Essential Gear for Bikepacking Adventures

Bikepacking is essentially backpacking on a bicycle. Our fearless leader Henry Brydon offers this handy explanation of what you need (and need to leave behind) for an awesome bikepacking adventure.

The idea is that you distill your worldly possessions down to your absolute essentials, stuff them into a couple of (ideally waterproof) bags and then head off the beaten path. Simple.

You’re able to do a tonne more kms than you would if you were hiking, along roads that are inaccessible for other vehicles. Perfection.

@al_humphreys

Bikepacking Essentials

Thanks to the nutty gear boffins who tinker, tweak and transform; ultra lightweight and affordable bikes/gear are now much more readily available, paving (or should I say, unpaving) the way for an influx of curious explorers to try out a new and wildly exciting hobby.

So whether you’re after a local overnight trip or an epic cross-country trail ride, bikepacking opens up a new world of adventure for all. The trick of course, is to save weight without compromising safety.

Having spent 22 months bicycle-touring around the world, I’m able to impart some degree of experience to this mode of travel – I didn’t clock up over 37,000km of dirt and some seriously debilitating saddle sores to serve you up useless gear tips!

@al_humphreys

1. A Bike

You’re not going to get very far on a bikepacking trip without a bike, and so it’s deservedly at the top of this gear list.

Now within reason, any bike that you can mount racks or storage bags to is capable of a bikepacking adventure. However, given the fact that terrain varies from forest paths to fire trails, single track to gravelly country roads; it’s wise to use a bike that is capable of handling this diversity comfortably, safely and reliably.

The most common choice is therefore a rigid fork (or lock-out suspension) 29er mountain bike with disc brakes. For those that want the ability to bikepack but also have something for inner city commuting, the Reid Granite is a great option.

Read more: What is a Gravel Bike?

2. Gear Carrying

There are a number of ways and fixtures with which you can mount luggage to a bicycle, the trick of course is to avoid carrying a lot of weight on your back and shoulders. By keeping it off your body and lower to the ground, you’ll be increasing the odds of a more comfortable, better handling ride, whilst dramatically decreasing the likelihood of becoming a hunchback in later life.

Traditionally, bicycle tourers have used panniers that clip onto racks above the rear wheel, as well as a handlebar bag for daily essentials (e.g. camera, sweeties, bum moisturiser). The trouble is of course, the more opportunity you give yourself to pile on extra gear the more you’ll do it!

As the wonderful Tom Allen perfectly asserts: ‘It seems to me that ultralight bikepacking is, for the most part, the art of leaving things behind. Stripping things down to their barest essentials. Not buying gear.’

As bikepacking evolves faster than an EU debate, enthusiasts are now going lighter and more streamlined; skipping racks and panniers for seat, frame and handlebar bags, strapping and tightening everything on meticulously in order to reduce drag and maximise speed.

Read more: Osprey Makes Bikepacking Bags Now and We Took Them for a Spin

@mattiejgould

3. Tools

If you’ve ever found yourself stranded in the rain with a flat tire and no puncture repair kit, you probably appreciate that feeling of frustrating under-preparedness, the inner fury flamed by your own stupidity.

There are only a few things to pack to avoid this tear-jerking distress, and it goes something like this:

• Helmet
• Multi-tool (including a chain tool)
• Bike lights (useful for night time and if you stumble across a glow worm tunnel)
• Spare inner
• Duct tape and cable ties

And that’s it!

• Oh, and a puncture repair kit

Read more: What Should You Carry In Your Bike Repair Kit?

4. Clothing

Your attire is largely dependent on whether you have masochistic tendencies or are just a straight up fair-weather bikepacker. Either way, you’ll need to keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared for cold, wet ‘British summer-time’ weather.

In warm conditions, ensure you use a synthetic (quick-drying) t-shirt and undies. In colder weather, pack warm long merino underwear, beanie, gloves, fleece and a raincoat. Layering is everything in the outdoors and if you don’t know what that is, read our guide to using clothes to stay warm and comfy!

Padded shorts, rugged mountain bike shoes and a spare pair for camp wouldn’t go amiss either.

5. Camping

You’ve probably spent the day shredding backcountry trails like you’re Danny Macaskill after a double espresso, right? Yeah, so you’re now a prime candidate for the most deserving person in the world for a big feast around a cockle-warming fire followed by a good night’s kip. Being kitted out for camp is make or break in terms of weekend satisfaction – do not skimp or under prepare here!

Make sure you’ve included the following:

• Tent/Hammock
• Sleeping bag/mat
• Stove and fuel
• Utensils and dish

Read more: How To Choose The Perfect Sleeping Mat For Bikepacking

@benogdenau

6. Other Essentials

You’re almost there. These are equally important items to cram into your bags that can be shared with other riders as you won’t necessarily need one each.

• Navigation – Map, GPS, Compass
• Food – Aside from your main meals, pack plenty of snacks (trail mix and nut bars are personal favourites)
• Water and a water filtration device if going longer distance (here’s our guide to filtering water in the outdoors)
• First aid kit and sunscreen
• Camera

Above all else, the most important ingredient is you, and your desire to get out there and explore. My gear list is continually evolving and every single time I go bikepacking (or hiking for that matter) I know a little more about what I need and don’t need, what works and what doesn’t. You tend to learn the hard way.

Good luck!

Bikepacking Gear Rabbit Hole