Is Overlanding Dead?

[Tommys]

Folks,
This is a question that is increasingly being asked. I have researched this phenomenon and summarized how a rugged pursuit of adventure became a mainstream trend. But not before the curve of COVID.
Interested? Read/watch a comprehensive study on the subject that proposes an answer that YOU will make.
Overland Death?

 

[grubworm]

there's already a thread on this exact thing, but the "overlanding" thing is just like everything else that has a rise and fall in popularity...

overlanding is just like the "juicing" craze 15 yrs ago... there were people who juiced their fruits and vegetables for health benefits. been doing it for years without giving it a thought...just part of their life. there were people dedicated to this and it was fairly quiet until one day it just sort of blew up. suddenly its being advertised on infomercials and suddenly its all the rage and everybody is juicing and buying juicing machines. doesn't take long and all the big manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon with THEIR version of the perfect juicer. immediately to follow are different juicers and arguments over which is best. sales are sky high and certain fruits and vegetables are now getting scarce due to demand and that fuels the frenzy. after a while the hype dies down some and then someone comes out with the Nutri-Bullet where you now add spinach to the mix and make a smoothie out of it. got so popular that there were cordless versions being sold so people could make these ridiculous concoctions "on the go". there were "juicing communities" where people gathered to discuss juicing and how their version of it was better than others and even books written on the subject. over time and juicing communities withered on the vine and the once coveted juicing machines are now collecting in dusty attics and landfills. so the question is: does every fad die? yeah, as far as marketing it for profit and maintaining an interest in a country where people have the attention span of a gnat, always looking for the next popular trend to be a part of. but for those who were part of it before it became a fad...its the same to them as it was before all the hype and it will continue that way for them even after it fades into obscurity for everyone else...


hummm...wonder what happens when 2 fads meet? what about "juicing" and "overlanding"?

 

[Flipper]

The fad is over except for the die hards. This site used to be 4-5 pages of new posts everyday….now maybe 2-3 posts for a whole day. Looks like the party is over.

 

[smritte]

The only people asking the question are the ones who jumped on the "Overlanding Bandwagon". I cant even count the number of fads I've watched die. But yes, the people who jumped on the fad are wondering. For the rest of us the only difference it makes is our favorite areas are no longer crowded. The only good thing that came out of it is the evolution of some of the equipment.

I think the ones most effected are the ones who jumped on the fad and made u-tube channels. Now their trying to come up with any gimmick they can to get views. A good example is all the "Is overlanding dead" videos that started popping up about two years ago.

To directly answer the question, NO its not dead. The fad chasers just lost interest, that's all. As for the forums, the ones that catered to the fad are losing people. Others that had a strong base before the fad have only lost a few people. I didn't read your survey but I hope you included off-road forums that have been around for a few decades.

 

[Sparksalot]

The only people asking the question are the ones wo jumped on the "Overlanding Bandwagon". I cant even count the number of fads I've watched die. But yes, the people who jumped on the fad are wondering. For the rest of us the only difference it makes is our favorite areas are no longer crowded. The only good thing that came out of it is the evolution of some of the equipment.

I think the ones most effected are the ones who jumped on the fad and made u-tube channels. Now their trying to come up with any gimmick they can to get views. A good example is all the "Is overlanding dead" videos that started popping up about two years ago.

To directly answer the question, NO its not dead. The fad chasers just lost interest, that's all. As for the forums, the ones that catered to the fad are losing people. Others that had a strong base before the fad have only lost a few of people. I didn't read your survey but I hope you included off-road forums that have been around for a few decades.

The fad has peaked. Now the equipment buying opportunities are here.

 

[John and Mandi]

Nah, as far as I can tell, more people than ever are engaging in multi-country vehicle dependent travel. Now, trendy rooftop tent camping may be diminishing.

 

[JimBill]

The only people asking the question are the ones who jumped on the "Overlanding Bandwagon". I cant even count the number of fads I've watched die. But yes, the people who jumped on the fad are wondering. For the rest of us the only difference it makes is our favorite areas are no longer crowded. The only good thing that came out of it is the evolution of some of the equipment.

I think the ones most effected are the ones who jumped on the fad and made u-tube channels. Now their trying to come up with any gimmick they can to get views. A good example is all the "Is overlanding dead" videos that started popping up about two years ago.

To directly answer the question, NO its not dead. The fad chasers just lost interest, that's all. As for the forums, the ones that catered to the fad are losing people. Others that had a strong base before the fad have only lost a few people. I didn't read your survey but I hope you included off-road forums that have been around for a few decades.

In addition to he equipment evolution, the knowledge base has grown greatly, including trials still being mapped on GPS and the like. The best thing I like are the creation of long travel discovery routes.
Things always cycle. Another output of this contraction is the "minimum mods" videos coming out now. Just enough lift for the tires you need (not want), weight considerations, keep weight off the roof, do you really need 25 gallons of gas strapped on, and the like are now being questioned. My ill equipped daily drivable rig that fits in the garage is now in fashion.

 

[smritte]

In addition to he equipment evolution, the knowledge base has grown greatly, including trials still being mapped on GPS and the like. The best thing I like are the creation of long travel discovery routes.

I'm going somewhat agree with what you said. The knowledge base evolved with the equipment but mapping wise, most of us already had all the routes mapped. I personally gained nothing extra. What it did do was make people not have to explore and research to find things.

The minimum mods thing has always made me laugh. You have two ways to build a vehicle, proper and improper. A properly built rig has tuned suspension and the driveline match's the environment its driven in. This isn't new. When people ask me about suspension mods, they always remark "I'm not racing Baja with it!" That's correct because if you were the build would be diffrent. People just wanted to look good without the cost.

You mentioned, your "I'll equipped rig fits the garage". Cool, it should (unless you have an RTT). We don't need a bunch of bolt on crap, just what's we need for what we do. That just proves you are ahead of the curve.