My Bikepacking Gear and Pack Checklist for 2025
You think your bikepacking gear is good until you’re 300km away from any cellphone reception with a broken derailleur and a sleeping bag that’s about as waterproof as toilet paper. Most people obsess over weight and specs, but I’ve learned something different during my decade of mistakes, breakthroughs, and life-changing adventures across continents.
Ten years ago, I embarked on a crazy bikepacking trip from Kuala Lumpur to Berlin. I was naive, heartbroken, overpacked, and completely unprepared for how profoundly that experience would reshape my understanding of what we actually need. That trip broke me down and built me back up, and taught me that the right gear isn’t about having the most expensive equipment, but about understanding your own relationship with discomfort, adaptation, and the raw honesty that emerges when you strip life down to its essentials.
As I prepare for my 2025 bikepacking adventure with gear setups and packing list, I’m sharing some hard-earned wisdom that only comes from sleeping in thunderstorms, navigating mechanical failures in remote locations, and discovering that sometimes, the most transformative moments happen when everything goes wrong.
Bikepacking represents something our modern world desperately needs: a return to intentional living, environmental consciousness, and the profound satisfaction that comes from self-reliance. It’s not about escaping life. It’s about remembering what life actually feels like when you strip away the noise and reconnect with your most fundamental needs.
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Choosing Your Bikepacking Bike
Most people get this completely backwards. They think the bike matters more than anything. Well, it does, of course. But my 2015 set up was a very humble Japanese vintage frame from the 1990s with a quality groupset and a good saddle (in my case, the Brooks C17 carved). Total: USD $500. The frame now lives on as a memorabilia on my wall.
These days, I’ve upgraded to a better setup, the Bombtrack Audax, a German gravel bike with a steel frame (my material of choice for long-haul treks), but with a light carbon fork. It’s also ready-packed with several luggage mounts. I love it and take it on day rides around Berlin with my friends regularly.
Here are a handful of brilliant adventures bike models if you don’t mind splurging a bit. Otherwise, the best bike is the one you know and have.
The Surly Bridge Club is the perfect balance of durability, versatility, and real-world practicality. This isn’t some lightweight carbon dream machine nor some early-days-of-bicycling, heavy as hell situation. It’s a steel workhorse that’ll keep rolling when everything else falls apart.
The Bridge Club’s geometry strikes a sweet spot between comfort and efficiency. The relaxed head tube angle provides stability when you’re loaded down with gear, while the longer wheelbase prevents that sketchy feeling you get with shorter bikes when your weight distribution shifts. More importantly, this bike is designed to be repaired anywhere in the world with basic tools and standard parts. Definitely one of the top choices out there for longer trips.
For those seeking something maybe a bit more aggressive, the Salsa Cutthroat has earned its reputation through brutal testing in events like the Tour Divide. Its carbon frame might seem counterintuitive for long-distance reliability, but the bikepacking collective engineering team understood the assignment: compliance and vibration damping matter more than pure stiffness when you’re spending 12+ hours a day in the saddle and your bike needs to do better than any of your must supportive friends.
Whatever you decide on, avoid anything with electronic shifting. A properly adjusted mechanical drivetrain, something like the Shimano GRX 810, will give you the peace of mind and reliability that turns a potential epic failure into a minor inconvenience.
My Bikepacking Gear and Pack Checklist for 2025
Bikepacking Bags
The bikepacking bag market has exploded with options in recent years, but most of it is marketing noise. After destroying a few bike bags and watching others fail spectacularly on some recent issues, I’ve learned that construction quality and thoughtful design matter infinitely more than brand recognition or Instagram aesthetics. Waterproof bags are always the preferred choice for my bikepacking setup.
Important to note: larger isn’t always better. A smaller, properly packed bikepacking gear list with smaller bags will help with better steering precision than an overstuffed monster that turns your bike into an unwieldy beast. I am a bit embarrassed to say, I have most definitely been there and done that, haha.
Frame bags are your foundation, and there are a lot of good options. I’ve chosen the Ortlieb Frame-Pack RC Frame Bag myself, but if I were to do it again, the Revelate Designs Ranger would definitely be my frame bag of choice. Something important to consider is that your frame bag is more than storage; it’s your bike’s center of gravity adjustment tool. Loading it incorrectly will make your bike handle like a drunk elephant, while proper loading creates a more stable, confidence-inspiring ride.
Pack your heaviest items in there low and centered. Batteries, tools, and dense foods go in the main compartment’s bottom. Keep frequently accessed items in the top tube pocket. This seems obvious until you’re fumbling for energy bars in a rainstorm and realize you’ve buried them under three days of camping gear. I have small dry bags inside for my clothes (more on that below).
Handlebar bags receive the most abuse and need to be resistant. I myself have a random handlebar bag bought along the way, and it works just fine (so cheap and non-descript can also be fine!), but the Ortlieb Handlebar Pack is a solid option. Its completely waterproof construction and tool-free mounting system make it easy to install. Since mine is a handlebar roll that’s clasped shut, I need something else I can access a bit more readily throughout the day.
And then comes the time to decide whether you’ll have a rear rack with panniers or just a seat bag. My 5,000km bikepacking trip from 2015 was a solely rear-loaded pannier situation, and it definitely was not always optimal (in very steep inclines, for example, where the front wheel sometimes left the ground…)
So for this trip, I have opted for a seat bag, but I am very much in two minds about seat packs in general. They are wobbly if not strapped correctly, and often require some additional straps or racks to secure properly. I have a backloader wishbone support that I highly recommend. Again, my one is the Ortlieb seat pack, and it’s perfectly OK. Another great choice would be the Revelate Designs Viscacha. Both of them have a compression system that works well at compacting things down. Revelate is great!
Fork bags are another hybrid bag slash load-balancing tool, and this will be my first trip with something front-loaded. I’ve opted for cheap ones from Amazon, otherwise the Blackburn Outpost Elite Fork Bags are a good option. They provide four additional liters of storage exactly where you need it most.
Sleeping
Sleep quality directly correlates with next-day performance, mood, and decision-making capability. Compromising on sleep gear is borrowing misery from tomorrow to save weight today.
Ultralight tents are everywhere and at every price point. My personal budget choice is the Cloud Up pro 1, but there are loads of great options out there for all budget, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 being one of them. Its vertical walls maximize usable space while the two-door design provides ventilation options that prevent condensation nightmares. The pole system combines strength with remarkable packability.
For sleeping systems, the Western Mountaineering UltraLite sleeping bags are top range in my opinion, and provide a warmth-to-weight ratio that seemed impossible a decade ago. The 850+ fill power down compresses incredibly small while maintaining loft through repeated compression cycles.
Sleeping pads require an honest assessment of your comfort needs versus weight penalties. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite provides excellent insulation and packability, but at the cost of durability. For longer tours where replacement isn’t feasible, the Exped SynMat HL offers better puncture resistance while maintaining respectable weight figures.
I, me, Amélie, the fool, have opted for cheap Amazon options for both the sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Cannot be worse than my yoga mat from a long time ago.
I shall report back.
Eating and Drinking
Eating well while bikepacking isn’t a luxury; it’s performance enhancement and psychological survival. Poor nutrition leads to poor decisions, and poor decisions in remote locations create dangerous situations. Back in 2015, I didn’t carry cooking equipment with me; rather ate junk from the shops along the way. A lot of junk.
My absolute ride or die pantry essentials for bike touring are rice, lentils, and oats. And, well, coffee. Everything else gets purchased fresh along the way, and that’s generally just fruits and veggies.
And while I did not travel with a stove in my stuff sack back in the days, and somehow did not drink coffee either — these days, I coffee, therefore I stove.
I have done extensive research to bring with me the best cooking stove that combines “compactness” and weight with ease of use, especially in windy situations. I am not a fan of gas cartridges or ignition or these kinds of things, but they are a good idea for any wilderness multi-day bikepacking trips.
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is an excellent choice and the perfect balance of weight, fuel efficiency, and reliability. The wide pot support handles larger cookware better than ultralight alternatives, and the integrated pressure regulator maintains consistent performance across various altitudes and temperatures.
Fuel choice matters more than most people realize. MSR IsoPro canisters provide consistent performance in cold conditions that would render cheaper alternatives useless. The cost difference becomes irrelevant when you’re trying to melt snow for water at 12,000 feet.
For cookware, the Sea to Summit Alpha Pot Set is the best balance of weight, durability, and functionality I’ve encountered. The hard-anodized construction distributes heat evenly, preventing hot spots that burn food and waste fuel. The folding handles and nesting design make packing efficient without compromising usability. And it’s cute!
If you’re feeling extra, the Jetboil Flash Cooking System is dope. For quick morning coffee and simple rehydration meals, nothing matches the speed and fuel efficiency of this thing. The integrated design eliminates fiddling with separate components when you’re cold, tired, and under-caffeinated.
Water isn’t gear; it’s survival. The difference between a great bikepacking experience and a potential disaster often comes down to hydration strategy, and most people’s approach is often flawed.
Standard water bottle capacity assumes you’ll encounter refill opportunities every 50-75 miles. This works fine for established cycling routes, but becomes dangerously inadequate when you venture into remote areas or developing countries where water quality is questionable. I, Amélie, am very much paranoid about starvation and dehydration.
My current setup revolves around 1 water bottle that fit my underbelly bottle cage + a 2L hydration bladder that’s easier to access. I may also bring my running vest that carries another litre of water, I’ll see.
If you’re cycling in very remote areas, something like the MSR Guardian Purifier is a great way to make do with found water sources. This isn’t a lightweight filter; it’s a military-grade purification system that handles viruses, bacteria, and parasites with equal effectiveness. Yes, it’s heavier than alternatives, but it transforms any water source into safe drinking water without the anxiety that comes from questionable filtration systems. For backup purification, Aquatainer Water Purification Tablets provide failsafe protection when your primary system fails. These aren’t your typical iodine tablets that make water taste like a swimming pool; they’re chlorine dioxide-based treatments that neutralize everything while maintaining palatability.
Clothing
Clothing becomes intimately personal when you’re wearing the same pieces for weeks at a time. The wrong choices don’t reveal themselves until day five when that seemingly comfortable chamois has transformed into an instrument of torture, or when your supposedly breathable base layer has become a bacteria-breeding nightmare.
For outer layers, my Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody has been with me since day one. Its wind resistance and excellent packability provide protection when you need it, but disappear when you don’t. The durability might surprise you; mine has survived over 10 years of constant wear. And if not, Arc’teryx customer service is impeccable. An investment I definitely do not regret.
I’m otherwise bringing two cargo bib shorts (MAAP are my favorites, but I know they are pricy), two base layers, two short-sleeve jerseys, one long-sleeve jersey, a small sleeveless windbreak, and 2 pairs of socks and underwear. And cycling shoes, helmet, sunglasses, of course.
For when I’m not on my bike: one pair of shorts, one pair of long pants (both in dry-fast technical material), one t-shirt, one warmer shirt, and a pair of sneakers (currently the Hoka Arahi 7, my running shoes — so I can bust a jog if I still have some in the tank).
Finally, and sadly, weather won’t always be perfect, so I carry a rain jacket, rainpants, and rain overshoes.
Because, yes, I will ride in the rain.
Tools and Maintenance
Mechanical failures miles from civilization test both your preparation and problem-solving abilities. The right tools enable self-reliance, while inadequate preparation can transform minor issues into trip-ending catastrophes.
Get a multitool that can handle virtually every adjustment you’ll encounter, that has a solid construction that withstands abuse. The Park Tool IB-3 I-Beam is the gold standard and the Topeak Alien II Multi-Tool is the over-the-top option for paranoid folks (it me), but any versatile one will do.
A tire repair kit, some tire levers, and that should be enough. There are bike shops along the way where I’m going and I’ve mapped them out already because paranoid lol.
Electronics and Navigation
Modern bikepacking can definitely benefit from thoughtful technology integration while avoiding the trap of over-dependence on devices that can fail when you need them most.
My Wahoo Element Bolt has been my trusty provider of navigation, performance tracking, and emergency communication in a single, reliable package. Its battery life accommodates several days of riding, and the mapping capabilities work offline when cellular coverage disappears.
For charging, the Anker PowerCore 26800 PD has enough capacity to keep essential electronics running for a week of conservative use. The USB-C power delivery capability charges modern devices quickly, reducing the time needed for power stops.
If you’re venturing way off the beaten path, an emergency communication tool could make sense. The Garmin inReach Mini 2 provides two-way satellite communication that can summon help when everything else fails.
Otherwise, my iPhone and my Olympus OM-D mirrorless camera and most recently addition, the HOVERAir X1 drone.
What Ten Years on the Road Taught Me
Looking back on that naive woman who set off from Asia to Europe with gear choices picked in a hostel dumpster (literally), I’m struck by how little the actual equipment mattered compared to the internal transformations that occurred along the way.
The greatest lesson bikepacking teaches isn’t about gear selection or route planning. It’s about discovering your capacity for adaptation, resilience, and finding joy in simplicity. Every piece of equipment on this list serves that larger purpose: enabling experiences that reshape how you understand yourself and your place in the world.
Most gear innovations over the past decade haven’t fundamentally improved the bikepacking experience. Lighter materials and clever engineering are wonderful, but they pale in comparison to the wisdom that comes from learning to read weather patterns, understanding your body’s signals, and developing the mental fortitude to push through challenging moments.
If you’re reading this and planning a bikepacking adventure, I hope and know it will teach you things about yourself that no amount of preparation can anticipate. The gear simply provides the foundation for those discoveries to unfold safely and comfortably.
So pack thoughtfully, ride boldly, and prepare to discover capabilities you didn’t know you possessed. As cheesy as it sounds, the most important gear you’ll carry is the willingness to embrace whatever the journey offers.
The world needs more people who understand that real adventure isn’t about conquering nature or achieving social media validation. It’s about reconnecting with the fundamental human experience of moving through landscapes under your own power, carrying everything you need, and discovering that “everything you need” is far less than you imagined. Whether you’re planning your first overnight trip or your next transcontinental epic, remember that the best bikepacking gear is whatever gets you out there and keeps you moving forward.
Amélie is a health and wellness junky. Certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance in the Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles, she has a Yoga Instructor Certification – Level I (300 hours) and Yoga Instructor Certification – Level II (200 hours) under her belt. She also has a certified Open Water Diver certification with PADI and SSI Scuba Schools International Freediving Level I certification with SSI Scuba Schools International. She’s been vegan for over 15 years and is obsessed with anything wellness-related.