What Gear to Bring for Bikepacking?

This course will help you figure out what gear you will need for bikepacking so you can head out on your next trip with confidence.

What You’ll Learn:

Gear Essentials for Bikepacking - we’ll guide you through everything you might need for camping, cooking, bike repair, safety, navigation, and electronics during your next bike trip.
We'll also supply you with a gear checklist. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your setup, this is a great resource for planning your next big adventure.

1 - Gear Overview

Figuring out what gear to bring on your bikepacking trip is an exciting journey in its own right.

At a high level, your gear selection will depend on several factors, such as:

The route you’ve chosen;
What time of year you’ll be riding;
How long your trip is;
Your personal preferences;
Your budget;

We’re going to get into all of this – but first, a short story:

Gear Considerations

If you already own outdoor gear, there’s a good chance some - or all - of it can transition seamlessly into bikepacking.

We draw a lot of our gear inspiration from the ultralight thru-hiking community, which prioritizes gear items that are lightweight, packable, durable, and made from technical fabrics.

Ultralight gear can seem a little expensive up-front, but well-made, high quality gear often lasts much longer than cheaper items.

That said, we've bike travelled using gear of varying costs, weight and quality - and had an amazing time - because while your gear will impact your ride, your mindset and perspective is even more influential.

If you’re on a budget, there are plenty of ways to gear up without breaking the bank:

Use what you already have.
Check if there’s a gear lending library in your area.
Borrow items from friends.
Shop for used gear on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or at second-hand bike and gear shops.
Look for sales during the off-season.

If you have the financial capacity, investing in ultralight, packable gear can significantly reduce weight and free up space in your bikepacking bags.

When upgrading, start with replacing the heaviest and bulkiest items first, such as your sleeping bag or quilt, tent, sleeping pad, and then clothing and electronics.

Now, let’s dive in!

2 - Sleep System Overview

While you don’t have to sleep outside on a bikepacking trip – this section is going to focus on the gear that you need for camping.

Even if you’re set on indoor accommodations, you may want to consider bringing camping gear in case you can’t make it to your destination.

Let’s face it – sleep is our superpower, and it can be challenging to get a good night's rest in new places, or while sleeping in a tent or on an air pad – so it’s important to do the best we can to make ourselves comfortable and set ourselves up for success.

Your sleep system consists of your shelter, your sleeping pad, and your sleeping bag/quilt – and in our case – our PillowStrap, which is a lightweight, luxury item that we like to use to get a good night's sleep.

(We stuff it with clothes to make a pillow that straps to our air pad and stays put!)

Your sleep system should reflect the climate you’ll be sleeping in and your personal preferences.

Shelter Considerations

When choosing a shelter for bikepacking, your decision will largely depend on your priorities for weight, packability, comfort, cost and the environment you’ll be riding in.

Here are some considerations to help guide your choice:

Super Light and Packable Options:

A bivy sack or cowboy camping (just you and your sleeping quilt under the stars) is the ultimate minimalist option if weather permits.
Hammocks can be a great choice if you’re riding through areas with plenty of trees and enjoy sleeping in one.

Tents:

Tents are a versatile go-to, offering more space, privacy, and protection from the elements. They’re especially useful for stashing gear inside or under a vestibule and provide a comfortable home base for rest days.
If you’re heading into a rainy climate, investing in a highly water-resistant tent is worthwhile.
For less demanding conditions, you could bring a tarp to pair with a bivy, hammock, or a less waterproof tent for extra rain protection.
In windy areas, we set up extra guy lines for added stability and ensure we have extra stakes on hand

Our Setup: We use an ultralight, highly water-resistant, freestanding two-person tent called the Free Zip by Zpacks. It’s incredibly packable, with short poles that easily fit between handlebars or in a frame bag, and it weighs less than 2 lbs.

Sleeping Quilt/Bag Considerations

The primary difference between a sleeping bag and a sleeping quilt lies in weight and packability.

Quilts are typically lighter because they lack zippers and bulky hardware, making them more compact and ideal for bikepacking.

Down vs. Synthetic Fill:

Down Pros:

Exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio.
Compresses very small, saving valuable space in your bags.
Long-lasting with proper care.

Down Cons:

Loses insulating ability when wet unless treated with hydrophobic coatings.
Typically more expensive.

Synthetic Pros:

Retains warmth even when wet, making it a better choice for damp or unpredictable climates.
Generally more affordable.

Synthetic Cons:

Bulkier and heavier than down.
May not last as long with repeated use and compression.

Tips for Choosing and Using Your Sleeping System:

Choose a quilt or bag rated for the coolest temperatures you expect to encounter.
Consider adding a sleeping liner for extra warmth if needed.
Bring a dedicated set of sleep clothes - merino wool is a great option - to stay warm and keep dirt and oil off your quilt or bag.

Sleeping Pad Considerations

Inflatable air pads are a popular choice among bikepackers because they are lightweight, packable, and provide better insulation (R-value) compared to closed-cell foam pads.

Their compact size makes them ideal for saving space in your bags.

That said, inflatable pads can be prone to failures like leaks or punctures, so it’s wise to always carry a patch kit for quick repairs.

Closed-cell foam pads (the accordion-style pads) are super light and nearly indestructible and often cheaper – but don’t pack down nearly as small as inflatable pads.

There are also inflatable pads designed specifically for side sleepers or those who prefer varying levels of thickness and firmness. We’ve tried a ton of different inflatable pads over the years.

Most recently, we tested the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite and while it was quite comfortable, we still find ourselves drawn to thinner air pads that offer a more stable sleeping surface. Ultimately, sleeping pads are highly personal and finding the right one may take some trial and error. Comfort, weight, packability, and durability will all play a role in determining which pad works best for your adventures.

3 - Cooking & Food Storage

Your approach to cooking and food storage is dependent on how often you have access to resupply, how much room you have to store food and your personal preferences.

Do you plan to cook, cold-soak, eat raw food, rehydrate meals, stop at restaurants and cafes — or some combination of it all? Whatever your approach, it’s helpful to build in flexibility to adapt to the unexpected.

Basic Cookware

Knife and Utensils: A good knife is an essential addition to your bikepacking kit, along with lightweight utensils like a long-handled spork. We use the Opinel No.6 knife & enjoy a titanium spork
Mug or Cup: If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, bring a mug or collapsible cup. We liked the GSI Escape Cup
Pot for Cooking: If you plan to cook or boil water, a lightweight pot is a must. We use the Vargo HD bot for boiling water and cold-soaking, although we rarely actually cook in it.
For plates and bowls, there are excellent collapsible options or lightweight structured sets, depending on your preference. We use the Fozzils SnapFold ultralight plates/bowls because they lay flat, take up very little space, are easy to clean, and double as a cutting board.

Camp Stoves

There are a variety of lightweight stove options:

Canister Stoves: Efficient and easy to use, with widely available fuel canisters.
Alcohol Stoves: Lightweight and simple, required you to carry alcohol which is easy to find.
Foraged Fuel Stoves: Use sticks and twigs for fuel, eliminating the need to carry additional supplies.

Tip: Consider the availability of your fuel type along your route and whether you have space to carry enough for your needs.

Our Approach

We’ve gone through phases of different cooking styles:

Cold-Soaking or Eating Raw/Pre-Cooked Food: This keeps our setup simple and lightweight since we don’t need a stove or fuel. However, it limits the variety of foods we can eat.
Stove Setup: We loved the JetBoil when we were coffee drinkers because it boils water quickly and efficiently. Lately, we’ve been using the MSR PocketRocket with the Vargo Titanium Bot. This combo gives us versatility: the Bot works for cold-soaking, food storage, and can even be heated over an open flame if we don’t have a stove.

4 - Clothing Overview

Clothing choices should be guided by your trip’s climate and duration. For warm destinations or short trips with stable weather, you can choose to pack lighter and more minimally.

However, for multi-month expeditions or rides through regions with unpredictable or varied weather -- such as Canada -- thoughtful layering is essential to handle everything from frosty mornings to unexpected rainstorms, even in the height of summer.

When it comes to packing for these conditions, we're on the side of bringing slightly more rather than less. Prolonged exposure to cold or wet weather can quickly turn uncomfortable – or even dangerous – so having the right layers can make all the difference.

Layering Essentials

A solid layering system ensures comfort and adaptability:

Base Layer: Merino wool is ideal for its moisture-wicking and odor-resistant properties, but breathable synthetics also work well.
Midweight Layer: An insulating layer like a technical fleece or a lightweight down jacket for warmth.
Outer Layer: Waterproof and windproof rain gear, such as a quality rain jacket and pants, protects against the elements.

Packing Recommendations

Riding Clothes

Breathable shorts and/or pants
Moisture-wicking shirts (1 short-sleeve, 1 long-sleeve)
Insulating midweight layer
Underwear (lightweight and quick-drying)

Weather-Appropriate Gear
Prepare for expected conditions both on and off the bike:

Rain jacket and pants
Waterproof mitts
Insulated jacket
Toque/headband
Warm gloves and socks

Casual Clothes (Optional but handy)
Clothes to relax in after a day’s ride:

Pants (that can double as riding pants)
Shirt (short and/or long sleeve)
Extra socks and underwear
Swimwear (if applicable)
Camp shoes or sandals

Sleep Kit (Optional)
Add a layer of warmth to your sleep system and keep you sleeping pad and quilt clean:

Merino wool base layers
Lightweight down booties for extra warmth on cold nights

Tips for Packing Smart

Dual-purpose clothing: Choose items that serve multiple functions, like a riding shirt that doubles as a town shirt or a casual long-sleeve that can also be your sleep layer.
Compact gear: Invest in lightweight rain gear and insulated jackets that pack down small to save space without sacrificing warmth or protection.
Pack minimally: Avoid overpacking. A carefully curated setup keeps you warm, safe, and comfortable in most conditions while reducing bulk and weight.

By focusing on versatile, high-quality gear and adopting a layering system, you’ll be prepared for the demands of any bikepacking adventure.

5 - Tools & Spare Parts Overview

Which bike repair tools and spare parts you decide to bring depend on your bike’s components, length and remoteness of you trip, and how prepared you like to be.
Your bike repair tool kit is an unique as you. But we'll go over some things we think are wise to consider bringing.

We tend to be on the side of over-preparedness, which has saved our butts numerous times, especially when we are far from a bike shops or civilization.
Even in areas with regular access to shops, closures, busy schedules, or out-of-stock parts can leave you stranded, so having backups for certain components can be a wise addition to your adventure arsenal.

Unique Components

As we touched on in the workshop about choosing a bike (that can be found on our website) with standardized components can make finding replacement parts easier - especially for trips to remote regions or certain countries that have limited stock or access to bike parts.

That said, having uncommon components isn't a deal breaker.

If your bike has uncommon components – such as a specific derailleur hanger, unique brake pads, or proprietary components – just be sure to pack spares.

Having them on hand can save you from having to scramble to locate and wait for replacement parts to arrive, which can cause extended downtime and added costs.

Self-Sufficiency

Being prepared to handle common bike repairs by yourself is incredibly helpful - and essential for remote bikepacking routes.

Depending on the length of your trip and the condition of your bike and components before leaving, you might not need to perform any repairs - but things can pop up, so it's best to be prepared.

Here’s how to set yourself up for success:

Learn Basic Maintenance: Take an in-person bike maintenance course, ask a knowledgeable friend to teach you or watch online how-to repair videos.
Leverage Online Resources: Create a Youtube playlist of tutorials for quick reference to call on during your trip should the need arise.
Practice at Home: Before you leave, practice repairs with your tools to build confidence and familiarity
Focus on essential skills like fixing a flat, changing shifter cables, adjusting derailleurs, and replacing brake pads.
Easy Access: Keeping your tools easy to find ie. a tidy kit and accessible will make repairs quicker and more enjoyable. We keep tire puncture tools loaded and upfront in our feed bags.
Check Compatibility: Double-check that all tools and spares fit your bike's components.
Replenish Supplies: Before each trip, check that consumables like sealant, glue, and patches are fresh and ready to use.
Utilize Bike Shops: If you stop at a bike shop, ask for their advice with things you're unsure of and have them give your bike a glance over to make sure things are mechanically sound before you head off.

Tool Kit Essentials

Again, your bike tool repair and maintenance kit should be tailored to your individual needs based on your bike, route and components.

Here is what our tool kit looks like:

General Repair Tools:

Multi-tool Ensure it covers all bolt sizes for your bike
Knife (can be the one from your kitchen kit)
Pliers (can be mini pliers)
Zip ties (a variety of different sizes and lengths)
Super glue (can be a small tube)

Tubeless Tire Maintenance/Repair

Tubeless puncture tool (we love the Dynaplug Racer Pro) and spare plugs
Spare tube (for unrepairable gashes or punctures)
Tire levers
Hand pump
CO2 inflator (optional, for tubeless inflation)
Curved sewing needle and thread (e.g., dental floss for stitching gashes)
Tire boot (to cover large tire tears)
Patch kit (includes patches, glue, and sandpaper)
Spare sealant (useful for extended/remote trips)
Tire pressure gauge (optional for precision adjustments)

Chain Repair/Maintenance

Chain lube
Chain rag
Chain breaker tool (can be part of your multi-tool)

Spare Parts

Derailleur hanger
Brake pads
Shifter cables
Brake cables
Bolts

6 - Electronics and Power Management

Many bikepackers rely on digital devices for communication, navigation, and safety.

Ensuring your devices stay charged is essential, especially when traveling through areas without regular access to electricity.

Consider these options:

Battery Banks: Lightweight, reliable, and relatively inexpensive. Bring a bank with enough capacity to recharge your devices multiple times.
Solar Chargers: Effective in sunny climates, though less reliable in cloudy or shaded conditions.
Dynamo Hubs: Built into your wheelset and charges as you ride. They are efficient, particularly on fast, rolling terrain, but come with a higher cost.

Safety Essentials

A few extra safety precautions.

Satellite Communication Device: A device like a Garmin inReach Mini (with an active plan) provides an SOS function to contact emergency services if you're hurt or in danger — or something even more likely – to assist others in need.
First Aid Kit: A well-stocked kit with essentials like bandages, antiseptic, pain relief, and emergency supplies (i.e. a whistle, space blanket).
Share Your Plan: Once your route and trip plan are finalized, share them with someone you trust. Tell them your expected return date and check in periodically or upon completion of your trip.
Wildlife Safety: In areas with potential wildlife encounters, carry bear spray or pepper spray. Know how to use it effectively and keep it accessible (like the Kermode Bear Spray Holster from Ghostrider Equipment)

A Final Thought About Gear

When it comes to choosing bikes, bags and gear, remember that gear choices aren’t permanent. Be open to trying new things anddo your best not to let the fear of making the 'wrong choice' take over. Experimenting with different setups is part of the learning curve and will help you figure out what works best for you - which will likely evolve over time as your preferences and needs change.

Secondly, don’t stress about leaving home without everything you might need. If you have access to stores or post offices, you can always pick up gear along the way or have items shipped to your next destination.

On the flip side, if you overpack, you can simply ship extra gear home or ahead to lighten your load. As I mentioned in Module 2, we did this four times during our first cross-Canada road trip – it was just part of the process of figuring out what we needed and didn't.

Flexibility is key, and there’s rarely a “perfect” setup right from the start. Embrace the journey of learning and adapting - it’s all part of the adventure!

Download this gear checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your next bikepacking adventure. Of course, some things are optional or will not apply to your adventure.

Support Materials

Checklist Bikepacking Gear .pdf

Ready to increase your knowledge for your next trip?

Discover the other topics our Bikepacking Workshop covers and get ready for your next adventure!

Learn More