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Segway’s ZT3 Pro e-scooter is the perfect backcountry sidekick for overlanders

With 6 inches of ground clearance, treaded tires, and a motorcycle-like suspension, it's built for everywhere

By Mike Richard Published December 24, 2024

Closeup of a rider's feet and legs on a Segway ZT3 Pro electric scooter. — Segway

It’s a perennial problem for many overlanders: You follow a random backcountry trail to some epic spot, make camp, and then find a hiking trail or some other landmark that requires a drive to get to. For those times when you can’t be bothered to break camp (and have to re-set everything back up again), there’s Segway’s all-new ZT3 Pro. It’s an off-road-capable electric scooter destined to be your new backcountry companion transport.

Just like every other electric scooter on the market, the ZT3 Pro can handle pavement and city streets just fine. But where this beast really shines is off-road. It’s Segway’s first-ever multipurpose e-scooter designed for on- and off-road riding. That’s thanks to a combination of beefy, 11-inch treaded tires and an integrated dual suspension. It’s all part of the company’s SegRide system that uses a rear mono-shock and motorcycle-inspired telescoping front fork for rock-solid stability and rider dynamics over any terrain. What’s more, the ZT3 Pro offers a full 6 inches of ground clearance, making it the perfect auxiliary transportation to take you from backcountry camp to backcountry trail with ease.

Segway ZT3 Pro off-road electric scooter isolated on a plain white background. — Segway

It’s powerful enough to provide more than 43 miles of range in Eco Mode, or you can opt for Sport Mode, which sacrifices range for power to propel riders up to 24.9 mph. The onboard motor is even strong enough to tackle up to a whopping 25% grade!

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Like many of today’s best commuter-friendly electric scooters, the ZT3 Pro also offers Apple Find My integration and Segway’s own Airlock system. The latter allows the scooter to lock or unlock automatically when the rider approaches or walks away.

Contributor

Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…

Outdoors

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This is one of many rehabilitation projects in the area aimed at protecting aquatic species and managing water flow, since flood damage has been a major concern. Heavy rainfall, flooding, and recent debris buildup have heightened risks in the area.

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Golf ball near the hole

Maybe you've found a box of old golf balls in your garage, or an unclaimed one out on the fairway. You might be wondering, do golf balls go bad? Modern golf balls are actually pretty robust, lasting as long as five or ten years or more without significant degradation, but it's always good to check. Golf balls can degrade over time, and the signs aren't always obvious. Here's everything you need to consider when teeing up with old golf balls.
How to tell if your golf balls are bad

Look for structural damage
The first thing to look for is structural damage. If your golf balls have visible scuffs, cuts, or cracks from play, they aren't going to serve you well out on the fairway. These deformities, even if they are small, can affect the aerodynamics during flight. You might be okay with very minor dings, but use your best judgment.
Checking the health of the core
If your golf ball has no structural damage, now it's time to check the health of the core. I like to give them a gentle squeeze to see if they are firm and consistent all the way around. A bad one will feel softer or even squishy in places. Then, gently bounce the golf ball on a hard surface and compare it to a new one. If it bounces almost as high, that means that it's likely still good.
The saltwater test
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