo-airbrushed designs of most travel trailers and RVs, which are utterly lacking in both elegance and Instagram-ability. (Let’s not pretend the latter is unimportant.)

Indeed, the Bambi pulled off something I never would have expected: It made me into a camping trailer person. I spend my time stuck in traffic fantasizing about car camping trips out West; now I fantasize about doing it with an Airstream.

2019 Airstream Bambi 19CB: Key Specs

Length: 18 feet, 11 inches
Weight: 3,650 pounds
Windows: 11
Refrigerator Size: 4.3 cubic feet
Sleeping Capacity: Up to four people, but two of them better be tiny

Airstream provided this product for review.

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Aether Apparel Divide Motorcycle Touring Gear Review: Style for the Long Haul

Ah, the travails of finding decent motorcycle touring gear. While track day junkies manage to look like badass leatherbound ninjas from the future, long distance riders usually come off more like construction workers in a 1970s B-movie about asteroid miners. There’s something intrinsically unsexy about jumpsuit-style ballistic nylon.

To fill that troublesome void, Palmer West and Jonah Smith went from producing indie flicks like Requiem for a Dream to forming Aether Apparel, a Melrose Boulevard-based outerwear company that seeks to strike a sweet spot between strict function and sleek form. Aether’s Divide motorcycle jacket ($995) and Divide motorcycle pants ($695) are the brand’s latest salvo at the predominantly dreary motorcycle touring genre, so I spent several hundred miles road-testing the armored set to decide if they’re worth the steep price of entry.

The Good: Visually, Aether’s understated ethos pays off in spades: there’s no garishly contrasting outer panels or cheesy textures, and enough Velcro tab cinches on the jacket to ensure a trim fit. That sense of intrinsic cool puts them several steps ahead of competitors whose motorcycle gear looks, well, more like motorcycle gear than minimalist outerwear.

Who It’s For: Style-conscious long distance motorcycle riders who don’t mind paying a premium for a functional jacket/pant combo equipped with abrasion resistance and proper, CE-certified armor.

Watch Out For: I’m 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, and I usually fit squarely into medium-sized moto gear. Aether’s website describes the Divide jacket and pants as fitting “true to size,” so I was surprised to find the mediums longer and baggier than expected, especially considering the brand’s modern ethos. A friendly salesperson at Aether’s LA flagship swapped those pieces for a small — one of the first times I’ve found myself scaling down for a proper fit. (At least the customer service was outstanding.)

Alternatives: Aether’s most direct competitor is Dainese, the Italian brand that also occupies the rarified, pricey space where functionality doesn’t kill style; their Gran Turismo jacket ($1,100) and pants ($700) have a more colorful, technical look than the Aether Divide, but also offers a bit more climatological versatility due to the larger vented zippers. Klim’s Adventure Rally jacket ($1,700–$1,800) and Badlands Pro pants ($700–$720) demand an even higher price of entry, but are considerably more complex, with a three-layer shell and built-in hydration system that make them worthy of round-the-world rides; subsequently, they look the part as well. Alpinestars’ Revenant jacket ($950) and pants ($650) take the long-distance theme seriously, offering an available Tech-Air airbag system for an added $1,150; their Gordon Drystar Overcoat ($400) is more philosophically similar to Aether, though not quite as stylish.

Review: Motorcycle touring gear is best evaluated under trying circumstances, hell-or-high-water extremes that make for stories you’ll tell your grandkids. The winding backroads between Los Angeles and Solvang aren’t exactly the stuff of Camel Trophy lore, but a rookie mistake did make for some unexpectedly challenging (and embarrassing) test conditions: pushing my borrowed Honda Africa Twin uphill for half a mile and waiting two hours for a roadside services to deliver a splash of fuel. (Note to self: Honda’s onboard computer is eerily accurate at estimating range.)

While waiting for help, I had plenty of time to ponder the fact that an unseasonably warm spring day isn’t exactly the Divide’s optimal environment: sturdily constructed with Gore-Tex Pro and fully seam-sealed for wind and water protection, the Divide lineup is best experienced in motion, perhaps in the rain — but most definitely not in warm conditions. Aether also sells the Mojave jacket ($550) and pants ($450), which are more breathable and incorporate considerably larger vents but lack waterproofing.

While the Divide’s zippered armpit and back vents offer some airflow at a stop, my attitude improved after I hit the road again and began soaking up the breeze along the heavenly twisties of Highway 33 which link Ventura, Ojai and the Santa Ynez Mountains. When night fell on the return ride, the wind insulation ensured comfortable climes despite the cool desert air.

At speed, the jacket and pants offer enough roominess not to feel cramped or too snug — in fact, the pants are surprisingly spacious, considering Aether’s fashion-forward sensibilities. There’s not enough extra fabric to cause flapping at speed, though the fit also isn’t as tailored as some of Dainese’s offerings. The lamb leather lining at the jacket neck adds a bit of substance to the textile panels, as do the leather panels on the inner thigh for added grip.

There’s no shortage of pocket storage: I counted five compartments in the jacket, and another five in the pants. Though several are slickly integrated with folding flaps that snap shut, the waterproof setup feels like overkill when you’re just trying to grab your cell phone to switch up your Spotify playlist. But devise a system for yourself — cell phone on zippered inside pocket, wallet in an outside pocket, house keys on the other side, snacks in one of the pant pockets– and the setup is versatile enough to accommodate most needs for long-haul riding, assuming you remember where you put everything.

It wouldn’t be proper motorcycling gear without abrasion-resistant construction and armor, and Aether appears well-equipped to handle wrecks. (I didn’t test that firsthand.) The Divide jacket ships with a stack of rubbery pads of CE-certified D3O polyurethane armor that fit to the chest, elbow, shoulder and back, while pants get the padding at the hips and knees; all of it is secured in place with sturdy Velcro tabs.

According to Aether, the material is rate-sensitive, meaning it changes viscosity depending on the force exerted upon it. Translation: whack your knee hard against asphalt, and that soft orange padding will stiffen in an instant, absorbing a higher amount of energy. The good news is that the padding is pliable enough not to feel obtrusive and doesn’t create pressure points, but offers good impact protection in the case of an unintended dismount.

Verdict: There’s no shortage of established apparel manufacturers offering hardcore motorcycle touring and adventure touring gear, and those core brands have done an admirable job combining layering, crash protection and ventilation. Aether, a relative newcomer in the space, brings a welcome breath of fresh air to the game by ditching the dorky graphics and focusing on clean, elegant designs that retain an element of usability and comfort. Though more focused on weatherproof construction than all-around versatility, the Divide jacket and pants do what they’re intended to do well, all without the social liability of aesthetic uncoolness.

While not inexpensive by any stretch of the imagination, the ensemble actually becomes a reasonable value when compared to some of the more technical offerings out there. Hardcore long distance riders interested in multi-week travel aren’t likely to choose Aether over stalwarts like Aerostich or Klim, but for urban adventurists who might dabble in the occasional state-hopping getaway, the Divide jacket and pants deliver dapper looks with just enough functionality to justify their premium price.

Aether Divide Jacket and Pants Key Specs

Removable Impact-Absorption Pads: Chest, elbow, shoulder, back, knee and hip
Sizes: XS–XXL
Colors (Jacket): Storm (gray), Dark Discovery Green (green), Blue Streak (blue)
Colors (Pants): Storm (gray), Jet Black (black)

Aether provided this product for review.

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Some of the Best New Motorcycle Helmets for 2019

There’s nothing like the feeling of slipping on a new motorcycle helmet before the first ride of the season. Sure, you may have to break it in a little—but considering that break-in process entails a whole bunch of long rides full of sweeping corners and fresh air, that’s not much of a sacrifice.

The first order of business, however, is picking out that new helmet. Considering the number of new helmets available for 2019, it’s easy to fall down a cross-shopping rabbit hole featuring grammatically-incorrect customer write-ups and comparisons that leave that head you’re looking to protect spinning. So to help get you to the whole “breaking in that helmet” part sooner, we at Gear Patrol picked out a few of our favorite new motorcycle helmets to shorten your search.

Fox Racing V1 Weld SE Helmet


For 2019, Fox Racing brought its Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS) to the entry-level V1. That system replaces the visor screws with magnets, allowing the visor to easily detach in the event of an impact but keeping it secure during regular riding. What that means for you: upper-echelon helmet tech and design at a wildly affordable price point.

Biltwell Gringo S ECE Helmet


There’s one problem with many of the vintage-style helmets out there: they don’t actually provide the best of protection. All street-legal helmets have to be DOT-rated, but that’s actually a pretty low bar for entry. (Which is unnerving, when you think about it for more than two seconds). The Biltwell Gringo S ECE Helmet is one of the more popular existing old-school-cool helmets, but for 2019, it comes with an ECE rating—which shows that it provides much more protection than the basic DOT standard. Remember, folks: If there’s one piece of motorcycle gear never to compromise on, it’s your helmet.

Bell Eliminator Spectrum Helmet


With the Eliminator, Bell continues to draw inspiration for new helmets from its lengthy heritage—this time, crafting a vintage-looking helmet brought to you by the early days of its auto racing history. The design clearly boasts a classic style, albeit with modern touches: Bell incorporated recessed pockets for speakers and its anti-fog Pro-Vision dual-pane visor, and the helmet comes with both DOT and ECE ratings. Those old-school looks do come with drawbacks, like the Eliminator’s rudimentary ventilation setup; there’s no direct chin vent, there’s no way to close of the nine gromet intake holes, and there’s no exhaust or passive ventilation. But the simplicity also brings benefits: the Eliminator is one of the lightest helmets on this list, tipping the scales just 2 pounds and 13 ounces.

AGV AX9


The AX9 replaces the long-in-the-tooth AX8 as AGV’s top adventure riding helmet for 2019, bringing increased ventilation thanks to five total vents, including a dual-action chin vent that can be operated from either inside or outside the helmet. The peak was redesigned for better aerodynamics at high speed, but also increased in size to provide better protection. The AX9’s party trick, though, is its ability to be worn in multiple configurations depending on where and how you want to ride: The peak and shield are both easily removable, if, for example, if you want to use goggles while off-roading.

Klim Krios Pro Helmet


You should expect a lot from a helmet that costs $700. Luckily for it, the Klim Krios Pro delivers, bringing the sort of premium materials, design, and functionality found in few other adventure helmets on the market. It uses full carbon shell construction and Koroyd technology, which works to help decelerate the head better than conventional materials in an impact. Like the AGV AX9, the Klim has a removable shield and peak; however, if you’re bouncing back and forth between pavement and dirt and want to avoid the headache of swapping eye protection, the shield can actually close over your goggles. It’s an on-the-fly luxury you won’t know you need until you try it.

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Sealander’s Little $22,000 Camper Is Also a Boat

The joke goes that Germans are invariably concerned to an extreme degree with efficiency — everything designed in their country is overthought, borderline overwrought and certainly over-engineered. The not-so-joke is that most vehicles and vehicle-adjacent products made in Germany are, with few exceptions, awesome. But now we can all also not-joke about German transportation products being cute.

The Sealander is a 13-square-foot, 1,100-pound camper trailer combo that can just as easily putter around in the (very placid, please) water at five miles per hour as sea vessel. A camper boat (which surely must have an ultra-long, compound German name).

Customize your Sealander (which, come to think of it, is a not-so-long-yet-still-compound English name) with a kitchenette appliances and, presumably, the world’s most efficient and cute toilet. There’s seating inside for six people and, of course, that seating also converts to a sleeping surface. Do note, however, that the Sealander is only officially on sale in Canada and Europe.

Or, If You’re Strictly a Landlubber…

Quit Your Job Today and Retire in This Tropical Airstream Read the Story