My Favorite
Bikepacking Gear
Hi there, welcome to my gear shed! I’ve tried a LOT of bikepacking and camping gear during my progression from scrappy road touring to well-equipped bikepacking. This page lists my all-time favorites, the items I choose to ride with again and again, some for a specific style of bike travel and some for every single ride. Some are budget-friendly, some are splurges, and all pack a ton of value and have stood the test of hundreds or thousands of miles.
Jump to:
When you buy through affiliate links in this post, I may earn a small commission. Thanks for your support! I always offer unbiased opinions based on real experience from the road and trail. Learn more.
Bikepacking Bags
Revelate Egress Pocket
Add-on to the Revelate Harness, very handy accessible storage for snacks and small items.
Revelate Mountain Feed Bag
Incredibly thoughtful little bag, perfect for keeping snacks and small items close at hand.
Swift Industries Olliepack Seat Bag
Well-designed and truly sway-proof minimalist seat bag for racing and quick trips.
Rogue Panda Custom Frame Bag
A very enjoyable splurge for my new bike. Made by a small company with many fun fabric choices and outstanding customer service.
Moosetreks Frame Bag
If it fits your bike, this is a solid budget-friendly alternative to more expensive frame bags.
Rogue Panda Alamo Top Tube Bag
Another fun way to dress up my bike, and very functional too! The perfect size and shape for my cache battery, phone, and odds and ends.
Blackburn Outpost Cages
Great for holding a dry bag or oversize bottle on the down tube or fork blade. I replace the straps with Voile straps.
Voile Straps
Great for strapping things to your handlebars, securing bottles to cages, or making field repairs. 25 and 32 are my favorite lengths for versatility.
Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Bag
The 10 or 14 liter size is great for carrying a sleeping bag in a handlebar harness, especially between drop bars.
Related Articles:
Racks & Panniers
Old Man Mountain Divide Rack
Strong and extremely versatile rack for bikes without mounts or eyelets. I use it for bikepacking on my Stella when more cargo capacity is needed.
REI Co-op Link Panniers
Bikepacking-friendly panniers with soft attachment system and compression straps, perfect for big off-pavement trips where more capacity is needed.
Tubus Logo Evo Rear Rack
Durable yet light steel rack that I used for thousands of miles of road touring with Ortlieb panniers.
Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic Panniers
Beloved road touring classic, my first-ever bike travel bags and still my go-to for international road touring where lots of capacity is needed.
Shelter & Sleep
Big Sky Soul 1P Tent
My beloved solo tent has been to over a dozen countries so far. The freestanding design, versatile setup, and light weight are perfect for bikepacking.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Tent
For long bike trips together with my husband we enjoy the extra space of this roomy, freestanding, yet still fairly lightweight tent.
Borah Gear Ultralight Bivy
Ridiculously light and compact bug bivy for ultralight rides in dry weather, or paired with a tarp or SOL bivy for rain. I use it for bikepack racing (and backpacking).
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad
The gold standard ultralight sleeping pad. Warm enough for chilly nights, comfy enough for side sleepers, and lighter than all the competition. The only sleeping pad I’ve used for 8 years.
Enlightened Equipment Convert Quilt
Lightweight with multiple size and temperature options and versatile design. Pair with a down hood and it’s just as warm as a sleeping bag; I sometimes use mine down to freezing.
Related Articles:
Bikepacking Tents: What to Look For + Top Picks
Food & Cooking
JetBoil MicroMo
My go-to cook system for all couple trips and many solo trips as well. Not ultralight, but boils water very efficiently so saves fuel weight and resupply hassle on long rides.
Ursack Major Bear Bag
Bear cans are hard to carry on a bike, but this bear-resistant bag is the next best thing. I use it while bikepacking in high-risk areas like Tahoe or Montana.
Sea to Summit X-Mug
Compact collapsible bowl / cup perfect for space-constrained bikepacking setups. More durable than you’d expect – I’ve been using mine for years. Mug size is best; cup is too small.
TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon
It’s a simple thing, but this spoon is superbly shaped for eating out of any container you can think of. Especially great for freezer bags or freeze dried meal pouches.
Big Sky Insulated Cooking Cozy
Super light, helps food rehydrate quicker and stay hot longer. One of my favorite camp luxury items.
Snow Peak Titanium Mug
Durable and lightweight mug, can even be used as a small solo pot directly on a small backpacking stove.
Related Articles:
Water
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
All-around outstanding water filter. Squeeze model is most clog-resistant compared to Micro or Mini. Replace the included bag with CNOC Vecto – it’s much better.
CNOC Vecto Water Bag, 28mm Thread
Better replacement for Sawyer filter squeeze bags. Use together with a hydration pack adapter or coupling ring for a gravity setup that filters directly into hydration bladder or Platypus bottle.
Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Tablets
Ultralight water treatment for short trips, or an emergency backup in case of filter failure.
Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment
Fast and light treatment for short trips, or add a purification step to a Sawyer filter for international travel.
Platypus Hoser 3L Hydration Bladder
I often carry this in my frame bag, filled between 1.5 – 3 liters depending on size of frame triangle.
Nathan SuperShot 1.5L Bottle
Big durable bottles for down tube or fork when more water capacity is needed.
Platypus 1L SoftBottle
Super light and collapsible. I carry one or two for extra water capacity, or for convenience at camp if I’m only using a hydration bladder for riding.
Hydrapak Blaster Bite Valve
Better than the valves on most hydration bladders, so I replace them with these. Has shutoff and dust cap.
Related Articles:
Electronics & Lights
kLite Gravel Dynamo Light + USB Charger
Amazing setup for bikepack racing and night riding. Reliable, rugged, and incredibly bright. It’s a splurge to be sure, but delivers a ton of value.
kLite Qube Rear Safety Blinker
Super bright always-on taillight powered by the kLite USB charger. Premium gear and price tag, but such a relief to never run out of battery on a busy road.
NiteRider Lumina 900 Boost Headlight
Solid, bright, and affordable USB-rechargeable headlight for helmet mount or handlebars. I used this for night bikepacking before getting my dynamo setup.
Garmin eTrex 22x
Rugged and reliable handlebar navigation, a big step up from my smartphone when battery life is an issue or terrain is too rugged for a bar mount. If you can spare an extra $100 I recommend the 32x, very similar but has elevation profile feature.
Garmin inReach Mini
Always with me on solo adventures and often in groups too, this little gadget lets me send messages to loved ones and potentially call for a rescue even when out of cell service range.
Ainope 10,000 mAh Power Bank
One of the lightest and most compact 10,000 mAh power banks available. Has quick charging, simultaneous triple outputs, and redundant micro-USB and USB-C inputs.
Voltaic Systems V50 Battery Pack
Dynamo-friendly USB power bank that accepts trickle charge, supports pass-through charging, and won’t shut off with low current draw devices.
BigBlue 28W Solar Charger
Rugged solar charger that can actually keep up with daily power usage. Too bulky for a bikepacking setup but works great on a rack and panniers.
Related Articles:
Clothes & Accessories
Pearl Izumi X-Alp Canyon Shoes
Very comfortable SPD shoes with plenty of flex at the toe, perfect for hike-a-bike and walking around camp or town.
Club Ride Savvy Women’s Shorts
My favorite baggy shorts due to their stretchy comfort, flattering fit, convenient pockets, and fun color choices.
Louis Garneau Carbon CB 2 Women’s Chamois Shorts
Chamois shorts are such a personal choice, but these are my favorite. The chamois isn’t too bulky and the shorts fit well.
Ridge Merino Solstice Sun Hoodie
Comfy and affordable sun hoody best for cool to moderate temps. Merino wool is stink-resistant and very breathable.
Smartwool Merino 150 T-Shirt
My favorite base layer shirt for bikepacking and travel thanks to its stink resistance, comfy fit, balanced thickness (not too thin or heavy) and breathability.
Buff Headwear
The handiest little adventure accessory ever. Use as a dust mask, ear warmer, hair or sweat band, or pillow case. Available in tons of fun patterns.
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket
Highly packable ultralight down jacket for 3-season adventures in moderate-to-warm climates.
Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket
Ultralight rain jacket good for lightweight trips in not-too-wet weather.
Arc’teryx Cerium Down Jacket
High warmth-to-weight down jacket, my go-to for 3-season trips in cooler temps or more extreme weather.
Arc’teryx Beta AR Hardshell Jacket
Absolutely bomber rain and snow jacket, my go-to for any-season trips in wet, cold, or high alpine climates.
Pearl Izumi Ride Pro Lobster Gloves
I have chronically cold hands and these are the only bike gloves I’ve found that allow me to ride in near-freezing or sub-freezing temps.
Troy Lee Designs A1 Classic MIPS Helmet
Comfy and functional mountain bike helmet with MIPS technology and easy adjustability.
Bikes & Components
Chumba Stella Ti
Name: Stella
Newest member of the family, currently set up as a hardtail but often run with a rigid carbon fork too.
Read more: Introducing My Chumba Stella Ti
Salsa Fargo
Name: Shadowfax
The bike that unleashed my off-pavement riding obsession and accompanied me for thousands of miles across the western US.
Read more: Salsa Fargo 4500 Mile Bikepacking Review
Surly Long Haul Trucker
Name: Black Pearl
The road touring bike that started it all, from my first trip in Southeast Asia to my earliest bikepacking experiments.
Read more: Can You Bikepack on a Long Haul Trucker?
Funn Mamba Single-Sided SPD Pedals
Perfect for bikepacking trips where you want to ride clipless but sometimes need to unclip for mud, casual riding, or tricky terrain.
Selle Italia Diva Gel Superflow Saddle
Switched to this saddle after thousands of miles with a Brooks B17 and it has solved a lot of problems for me.
PNW Coast Handlebar
Wide, flared, with shallow drops. Currently on my Fargo where I find it very comfortable for bikepacking.
SQlab 30X 16deg Handlebar
Backswept alloy MTB handlebar with ergonomic wrist angle for long day comfort. Currently on my Chumba Stella (low rise version) for bikepacking and day rides.
Cane Creek Ergo Control Bar Ends
Currently on my Chumba Stella. I love the extra hand position for long days and the leverage for climbing.
Maxxis Ikon 3C EXO TR 29 x 2.35″ Tire
Durable, long-lasting, and confident bikepacking tire, great for a blend of trails and unpaved roads.
Vittoria Mezcal 29 x 2.25″ Tire
My favorite all-around bikepacking tire for a mix of gravel, dirt roads, and light trails.
Related Articles:
More: Bikepacking Bikes and Components
Tools & Repairs
Park Tool IB-3 Multitool
Very durable and always has what I need, including a chain breaker that actually works.
Pro Bike Tool Mini Pump
Small and light, surprisingly durable, works with both Presta and Schrader valves, and very affordable. I’ve used it on tubeless setups many times and it doesn’t cause issues with the valve stem (unscrewing or unseating).
Wolf Tooth Masterlink Combo Pliers
Light and convenient, way easier than using a length of old cable, and also includes valve core remover.
Leatherman PS Multitool
Essential complement to my bike multitool on a long trip. Useful for trimming nails, tightening spokes, replacing cables, opening beer bottles.
Presta to Schrader Valve Adapter
Small item that can be a big help if your pump fails, especially in areas where Schrader pumps are much more common.
Blackburn Outpost Tool Wrap
After failed experiments with an old water bottle, a pencil pouch, and a tennis ball container, I finally bought this handy pouch to carry my tools and spares. Worth it!
Home Shop
Topeak Joe Blow Sport II Floor Pump
Simple and effective. Was using my mini pump at home previously but this was a very worthwhile upgrade.
Airshot Tubeless Tire Inflator
Makes seating high-volume tubeless tires SO much easier. Works in conjunction with a regular floor pump.
Bikehand Repair Stand
Well worth the cost for a basic home shop setup. Holds my heavy steel bikes with ease.
Bikehand 37 pcs Bike Repair Tool Kit
Great starter kit for learning to work on your bike. Includes most tools I’ve needed over the years and removes the “don’t have the tool” barrier to taking on new repair and maintenance tasks.
Related Articles:
Other
Ultralight Stuffable Backpack
Incredibly useful for around town or side trips, occasional extra water or food capacity, or getting all the groceries back to the motel room.
Bike Peddler Cycling Mirror
Always on my helmet brim (also works with glasses) when riding in traffic. An essential safety item in my opinion.
Gear Aid Clear Repair Tape
Fixes tears in jackets, sleeping bags, tents, bikepacking bags, and more. Can even patch an inflatable sleeping pad, and I suspect it could patch a bike tube in a pinch.
Handlebar Extender
When bikepacking with drop bars, this handy item creates more space for electronics and bikepacking bags.
RumbleRoller Extra Firm Beastie Massage Ball
Not exactly ultralight, but totally worth the weight for long trips and folks who struggle with tight IT bands or other issues.
From the Shop
Bike resources in your inbox?
There’s more where this came from! Sign up here for occasional emails full of inspiration and information about bikepacking and bicycle touring.
