The All Things Overlanding Podcast

The All Things Overlanding Podcast

Is the Overlanding Boom Finally Over?

Aug 16, 2026 · 22 min · 12 segments

In this episode, I’m asking a question I’ve been thinking about for a while: Is the overlanding boom finally over? Overlanding exploded in popularity over the last several years, but lately it feels…

In this episode, I’m asking a question I’ve been thinking about for a while: Is the overlanding boom finally over? Overlanding exploded in popularity over the last several years, but lately it feels like things are changing. Social media is packed with overlanding channels, brands are sending free gear to seemingly everyone, expos have gotten bigger and more commercialized, and sometimes it feels like simply putting the word “overland” on a product automatically makes it more expensive. I share my thoughts on where the hobby is today, whether overland expos still have the same appeal, how influencer marketing and free gear are affecting reviews, and whether we’re paying an unnecessary “overland tax” for the gear we buy. I don’t think overlanding is going away—but I do wonder if we’ve reached the other side of the massive boom. What do you think? Has overlanding peaked, or is the hobby just evolving? Let me know in the comments! Here are a few links to things I mentioned in the video to make finding them easy: Hest Foamy Wide Mattress (fits in camper and is super comfy): https://amzn.to/4cFmXn8 320AH Heated LiTime Batteries: https://amzn.to/4zjd08I Movcan V30 Max Ebike (use code ATO120 for $120 off!): https://movcan.com/products/movcan-v30-max-electric-bike?sca\_ref=11762401.1ds6DMdrkY My Alibaba camper is from HiperLion. Want one for yourself? Here's a link to contact Hiperlion to set yours up: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Truck-Camper-Custom-Hard-Shell-Rooftop\1601727228413.html?spm=a2747.product\manager.0.0.380971d2UHgNse Also, they gave me a discount code that will get you a $170 package of accessories for FREE when ordering. Use code: ALLTHINGSOVERLANDING147 or just tell them All Things Overlanding sent you and they'll apply the discount. A huge thanks to my partners: Nitto (my Terra Grappler G3 tires are great for midwestern winters, wet weather, and all terrain use): https://bit.ly/41EJhbQ Z1 Off Road (pretty much the spot for all things Nissan): https://www.z1offroad.com All Dogs Offroad (amazing Nissan specific suspension options which I run on my truck): https://www.alldogsoffroad.com ICECO Fridges (the best fridges for the money, hands down-Use code ALLTHINGSOVERLANDING for 12% off your order): https://icecofreezer.com/ALLTHINGSOVERLANDING Moon Fab Awning (super flexible, non-permanently mounted awnings for all kinds of applications. This link will take you to more info on how I have it set up on my 3rd gen Frontier): https://moonfab.com/pages/experts/jason-fletcher Click here to join the Patreon community for exclusive content and access to the Discord channel: https://www.patreon.com/allthingsoverlanding Click here to get a patches or stickers: https://allthingsoverlanding.com/shop/ For a full list of my gear, check out this page for quick reference links: https://allthingsoverlanding.com/gear/ Looking for budget light bars, rock lights, and LED strips for your rig? Check out Nilight and use code ATO for 5% off! https://www.nilight.com/?ref=s8svsnv\d9qh&utm\source=ATO&utm\medium=Podcast&utm\campaign=Description For more great content and info, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or search for All Things Overlanding on all the major podcast channels! **YouTube:** https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsOverlanding **Facebook:** https://www.facebook.com/allthingsoverlanding **Instagram:** https://www.instagram.com/allthingsoverlanding **Podcast:** https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allthingsoverlanding **Website:** www.allthingsoverlanding.com **Newbie Overlander Facebook Group:** https://www.facebook.com/groups/367203658420467

In this episode, I’m asking a question I’ve been thinking about for a while: Is the overlanding boom finally over? Overlanding exploded in popularity over the last several years, but lately it feels…

Influencers, Free Gear, and Honest Reviews1:54 – 13:06

FletcherHost

1:54

So as I mentioned in the intro today, I'm talking about whether we've reached peak overlanding.

FletcherHost

1:58

You know, there you turn on YouTube and at least for me now, I'm an overlanding content creator, I guess you could say.

FletcherHost

2:05

So my feed might be a little biased.

FletcherHost

2:07

My algorithm might be a little biased, but I do feel like I just see new channels every day.

FletcherHost

2:11

And that's great.

FletcherHost

2:12

I'm not against that at all.

FletcherHost

2:13

I love that I see new content.

FletcherHost

2:14

I love that there's new people getting into the hobby.

FletcherHost

2:16

I love that there are new people creating content.

FletcherHost

2:19

I do worry a little bit, you know, and believe me, I'm self-aware.

FletcherHost

2:22

I know that I do a lot of gear videos and I do things like that.

FletcherHost

2:24

So there definitely is a valid argument to be made.

FletcherHost

2:29

And I see people post this in my comments all the time about, you know, hey, all these brands are giving out all this free stuff and it's ruining it for everybody.

FletcherHost

2:37

So I'm going to talk about that a little bit here in a second because I understand that, but I don't think I agree with it.

FletcherHost

2:42

So we'll talk about that here in a second.

FletcherHost

2:43

I'm also going to touch a little bit on, you know, expos and things like that, like expos now versus expos a few years ago, what's kind of changed.

FletcherHost

2:50

And then I'm going to finish up with talking a little bit more about like the gear itself.

FletcherHost

2:54

Is the gear... changing or these brands still sort of taking advantage, trying to like kill us with the overlanding tax, trying to make products just for profit or trying to make products that actually benefit people that like to disperse camp, car camp, overland, whatever you want to call it.

FletcherHost

3:07

So let's start by talking a little bit about the social media space, right? These influencers, if you will.

FletcherHost

3:13

I would never call myself an influencer.

FletcherHost

3:14

I kind of think it's kind of a gross term.

FletcherHost

3:16

I don't view it that way that I'm not trying to influence anyone one way or another.

FletcherHost

3:20

I'm trying to provide information.

FletcherHost

3:21

That's my channel is mostly about budget stuff because I think that so much of this gear is overpriced and too expensive for what it is.

FletcherHost

3:28

And then also just educational content, right? And not to say that I know anything more than anyone else either.

Influencers, Free Gear, and Honest Reviews1:54 – 13:06

FletcherHost

1:54

So as I mentioned in the intro today, I'm talking about whether we've reached peak overlanding.

FletcherHost

1:58

You know, there you turn on YouTube and at least for me now, I'm an overlanding content creator, I guess you could say.

FletcherHost

2:05

So my feed might be a little biased.

FletcherHost

2:07

My algorithm might be a little biased, but I do feel like I just see new channels every day.

FletcherHost

2:11

And that's great.

FletcherHost

2:12

I'm not against that at all.

FletcherHost

2:13

I love that I see new content.

FletcherHost

2:14

I love that there's new people getting into the hobby.

FletcherHost

2:16

I love that there are new people creating content.

FletcherHost

2:19

I do worry a little bit, you know, and believe me, I'm self-aware.

FletcherHost

2:22

I know that I do a lot of gear videos and I do things like that.

FletcherHost

2:24

So there definitely is a valid argument to be made.

FletcherHost

2:29

And I see people post this in my comments all the time about, you know, hey, all these brands are giving out all this free stuff and it's ruining it for everybody.

FletcherHost

2:37

So I'm going to talk about that a little bit here in a second because I understand that, but I don't think I agree with it.

FletcherHost

2:42

So we'll talk about that here in a second.

FletcherHost

2:43

I'm also going to touch a little bit on, you know, expos and things like that, like expos now versus expos a few years ago, what's kind of changed.

FletcherHost

2:50

And then I'm going to finish up with talking a little bit more about like the gear itself.

FletcherHost

2:54

Is the gear... changing or these brands still sort of taking advantage, trying to like kill us with the overlanding tax, trying to make products just for profit or trying to make products that actually benefit people that like to disperse camp, car camp, overland, whatever you want to call it.

FletcherHost

3:07

So let's start by talking a little bit about the social media space, right? These influencers, if you will.

FletcherHost

3:13

I would never call myself an influencer.

FletcherHost

3:14

I kind of think it's kind of a gross term.

FletcherHost

3:16

I don't view it that way that I'm not trying to influence anyone one way or another.

FletcherHost

3:20

I'm trying to provide information.

FletcherHost

3:21

That's my channel is mostly about budget stuff because I think that so much of this gear is overpriced and too expensive for what it is.

FletcherHost

3:28

And then also just educational content, right? And not to say that I know anything more than anyone else either.