Bikepacking. Cycle Touring. Whatever you want to call it I’ve done it. I’m by no means an expert or hardened adventurer, but I’ve got a few thousand miles under my belt. If your interested in giving Bikepacking a go and wondering what sort of thing you might need, then this guide is here to help.

Firstly you need to know what sort of Bikepacking Trip you are going on. Some people opt to staying in B&B’s or hostels, which greatly reduces the amount of kit you need to carry. I prefer things on the wilder side, and usually just try and find a quiet spot to set up my tent. If the comfort of a bed is your desire, then knock off some of the obvious items which you won’t need. This is my list, not yours. It’s just here to help guide you.

Disclaimer: I don’t want this blog to become a gear review site. With that in mind I’ve not mentioned any brands or products I use and just referred to the item. If you do want to know what specific brand of something I use then drop me a message on Instagram.

The Bike

The single most important piece of equipment. Without a bike you can’t go bikepacking! These days I travel on a gravel bike, but I’ve previously used an entry level road bike with no problems.

The Bags

Bikepackers typically use specialist bags which attach to their bike to carry all of their things. These can either fit to your frame, or onto rack over your tyre. I’ve used both and find they offer different things, so will typically change it up depending on the length of the trip.

In my pack:
Handlebar Bag – This clips onto my handlebars and is usually where I store clothes as they can be squashed in tight. I also have an extra small bag which clips onto the front of this and can be taken off quickly when nipping into a shop. This is where I keep all the items I don’t want to leave on the bike unattended or might need throughout the day.

Frame Bag – A triangular bag which attaches to the centre of my bike. This is normally my bag for odd bits that I’m not sure where else to put.

Top Tube Bag – I have a small bag on my top tube which wraps around the handlebar stem. I keep tools and my phone here.

Saddlebag / Panniers – Depending on the length of the trip I alternate between these. If I’m expecting to go days without food, or perhaps need additional waterproof clothing, then I’ll take the heavier and bulkier panniers. For short trips the saddlebag is much lighter and practical.

Camping Gear

I prefer to keep to the outdoors on my bikepacking trips, so will wild camp most nights. Here’s all the camping gear I use:

Tent + Poles – I actually use a trekking pole tent as it’s much bigger than alternatives that use poles and easier to squeeze into the small bags. I have a couple of lightweight poles which I carry with it when on the bike.

Sleeping Mat – I’m not too fussy about sleeping mats. Just something lightweight and small, although you may want to be more considerate if you’re a light sleeper or going during the winter when an insulated one is needed.

Sleeping Bag – I’ve got a down sleeping bag. The reason why is I usually stuff it loose into the bottom of a bag and let the weight of everything else squash it down. Synthetic bags in cases can be bulky unless you want to pay big bucks.

Inflatable Pillow – Everyone has a luxury item and this would definitely be mine.

Sleeping Clothes – Ever since I spent a night sleeping on a toilet floor in Wales to keep warm under the heater, I’ve made it my mission to ALWAYS have a dry set of clothes to sleep in. A pair of wool socks, some thermal tights and a long sleeve t-shirt is enough, and I keep them inside my sleeping bag when travelling so they’re always warm and cosy ready for the end of a long day.

Food, Cooking & Water

Again, if your feeling flush you can skip this bit and just stop at cafes and pubs all through your trip. I’m too stingy on the purse strings for that so will usually take the following:

Cook Kit – A cooking pot and stove which all fits inside it’s self along with the gas canister. These sets are pretty easy to get and are efficient for their sizes. I usually squeeze a spork (with the handle cut down) and a rag in as well for eating and cleaning. If you loose your rag, a handful of scrunched up grass works just as well.

Meals – Having never been enticed by fancy adventure meal packs, I usually just get what I can from a supermarket. Dry food such as noodles are light, and you can also get packs of pre-cooked lentils in sauce and grains which are high calories and filling for a quarter of the price of an adventure meal.

Snacks – The second most important item after the bike!! Sweets, flapjack and nuts are what I usually carry, but generally anything high calorie that can be stuffed in a pocket.

Tea / Coffee – Another must. Usually a multi pack of 3 in 1 coffees and some green tea bags.

Water – 2 x 1 Litre bottles as a minimum.

Water Filter – This has been life changing since I bought it! Not only do you save money not having to buy water from shops but it also makes it easy enough to keep your bottles full as you can top up from rivers and streams.

Clothes

If your the sort of person who packs 3 outfits for each day when you’re going on holiday then perhaps bikepacking isn’t for you. Space is limited on the bike so it’s bare essentials only. On my last 2-week trip I took:

• 2 x T-Shirts
• 2 x Sporty Shorts
• 2 x Boxers / Underwear
• 2 x Pairs of socks
• 1 x Down Coat
• 1 x Pakamac / waterproof coat
• 1 x Waterproof Trousers
• 1 x Woolly Hat (with light)
• 1 x Waterproof Trainers (I don’t bother with clip in shoes)

Yes, you are going to smell at some point! Typically I will wear a set of clothes and then wash it in a river or something and dry it out by strapping it to the outside of my bag whilst I’m riding the next day. After 4 or 5 days I’ll stop in a hostel or visit a laundrettes.

Other Bits & Bobs

Phone – I make the most of my phones ability to do multiple jobs as best I can. As well as a phone, it’s also my map, kindle, light, bank card and camera.

Powerbank – If your going on a longer trip then invest in a good one. My current one can fully charge my phone about 10 times so will easily last a week before it needs charging up again.

GoPro / Drone – Purely for the sake of filming the trip. You’ll get some fantastic footage, but it’s additional bulky items which can be left at home if they’re not needed.

Camera Tripod – You’re going to want some memories of your trip and there’s not always going to be people around to take the photo for you. I’ve got a small one that fits into the palm of my hand and can be wrapped around fences or tree branches as well to get good action shots.

Tools – Something will inevitably go wrong and your going to need to fix it on the go. I usually carry a multitool and a chain remover, as well as duct tape and cable ties. Throw in a spare inner tube. More importantly learn how to use them. You can carry additional tools if you want to play it safe, but I’ve found I’ve never needed more than that and would just accept the inconvenience of finding alternative transport if something bigger went wrong.

Torch – For shorter trips I’ll just use my phone, but I do also have a headtorch for the longer trips to reserve battery.

Straps / Cords – You never know when something is going to break and I usually end up using some kind of strap or cord to hold something together on each trip. If you’ve got space once you’ve finished packing then stuff as many in as you can.

Small Backpack – I don’t like riding with a backpack, but do carry a small one folded down and stored somewhere. Ideal for when you’ve been to the shop in the afternoon and want to carry some extra luxury food to camp.

Dry Sacks – A godsend. I line every bag with one and put my sleeping stuff in another one just to be safe. If you’re expecting rain you can’t have enough dry sacks.

Cash – I never carry cash these days, but the bike will take you to some remote places and you don’t want to be stuck unable to buy that much deserved chippy because they’re cash only!! Stick an emergency £20 in your bag just in case.

Emergency Kit

Things can occasionally go wrong and it’s best to be prepared, even if just a little.

I usually carry a small first aid kit, with plasters, a bandage and painkillers. As well as this I also carry a emergency plastic bivvy bag, which is like a bright orange bin bag for you to get inside to keep dry. Also make sure you have What3Words downloaded on your phone.

If you have found this helpful then please do get in touch and let me know! As I said this is my personal list so use it as a base and find what works for you. I’d also love to hear all about your own bikepacking trips!

If you want to check out one of my bikepacking trips then you can see my ride of the NC500 on Youtube.