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ON THE MOVE FEAT. MIKE PULLEN

ON THE MOVE FEAT. MIKE PULLEN

- 2025-03-03

​Land Rover Defender owner Mike Pullen is an outdoorsman, fishing enthusiast, and adventure filmmaker. The latter is an understatement, as Mike has nearly 2.5 million subscribers to his extremely popular YouTube channel, TA Outdoors. Front Runner Dometic recently chatted to Mike about transitioning from a regular 9-5 working guy to a full-time outdoorsman and successful YouTuber. ​

© taoutdoorofficial

Where does your love for the outdoors come from?

My dad is the sole reason because he had me carrying his bait bucket on fishing trips as soon as I could walk. I soon learned to love fishing, and he taught me everything there is to know about catching fish. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend the last few decades fishing around the world with my dad. We get on so well, and I love our random chats while fishing or being outdoors together. He’s had such a massive impact on my life, and if I could be half the man he is, then I know I would’ve done something right in my life. ​

© taoutdoorofficial


Has the digital age made it harder to get our kids outdoors?

The internet can be beneficial if used correctly and in small doses, as it helps inspire kids to find new activities or sports they might never have discovered. The fact that we can access it via a device in our pocket means it’s always there, and it takes great determination and discipline not to get that device out all the time to scroll aimlessly. I’ve put so much effort into my YouTube channel, focusing on inspiring the next generation to get outside. You can watch as much outdoor content as you like on the internet, but you will never feel truly fulfilled until you get out there and give it a go!​

© taoutdoorofficial


Why is a fishing rod the first bit of gear that you pack?

My Dad always said, “You never know what lives in those waters!” I think the thrill of the unknown makes fishing so fun. What if there’s a giant fish in that small pond that no one has yet discovered? There’s nothing worse than getting to an area of water and spotting fish but not having the gear to catch them. ​

© taoutdoorofficial

How did you make a success of your YouTube channel?

Determination. Most people thought it was a stupid idea when I gave up teaching to focus on my YouTube channel, but creating quality content takes lots of time and effort. To do that, I had to let go of something, and teaching is the part of my life I’ve left behind. Don’t get me wrong; YouTube is also all about good timing and uploading the right content that hits the right audience. It’s a much more complex game to crack these days, with so many new creators coming onto the platform each day. However, if you can put in the time, find your niche, and enjoy creating the content you like, you will find that others do want to watch your journey. ​

© taoutdoorofficial

What advice do you have for those who go to remote places in their vehicles?

How often are the once-remote places of the world plastered all over Instagram and TikTok? What’s the point in visiting them when so many others have, and they’ve turned them into a mainstream tourist attraction? I think the key is to pick a spot on a map that YOU would find interesting to explore and then head to that place to learn more about it. Ask locals about any interesting pieces of history or geological locations that would be nice to visit. The best part of an adventure is the journey itself, not the destination. To avoid the crowds, get ready to set your alarm early. Most people don’t like waking up early but happily stay up late. So get to that destination before others leave their beds!​

© taoutdoorofficial

How would you go about kitting out an old Defender?

A roof rack is a must as it frees up so much space inside your vehicle, and you now have the option to carry boxes, canoes, kayaks, SUPs, or even rooftop tents on the top of your car. You can also attach an awning to its side and have a full camping setup. Good, durable storage boxes are massively underrated. Especially ones you can attach to the roof as they stop the inside of your vehicle from getting cluttered with gear and allow you to stay organized. A fridge is an excellent addition if you’re going on multi-day trips. Especially if you’re heading to remote areas, you can keep food for much longer and extend the journeys that you do. ​

© taoutdoorofficial

What is the first thing you do when stopping at a campsite?

First, I check that my Defender is on level ground; if it’s not, I’ll use some wheel chocks to get it level so that I’m not constantly rolling to the side when I sleep in the roof tent. I think it depends on the conditions. Usually, if there’s wood to process and the weather is dry, I’ll try to chop it up and keep it dry. I then put up my 270-degree awning so that I have some shelter to duck under if the weather turns bad. If it’s been a long drive, I like to fire up the gas stove and get the kettle on for a warm tea or coffee. It also helps to keep my core body temperature up and stops the cold from getting to me early on.​

© taoutdoorofficial

What are your favorite bits of Front Runner Dometic kit?

The Slimline II Roof Rack is undoubtedly my favorite and most used kit. I have a 2015 Land Rover Defender 110, meaning I have a large amount of storage space with the full-length Slimline II rack installed. When the tent is not on the roof, I’ll tie down all sorts up there, including canoes, kayaks, long pieces of wood for DIY, and, of course, the yearly Christmas Tree! My Gullwing window and box would be a close second, thanks to the build quality. I keep all my recovery gear in there: tow straps, buckles, jump leads, etc. I also need a few camping essentials like my kitchen utensil set, fire extinguisher, and more. It’s functional, and I put my 270-awning on the same side so that once that’s up, I can access my Gullwing box in the rain and stay dry.​

© taoutdoorofficial

Which basic bushcraft skills should we master before heading off into the wild?

Learning how to layer clothing properly is one of the most important components of going out into the wild. If you don’t have the correct clothing, you’re failing from the start. If it’s cold weather, then for me, a Merino Wool base layer goes first, then a Merino wool fleece, and then a mid-layer jacket, and if it’s wet, then a shell jacket. Merino wool socks are great, too. Stay warm, and you’ll have a much better experience!​

Once you know how to stay warm, you can delve into more of the bushcraft skillset, and learning how to light a fire is a good start. Cotton wool covered in wax is a great fire starter, but consider dead grass and moss found high on tree branches to light a fire with more natural materials. Many climbing vines have rough outer bark that can be peeled off and buffed up in your hands to make a tinder bundle. The inner bark of some tree species, such as western red cedar, can be fluffed up into a ball and will take a match or lighter easily. A flint and steel fire starter is an incredible piece of kit that can make fire lighting good fun, even in wet conditions. Expanding your knowledge of the natural world and what nature can provide is arguably the fundamental component of bushcraft knowledge. ​
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© taoutdoorofficial

What would you pack if you were going on a one-nighter in your Defender?

A warm sleeping bag! You can spot the theme here. Staying warm is key to enjoying an adventure: a small gas stove, water, and my favorite cup of tea or coffee. A good book/magazine helps me to switch off. I try not to use my phone much on camping trips; I’d rather be more relaxed and switch off the technology. When your job is in social media, you tend to want to get away from it whenever possible! ​

© taoutdoorofficial

Where are your favorite camping spots in the UK?

I’ve always loved heading west to Cornwall, but it can be crowded, especially in the summer. I like to go to Wales, where the terrain is more rugged, and there are some tremendous off-road tracks and campsites to explore in my Defender. Or I will head up to the Lake District to explore some of the lakes, though I try not to go there in the peak summer season. Where I can and if time allows, it doesn’t get much better than Scotland. It’s remote enough to get away from people and explore in a Defender.

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