What Do I Need to go Bike-Packing?

Ever wondered what you’d need to go out on your first bike-packing trip?

Here’s a pretty bare-bones list of what your packing list should look like. Items that you can find lightly-used at EGT to keep your ride economical and sustainable will be marked with a “*.” For a more in-depth version of this list check out this awesome article: Bikepacking 101: What To Pack.

Bike*

Got a touring bike? Perfect!

Hard tail mountain bike? That’ll do!

Your mom’s old commuter? You’ll make it work!

Bring what you’ve got, just make sure to choose your route accordingly.

Comfortable Saddle*

On any bike packing trip, you’re going to spend a lot of time in the saddle, so make sure you’ve got a comfy one. We occasionally accept saddles here at the shop, so it’s a good idea to call us or pop your head in to check.

Check out this article for a better idea of what to look for: The Best Saddles for Bikepacking: Decade in Review.

Bags & Panniers*

You’re going to have a lot of gear. The less on your back, and more on your bike the better. Come into the shop to browse our lightly-used selection of saddle, bar, and frame bags as well as panniers.

Food & Water*

-Water: You’ll need to gauge the amount of water you bring based off the temperature, intensity, and length of your ride. It’s always good to have a water-filter on hand for easy refills at streams and rivers.

-Food: Try to pack 2-4 days of food on your bike. Mountain House meals are a great option.

Lightweight Sleeping Setup*

-Shelter: Backpacking tents are a popular option for bikepacking. They’re lightweight, pack down small to fit on your frame, and give you a nice spot to rest at night. However, depending on your route, the season of your ride, etc, you may choose to bring a tarp, hammock, or bivvy. As long as you’ve got something lightweight and small enough to fit securely on your bike, you’re golden.

-Sleeping bags: A synthetic sleeping bag or quilt are both great options for bikepacking. They pack down small, will keep you real warm, and won’t take up too much room in your packs. If it’s gonna be chilly on your route, maybe throw in a sleeping bag liner. Feeling luxurious? Throw in a lightweight inflatable pillow and sleeping pad for a good nights rest.

Camp Kitchen*

-Stove, fuel, and lighter: Depending on how long you’re going out for, you’ll most likely want to bring a stove. MSR makes some great lightweight options like the “Pocket Rocket” or the “Whisperlite.” Both products are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and we almost always have them in-stock at EGT. Remember: you’re stove’s only as good as the fuel and lighter that you bring with it, so don’t forget those!

-Spork and Pocket-Knife: Keep your dishes minimal. One spork should be more than enough silverware per person. Make sure at least one person in your group has a pocket knife. It’ll come in handy more than you could imagine.

-Cup/Pot: GSI makes a great, affordable 500ml cup/pot that fits around the bottom of a Nalgene, making it super easy to stow away into nearly any water bottle compartment. You can use this to cook, eat, and drink out of.

-Dr. Bronners Soap: Keep your packs clean by washing off dirty dishes with soap and water before stowing them away. Dr. Bronners is a great option as it comes in small 2oz bottles and is made of all-natural ingredients, so it’s easy on the environment.

Repair Kit*

Assume your bike is going to break down and prepare yourself for anything that could go wrong mechanically like flat tires, broken chains, and snapped spokes.

Check out this article for a better sense of how to pack an efficient repair kit: Bikepacking Repair Kit & Tools: Essential and Auxiliary