I’ll pick a tent any day of the week. Ground or rooftop, it doesn’t matter. Weather? Hardly worth worrying about. All I ask is that my fabric abode keeps rain off from above and damp from below. Temperatures can be managed with layers and the right sleeping bag.

My rooftop tent is the most practical when I’m in my own car. My Nordisk Asgard is a spacious single-pole bell tent that’s hosted me, Elisabeth and a dog—but for solo travel it’s too big and demands serious packing space. For super-light trips I turn to the Nordisk Lofoten 2. It’s “two-person” in name only: just enough room for me and a pair of boots. I’ve camped out in all of them, in all seasons.

Still, I wanted a shelter built for solo travel that would

• house me and a scatter of clothes,
• fend off any weather,

• pitch and pack in minutes, and

• stay reasonably compact.


How about a swag? More precisely, how about the ARB Skydome?

What Is a Swag?

The swag began as a simple bedroll—a canvas sheet wrapped around a blanket and a few personal items—carried by itinerant workers moving through the Australian bush in the 19th century. Shearers, drovers, fencers, miners and farmhands packed their lives into a roll slung over the shoulder. They slept where the work was: under Eucalyptus trees, beside stock routes, along rail cuttings. The word itself likely travelled from British thieves’ slang—“swag” meaning loot—to the Antipodes, where it came to mean the traveller’s bundle.

Fun fact: The famous phrase Waltzing Matilda grew directly out of this world. “Waltzing” comes from the old German walzen—to travel or wander—while “Matilda” was bush slang for a swag. To “waltz Matilda” literally meant to roam the backcountry with your swag on your back. The expression surfaced in the late 1880s and gained national fame in 1895 when poet Banjo Paterson wrote lyrics for the song of the same name. His ballad of a wandering swagman became so beloved that Waltzing Matilda is still regarded as Australia’s unofficial national anthem.

Early swags were brutally simple. A waxed or oiled canvas sheet on the ground, a wool blanket or two, maybe a coat pulled over your head when the rain came sideways. No poles, no zips, no insect mesh. They were cheap, heavy and tough—perfect for men on foot or horseback who valued durability over comfort. Through the gold rushes, droughts and the Depression years, swaggies became part of the national folklore: self-reliant, transient, gone at first light.

By the mid-20th century, as vehicles replaced horses and camels on the long runs, the swag evolved. Foam mattresses were stitched in. Zips and storm flaps appeared. Fly-mesh kept the mozzies at bay. The big leap was structural: hoops and short poles turned the flat roll into a “dome” or “hooped” swag, lifting canvas off the face and creating a small, weather-shedding shelter you could still unroll in a minute. Modern swags use tighter-woven ripstop canvas, heavy PVC floors and stronger stitching—built to shrug off grit, rain and UV for years.

Long-Term Test

I moved into my one-man ARB Skydome in March 2021. I can say without doubt that I slept in it for more than a year straight: blistering summer heat, heavy snow, pan-European travel, one-night stopovers and long lay-ups. One storm stands out. During the 2021 Ahr Valley disaster—when biblical downpours turned the ground into a lake and floods killed more than 180 people—not a single drop made it inside the Skydome. The canvas stayed bone-dry.

More than four years on, the tent has plenty of stories to tell.

Out of the Box

The Skydome is a single-skin canvas shelter with a built-in mattress at its heart. It’s no ultralight—rolled up, it’s a hefty bundle cinched with two strong straps—but set-up is a breeze.

• Release the straps.
• Assemble the three hoops and clip them into place to form a tunnel.
• Slot the two cross-poles between the hoops for rigidity. Done.

Because I knew I’d spend serious time inside, I added an ARB Stretcher. Game-changer. You get in and out without crawling and gain a dry storage space beneath. There’s even a boot bag to keep muddy footwear out of the sleeping area.

A dedicated swag bag is available, but I’ve managed fine without it. The stretcher bag is large enough to carry it and the boot bag neatly.

Key Features

• Canvas: 500 g/m² (35 % cotton / 65 % polyester) breathes well and blocks wind and rain.
• Ventilation: Large side doors plus a window at each end provide excellent airflow.
• Bug protection: Fine mesh on all openings keeps out mozzies and other insects.
• Zips: Big, robust and easy to clean.
• Floor: Heavy-duty PVC basin about 7 cm high for superb waterproofing.
• Mattress: 75 mm foam—good comfort as supplied, excellent on the stretcher.
• Storage: Wall pocket, bottle holder by the door, overhead mesh.

Living with It

Solo travel demands simplicity. With no mattress to inflate, only a few minutes separate parking the truck from crawling into bed. The Skydome is freestanding—you can skip pegs unless the wind really picks up.

One aspect I really appreciate about this swag—and many others of the same genre—is how well it suits travel in unpredictable weather. Because everything is self-contained, you can set up in pouring rain with a gale blowing, without any of the faff that comes with inner tents and fly sheets.

Inside, there’s ample room to change clothes while lying down and plenty of stash points for phone, keys and a water bottle. Combined with the stretcher, sleeping comfort is close to a real bed—no exaggeration. Climbing out and straight into your boots instead of crawling onto wet mud is pure luxury.

Maintenance has been minimal but not zero. I re-waterproofed the canvas once after scrubbing off tree sap. More troublesome was mould: the Series 1 Skydome lacks roof vents, so condensation builds at the highest point. In warm weather it dries; in cold it lingers and breeds mould. Vinegar washes and a full re-proofing solved it, but it’s a chore and not a one-time fix.

The hoops have taken the worst punishment. All three eventually split at the joints—a mix of stress and UV exposure. Duct tape held them for a while, but after the third failure I’ll need a new set.

Highlights
– Robust outback-grade materials
– True one-person setup and takedown
– Spacious interior for a solo sleeper
– Lie back, unzip the door and watch the stars
– Stretcher compatibility equals home-bed comfort

Headaches
– Series 1 roof lacks vents → condensation and mould risk (fixed in Series 2)
– Large door lets rain blow in during entry/exit
– Hoop tubes weaken over years of heavy use

Verdict

Modern swags are designed for vehicle-based travel rather than backpacking. They pitch fast, breathe well and seal tight. The trade-off remains the same: extra weight and bulk in exchange for speed and simplicity. After more than four years of heavy use—including over a year of continuous nights—the ARB Skydome has proved its worth.

The Series 1 isn’t flawless: lack of roof vents means you must manage condensation and the poles eventually weaken under UV and stress. Yet these are serviceable issues—mould can be cleaned, canvas re-proofed, poles replaced. The Series 2 adds roof vents, which is a welcome upgrade, but the original still performs to a level most users will never fully test.

If you can spare the packing space and want a shelter that shrugs off foul weather with minimal fuss, the Skydome remains one of the most robust and comfortable solo options I’ve used—and I own everything from ultralight backpacking tents to full-size bell tents.

Technical specs:

Skydome Series 1
Length: 2.150 mm
Width: 900 mm
Height: (head to hip): 800 mm, (foot end) 450 mm
Rolled: approx. 1000 x 450 mm
Weight: 10,5 kg
Materials: Tent: Canvas / Floor: PVC

Stretcher

Length: 2.110 mm
Width: 820 mm
Height: 460 mm
Packed: approx. 1050 x 210 x 210 mm
Weight: 12 kg
Weight rating: 150 kg
Materials: Frame: Steel / Fabric: 600D nylon, padded top

ARB

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Will it fit in the car? A slightly superfluous question: It’s an accessorised Eurobox.

LxWxH: 40 x 30 x 27.5 cm and approx. 4.7 kg.

It plays nicely with other standard Euroboxes, so yes, it’ll slide neatly into 4x4s, vans and trucks. Not just that, it stows the vital bits and bobs you need to prepare and eat your meals. One box. Everything in one place.

Well, that’s the theory. So what have I learned?

Out of The Box

Just like the blue and yellow Swedish furniture brand, BOXIO makes the customer responsible for final assembly. Inside the package: hex key, spanner, and easy-to-follow instructions. Before you can boil some water or fry a sausage, you’ll need a clean workspace and fifteen to twenty spare minutes to put the Cook together.

But this is not rocket science.

At the end of the exercise, you’ve got a black Eurobox with a hinged stainless-steel hob unit, complete with wind shield and a single burner. Lift the hob and you’ll find secure storage for two gas cartridges plus ample room for pots, pans, kettle, herbs, spices, crockery and cutlery.

Finish? It all comes together nicely and you won’t be cutting yourself on any of the edges.

In Use

Let’s be real: When stopping for a coffee break on a long haul, or settling into camp for the night, minimal faff is great for boosting the comfort factor. Stop the car. Pull out the Cook. Get on with hot food and drink.

Be organised. It helps if you don’t just throw loose items into the box because you need to clear the space and ensure the vents are free when you light the gas. Once the Cook is stood on a solid surface and the cavity is cleared, turn on the flow of gas at the cartridge, lower the hob (which conveniently locks in the upright position), raise the wind shield, and light the easy to adjust flame.

Interestingly, the stove is not equipped with piezo spark. But hey, we all travel with the means to start a fire, so there aren’t any excuses for being unable to get a flame. I just feel it would be slightly more elegant if there was only a button to press.

The stove size is big enough to take a frying pan 25 cm in diameter. Enough room for most pots, kettles and popular stove top ovens, such as the Omnia or Hajka—unfortunately, it’s just a bit too tight to accommodate the Grove Grill & Oven.

Depending on where you set the Cook, the Eurobox gives it a firm footing and raises the cooking height—a neat detail I really appreciate—and puts it at the same level as the Wash which, with the optional bamboo chopping board in place instead of the plastic lid, doubles as a work surface.

I love it when things can be combined for increased practicality.

Do I just use the Cook when I’m out and about? No. Frying fish or deep-frying doughnuts is best done out of doors if you don’t want odours lingering in the kitchen. So, the Cook has a designated place under the roof in the garden as well.

Durability

Robust plastic and weatherproof stainless steel. The Cook is designed to cope with knocks associated with bumpy trails and outdoor living. Things can rattle around inside if they’re not properly stowed…use kitchen towels to cut the decibels.

Everything is solid. Of course, it has a gathered a few blemishes but, then again, so has my car. Overland with either and scratches will result. Patina. The surfaces are easy to keep clean and won’t rust.

The gas hose and regulator are approved and good quality.

Verdict

The BOXIO Cook is a tough little kitchen box that just works.

If you’re tired of skeleton stoves that need assembly every time and offer a wobbly footing for bigger pots, the BOXIO Cook is a clean, dependable upgrade. Use it on the tailgate, stacked on another Eurobox under the stars, or inside the van.

Competition

How would you like to take a BOXIO Cook on your next adventure? We’re giving away one brand-new BOXIO Cook this month. All you have to do is click this link before September 30th, 2025, and you might be cooking your next camp meal on the house. Good luck!

From €230 | BOXIO

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Until very recently I used to carry several single-use plastic bottles of water, albeit at the cost of loosing space inside the Defender and a big environmental footprint which I’ve been trying to reduce. On one of my guided trips across the northern parts of Portugal, I couldn’t avoid noticing a customer drinking water straight from the tap, which in this case was a matte green jerrycan located in the back of this vehicle and looking quite sturdy. After taking note of its name I went online and it didn’t take long to contact the manufacturer to get one for myself.

The LifeSaver 20000 UF jerrycan is made of hard plastic, holding just under 19 litres of water, and claiming to filter up to 20,000 litres of clean drinking water while removing 99.9 % of viruses, bacteria, cysts, and parasites. If you are a tech geek (or at least like to know your stuff), this is a Log 3 according to the NSF P248 compliance standards, for virus, bacteria and protozoan cyst reduction set by the US Army Public Health Center (MEDCOM). The filter is made of activated carbon which removes chlorine, taste and odour, hence improving the palatability of any water I manage to source while I’m on tour.

To use it, just fill it with water, and pump it up 10-15 times. Open the tap on the other side and a vigorous flow will come out to wash your dusty hands and face. For the ultimate camping experience, or if you just want to wash the mud off your boots, there’s a shower attachment which, at a flow rate of 4 l/min, provides a nice shower effect. Be mindful though that if you use standard jerrycan holders, this one might not fit due to its oversized dimensions; so check first before you click the “buy now” button.

Having clean, drinkable water always available is absolutely vital to preserve your health whilst on a trip, and it may even save your life should you have to use it to clean a wound (the name of this jerrycan could not be more appropriate). It helps protecting the environment from single-use plastic bottles too, so double points here!

€271 (excl. VAT) | iconlifesaver.com

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“We don’t offer anything, unless we’ve tested it to the exteme under real life conditions. Working closely with a number of specialist partners gives us the edge when it comes to supplying comprehensive solutions for ambitios overlanders.”

OLC Adventure’s self-supporting 270° awning takes just a few minutes to erect and features a well designed, lightweight, yet very robust structure. Each arm of the awning has its own pivot point and is enormously resilient due to the welded, double walled aluminum tube construction. Small risers on the arms give the fabric enough gradient for rainwater to drain away efficiently.

The telescopic support integrated in the third arm helps secure the awning to the ground if a mild breeze picks up. If the wind evolves into something more dramatic, three more telescopic poles can be installed in a snap. Four brightly coloured guy lines and pegs keep everything in place.

The fabric is tailored from impregnated and Pu coated 600D polyester which is light and durable, and provides UV-50 protection against the sun.

The universal mounting brackets and supplied fixings mean this 270° awning is ready to mount to almost any vehicle.

Price: € 850 to € 950

OLC Adventure | Booth T11

Abenteuer & Allrad 2023

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This is a winter tyre test I’ve been looking forward to for a while. Why? Because I am about to really push the envelope: Firstly, I hope to learn some new driving skills, and secondly, I’ll be taking Falken Tyre’s current winter tyres well beyond their normal street limitations.

After all, driving in winter on central Europe’s serviced open roads has become less and less a case of navigating anything more than a smattering of wet snow and maybe some ice. But if it does get frosty and white, then your attention is most likely to be on the other road users. Even if the roads were devoid of other motorists and pedestrians, you’d still be strongly advised against attempting to get things going sideways at speed.

So now imagine a huge expanse of snow and ice, a race-spec 4×4, the friendly guidance of the experienced @queristmehr.de instructors, and no-one else to get in the way. Time to buckle up…

I reached the promised plot of land shortly after exiting the Tauerntunnel. Thankfully, the erratic temperatures and forecasts of the last couple of weeks had dispersed. The thermometer had settled at -14°C, and blessed us with an abundance of crunchy snow and firm-packed ice under clear blue skies. Perfect conditions for snow and ice training on Falken’s Eurowinter HS02 Pro.

Available in 47 different configurations with V and W ratings for rim sizes between 17” and 21”, our cars are fitted with the 225/40R18. The HS02 has a characteristic 3-zone profile for superior drainage and improved wet road performance. Whereas the inner profile is designed for snow and slush, the outer area is responsible for taking care of dry and wet surfaces.

Keeping today’s objective in mind, we were less interested in the wet and dry performance and relied mostly on the specially formed Miura-Ori 3D sipes designed to improve traction and braking on icy surfaces.

After a brief introduction, we were asked to settle in to the 261 BHP Toyota GR Yaris with a curb weight of 1,250 kg—a power-to-weight ratio dependent upon traction if we want to put the horsepower and torque to good use.

And then I drove out onto the track with an instructor beside me. After all, this is about experiencing danger, not just talking about it. The test track is divided into several zones which build upon each other. The first exercise was to drive a slalom through a line of pylons. This was just to help get a feel for the car and the surface. Ice, ice and more ice, framed by a rise of snow.

It’s my turn. First gear. Second. A few moments and I was sprinting with 50 km/h through the pylons. To start off with, the Toyota was set up with an even 50:50 power distribution to each axle. ESP muted. Then the instructor changed the setup to track mode: 70% to the rear axle. Things quickly got more exciting and the tyres had their work cut out for them.

It took a couple of circuits going through the slalom before my confidence started to grow. I was nearing a calculated and controlled drift. The next two sections of the track took me to the next level as I learned how to set the car up in premeditated oversteer and drift through the curves as quickly as possible. It was actually quite a revelation just how much grip the tyres had on the ice—not too indifferent to how a free-climber uses his finger tips to gain purchase on the smallest of ledges to further his or her ascent.

It goes without saying that I lost it on more than one occasion and ended up next to the track. There was one particular long left-hander where understeer got the upper hand and the back end of the car ploughed into softer material with a spectacular explosion of snow. I kept my right foot firmly planted and the Yaris GR/HS02 Pro combination clawed me back on to the track.

Half way through the day, we stopped for a break. Closer inspection of the tyres revealed they still looked as if they were brand new and the tread was completely free of any compacted snow or ice. Proof that the sipes were doing exactly what they were designed to do: self clearing.

The final discipline today involved a section where, in addition to load shifting through left and right curves, the surface had undulations built into it. Would the car/tyre combo still be able to reassuringly follow the line? Spoiler: As long as you don’t overdo it, you can actually feel when you’re approaching the limit.

This final challenge drew upon everything I’d learned earlier in the day. At the end of each circuit, I tested how the car braked. Obviously, it took longer to slow down than it would on a dry surface, but the car remained stable and reassuring when steering around an obstacle.

CONCLUSION
During today’s extreme test, the Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro fulfilled what the designers set out to achieve. This wasn’t supposed to be about durability, or whether or not the tyres would be more economical to drive, but the 14% weight saving, compared to its predecessor, holds promise of improved fuel consumption.

As far as the overall performance on slippery surfaces is concerned (accelerating, braking, cornering), the Falken HS02 Pro fulfilled its promise. I felt confident in every situation and was able to keep the Yaris GR under control in situations well beyond those normally encountered on the highway.

falkentyre.com | quer-ist-mehr.de

Photography: Stefan Knopp, Michael Decher

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Fortunately, the forecast at the weekend promised ideal conditions for cleaning and drying the canvas.

Using a cotton/canvas shampoo, the tent was washed and gently scrubbed where dirt and moss had set in the worst. As it turned out, it was the first really hot day of the year and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. The upside was that the canvas dried really quickly. The downside…well, I wouldn’t learn about that until much later. Let me just say that the surface was far too hot for the spray-on waterproofing which dried upon impact and left a powdery residue.

In Romania, we got caught up in a wrathful storm which started late at night and lasted until the early hours. Shaken by wind (I actually thought I would be blown off the stretcher at one point), the deluge took but a few minutes before I heard a drip fall on my pillow. Then another and another. Just in case you don’t know how a Skydome is manufactured, the floor is made of a 100% water-resistant material which creates a basin with an approximately 80 mm high wall. This, of course, is brilliant at keeping moisture out—it’s also equally good at keeping water in. After half an hour, I had to escape. My sleeping bag was soaked through. The pools of water that collected on its surface emptied when I turned to try and avoid the stream of water coming through the roof. I was soaked, the mattress was absorbing water like a sponge, and the level of water in my indoor pool was rising fast.

It took a couple of days before everything eventually dried properly.

Back at home, I researched other waterproofing alternatives on the internet and contacted Nikwax’s Chrissy Dorn for advice. I’d read some good reviews about their Cotton Proof, so it was high time to see if it stood up to its reputation.

Cotton Proof is supplied as a concentrate in a 300 ml bottle. Depending on the size of garment or equipment you want to waterproof, you can either hand or machine wash—for clothing, the machine-wash is the simplest solution. As far as my tent is concerned, it was a case of lying it out in the garden and applying the diluted mixture with a sponge so that it really soaks into the material. Doing this section by section takes time, but does ensure all surfaces and seams are drenched in an adequate amount of the white liquid. I then erected the tent and let it dry. Any excess material should be wiped off after about twenty to thirty minutes to prevent unwanted marks.

The canvas dried remarkably quickly, considering it was wet inside and out, and didn’t changed its appearance in any way. That was it, nothing else to do.

Since the application, I’ve had an opportunity to sleep in the rain, and I’m glad to say my Skydome is waterproof again. I haven’t noticed any excessive condensation on the inside either, so it seems the canvas is performing as it should.

With this positive result chalked up, I’m now going to revitalise one of my favourite jackets which has remained in the cupboard during the last season because it, too, had lost its repelling attributes due to age.

VERDICT
Nikwax is a water-based environmentally friendly product, PFC-free, and simple to use. At the end of the day, waterproofing either works or it doesn’t, and in this case, the product has fulfilled the task just as it says on the packaging.

For the best possible results, Nikwax recommend washing a previously used tent with Tent & Gear SolarWash in order to prepare the material for treatment with Cotton Proof. The Tent & Gear SolarWash review will be published shortly.
€14 | nikwax.com

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Let’s face it, seasoned steaks straight off the grill or a hearty stew simmered for hours on the coals are not only a good source of nourishment, but represent a key aspect of an active outdoor lifestyle especially when paired to a cold drink, feet warming near an open fire, and a clear star-studded sky to gaze up into.

In reality, however, building a fire, unpacking the utensils, and preparing the ingredients are sometimes impractical, such as during a brief stop to regenerate on a long journey, when poor weather prevails or arriving later than expected at camp. Those are the moments when a quick and simply prepared hot meal makes all the difference.

We asked five European companies to provide us a selection of their trekking meals to review. The tasters were six outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, three men, three women, each with a different approach to their favourite meals.

Due to the fact that taste is a very personal criteria, selecting an outright winner is very difficult in the sense that if the six of us decided a particular meal ticked all the boxes, this opinion doesn’t necessarily carry over other products by the same manufacturer or apply to another person’s taste buds. Instead, we chose to evaluate two meals from each company based upon practical criteria we could reproduce across all manufacturers and then include personal opinion.

While keeping our focus upon meals readily available to our European audience, this evaluation coincides with a tasting performed by our colleagues in the US. Hence, we have followed some of the guidelines laid out by Scott Brady:

WHY PACK SHELF-STABLE MEALS?

As with anything we pack in our vehicles or motorcycles, even food requires justification. Simplicity should always remain the mantra, leaving any grand aspirations of meal prepper nirvana at the altar of payload. However, that makes a case for having shelf-stable meals in the vehicle. They are often designed for backpacking; the packaging is compact and lightweight, and the food requires minimal cooking complexity to prepare. The newest meals are also quite delicious and notably healthy, so it is the perfect excuse to turn a day trip into an overnighter—everything is already on hand. Scott: “I keep a combination of backpacking meals and dry goods with me, along with a simple Primus Lite+ all-in-one stove, and a few bowls and sporks. I have used these meals many times on the road or during impromptu camps. They are essential to have for backup when the fridge stops working, or even to help someone else in need.”

Backpacking meals can also be a necessity in certain conditions where it is impossible to keep fresh food for extended periods of time, such as during long desert crossings or polar expeditions. Scott survived on freeze-dried and dehydrated meals for months during his Antarctic and Greenland crossings, and they never failed to warm the belly and feed the spirit when it was -40°. These meals are also a key consideration for remote motorcycle travel, where weight and space are at a premium. With that, the motorcyclist should also be looking for maximum calorie load from the meal, as riding adventure bikes in the dirt is a serious energy expense.

SELECTING THE BEST MEALS

The best piece of advice is to try the meals before making a bulk investment and read the reviews on popular outdoor sites. The flavour and quality of these products vary wildly, with some tasting worse than military field rations and others being hardly distinguishable from something served at your local diner.

Weight and Packability This consideration is primarily for the motorcyclist, but the packaging of these meals varies widely, particularly when you compare the calorie density. It is also important to calculate how much water is needed for rehydrating and plan accordingly. In areas where fresh water is plentiful (and can be filtered), then rehydration is not a problem. However, in areas where hauling water is a factor, there is no downside to bringing shelf-stable meals such as Adventure Menu (the only non-dehydrated meals in this evaluation).

Health, Nutrition, and Calorie Density Travellers can have a wide range of nutritional and dietary restrictions or preferences. Fortunately, it is easy to find vegan, vegetarian, or pescetarian meals that are gluten-free, dairy-free, etcetera. Those with nut allergies will have a more difficult time. It is also possible to find meals with higher protein content, but it is far more challenging to purchase keto- and paleo-friendly options.

Flavour and Palatability In my experience, nearly every backpacking meal tastes amazing at the end of a long day of hiking, so we tested this lineup from the comfort of a controlled domestic environment.

Ease of Preparation For preparation, we evaluated how easy it was to open the package and how much water was needed for rehydration. The dehydrated meals took the longest to make, with some taking as long as 15 minutes.

TESTING CRITERIA

We emphasised a combination of objective and subjective criteria, with a weighting toward taste as determined by our panel of judges. We selected brands based upon their reputation in the industry and chose a broad range of options for travellers with diverse food needs. There are certainly more options out there, but it is our job to thin the herd down to a manageable few.

On testing day, we gathered six team members for a long lunch of tasting, banter, and judging. Fortunately, our team represents a wide range of foodies, with some being more interested in texture, others being more excited about taste, and a few being most interested in the nutrition of the meals. We selected two meals from each manufacturer and prepared them according to the instructions to validate cook time before sampling for aroma and palatability.

Adventure Menu meals were prepared in a frying pan on an induction stove. For dehydrated meals, we boiled water in an electric kettle to ensure repeatability, before adding the precise measure of liquid to the bag according to the instructions. The meal was then stirred as directed and left to cook for the prescribed time. Any variations to cook time were recorded. Each meal was served on a new paper plate and eaten using bamboo forks. The evaluators made notes and ratings on texture, flavour, appeal, temperature, salt level, accuracy of hydration, and closeness to actual food. Additional comments were noted, and all of the scores were aggregated into separate overall ratings, weighted ratings, and then an overall combined scoring. The evaluation was certainly dynamic but filled with critical commentary and impressions. Despite all of us being as objective as possible, it would be impossible to accurately and appropriately evaluate these meals without a quorum of overlanders to balance individual biases.

BEFORE YOU COMMIT

The best piece of advice is to try the meals before making a bulk investment and read the reviews on popular outdoor retailer sites. The flavour and quality of these products vary wildly, with some tasting worse than military field rations and others being hardly distinguishable from something served at your local diner.

Clockwise from top: Precise measurements were critical to the evaluation and proper rehydrating—but the process is really easy, simply pour boiling water into the bag, reseal, and wait. Not surprisingly, the food that looked good dried tasted better, too. Savouring the aroma of herbs and spices wafting from the bag. The meals had informative, and sometimes even humorous labelling. Opening page: This is not your grandpa’s backpacking food, the options for shelf-stable meals are better than ever.

ADVENTURE MENU | CHICKEN KORMA | ROAST BEEF

Real food to go…ready-to-eat meals.

Adventure Menu from the Czech Republic are best known for their range of 16 savoury ready-to-eat meals, two sweet meals, two trail mixes, and two types of jerky. Sterilising ensures an excellent shelf life on the one hand, but does mean that these hydrated meals weigh more than their counterparts. However, you do not need to transport or source extra water, nor do you need to carry a stove if you choose to use the Flameless Heating System which is a practical accessory. Most notably, Adventure Menu meals are by far the fastest to prepare.

The recommended storage temperature lies between 1 and 30°C which could present an issue if stored in a vehicle in particularly hot or cold regions for prolonged periods. Out of the bag, into the pan, ready to eat in two to three minutes. By far the quickest preparation in this evaluation. Alternatively, you can reheat the meals inside the bag in a pot of hot water for ten minutes.

CHICKEN KORMA WITH RICE

Presented on a plate, the ingredients were easily distinguishable, and the aroma held promise of a real curry. The rice had not become soggy, the texture of the meat was as if freshly prepared, and the sauce was smooth. However, the flavour was good but did not match the aroma insofar as the oriental herbs and spices were not as powerful as we had anticipated.
400g | 556 calories | 29g protein | €9, one serving | adventure-menu.com

ROAST BEEF WITH THYME Premium

First of all, this Premium dish is pure meat in a sauce without any vegetables, potatoes, rice, or pasta, making it an excellent source of quality protein. The flavour and aroma were regarded as amazing, even if the well proportioned morsels of meat were a little dry—something which may be less pronounced if prepared in the bag and/or combined with a side dish.
200g | 358 calories | 37g protein | €11.50, two servings | adventure-menu.com

PROS

• Long shelf life
• 100% fresh, recognisable ingredients, and no preservatives
• Many gluten-free options
• “Simple fast food; good taste; quick and easy—also good for microwave.” -Mike (Chicken)
• “Big chunks of meat—would make a good pulled beef.” -Stefan (Beef)

CONS

• Chicken needs more spice
• Beef needs side dish and/or sauce
• “It’s pretty bland—smelled more like curry than it tasted.” -Elisabeth (Chicken)
• “A bit dry on its own—smells of thyme but flavour gets lost.” -Claudia (Beef)

DRY TECH | CREAMY SALMON | PULLED PORK

BAM! This tastes so good.

Founded in 1989, the Norwegian family business produces Scandinavian cuisine packed with flavours and textures which met with approval by all our tasters. In addition to the REAL Turmat outdoor meals, the range extends to On The Go energy foods and drinks, and NATO approved lightweight Field Meals.

Not only are the Turmat meals freeze-dried, they are also vacuum packed. This may well be part of their secret to creating meals packed with class-leading aroma and flavour. As the notice on the back of the packet implies, the contents are rock hard and firmly compressed meaning they need to be mindfully stirred for all ingredients to become thoroughly rehydrated. Prepared in the resealable ziplock bag, both meals were rehydrated with the specified amount of water in eight minutes.

The bags have a second tear line to facilitate eating.

CREAMY SALMON WITH PASTA

On the plate, this meal presented itself by filling the room with aroma and looking enticingly good. When the one member of the team who readily declines any fish dish says that “this is actually ok”, then that is a credit to the flavours. Some of the larger pieces of salmon could have benefitted from a little more time, but together, with the creamy sauce and al dente pasta, this made a delightful meal.
500g | 601 calories | 21g protein | NOK105, one serving | realoutdoorfood.com

PULLED PORK WITH RICE

Pulled pork has grown to become a popular street food, so expectations were quite high. Opening the bag after the eight-minute wait and you are greeted by a surprisingly smoky aroma. On the plate, the meat is not so readily discernible, but the compliment of flavourful sauce, slightly crunchy onions, and rice made this a popular meal amongst all of the tasters.
500g | 547 calories | 20g protein | NOK105, one serving | realoutdoorfood.com

PROS

• Highest evaluator taste rating
• Freeze-dried and vacuum packed for extra food safety
• Moist; well seasoned
• “Looks, smells and tastes like fresh food—I even like their slogan Dinner is served, folks!” -Caro (Salmon)
• “Yummy, my favourite—a balanced meal that you can look forward to after a long day’s hike.” -Stefan (Pulled Pork)

CONS

• Requires extra care when mixing
• “I’m not a fish person but this is actually okay—bigger salmon chunks are a little chewy.” -Tristan (Salmon)
• “Aromatic dish—but doesn’t look like Pulled Pork.” -Claudia (Pulled Pork)

TREK’N EAT | BEEF STROGANOFF | CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

Quality meals for every occasion.

Trek’n Eat is a subsidiary of the Katadyn Group, well known for water filtration and brands like Optimus and SteriPEN. Currently celebrating their 40th anniversary, Trek’n Eat have built a reputation for providing all natural, healthy and nutritious meals that are simple to prepare, yet free from preservatives, white sugar, artificial colouring or flavouring. As we discovered in the past, the vast range of meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner are virtually unparalleled.

Large pictograms provide clear instructions for preparation. A second tear line makes eating out of the bag more manageable. The cooking process was straightforward. The amount of water could be reduced slightly to make the finished meal less of a stew.

BEEF STROGANOFF WITH RICE

With the bag folded to the specified water level, hot water was added, the ingredients stirred, and the bag resealed for a ten-minute wait. Presented on a plate, the ready-to-eat meal was wetter than expected. Despite being well seasoned, to the extent of being slightly salty, the taste lacked the distinctive flavours of a stroganoff.
540g | 670 calories | 23g protein | €6, one serving | trekneat.com

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

A meal recognised as Britains unofficial national dish with its origin cloaked in mystery…Scotland, England, India? This debate is never-ending. So, when 50% of the tasters are curry fans who have frequently enjoyed this particular menu item in the UK, the game was on. The aroma rising from the steaming bag was enticing and enhanced by good texture and flavour with ingredients maintaining the natural crunch of freshness. This meal certainly does justice to a mild curry but without the typical colour and mix of spices associated with the name.
470g | 566 calories | 26g protein | €8, one serving | trekneat.com

PROS

• Quality, recognisable ingredients, and no preservatives
• Many gluten-free options
• “Well seasoned—but unfortunately not my taste.” -Caro (Beef)
• “Nice flavour and good texture—chicken tastes like chicken and onions are still crisp.” -Tristan (Chicken)

CONS

• Soggy, too much liquid
• Needs more spice
• “Reminds me of instant mushroom cream sauce.” -Stefan (Beef)
• “Tasty—but I miss the distinct tikka masala flavour and colour.” -Elisabeth (Chicken)

FIREPOT | MUSHROOM RISOTTO | PASTA BOLOGNESE

Handmade in Dorset, UK.

The company was founded in 2014 out of a passion for trekking and a yearning for flavourful food easy to prepare in the wilderness. The menu is made up of ten meals of which eight are available in half size portions so that you can taste them before stocking up on supplies for your adventure. Firepot offers the option of compostable packaging which is guaranteed to disintegrate within a year. Whilst being environmentally friendly, you cannot prepare the meal in the bag, entailing you to carry a cook pot with you.

Orders are prepared fresh without additives, and each meal is also available in extra large portions for particularly strenuous adventures where a higher calorie uptake is required. Firepot meals take 15 minutes to prepare and require a little extra patience compared to the other meals in the evaluation.

PORCINI MUSHROOM RISOTTO vegan

Risotto is renowned for being a filling meal, and this variant of a typically Italian meal does justice to its name and origin. Flavour, texture and general appeal ranked highly with the level of salt being just right for all the tasters. The hydration time could still have been slightly longer to ensure all the mushrooms and rice were tender.
535g | 560 calories | 11.5g protein | from £7, one serving | firepotfood.com

ORZO PASTA BOLOGNESE

Pasta Bolognese is a firm favourite for family members of all ages. Once prepared according to the instructions and served on plates, the pasta was al dente despite the meal being more liquid than expected. Firepot pride themselves in having a higher meat content in their sauces than their competitors, but still we found the meaty flavour missing along with that of tomato. Seasoning was on the mild side and required added salt.
460g | 635 calories | 36g protein | from £7, one serving | firepotfood.com

PROS

• Produced to order
• All-natural ingredients, no artificial additives
• Many gluten-free options
• “Well seasoned—tastes like you expect a mushroom risotto to taste.” -Elisabeth (Risotto)
• “Looks okay and pasta is still al dente—but meat lacks flavour.” -Tristan (Bolognese)

CONS

• Longest hydration time
• Missing instructions for waste disposal
• “Some mushrooms are still rubberlike.” -Stefan (Risotto)
• “Disappointing—too much liquid, too little flavour.” -Mike (Bolognese)

ADVENTURE FOOD | CHICKEN CURRY | VEGGIE COUSCOUS

Powered by Hans van der Meulen.

A 70-day trek to the North Pole in 1997, and an ascent to the top of Mount Everest without additional oxygen in 2002, brought home the necessity for nutritional value, taste and ease of preparation under extreme conditions. Adventure Food was born in the Netherlands.
The menu selection is diversified and provides variety for the three main meals of the day plus snacks which includes very tasty and nourishing energy bars. Adventure Food is the only manufacturer in this evaluation to include palm oil in its ingredients. The pouches are sturdy and easy to open. Preparation time is eight minutes.

CHICKEN CURRY

Once prepared and served on plates, the aroma was less convincing than the appearance which was a colourful array of tender beans, rice, and bell peppers. In comparison, the chicken pieces were very small without any noticeable flavour and did not rehydrate fully. Better classed as a mild risotto, the sauce was smooth but would benefit from more herbs, spices, and salt.
515g | 600 calories | 18g protein | €6, one serving | adventurefood.com

VEGGIE COUSCOUS

Couscous is simple, nourishing and satiating. This meal was no exception: after the eight minutes had passed, the couscous was tender and the open bag released an aroma with a hint of mint. The ingredients included raisins, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and peas, all of which were properly hydrated except the latter which would have benefitted from added time. Texture was pleasing, the vegetables were decently sized, and their flavour was good. This is a meal you can keep in the kitchen at home to satisfy those late night hunger pangs.
454g | 600 calories | 17g protein | €6, one serving | adventurefood.com

PROS

• Good texture
• Fresh appeal, plenty of veggies
• “I like the taste—would make an even better veggie rice dish without the chicken bits.” -Claudia (Chicken)
• “Typical couscous, huge portion, nice minty aroma—I’d eat this at home.” -Tristan (Couscous)

CONS

• Chicken and peas are rubbery
• Needs more spice; curry taste is virtually non-existent
• Palm oil
• “Looks okay—can neither taste chicken nor curry or pineapple.” -Caro (Chicken)
• “Good aroma doesn’t match the flavour.” -Mike (Couscous)

VERDICT

This was the first time we have sat down as a group to test foods from a number of different manufacturers at the same time. As a general rule, we all fall into the category of vehicle-supported travellers with the ability to carry food supplies to last several days at a time. Consequently, this style of cuisine is rather the exception than the norm.

During a long afternoon, we tried ten different products. I am not sure if I am surprised or not, but there wasn’t a meal amongst them which any of us would adamantly refuse to eat again. On the contrary, I think it is fair to say that, had we pursued any physical exertion during the day and were sitting around a camp fire in the evening, each meal on its own would have provided a flavourful, nutritious and satisfying meal.

As explained at the outset, we prepared all the meals in a controlled environment and immediately transferred the contents to plates once the preparation time had lapsed. In a real outdoor environment, the food will remain in the pouch and continue to absorb liquid as we eat. Therefore, I am inclined to place less emphasis on comments regarding the wetness or “slight” chewiness of meat or legumes. Note: I have yet to find a chili con carne that doesn’t have crunchy kidney beans immediately after preparation, which is why we deliberately chose not to include this particular dish in the evaluation despite it being a firm favourite—an indication that we are slightly more forgiving when out and about.

The manufacturers all used pouches which could be spread at their base for free-standing during preparation and eating. Due to their non-degradability, they will need disposing of responsibly. Firepot offers compostable packaging on request, but you are unable to prepare meals in them.

Finally, and taking the group’s demographics and varied food preferences into consideration, Drytech’s REAL Turmat meals stood out from the crowd and met with an unanimous positive response in regard to preparation, aroma, flavour, and nutritional value lending these meals an additional comfort food factor.

This article was first published in the Autumn 2019 issue of Overland Journal.

The post A matter of taste – improved technology means trekking meals don’t have to be a compromise any longer appeared first on overland-europe.

The Lazer Triple-R 750 Elite, upgraded for 2020/21, is a compact lamp with four high-output 5000k LEDs providing excellent distance illumination paired with a surprisingly useful spread to the left and right of the road/trail. The lens is made from unbreakable polycarbonate, and the unit is IP67 watertight. The aluminium housing has cooling fins and is anodised before being powder-coated for best possible protection against corrosion. After some careful surgery, the lamps blend in with the grille to transform driving at night and in the darker seasons.

Lazer manufacture their products in the UK, meet EU regulations, and have built themselves an enviable reputation for quality and performance in all segments of the 4×4 market.

Easy to install, the Triple-R 750 Elite is supplied prewired with Superseal connectors, centre mount and instruction manual. Five-year warranty.
£315.60 each | lazerlamps.com

The post Lazer Lamps Triple-R 750 Elite – Lots of light, easy to install appeared first on overland-europe.