When it comes to bikepacking the term fail to prepare, prepare to fail couldn’t be more true. Something I have learned in the past decade throughout all my adventures is that it’s vital for your bikepacking kit list to be on point so you have everything you need. 

As a very experienced bikepackist and ultra cyclist, I will tell you exactly what I recommend taking on an adventure. I will also tell you what each does so you have the right items for many situations. In this article, we are going to be discussing:

• Different Kit For Different Rides And People
• The Bikepacking Kit List
• Bikepacking Bags To Carry Kit
• Weight Vs Speed

Different Kit For Different Rides And People

The first thing to mention is that kit lists change depending on the trip you’re planning and your level of experience. As someone who has not just had trips for adventure but also raced, I am used to taking the absolute minimum for around 3 to 7-day trips.

I will expand this kit list for longer trips with optional components. It’s important for you as the bikepacker to ensure you have the essentials but also take a good look at the optional things to ensure you get the best experience possible. 

The Bikepacking Kit List

Now for the exciting part. Let’s discuss the kit I recommend taking when it comes to bikepacking. Here’s how we are going to break it down. As discussed above, I will have essential and optional.

• Tools And Spares
• Navigation, Lighting, And Power
• Bikepacking Clothing 
• Sleeping Kit
• Personal Goods

Tools And Spares

Let’s start with the essentials. I highly recommend taking these no matter what trip you are going on. It may sound like a lot, but it can help you get out of a mess and packs away smaller than you might think.

Tool Or Spare	Purpose
Pump	To inflate your tires after a puncture or when they go down. Lezyne is a great brand.
Spare Tubes	To repair punctures or as a backup for a tubeless system.
Tire Levers	For the removal of your tires from the rim.
Patches	To repair inner tubes if required.
Tire Boot	To help temporary repair rips in tires until it can be replaced.
Spoke Key	To adjust spokes if the wheel gets out of true.
Multi-Tool	This is used for making adjustments, try and get one with a chain tool. I like Topeak for epic tools.
Tubeless Plugs	If you use a tubeless system they are required for repairs.
Chain Links	To repair you chain if it breaks at any point
Spare Valve	If the valve on your tubeless or inner tube breaks.
Chain Lube	The smoother your chain works the better it will work and not break.
Derailleur Hanger	Unique to each bike. Must be taken as hard to find on travels.

Optional

Tool Or Spare	Purpose
Spokes	If you find yourself breaking them it’s good to take spares.
Insulation Tape	Great for general repairs and fixing parts.
Cables Ties	Always worth having a few incase an emergency.
Tubeless Sealant	If you are running a tubeless system and have a bad puncture.
Spare Tire	For those epic adventures where you might not get supplies often.
Sewing Kit	Good for clothing and bag repairs. Have even seen a tire fixed this way.
Brake Pads	Incase you wear through a set quickly.

Navigation, Lighting, And Power

Navigation, lighting, and power are very easily overlooked in bikepacking and adventures. Here’s what I recommend for all those needs. 

Component	Purpose
Front Light	Minimum 12 hours low power, wide beam and good brand if possible.
2 x Rear Lights	Long runtime, one for flashing and one for constant.
Bike Navigation	Garmin, Wahoo, or you can even use a phone.
Powerbank	Aim for about 10,000Mah, fast charging also helps.
Cables	For charging each of your goods. High quality lasts longer.
Wall Socket	Use a socket with a high watt rating for faster charging. Go multi-port.

Optional

Component	Purpose
Spare Front Light	Good to have in case of emergency but can be heavy.
Spare Navigation	I use my phone for this but know some riders often take 2 Garmins.
Spare Power Bank	Good incase of emergency but I recommend a small, light, option.
Spare Cables	Anything unique might be worth taking a couple.

Bikepacking Clothing 

Now for clothing, and this comes down to the conditions you will be backpacking in. I recommend taking more than you need as it’s easier to be a little warmer than it is to be colder. Remember, the brighter the color, the more you will be seen.

Clothing	Purpose
Helmet	For protecting your head when riding.
Bib Shorts / Tights	Add extra comfort to your behind and keep you aerodynamic.
Cycle Jersey	Good as they have pockets on the rear and excellent for riding fit.
Base Layer	Great for both warm or cold conditions.
Cycling Socks	Good for comfort and cooling / warming feet.
Cycling Shoes	Hard wearing shoes that can either clip in or work well with flat pedals.
Arm / Leg Warmers	Good for colder conditions and easy to take on and off.
Windproof	To help keep you dry and warm in poor conditions.
Gilet	Good for extra layering and high vis options for visibility.
Gloves	Keep your hands warm and dry while riding.
Cap	Good for keeping your head warm.
Down Jacket	Good for cold mornings and can help you when sleeping outside.

Optional 

Clothing	Purpose
Casual Clothes	Good if you are not in a rush and stopping for sightseeing.
Casual Shoes	Good if you don’t want to be in cycling shoes 24/7.
Waterproof Jacket	Heavier and larger than a windproof but much more effective.
Spare Clothing	Taken by many riders who like to change clothing often.
Skull Cap	Great for keeping your head warm in cold conditions.

Sleeping And Camping Kit

Now for the sleeping and camping kit. It’s important to understand the more you take, the better night’s sleep you will have. Going light does really help you go faster, but having a tent over a bivvy is much nicer.

Camping	Purpose
Bivvy Bag	Protection from the elements.
Sleeping Bag	Keeps you warm at night.
Down Mat	To ensure you are comfortable and not directly on the floor.

Optional

Camping	Purpose
Tent	Nicer than a bivvy but larger and heavier.
Cooking Kit	For making food on the go. Cheaper and easier than buying from shops.
Travel Pillow	Great for a good night’s sleep on rough ground.
Headtorch	Makes setting up and putting away in the dark much easier.
Sleeping Bag Liner	For an extra layer of protection and also heat.

Personal Goods

Finally, we have personal goods, which you will need just for being away from home. Here’s what I take to ensure good, safe traveling. 

Personal Goods	Purpose
Phone	Communication, research, and backup navigation.
Cash	For purchases and times when the card won’t work.
Card	For emergencies and getting cash at an ATM.
Phone Charger	To ensure you can keep the phone charged.
Medication	Anything you might need personally while away from home.
Identification	Good incase of emergencies and for certain hotels.
Water Bottles	For carrying fluids when you are riding.
Sanitizing Tablets	Good if you are in the wilderness and struggle with water.
Suncream	Bikepacking Sunburn isn’t nice. Avoid it at all costs.
Dental Hygiene	Toothbrush and toothpaste is essential.

Bikepacking Bags To Carry Kit

Now you know what you need, how do you go about carrying it all? Well, we have a full article on this here with Bikepacking Bags: The Ultimate Guide, but for a quick rundown, here’s what we recommend using.

Handlebar Bag

It hangs off the handlebars, also known as a rollbag, and is fairly easy to access while riding. I personally find them excellent for carrying clothing and light goods you don’t always need throughout the day.

Saddle Bag

Then, we have the saddle bag, which sits on the back of the bike’s saddle. This is perfect for good that you use only once or twice a day, such as camping gear or casual clothing. Try to avoid putting anything too heavy in so you get less sway.

Frame Bag

It sits on the inside of the frame and is perfect for goods you need access to quickly and often throughout the day. I like to put food, tools and spares, and power goods in here because they are always items you are going to regularly. 

Top Tube Bag

The smallest but most accessible bag which sits right in front of you on the top tube. I use this for my mobile phone and quite often for snacks. This is perfect for stuff you need access to while riding. 

Panniers

If you like your kit packed more traditionally, then consider panniers. Modern options for bikepacking bikes are super strong, fairly light, and very easily mounted on a rack. Although not great for aerodynamics, it is perfect for long tours.

Fork Bags

Not often used by many but a great solution for carrying kit if you are using a small frame. Fork bags screw onto the forks and give you small bags in which you can store essentials when riding on adventures.

Feed Pouches

Finally, we have feed pouches. These tie to the handlebars and give you extra space for food and drink. It is excellent for bikes such as mountain bikes and perfect if you are someone who likes all your food in front of you as a reminder to eat.

Weight Vs Speed Bikepacking Kit List

As an expert in bikepacking, I see a lot of setups, and a mistake I often see many people make is packing too light or too heavy. I recommend taking everything you think you might need and then removing goods you don’t use as you do more and more trips, remove goods you don’t use. 

If you strip your kit right down quickly, you often end up in a situation where you don’t have what you need, and that’s much worse than carrying a little extra weight. A few extra kilos might cost you a few hours on a week’s bikepacking, but it could offer better comfort and recovery.

I have made the mistake of going too light so many times, and it’s made some very miserable situations for me. Let your kit evolve as you get more experienced and better as a bikepackist and ultra cyclist. 

When I started taking more, I was a much better rider and quite often found that the extra kit for keeping warm or sleeping better made the trips easier. I was much better on and off the bike, saving lots of time. 

A Final Thought On The Bikepacking Kit List

This bikepacking kit list is an excellent place to start when it comes to knowing what you will need for an adventure. It will change depending on the trip you’re going on, the duration, and the type of bikepacking you are doing. 

Always plan for the situations you’re going into and ensure that you always have solutions to problems you might have, and you should be absolutely fine. Thank you for taking the time to read my article.