Blue Ridge Bonfire

Welcome back to Blue Ridge Bonfire! This episode is PACKED with updates, new product launches, and some wild stories (including a 48-hour filmmaking challenge with basically no sleep).IN THIS EPISODE:🥩 Jerky Contest is BACK - Amish Smokehouse Sweet & Hot Review📦 NEW PRODUCT: Gotta Go Wallet (aka Pocket Pal) - EDC organization perfection🎟️ OAR 2026 Early Bird Tickets - April batch SOLD OUT in...

A little bit of everything in this one 🔥 In this Bonfire episode, we’re catching up after some great guests on the last few episodes — talking through what’s been going on lately, what’s happening in the shop, and a mix of topics that come up naturally along the way. From day-to-day work and current projects to random tangents and ongoing conversations, this is a laid-back episode that feels more...

Rack systems, gear setups, and what it means to build products in the U.S. 🔧🔥In this episode of the Bonfire podcast, we sit down with the Bernhard Leitner from Leitner Designs to talk about overland rack systems, real-world vehicle setups, and the thinking behind how their products are designed and built. Alongside the gear conversation, we also get into American manufacturing — what goes into p...

This one’s all about overlanding destinations — the places we’ve loved and the ones still on the list. 🌎🔥 In this episode of the Bonfire podcast, we’re joined by Josh Carter (known online as Gobi Recon) to talk about overlanding trip destinations. We get into some of our favorite places we’ve visited, what made them memorable, and the locations we’re still hoping to explore. From realistic weeke...

What’s it actually like to go overlanding with kids? 🚙🔥In this Bonfire episode, we’re talking about the realities of traveling and camping as a family — the good, the chaotic, and everything in between. From planning trips differently to adjusting expectations on the trail, overlanding with kids changes the experience in ways you don’t always expect. We get into logistics, comfort, pacing, keepi...

Cold weather, shop talk, and a few side stories along the way 🔥In this Bonfire episode, we’re talking through a cold winter week — layered clothes, wind, ice storms, and how winter weather changes the pace of work in the shop. As the conversation rolls on, we also get into Matt’s time at SHOT Show, what it’s like being there, and how it fits into the bigger picture. We wrap things up with some re...

Welcome back to the Blue Ridge Bonfire Podcast! In this episode, we’re sharing updates from the shop, new product releases, and a look ahead to SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Matt is gearing up for a week of walking, gear hunting, and discovering innovative outdoor products that inspire our next Ready Pack designs. We talk about: • Preparing for SHOT Show 2026 and what we’re looking for • New Ready Pack...

The first Bonfire podcast of 2026 is here 🔥In this episode, we’re kicking off the new year by talking about what’s ahead — new adventures, new products, and how we’re thinking about overlanding, media, and community moving forward. If you’re diving into a new season of overlanding, content creation, or just looking for some motivation to start 2026 strong, this one’s for you.👇 Jump into the conv...

Welcome back to the Blue Ridge Bonfire podcast! We're coming in hot after Thanksgiving weekend with stories of ultramarathon suffering, questionable bike ride decisions, and somehow surviving Black Friday madness. IN THIS EPISODE:🏃 Logan's Mount ultra race recap - 35 miles with 6,500 feet of elevation gain🚴 Rick's 68-mile gravel bike adventure (with pizza and beer pit stop that was d...

We’re switching things up this week on the Blue Ridge Bonfire! Matt’s out of town, so Logan and Rick decided to sit down and talk about our trip down to Georgia Bushcraft — what we saw, who we talked to, and what made the event stand out this year. Instead of doing a traditional recap, we wanted to give you more of a behind-the-scenes look — the drive down, the vendors we met, the gear that caught...

After disappearing for a few weeks (October was CRAZY), we're back with a massive update episode! We're recapping Outdoor Adventure Rendezvous 2024, doing an epic jerky taste test with Yellowstone Natural bison and elk jerky, and talking about the wildest builds we saw at Overland Expo. Plus, the READY Pack backpack pre-order is LIVE right now - link below! We also spill the details on an...

This week, our friend The Overland Medic stopped by the studio for a catch-up. We recap an awesome weekend at Adventure X Fest with the Mountain State Overland crew—sharing stories from the trail, rigs we checked out, and the overall vibe of one of the East Coast’s premier overland events . We also dive into some gear we’ve been testing and loving lately. Plus, Matt gives a quick shop update on wh...

Welcome back to the Blue Ridge Bonfire Podcast ! 🔥 This week’s episode is packed with everything from wild rigs and new gear finds to taste-testing local spirits and gearing up for fall events. We kick things off discussing a six-wheel Jeep Gladiator , dive into some new outdoor gear like the Nestout waterproof battery, and share updates from the BROG shop—including progress on our new backpack a...

In this episode of the Blue Ridge Overland Gear Bonfire Podcast, we’re mixing trail talk, gear reviews, and a little snack-time science—because who says overlanding can’t be delicious? We start with the Titan Terrain Depth Gauge—a weighted, buoyant pole with depth markings and a hand-lined reel designed to make water crossings safer (and way more fun). Then we head to Georgetown, DC, for a look in...

In this episode of the Overland Bonfire Podcast, we reconnect with a longtime friend of the Blue Ridge crew—someone you’ve probably seen in past trail tech videos and rig walkarounds. While he’s spent over a decade in the overland scene, this conversation is less about his latest build and more about where that journey has taken him next. Two years ago to the day, he made the call to shut down his...

In this special episode of the Overland Bonfire podcast, we sit down with Brock Stevens—a fellow adventurer we connected with through Instagram. Brock stopped by the shop in his 1971 Land Rover Santana Series II to sit down and talk to us. We talk about how we met Brock, his awesome new rig (a video of that is in the works), along with some other awesome things he is involved in. Brock currently w...

In this episode of The Overland Bonfire , we're joined by elite PRS competitor Keith Baker , who stopped by the shop while in town for a match. With a brand-new truck built for long trips and backcountry travel, it was the perfect time to help him dial in some overlanding storage solutions for his gear-heavy lifestyle. We kick things off with a jerky tasting session , then dive into a wide-ranging...

Buy vs. Build: Which Overlanding Rig Strategy Is Right for You? In this episode of the Bonfire Podcast by Blue Ridge Overland Gear, we're diving into one of the most debated topics in the overlanding community: Should you buy a turnkey rig or build one yourself from the ground up? Join us as we break down the pros and cons of building your own overland setup versus buying something ready to hi...

Get ready for a riveting Ask Us Anything (AUA) episode! We're pulling back the curtain and diving deep into your most burning questions about overlanding, gear, adventures, and everything in between. A huge shoutout to all our incredible listeners and followers who took the time to submit their questions. Time Stamps:00:00 - Intro00:12 - Jerky review04:28 - Any plans for a larger duffle?05:33 - On...

The BROG team dives deep into everything you need to know about vehicle power systems for off-grid adventures! Matt, Rick, and Logan share their real-world experience with trail power management, comparing different setups, and essential gear for extended overlanding trips. Whether you're planning your first overland build or upgrading your current rig, this episode covers the critical power s...

In this episode, we dive into the shifting landscape of overlanding gear, U.S. manufacturing, and the ripple effects of new tariffs hitting the outdoor and vehicle accessory industries. Logan and the crew chat about how these changes are impacting small businesses, gear prices, and what it really means to support American-made products right now. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: How new tariffs are affecting o...

Welcome back to another episode of the Overland Bonfire Podcast! Were back with more studio upgrades and furniture finds from the Facebook marketplace, including our epic new coffee table. We also chat about Logan's brand new vehicle project—a 2007 Land Rover LR3. Join us as we discuss the exciting build plans, including potential mods and upgrades, along with some more extreme suggestions (usuall...

Ready to level up your overlanding storage game? In our latest Overland Bonfire episode, we're talking abotu hard storage solutions for your off-road adventures! 🏕️While we love our soft bags, we can't ignore the durability and organization that hard cases bring to the trail. We break down exactly what makes the perfect hard storage system (hello, straight sides and stackability!) and share our re...

Welcome to the Overland Bonfire Podcast, presented by Blue Ridge Overland Gear! In this episode, we're tackling a common overlanding challenge—wasted space in your vehicle. Whether you're packing for a weekend getaway or a months-long expedition, smart organization can make all the difference. We’ll share practical tips and creative solutions to help you maximize storage, streamline your setup, an...

Sick of wasting money on gear that falls apart? In this episode, we break down how to invest in high-quality gear that stands the test of time. From spotting well-built products to choosing brands that back their gear , we’re sharing practical tips to help you make smart buying decisions for overlanding, adventure, and everyday use. ✔️ How to inspect product craftsmanship before you buy 🧐 ✔️ Why...