A special version of the Forester designed specifically for camping and trail driving, coming straight from the factory with tougher tires, extra height, and rugged plastic cladding.
A rugged, lifted station wagon that is incredibly popular for camping and road trips because it drives like a comfortable car but can handle rough dirt roads.
A small, lifted hatchback that is perfect for city driving but has enough ground clearance to go camping on weekends.
Car
Subaru Loyale
An older, classic Subaru wagon from the 1980s and 90s that was famous for being simple, boxy, and incredibly tough in bad weather.
LIVE
Hey everybody, welcome to another edition of the Soobie Scoop, I'm coming at you, I'm
still at Overland Expo PNW 2026, I'm sitting in the Forester, and I don't usually have
guests on the Soobie Scoop, but today, I've got my buddy Ben, who hosts the Dirt Soobies
podcast, what's up man? What's up? What up man? You tell me man, this is like a Soobie
Scoop recap of Overland Expo man. This was a good year, some of the same vendors weren't
here this year that have been in the past, but all the attendees, especially the people
at base camp, it was like a converging of people from all over the country just getting
to actually meet for the first time. Yeah, I mean it's cool to come back to Overland
Expo and see people that I haven't seen for a year, like Derek Unpaid PNW, and he's just
the one, oh and then Brandon, Starscream, 12-1, and then his wife, and then some other
people like Kerry and Milton, because we did the Expo's last year, I got to see them pretty
much every few months, and then that's going to happen again this year, so it's nice seeing
them again, and then of course people from Subaru, and then seeing Sean and Dan from
Rune Management who help with base camp, and then Emily, the camp host, but it's just great
either seeing people again or seeing meeting people for the first time.
Yeah, dude, I was super stoked, I got to meet BMC Adventures, Ben, I got to meet him,
who else did I get to, I got to meet Joe 21 Ascent, I got to meet him for the first time
in person, dude, Fawzi in the wild was out, Sam flew his butt all the way from massive
shoe seats, bro, that wandering Fawzi. Yeah, that was cool, we were chatting one night and he said,
you know what? I'm just going to go, he's like, I'm just going to buy my tickets and I'm going to
go out there, that's so awesome. So he texted me, like right after he guys had that conversation,
he goes, hey, hit me up, I have some news, and I was like, I hope it's good news, and he's like,
you know, I'm going to come out to the Overland Expo, I was like, well, when did you decide to do
that? He's like, about 10 minutes ago. Yeah, so and then of course we had Rihanna and out again,
which was super, man, she's so awesome, because she just comes out, hangs out at base camp to like,
kind of go around to like different groups of people and sit there and chat with people for
a while and tell stories, and she's so funny, and playing games, you know, with everybody last
night, that was super cool. I was, who was I telling this to? I think Brandon, I was telling
Brandon and Cassie, I was like, dude, Rihanna is like the mom we all wish we had. She bakes,
she brought, I can't remember what she called it, she made these like frosted cookies that she handed
out at the rally talk that she gave. Dude, I need more. Yeah, she's super awesome, and just, you
know, the Expo itself is great, walking around, seeing all the different rigs and vendors and
stuff like that, like, you know, we get to go over there and hang out with Diode Dynamics,
I went and saw my buddies that Ryker Wheels, and then meeting some new people because they
had like, they're doing giveaways last night, they had a raffle for products, so they had
rumple, and it's like these blankets that you wrap up with, and they did a giveaway there,
so I actually went up to this woman, Jaden, she was there, and she was, I was talking to her a
little bit, and then she told me what booth they were in, she's like, come by tomorrow, I was going
by today, and talked to her, and she gave me a little bit of the story, and I'm going to contact
them about getting them on the podcast, because some people in the Subaru community know who
they are, and it's basically like, it's taking like the quality, and the comfort, and the warmth of
a sleeping bag, and putting it in a blanket form, so that you can like, wrap up around, you know,
outside when it's cold. When they pack up too, right? Yeah, they pack up real small. Yeah, dude.
But yeah, I mean, getting to see vendors, and either meet new vendors, or seeing vendors again
that you've met before, and again, just all the people, and you know, this is a great venue,
because you've got Subaru Basecamp right at the venue, so people can just walk right over to the
expo. Yeah, and just wake up, and get out. Yeah, the breakfast, well, you didn't, you would need
any of the breakfast for the dinners, but I was telling you, it's probably okay. I wasn't invited,
so yeah, you were invited by me? Oh, there we go. But yeah, so I mean, it's just the whole thing,
like, so you went over to Basecamp, you weren't camping there, but I want to get your,
give me your feedback on Subaru Basecamp. Well, Basecamp is sick, because I mean, I'm sure people
know what it is, but it's just something that's put on by Subaru, where they send out invites to
people in the Subaru community. And I'd say, what, maybe 30 to 40 cars? You guys telling about
right? I think there was like, I think there was a little over, yeah, at the main though,
I think there was a little over 40 cars. Okay, okay. Yeah, because they have a limit, you know,
they can only invite so many people out. Yeah, well, I think, dude, it's one of the sickest
things, because usually what I'll do, even when I was here last year, is just like a bunch of
Subaru people that literally all pull up into the field on the fairground, and literally just kick
it from sun up to sun down, walk around the event, you know, check out the different vendors,
and then go back to camp, make s'mores, talk trash, you know, just hang out. And I think it's super
cool, because there's a couple people, I know this year and last year, there were people who,
you could tell they hadn't really been super connected in the community before this,
like there was Robert that we were talking to today, or that I know you talked to him.
Yeah, but he's like a brand new Subaru owner, barely a year. And, you know, he got connected
with a bunch of people. And he's got a pretty nice setup too. He's got it all set up for camping,
he's got a bed in their drawer system. So refrigerator, and yeah, it's pretty nice. And
it's got the forest or wilderness. Got that green one. Yeah, about that life.
That's color. Yeah, I think don't they do like live music every night?
Yeah, base camp. They had live music on Friday night, and then they had a DJ Saturday night
last night, which was super cool. You got a bunch of footage of that. Yeah, I know. I was
trying to like capture as much footage as I can. I got more footage from this event than I did at
Arizona, because like in Arizona, it was my first time doing more video content than I've ever
done before, and getting video interviews rather than just all audio. But I wanted to get more than
just audio content. And that's what I told you. I'm like, I want to get video content. I'm still
editing from Arizona. This is my first time like doing long form content like that, trying to figure
out what to keep, what to cut, how to overlay images and other videos on top of the videos and
text on screen, yeah, all that kind of stuff. So it's just a learning process for me. And now
that I've done some of it for Arizona, then I want to try to get, you know, PNW edited sooner,
but I still got to finish up Arizona. Yeah, well, and we got to hang out with Mitch this weekend.
He was here today on Sunday. Yeah, Mitch and Ryan. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And you designed firm
and melee media. You did an interview with Mitch. Yeah. So 40. You got to tell us so you've even
told me in private, that's like your favorite interview you've done. Can you explain like
why, why that was such a good interview for you? Yeah. So at the time I was doing the podcast when
I interviewed Mitch, you know, I was starting to get some sponsors. I think I don't remember if I
already had Riker or something, but I kind of could see like, maybe there's a potential to somehow
take this full time. And I know people are like, Oh, you should just do the podcast full time. And
I'm like, Oh, I need to pay my bills. Right. But you know, Mitch, he started melee design firm,
because he was doing rally and he wanted to find a way to tie down his battery,
build a better system for, you know, keeping the battery secure. And he went to one company
and to try to get it manufactured. And they're like, No, we don't think that's a great idea. And
he's like, that pissed me off enough that I went home that night and started my own business. And
so, you know, to hear him like talk about that and say that like, you know, he wanted to start his
own business. And so he did. And then that way he could, you know, do what he wanted to do. So
like he went from being like an ER trauma nurse to doing something that he's really passionate
and that he really enjoys. And, you know, so I was doing the podcast and it was something that I
was passionate about and I really enjoyed. And just the fact that he did it, you know, and that he,
you know, took something that he was doing building on the slide because it took him a while to get
to doing it full time, but just his passion and dedication and drive to take something that he
started and then take it full time. And then now he's been doing melee design from the design
business for eight years, the media company for six years. And he's doing like really,
really cool stuff with it, things that he thought he would never be doing. And so it's just the
reason it's my favorite episode is just because of what he built out of it and his passion behind it
and kind of like following your dream. So yeah, it's been great. When he gave up, you know,
like a hefty six-figure income that was very stable in high demand with even more room for growth
in terms of income. And then he drained his retirement account just to do it. Yeah. And,
you know, you think about that, it's like he sacrificed a multimillion dollar retirement
in order to do this. Yeah. And he's now, he's just like working when he wants, working on what he
wants. And I'll be the first to say he's crushing it. Yeah. But working when he wants is pretty much
all the time. Yeah. He's worked, he worked really, really hard. He works a lot. He's gone all over
the place, but he's really enjoying it. And, you know, that's what's great. Yeah. So, but yeah,
it's, uh, yeah, this is a great event. It's great seeing you, of course, because last year you came
out to PNW and I had my family with me. So I was trying to like balance spending time with them.
And then, you know, spending time with people here. And so when you came by, it was very brief.
Yeah. Me and Patrick came over. Yeah. I was like maybe five minutes or so. And there was like a
lot of people there when you came by too. There's kind of like a lot going on all at the same time.
Yeah. And then, but you and I have like grown a lot closer. Yeah, dude. Since then, you know,
just talking about the podcast, talking about other things. And then now to like get to hang out
again and like actually spend more time together than just five minutes. Yes, dude. It's been super
cool. Yeah. We, we chat on a very regular basis about different ways to make money. And we talked
about cameras and mics. Yeah. Pretty often, it's been super sick getting to hang out with you.
Yeah. And just talking about the podcast and people we've interviewed and,
you know, same, same guests and who's coming up that other people don't know yet.
That's kind of like inside scoop. So yeah, that's been fun. But yeah, getting a chance to hang out
is, and that's like we were saying earlier, you know, same people that you haven't seen in a long
time or meeting for the first time. It's just hanging out with your super homies, you know,
it's a lot of fun. I got a question for you. Yeah. I know this is hard. Is there a favorite
build, even if it's not super favorite build that you've seen, why you've been here this weekend?
Oh, man, that's tough. It's like, I know. I mean, one of my favorites was Gustavo. He had that
lifted WRX with the Topo on it and lighting a ton of the IOD lights on it. I think that probably
was my favorite build just because, you know, I mean, it is a Subaru. I saw other builds like
around the expo, but I wasn't really paying attention to them. You know, I would just pass by
them and see them, but there wasn't anything that I was like, you know, just like focusing on. So
I spent more time around all the Subaru's that were at Basecamp. So I would say that his was
probably my favorite. If I had to pick like a second favorite or run it up, it was Jon's 2026
Outback at the Subaru booth. That thing is like super nice. He's got it lifted. You know,
he's showing what a 2026 Outback could look like because he's got a custom front bumper that he
designed. I wondered about that. Yeah, he did that. That's so cool. Yeah. And then he also did the,
what is it, the rails that along? Rock sliders. Yeah, rock sliders. He did those too. Okay. So,
you know, just seeing a lifted 2026 Outback with Riker wheels, which was super cool. I'm not biased
at all towards Riker. Was he running T-tons? No, no, no. He was running the, I can't remember
what the model name is, but it's one of the newer ones. I think it's a Rambler maybe. Okay. But I did
see a guy, it's guy Ollie. He has a second gen cross trick and he was running black satin T-tons
just like mine. All of us like black cross trick. Yeah. I was like, man, that's super cool. So he
and I talked about Riker, you know, and then Jon and I talked about Riker and then I got to go over
and see my buddies like I mentioned earlier from Riker. So that was cool. Heck yeah. I saw the
Subarista car. Oh yes. If I had to pick one car that got me super stoked, it's the Subarista and
the funny part about it, I don't remember if it was last year or if it was at some point early
this year, but I was talking to Patrick Anderson over at ADF. I think I was asking him if he was
going to come out on a, on a trail run or something with us that we were doing. Yeah. He was like,
no, I'm real busy. I'm like, he's like keeping on the download, but I'm working on something for
Subaru. And I was like, what is it? He's like, it's old school. That's all I'll say. And then he
eventually told me like, yeah, it's for an old loyal or whatever. And so I actually got to see
that car and they turned it in to, they were serving coffee out of it, right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean,
that car is just, it's so awesome. I've got it in, in my YouTube videos. So that I haven't put out
yet, but it'll be there. So because I did like, the one that I've put out so far on my YouTube
channel, if you want to take it out is our trail ride in, for, for Arizona, for, for Overland Expo
West. And that was our trail ride to edge of the world. I've, I just need to add an intro or an
outro for the, for Subaru Basecamp at Overland Expo West. So once I get that done, you'll see
the loyal, the, the Subaru sat in there. But yeah, man, it's been a, it's been a fun weekend.
That's what I'm talking about. Yeah. Uh, you got to tell us a little bit about the weather.
Dude, the weather was crazy. So last year it was really hot. And then this year it's been,
all right. Yeah. And this year, this weekend, it's been like in the high sixties, but it's been super
windy. And like yesterday we got a little bit of rain, or was it Friday? I think Friday,
yeah. We got some rain Friday. Yesterday it was overcast for a lot of the day. And then it was
sunny some and then overcast and then sunny and overcast, but it was so windy. I mean, it was
like crazy windy. And like when the sun starts going down, even though it wasn't out much during
the day, it just gets really bad. Yeah. I had to cover up my legs, man. Usually, usually I can wear
short shorts all day, but I was actually getting, getting a little chilly, bro. And then today it
was, you know, it was still windy, but the sun has been out, so it hasn't been as bad.
Yeah. We're sitting in the sun right now. Yeah. It's actually hot in the car.
Yeah. So, but yeah, man, thanks for chatting with me and joining me for the
subi scoop for this week. Yeah. Thanks for hanging out with me this weekend, man.
Yeah, of course. It was a good time. Uh, yeah. Tell us when your next episode's coming out.
So next episode is going to be next Monday and I don't even have a guest for it yet. So I got to
figure that out. So yeah, I haven't, I haven't talked to anybody yet. I mean, I have people on my
list. I just, just haven't done it because I've been, I've been busy prepping for this trip
and then working on UGC and then I'm not making the announcement yet, but I have another announcement
stuff that I found out last week. Very good news. Yeah. So, um, yeah, we'll keep you updated on that
as it comes around. Heck yeah. Dude, this was a blast, man. Yeah. I was glad to have you on
for the, for the subi scoop. Actually got to hang out in person and record in person. Let's go.
Yeah. And that's it. I mean, we talked about doing an episode with Mitch. Yeah, we need to make it happen.
And we need to do an episode with David and Pat from, um, the wave podcast too. Yes. Heck yeah.
That'd be fun. Come do a rally themed podcast with those guys.
Yep. Do. Well, thank you, man. Yeah, you're welcome. Super sick, man. Yeah. So that's it for the
subi scoop this week. Thanks for tuning in and thanks for listening to me chat with my buddy Ben.
Go check out the dirt subis podcast. Also, uh, I was wearing my Subaru Motorsports USA backpack
all weekend. I had somebody at the airport say, oh man, that's a cool backpack. He didn't own a
Subaru, but he complimented it. And then of course I was doing shameless plugs all weekend.
Go check out, you know, Subarugear.com, use the code SUBI and you 2026 at checkout to get 20%
off your purchase. Also just go ahead and fill up your car. Cause if your total is over $50
after the 20% discount, you'll also get free shipping, which is really, really great.
So, uh, thanks for tuning in and we'll see you on another episode next week.
About this episode
Broadcaster and guest Ben from the Dirt Soobies podcast connect live from Overland Expo PNW to recap the excitement of Subaru Basecamp. They share stories of meeting community legends like Rhiannon and Sam from Wandering Fawzi, while highlighting innovative gear from vendors like Rumpl. The conversation dives into the challenges of video content creation and reflects on a favorite past interview with Mitch from Melee Design Firm, who risked his retirement to pursue his automotive passion. It is a warm, community-focused look at the overland lifestyle.
In this edition of the Subie Scoop I give a recap of the weekend at Overland EXPO PNW in Redmond, Oregon with my buddy Ben on the mic too. He hosts the Dirt Subies Podcast!
