Bikepacking- a Beginners Guide

A Beginners Guide to Bikepacking

Bikepacking can be an exciting adventure and a great experience. We got started a couple years ago, and absolutely love it.


Bikepacking in Oahu, Hawaii


After thousands of kilometres, we would like to share some things you’ll need to do in advance to ensure you have the best time possible. 

Here are some essentials you'll need to get started:

Bike and Gear

  1. Bike: A sturdy, reliable bike suited for mixed terrains. You don’t necessarily need to buy a touring bike. We had hybrid bikes that we fitted out for touring. We upgraded the saddles, handlebars and puncture resistant tires. The tires were a big deal. We will explain this more in a future post. Stay tuned.
  2. Bikepacking Bags: we had frame packs and panniers. We had our tent strapped to the handlebars on Dean's bike in a waterproof bag. And we had a cooler backpack that we kept our food in. We didn't want to put our food in our panniers in case of spills. And most of our riding was in summer in Australia. We knew bikepacking was something we would enjoy and “get into” - so we invested in quality gear. We opted for Ortlieb, and were very happy with our choice. 
  3. Bike Repair Kit: Spare tubes, tire levers, a multi-tool, a pump, and a patch kit. We also bought a small lightweight pump that attached to the frame of the bike. 
  4. Devices: We use Quadlock to attach our phones to our bikes. We really like the Quadlock system (we use it in our vehicles, and for hiking, and even have a tripod/selfie stick). We have a bike computer on Dean's bike. It's great to see our stats at the end of each day.  

Camping Equipment

If you do any backcountry camping then you may already have all the camping equipment you need. We have done lots of hikes and had all of the equipment already. 

  1. Tent: You're going to want something lightweight and compact. We used our Nemo backcountry camping tent. It’s lightweight and quick to set up. For easy access we put the tent in an Ortlieb handlebar pack. We were really happy with packing the tent this way.
  2. Sleeping Bag:  Again the aim is for something compact, lightweight and suited to the temperatures you'll encounter.
  3. Sleeping Pad:  There are many options out there. We have Thermarest NeoAir pads, and have travelled many thousands of kilometres with them. They do make a bit of noise if you toss and turn, but it's never bothered us. Other than that, they are comfortable and have an R value of 3.7

Cooking and Food

  1. Stove and Fuel: A compact camping stove and sufficient fuel. We used our JetBoil that we have for hiking. Depending on where you are, you might have other options for cooking. In Australia (NSW and QLD) just about every park had a bbq that was free to use. 
  2. Cookware: Lightweight pot, mug, and utensils. You don't need too much - keep it simple. We also carried a little sponge for washing up, as well us some Sea to Summit pocket soap
  3. Food: Non-perishable, lightweight food items, and snacks. Your decision here will be largely affected by where you are travelling. All of our trips so far, we have been able to restock at least every second day. We found having a small jar of peanut butter with us was a great choice. When we restocked on food we would buy a pack of buns - and that would be our breakfast and snacks. We also had our cooler bag, which affected what we could bring. We had a container for eggs, and several times bought eggs for breakfasts. Mostly we were able to get our lunches and dinners in towns each day, with a few exceptions. On those days we just planned ahead and had something we could make at our campsite. The most desperate meal we had was canned spaghetti bought at a petrol station. 
  4. Water System: Water bottles and/or hydration bladder. Depending on where you are travelling you may also want a water filter or purification tablets. We haven't needed one yet on any of our bike trips.

Clothing and Personal Gear:  

  1. Clothing: Weather-appropriate, moisture-wicking layers, and rain gear. Some people recommend padded cycling shorts, but if you have a good saddle you probable don't need the shorts. Kay had some padded shorts and alternated between wearing them and just regular shorts. In the end she felt it was better without the padding. 
  2. Personal Items: Sunscreen, insect repellent, first aid kit, toiletries, lightweight towel, and any necessary medications. Don't forget chargers and any techy stuff you might want to bring along.

Navigation and Safety

  1. Maps or GPS Device: Most people will just use their smartphone for this. That's what we have always done. Just make sure that you have your maps downloaded in advance, especially if you are heading to somewhere remote. We like All Trails and Google Maps. 
  2. Lights: Front and rear lights for visibility and safety. We bought a front lights that were easily removable so that we could use them as a flashlight. They also doubled as an external charger for our devices. 
  3. Helmet: This one should go without saying... and if you're looking into bike packing you're probably an avid cyclist and know how important wearing a helmet is.

Additional Tips

  • Plan Your Route: Research and plan your route, including potential camping spots and resupply points.
  • Practice: Do a couple of shorter trips or overnight rides to get used to your gear and bike setup. We learned a lot on our first practice trip.
  • Stay Hydrated and Fueled: Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat enough calories to keep your energy up.

Hopefully this information will help you get started on your first bikepacking adventure. We totally recommend trying it at least once.

Dean & Kay

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