kit for your next bikepacking trip

One of the most attractive aspects of bikepacking is the apparent simplicity of it all. The thought of spending a few days with nothing but you, your trusty rig and the wilderness can be very appealing. But there’s a little more to it than that.

Bikepacking is only simple when you’ve got the right gear in your bags. A subpar sleeping bag, dodgy pump or forgotten waterproof can quickly turn an amazing adventure into a slog you won’t want to be repeating in a hurry.

Getting it right isn’t just about having the right tools and the latest gadgets either. It’s also about making sure they’re as light as possible and knowing which bikepacking bag to pack them in order to distribute weight as efficiently as possible.

Here are some of the best bikepacking essentials on the market right now and how to pack them for best results.

1. Outdoor Research Helium Bivy shelter

It’d be nice to have a colossal 12-man tent to unwind in after a long day’s pedalling, but weight and size are key when selecting gear for a bikepacking expedition. This considered, a bivy sack is the sensible option and this one from Outdoor Research is the gold standard. Light, affordable and practically tardis-esque inside, the Helium Bivy is an award-winning piece of kit that’ll keep you warm and sheltered without weighing your bike down throughout the day.

2. Alpkit Numo sleeping mat

It’s incredible what a difference even a thin mat can make in terms of comfort while camping. Not only does it offer some additional cushioning, but it provides a layer of insulation between your sleeping body and the cold earth below. This one from Alpkit inflates and deflates through a single valve to minimise weight and offers 8.5cm of defense against lumps and bumps when fully blown up.

3. Mountain Equipment Helium 250 sleeping bag

By using super-lightweight materials throughout and distributing down insulation thoughtfully to target the areas that need it most, Mountain Equipment’s Helium 250 sleeping bag delivers an unparalleled warmth-to-weight ratio. The stuff sack is slightly oversized to make packing that little bit easier and a built-in air hole allows it to be compressed quickly. Sure, £220 isn’t an insignificant amount of money, but when you consider that you’ll be hunkering down in this bag for many adventures to come, the investment seems fair.

4. Optimus Crux Lite Stove System

There’s nothing like a steaming hot meal after a full day of navigating trails, even if it’s nothing more glamorous than some tinned hotdogs cut up with a Swiss army knife and mixed with baked beans. This nifty little self-contained unit from Optimus has everything needed to cook meals on the go, including a precision stove and two non-stick pots. There’s even room inside for a small gas cylinder and cutlery – neat!

5. Silva Ranger Compass

High-tech GPS computer systems are all well and good but there’s always a risk of them failing or running out of juice. If that happens, it’s important to still be able to navigate. Thankfully, you know where you are with a good old-fashioned compass… literally. Swedish brand Silva has been making high-grade versions since the 1930s that are used by defence forces and explorers alike all over the world – meaning it’ll be more than up to anything you can throw at it.

6. Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid Gore-Tex Shell

Unexpected downpours are par for the course when you’re bikepacking for an extended period of time – particularly in the UK. Naturally a waterproof jacket is a must, but that old anorak you’ve got stuffed in your wardrobe won’t survive its first shower. Arc’teryx is a brand known for quality and design innovation and the Beta SL Hybrid is a prime example of why. Combining Gore-Tex and Gore-Tex Paclite fabric, this jacket offers reliable protection from the elements while being able to pack down to the size of a steak bake.

7. Crank Brothers F10 multi-tool

Bikepacking expeditions can be lengthy affairs. Things can and will go wrong with your bike. When that happens, it’s important to be self-sufficient and having a good multi-tool at your disposal is lesson number one. Simple and compact, this Crank Brothers creation has everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s flat, light and comes with a reassuringly robust five-year warranty to boot.

8. Sawyer Mini water filtration system

Small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, Sawyer’s mini filter is the best product of its type out there for a balance of weight, size and performance. It can be used directly as a straw, placed into a hydration pack tube or attached to any standard threaded bottle. This is an essential bit of kit to ensure you don’t run out of clean drinking water for longer rides where you’re heading into the unknown and you can’t carry gallons of water.

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