TREAD November - December 2020

winter won't keep us home

As temperatures begin to drop and cold fronts come in, many will be deciding if they still want to head to the hills for an escape, even in inclement weather. Is that something you’re willing to endure? Our lives are still affected by COVID-19 and our everyday activities still haven’t quite gone back to normal, if they ever will. I have a feeling those who normally stayed around home during the colder weather will be lured into the outdoors, the time away well worth the inconvenience of some rain, snow, and lower temperatures. Taking a page from other countries and cultures, there is still much to be gained and happiness felt from getting time in nature even when the weather turns cold. The Norwegians embrace “friluftsliv,” or a commitment to celebrating…

rock ’n’ roll

The right set of aftermarket wheels can not only greatly enhance the look of your truck, but how it performs on and off the road as well. Wheel manufacturers constantly improve their wheels by utilizing dedicated technologies and invaluable experience to produce wheels that not only look great, but ones that can contribute to increased wear resistance, damage mitigation, and even improved gas mileage. We collected some of the latest releases for you to check out; which set will you choose? MAMBA WHEELS/M25 Mamba Wheels’ M25 is offered in matte gray with a black lip edge and machined drill holes and styled with a rugged mesh-inspired design. Available in 5- and 6-lug options, the M25 comes in 17×9, 18×9, and 20×9 sizes. mambawheels.com BLACK RHINO/RIFT BEADLOCK The Rift Beadlock is the latest true beadlock wheel…

outfitted

01. ONX OFFROAD/ONX OFFROAD APP The onX Offroad App offers almost a billion acres of public land for you to explore, as well as 430,000-plus miles of off-road–specific trails, from dunes to peaks, in all 50 states. You can filter trails by your vehicle, so you can focus on seeing only dirt-bike trails. Zoom in on the maps and look for green trails. Green means they are open and ready to ride. Red trails are temporarily closed. Blue trails are “featured” with extra info like photos, descriptions, difficulty ratings, duration, and more. MSRP: Free 7-day trial, $30/year (Android & iOS) onxmaps.com 02. ARB USA/OLD MAN EMU FORD RANGER SUSPENSION KIT Old Man Emu is proud to offer an integrated 2.5-inch suspension system that easily bolts on and provides excellent control off-road. The Ford Ranger…

gear box

O1. MIDLAND/X-TALKER T290VP4 TWO-WAY RADIO The X-Talker T290 GMRS two-way radio set comes with two radios, charger, hands-free headsets, and more. Its sleek-yet-durable design fits perfect in the palm of your hand and the multiple power levels will ensure that the radio’s battery lasts all day. The T290 features Midland’s signature Weather Scan + Alert Technology, which alerts you of severe weather in the area. MSRP: $90 midlandusa.com O2. OFF THE GRID/TRAILBLAZER 4.0 PANTS TAPER FIT Made of stretch canvas, the Trailblazer 4.0 pants have an amazing fit. Pre-bent knee shape and crotch gusset allows for all the mobility you would want while climbing in and out of your rig. Nine pockets allow you plenty of places to stash your phone and wallet, while keeping items off your bottom for those long rides (your…

made the cut

As with everything else in life, using the right tools for your chosen activity, especially when preparing food, can make quite the difference. Preparing food while camping is a fun activity and can be especially rewarding when one shares the completed meal with their campmates. Foodies and adventurers alike are enjoying the latest pocket cleavers that are being produced with campside cooking in mind. Let’s take a look at compact cooking cleaver-style knives that are perfect to use when preparing your next meal. 01. CRKT /MINIMALIST CLEAVER Overall Length: 5.06” Blade Length: 2.13" Blade Material: 5Cr15MoV Handle Material: Polished Resin Infused Fiber Weight: 1.7 oz. MSRP: $40 crkt.com 02. ZERO TOLERANCE KNIVES /0230 Closed Length: 3.7” Open Length: 6.2” Blade Length: 2.6" Blade Material: CPM 20CV Handle Material: Carbon fiber Weight: 1.8 oz. MSRP: $180 zt.kaiusaltd.com 03. KERSHAW /STATIC Closed Length: 3.9” Open Length: 6.75” Blade Length: 2.9" Blade Material:…

a legend reborn

Do you ever get the urge to jump on a motorbike for a stress-free romp around the trails without having to deal with the bulk of a heavy off-road motorcycle? If you’ve been looking for a fun, easy-to-ride, off-road–capable bike, you’ll want to check out the all-new bike Honda has in store for you. Sixty years after Honda’s groundbreaking ’61 CA100T Trail 50 debuted, Honda is back at it again—this time with an updated, trail-ready, compact motorbike for modern riders. The motorcycle is designed for casual trekking on- and off-road and its styling incorporates the classic flavors of the golden era of motorcycling while updating it with a heavy dose of modern design and technology. The ’21 Honda Trail 125 ABS is based on 2019’s concept bike, the CT125. The CT125’s throwback…