Efficient bikepacking isn’t so much about taking what you need as it is about leaving behind what you don’t. The bikepacking ethos is to travel light. A lighter bike handles better and you can ride further and faster. You don’t need to snap your toothbrush in half but you do need to consider what your priorities are.
When it comes to bikepacking and cycle touring there’s no set formula. If you’re intending on staying overnight in hotels and eating in cafes, you won’t need much at all: just a few essentials, some tools and a set of off-bike clothes.
If you want to be a bit more self-sufficient, you’ll find the kit list for a local overnighter is not really that different to what you’ll require for a long-haul continent crossing.
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Store heavier items as low down as possible, either at the base of a saddle pack or bottom of a frame pack. This will reduce the sway effect and keep the bike handling true.
Pack lightweight, compressible items in your handlebar bag to reduce the impact on steering. Then keep items you need to access regularly in a top tube bag, so you can get to them even when riding.
Bikepacking kit list
Storage
- Frame bag: Apidura Expedition full frame pack (Buy from Condor: £143)
- Saddle bag: Apidura Expedition saddle pack (Buy from Condor: £125)
- Top tube bag: Apidura Expedition top tube pack (Buy from Condor: £44)
- Handlebar bag: Apidura Expedition handlebar pack (Buy from Condor: £100)
- Fork bags (long trips): Apidura Expedition fork pack (Buy from Condor: £46)
Clothing
- Flip flops: Quoc Lala slide (Buy from Quoc: £39)
- Shorts: Endura Humvee cycling shorts (Buy from Tredz: £39.99)
- T-shirt: Rapha Explore merino T-shirt (Buy from Rapha: £70)
- Jacket: Albion Zoa lightweight insulated jacket (Buy from Condor: £175)
- Socks: Le Col Tech wool socks (Buy from Le Col: £15)
- Underwear: we won’t tell you what pants to wear…
- Bibshorts (x2 for long trips): Rapha Cargo bib shorts (Buy from Rapha: £240)
- Jersey (x2 for long trips): Le Col Pro jersey II (Buy from Le Col: £145)
- Arm/leg warmers: Altura Thermal DWR arm/leg warmers (Buy from Altura: £30 / £40)
Bedding
- Bivvy bag: Salewa Bivvy Bag Storm II (Buy from Alpine Trek: £102.95)
- Tarpaulin: DD SUperLight tarp (Buy from DD Hammocks: £55)
- Tent pegs: Stoic AL tent pegs (Buy from Alpine Trek: £5.18)
- Sleeping bag: Sea to Summit Spark sleeping bag (Buy from Alpine Trek: £240.76)
- Sleeping mat: Sea to Summit Ultralight sleeping mat (Buy from Alpine Trek: £119.95)
- Cord: Sea to Summit reflective accessory cord (Buy from Alpine Trek: £8.55)
Tools/equipment
- Multi-tool: Park Tool fold-up multitool (Buy from Tredz: £12)
- Tyre levers: Park Tool tyre levers (Buy from Tredz: £4.99)
- Mini pump: Lezyne Digital Pressure Drive pump (Buy from Tweeks: £57.74)
- Inner tube
- CO2 cannister: Topeak Airbooster Micro (Buy from Tweeks: £14.99)
- Patch kit: Rema Touring puncture repair kit (Buy from Tweeks: £3.95)
- Duct tape: T-Rex grey duct tape (Buy from Homebase: £7.50)
- Voile straps: LBK Voile straps (Buy from London Bike Kitchen: £8)
- Fork/spoon: Wildo Spork (Buy from Alpine Trek: £4.95)
- Mug: Quechua Stainless Steel outdoor mug (Buy from Decathlon: £3.99)
- Mini stove: Soto Microregulator stove (Buy from Alpine Trek: £59.95)
- Toothbrush: Colgate Portable soft toothbrush (Buy from Superdrug: £1.50)
- Toothpaste: LUSH toothpaste tabs (Buy from LUSH: £6.50)
- Dry bags: Ortlieb Ultra Lightweight Drybag (Buy from Tredz: £22)
- Bidon: PEdALED Element water bottle (Buy from Condor: £10)
- First aid kit: Sol First Aid kit (Buy from Alpine Trek: £16.98)
- Brake pads (long trips)
- Chain pliers (long trips): Wolf Tooth Master Link pliers (Buy from Tredz: £38)
- Chain lube (long trips): Muc-Off Wet Weather lub (Buy from Muc-Off: £6)
- Electrolytes (long trips): Torq hydration sachets (Buy from Merlin Cycles: £16.99)
Electronics
- Bike computer: Garmin Edge 840 (Buy from Tredz: £399.99)
- Front light: Lezyne Macro Drive 1400+ front light (Buy from Tweeks: £79.99)
- Rear light: Lezyne Strip Drive 300+ rear light (Buy from Tweeks: £35.99)
- Powerbank: Knog PWR bank (Buy from LeisureLakeBikes: £59.99)
- Head torch (long trips): Petzl Tikka head torch (Buy from Go Outdoors: £29)
10 tips for perfect packing
1. Buy a bivvy bag or get a lightweight tent
A bivvy bag is a thin, waterproof sack that you slip over your sleeping bag allowing you to snooze under the stars. If sleeping out sounds a bit extreme, you’ll need to invest in a compact and lightweight tent.
Two to three-person models weighing under 2kg can now be had for under £200. If you’re going as a group its component parts can be divided between riders, making it more space-efficient.
2. Invest in an inflatable mattress and light sleeping bag
This will save bulk and weight over a basic foam mattress. Inflatable options offer decent comfort, while insulated models can also provide four-season warmth.
They also pack down to about the size of a one-litre bottle. Just like the tent and mattress, investing in a high-spec sleeping bag will save you space and weight.
Down-filled models will be the most compact. Just don’t let them get wet, as unlike synthetic material, this will destroy any insulating qualities.
3. Back up your navigation options
Losing yourself on a bike is fun, but getting lost really isn’t. Most of us these days rely on some sort of GPS whether it be on our bike computer or our phone to find out where we are and where we’re going.
But batteries pack up, signals get lost and rainwater can frazzle circuit boards, so pack a map and a compass, too. A solar charger can be a good option for charging low-drain devices.
4. Load up your cages
Yes, we know they’re called water bottles, but that doesn’t mean you can only carry water in them. They also make awesome containers for dried food such as oats, or even your tool kit if you’re pushed for space in your packs.
Many bikepacking bikes will now have mounts on the fork or down tube too. These can make an ideal spot to store liquid fuel for your stove.
5. Dress appropriately
Bikepacking is a world away from the Sunday club ride, so you’ll need to dress more like Ray Mears than David Millar.
That can mean a pair of padded cycling shorts or trousers as opposed to bibs, mountain bike shoes and a bandana instead of a cycling cap under your helmet, as it can be used to double up for everything from a dishrag to a bandage to a face covering.
A merino wool base layer is versatile on and off the bike, and won’t smell even after multi-day wearing. A shell jacket should complete your look. And don’t forget gloves!
6. Think about your tools
With weight being an issue, try to pare down your tool kit as much as possible. Bringing things like a replacement derailleur hanger that’s specific to your bike, as well as quick links, gaffer tape and cable ties take up little space, weigh next to nothing and are good for emergency repairs.
A tyre boot is always a good idea too, although you can improvise and use an energy bar wrapper if necessary.
7. Be safe
If you get lost or injure yourself and need to draw attract attention to yourself, having a simple plastic whistle with you could be a lifesaver.
Equally, a bike light is also good for getting yourself noticed. A first aid kit and some knowledge of what do in case of an accident are also essential.
A space blanket will keep a casualty warm, although so will a bivvy or sleeping bag. Sunscreen, electrolytes, anti-diarrhoea pills, chamois cream and alcohol hand gel are also worth packing.
8. Design your menu and know how to cook
Whether you go gourmet or stick to boil-in-the-bag, bring the correct amount of calorie-dense food to see you through the trip, plus some morale-boosting items to snack on.
For hot meals a small stove is popular with most riders, although some will use wood fires if it’s safe and permissible to do so. Ensure you have enough gas or liquid fuel to last the trip.
It’s also worth taking a spare lighter or some waterproof matches. Even a metal striker is a better option than trying to start a fire by relying on caveman tech!
9. Plan for having a poop
If you’re not going to be within range of modern plumbing during your trip, you’ll need to make arrangements. This means taking a trowel to dig a cat hole in which to poop.
These should be at least 15-20cm deep. This can be difficult in hard soil. A Japanese Hori Hori trowel is the perfect shape for cutting one. Relatively compact, they can also be used for splitting wood – and planting bulbs once back home.
Dig catholes far from water sources and likely campsites. Never bury wet wipes. Also, leave soap and shampoo for plumbed-in campsites, as they don’t belong in natural watercourses.
10. Take a luxury
Bring one nice thing – even if it eats into valuable pack space. Practical options could be a comfy inflatable pillow or eye mask to help you lie-in.
Bottle of whisky, mini chess set, paperback book or bottle of Tabasco sauce are also all solid options.
Looking for a new bikepacking steed? See our favourite touring bikes and gravel bikes.
