Shielded for the Wild:
The Story Behind Barriers44
Barriers44 didn’t start as a business idea. It began over 15 years ago when I bought my first all-wheel drive vehicle – a Hyundai Santa Fe. It wasn’t a hardcore off-roader, but back then, it was my ticket to adventure. I drove it through forests, mud, and places not found on any map. That was the beginning.
Then came a story I’ll never forget. I was driving a Renault Espace – completely unfit for off-road – and got stuck on a steep, sandy incline in the mountains. It was raining, dusk was approaching, and nothing helped – placing branches under the wheels, digging, lowering tire pressure – all useless. I was rescued by a stranger driving a Land Rover Discovery 2. That moment was a turning point. I realized I needed a vehicle that didn’t just look good, but could also help others when needed.
And that’s when I got my first true off-road vehicle: the Land Rover Discovery 4. A car I’ll always be emotionally attached to, even if the hardcore off-road crowd wouldn’t consider it a “real” rig. It was elegant, comfortable, and shockingly capable. It marked the real start of my journey. But also the start of disappointment – the first scratches from branches, small dents from rocks. Minor in appearance, major in impact. As someone who cares about every detail – each mark hurt. From that point on, I stopped babying the car. More scratches from narrow trails. More dents from gravel roads. And finally – one day, the car ended up on its side. That’s just the price you pay when you go beyond the tarmac.
Next came the Nissan Patrol Y61 – in the rare TB48 Super Safari edition. Underrated by many, but absolutely incredible: the toughest build, 300 horsepower, and unstoppable in the wild. It became my partner for the most beautiful – and the most painful – off-road experiences.
I remember our first trip to the Bałtów canyons – and the scratches. My first serious off-road build, where branches created a mosaic of scars across the paint. The sound of scratching branches on such a beautiful car felt like a dagger to the chest. Eventually, it rolled on its side. Unlike the white LR4, which hid scratches well, the Y61 in its golden-brown color showed every line – revealing the white primer underneath like open wounds. Some would say they gave it character, but let’s be honest: when selling a car, people care about appearances and untouched paint – as if it proves the car was never truly tested.
Travels through Romania, Poland, Czechia, Lithuania, Namibia, and South Africa – they weren’t just dust and adventure. There were rock chips, narrow trails, trees, sand mixed with gravel. I remember the Discovery sliding into a ditch, leaving a long scar on the side. I remember the gravel roads of Namibia and the stones flying from under the tires – beating against the bodywork, leaving their mark.
That’s when the need became clear. The need to stop choosing between a beautiful car and a real adventure.
After selling the Y61 to a friend in Romania, I followed the lead of seasoned Australian off-roaders and bought something that offered comfort, power, off-road capability, and space – enough for the whole family. That’s how the Nissan Patrol Y62 5.6 V8 project was born. It started stock and, over a few months – thanks to advice from Australian friends and help from Warsztat4x4 near Warsaw – it transformed into a proper expedition rig with 35s, a lift, rooftop tent, custom storage, and a winch.
During this build, after conversations with Steve – the founder of Bush Barriers – and David from Dash Offroad Australia, I decided to armor the car with Bush Barriers’ magnetic protection. They served me well during expeditions in Poland, Romania, Czechia, and beyond – without ever worrying about the terrain. Even imported from Australia, the cost of these barriers was a fraction of what PPF wraps cost in Europe. That’s when I knew I wanted to be part of this vision – and signed an exclusive contract to manufacture and distribute Bush Barriers in Europe, Africa, and Israel.
Barriers44 is born from passion – passion for overlanding, for travel, for vehicles that carry our dreams. These magnetic protectors were created by people who understand the same struggles: Which vehicle to choose? Which gear to install? Where to go next? With Barriers44 on your side, one major worry disappears – and you’re free to enjoy what truly matters: the journey. With our barriers, you drive protected. And as my friend from Romania always says: the road is more important than the destination.
Today, hundreds of vehicles in Australia run with Bush Barriers – handling thousands of kilometers in tough conditions. These products not only protect, they look incredible too. We’re not a factory. We’re a passion, turned into a product that makes sense.
Shielded for the Wild – because every adventure deserves protection.
