One of the most common questions we hear at Hawkes Outdoors is simple but loaded:
“What’s the right way to overland?”
The truth is, there isn’t one.
Some people overland on weekends. Others take long seasonal trips. Some work remotely from the road. Some travel solo, some with families, some with dogs and bikes and a lot of gear.
That flexibility is exactly what makes overlanding so powerful.
Overlanding is not a checklist or a single lifestyle. It is a way of traveling that adapts to your life, not the other way around.
Overlanding Looks Different for Everyone
Social media often paints overlanding as one specific image, long trips, extreme terrain, fully built rigs, and months away from home. While that is one version, it is far from the only one.
In reality, most people fall into one of three broad overlanding lifestyles, and none of them are more valid than the others.
1. The Weekend Warrior
This is where most people start, and honestly, where many people stay.
Weekend warriors use their overlanding vehicles to escape town for a night or two. State parks, forest roads, river spots, and nearby public land are the usual destinations. These trips are short, intentional, and incredibly refreshing.
For this lifestyle, comfort and simplicity matter most. Reliable power, organized storage, and easy camp setup make spontaneous trips possible.
This is where trusted brands like Goal Zero and Jackery shine. Portable power systems allow quick overnight trips without complicated installs.
A solid fridge setup from Dometic also goes a long way for short trips, especially for families or couples who want easy meals without coolers.
2. The Extended Explorer
Extended explorers take longer trips, maybe a week, a month, or a season at a time. These travelers want a balance of comfort and capability.
They care about:
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Power systems that can handle longer off-grid stays
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Organized storage that keeps life functional
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Sleeping setups that feel good night after night
This is where integrated vehicle systems from Redarc and storage solutions from Goose Gear make a big difference.
Extended explorers do not need extreme builds. They need dependable systems that work consistently and scale with longer travel.
3. The Full-Time or Remote Explorer
Some people take overlanding full time. They work remotely, travel long term, or live on the road for extended periods.
For these explorers, the rig becomes home.
Comfort, reliability, and efficiency are everything. Power systems must support daily work. Storage needs to be intentional. Climate control matters. Every system has to earn its place.
Roof top tents from iKamper or Free Spirit Recreation are popular for travelers who want fast setup without sacrificing comfort. Power and electrical reliability become mission-critical, making professional systems and smart layouts essential.
Your Rig Should Match Your Life, Not Someone Else’s
One of the biggest mistakes people make is building for a lifestyle they do not actually live.
Overbuilding too early can lead to frustration, unnecessary expense, and complexity that makes trips harder instead of easier.
The best overlanding rigs are built for:
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How often you travel
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How long your trips usually are
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Who is traveling with you
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What makes you feel comfortable and confident
The beauty of overlanding is that your setup can grow with you. What works for weekend trips today can evolve into something bigger later.
Flexibility Is the Point
Overlanding works because it bends with your life.
You can go from:
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One overnight a month
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To longer trips when schedules allow
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To extended travel when seasons change
Your vehicle should support where you are now while leaving room for what might come next.
At Hawkes Outdoors, we help people build overlanding vehicles around real life, not unrealistic expectations. Whether you are just getting started or refining a long-term setup, our goal is the same, to help you travel comfortably, confidently, and often.
There is no one right way to overland.
There is only the way that works for you.
👉 Visit Hawkes Outdoors to explore overlanding vehicles, gear, and systems built to support every stage of the journey.
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