Scouting the Scene at Expo West
Intro:
Overland Expo West is one of those events that pulls the overlanding world into one place—vendors, vehicles, gear, and the people who build it all. We dropped in for a day to take in the scene, check the pulse, and see what’s changing. The energy was a little more subdued this year, maybe reflecting the broader market, but there were still fresh builds and standout brands doing interesting work.
What We Saw:
This year’s Expo felt a bit more low-key than past events, especially with fewer side-by-sides and UTVs in the mix. In general, builds leaned toward self-reliant travel setups—platforms like the Tacoma, 4Runner, Gladiator, Bronco, and Ineos Grenadier were all well represented. One thing we noticed: several booths chose the new Toyota Land Cruiser as a base platform, signaling that brands are at least exploring it as a potential anchor for future builds. Also worth noting—there seemed to be a noticeable uptick in pups this year. Could’ve been the mild weather early in the day, but it definitely added to the character of the crowd.
Brands That Caught Our Eye:
FeatherLyte Outdoors
We came across FeatherLyte at Expo West—a rooftop tent brand that stood out for its modular, fully serviceable design. Co-founder Dylan walked us through how every part of their setup can be repaired or replaced, which feels like the right move for long-haul, high-use setups.
Travoca
New on the scene, Travoca caught our attention with their clean design and sharp presentation. Their gear lineup includes 12V fridge/freezers and minimalist titanium drinkware—everything built to bring a bit of home comfort into remote setups, without sacrificing style.
Denali Campers
Early in the show, we stopped by Denali Campers—a builder we’d seen come across BaseCamper recently. Their standout feature? A unique composite panel design focused on insulation and structure. Small team, compact presence, but clearly pushing to grow visibility in the space.
What’s Next:
Expo West is always a solid reset—a chance to walk the grounds, chat with builders, and just take in what’s happening across the space. We’ll be spotlighting a few of the vendors we met in future posts, so stay tuned for those. And if you were at the show and want to connect, drop us a line—we’re always up for learning more about what you’re building.