This is a list of the gear I currently use on my cycle tours and bikepacking trips, together with manufacturer and retailer links.
There are a few hand-selected affiliate links, which are identified with an asterisk (*). Read my affiliate policy here.
What follows is a collection representing 18 years of riding Earth, buying and making cycle touring and bikepacking gear, and publishing blog posts and videos about it. I hope it’s interesting, but please don’t assume I’d recommend every item on the list to you. Gear choice is a personal thing.
Cycle Touring Equipment
All-Purpose Touring Bike
For mixed-terrain and long-haul trips I have, for the past 10 years, been riding a prototype Oxford Bike Works Expedition, custom-built to my specifications. Here’s a 10,000-word illustrated essay about the design and build process, and details of the most recent upgrades.
Further reading:
- What’s The Best Touring Bike? (Updated Annually)
- A Massive List Of Expedition Touring Bikes For Round-The-World Rides (43 & Counting)
- 3 Critical Questions To Ask Before You Choose A New Touring Bike
- Touring Bike FAQ (a 7‑part series)
- Should I Buy Touring Bike X Or Touring Bike Y?
Cycle Touring Panniers
My rear panniers are either Extrawheel Wayfarers or Carradice Super Cs (review / direct / eBay), depending on whether I need roll-top waterproofing.
When I use front panniers, I take Crosso Dry 30s (Amazon / eBay).
I strap things to the rack-top with flat bungees* to avoid damage.
Further reading:
- Do I Really Need Ortliebs? A Buyer’s Guide To Panniers For Cycle Tours & Expeditions
- Crosso Dry, Twist & Expert Pannier Review & Detailed Photos
Handlebar Bag
Ortlieb Ultimate 5, now known as the Ultimate 6 Classic, in the 7‑litre size (Ortlieb.com / Cyclestore / Tredz / Amazon / eBay), or a larger-capacity Biologic Tour (discontinued). I also like Klickfix shopping baskets (Amazon / eBay).
Drybags For Panniers
I have a big pile of roll-top drybags between 2l and 20l capacity, which I add to as the oldest ones wear out. I use them to organise and selectively waterproof gear inside my luggage. The longest-lasting are from SealLine (direct / Amazon) and Sea To Summit. The SealLine ones have been going strong for 11 years.
Plastic carrier bags work too.
Cycle Touring Cargo Trailer
Extrawheel Voyager, now the Voyager Pro (review). I love it, but use it only when I need to carry tons of extra stuff (Arctic in winter, Outer Mongolia off-road, etc).
Dirt-Road Bikepacking Equiment
Off-Road Bikepacking Bike
My dirt road bikepacking bike for 2024 is a newly-built Oxford Bike Works Outlander, purpose-designed for the Ascend Armenia race/rally later this year and the shorter trips I’m doing in preparation.
Bikepacking Frame Luggage
All my bikepacking luggage is from UK direct retailer Alpkit – a Stingray custom frame bag, Big Papa seat pack, Fuel Pod top-tube bag, a Stem Cell, and a Kanga handlebar harness with a 20l Airlok Dual. (They don’t sponsor me – I just like their stuff.)
I also wear a Deuter 3‑litre hydration pack, and sometimes a LowePro all-weather hip pack for camera gear.
Cycle Touring Tent & Camping Equipment
Tent
If I’m riding solo, I usually take a 2‑berth MSR Hubba Hubba (direct / Amazon / Go Outdoors / Alpine Trek / REI / MEC / eBay*). Mine’s a 2014 model and I’m only just starting to consider replacing it.
If my wife is along for the ride, we’ll pack our 3‑berth MSR Mutha Hubba HP. Today’s equivalent is the MSR Hubba Hubba 3P (direct / Amazon / Alpine Trek / REI / MEC / eBay). Ours is 14 years old and going strong.
For minimalist bikepacking I’ve been using the British-designed Terra Nova Starlite 2 (my review / use TOMA15 for 15% off when bought direct / Amazon UK / eBay).
Also read:
- What’s The Best Tent For Cycle Touring & Bikepacking?
- 12 Crucial Qualities Of A Bicycle Traveller’s Perfect Tent
- Why Tents Suck, And Some Alternative Ways To Camp On A Cycle Tour
Tent Alternative
I don’t actually like tents. So if it’s practical I’ll sleep in a standard-issue British Army Paratex bivvy bag (eBay) or, better, a Hennessy Deep Jungle Hammock (my review), depending on mood and likelihood of trees.
Sleeping Bag
In 3‑season conditions, I curl up in an Alpkit Pipedream 250 (discontinued; try the slightly lighter Pipedream 200 or heavier 400) plus a Scottish Silkworm liner (Amazon UK / eBay).
For winterlike conditions I use an older down-filled Big Agnes Storm King rated to ‑25ºC.
Camping Mattress
For regular touring and camping, an Alpkit Airo 180 (direct) has replaced a series of Exped mats, none of which lasted more than a few years. In winter, however, there’s still little better than the Exped DownMat series (my review of the DownMat 7 / direct / REI / MEC / Amazon / eBay). Also read:
Extras
Alpkit Drift inflatable pillow & cover (direct), Alpkit Qark headtorch (direct), McNett (aka: Gear Aid) Tenacious Tape (Go Outdoors / REI / MEC / Amazon / eBay) for gear repairs (duct tape also works), the toothbrush from my bathroom.
Camp Stove & Cookset
Cooking isn’t always essential, but if I’m away for long enough to want to cook my own food or make a brew, here’s what I use:
Stove
If I’m solo, the Vango Compact canister stove (direct / Amazon / eBay) or a homemade alcohol stove (how-to video) usually do the job. In pairs/groups or on longer trips, the Alpkit Koro (direct) is lightweight and good for canister gas alone, whereas the MSR WhisperLite Universal (my review / direct / REI / MEC / Amazon / eBay) also allows us to use many liquid fuels.
Also read:
Cookware
If on my own, I take an older version of the MSR Trail Lite Solo kit (direct / Amazon / eBay) when touring, or Alpkit MyTiMug (direct) to save weight when bikepacking. In pairs/groups, the Alpkit AliPots (direct) usually do the trick.
Also read:
Water Purification
If I need one (rarely), my filter of choice is the Sawyer Squeeze (REI / Amazon / eBay).
Utensils & Accessories
Spoon, Opinel No8 stainless steel folding knife (REI / MEC / Amazon / eBay), a couple of tupperware containers, canister of sea salt, teabags, scouring pad, free hotel shampoo bottle filled with washing-up liquid, ziploc bag of laundry powder.
Clothing
On long trips I usually wear a combination of items from the backpacking and hiking departments, rather than cycling-specific clothing. This means bamboo or merino wool baselayers, currently a Patagonia merino ¾‑sleeved jersey (men’s/women’s); long MTB shorts with padded riding shorts underneath; and flexible, quick-drying hiking or climbing trousers for sun protection.
I then throw in whichever of the following items are relevant:
Waterproofs
Alpkit Balance waterproof jacket (direct), sometimes supplemented with a bin bag, and a pair of very expensive but very waterproof Patagonia overtrousers (men’s/women’s).
Sunglasses
Basic cycling sunglasses from Decathlon.
Insulated jacket
For 3‑season riding I pack a Patagonia Nano Puff recycled synthetic jacket (men’s/women’s, direct). For serious winter camping I hide inside an Alpkit Fantom (men’s/women’s, direct).
Shoes & Socks
My feet get on well with Salomon’s low-profile Gore-Tex hiking shoes. I love Darn Tough socks and bring whatever thickness suits the climate. I always pack flip-flops or Crocs.
Headwear
Various Buffs, depending on circumstances – UV protective, high-vis, visor, fleece, etc. They’re really useful. Helmet, obvs.
Tools, Spares & Accessories
- Basic toolkit
- Topeak Alien II multitool, Topeak Road Morph G tyre pump with gauge, Park Tool GP‑2 self-adhesive patches, Park Tool TL-1C tyre levers, regular puncture repair kit, small bottle of Green Oil chain lube, strip of Gorilla Tape wrapped round seatpost, handful of assorted cable ties/zip ties attached to LHS seat-stay.
- Extended toolkit
- Cassette tool, crank extractor, bottom bracket tool, adjustable spanner, 10/12mm hex key for Shimano freehub removal, strips of inner tube rubber, hose clamp, electrical terminal block..
- Basic spares
- Inner-tube, chain links, brake shoes/pads, 3x spokes (rear drive-side, rear non-drive-side, front).
- Extended spares
- Another inner-tube, spare chain, gear cable set (inner/outer/ferrules), brake cable set, hub/headset/bottom bracket bearings, canister of grease.
- Other extended trip gear
- MSR stove service kit if applicable.
Further reading:
Tech
Gadgets are even more dependent on personal preferences. I currently use a Google Pixel 4 XL smartphone for navigation and communication, keep it charged with an Anker PowerCore 10K rapid-charging power bank and a 4‑way USB mains charger, and take photos with a real camera.
Further reading:
I’ve written many blog posts about choosing equipment for cycle touring and bikepacking that will help you make informed buying decisions that match your trip, preferences and budget.
This library of free content includes regularly-updated posts about commercial touring bikes and custom-built expedition bikes, cycle touring and bikepacking tents, cycle touring panniers, stoves for cycle touring and bikepacking, sleeping pads, cookware… seriously, the list goes on.
Warning: Any blogger who tells you there’s a “best” set of equipment for cycle touring or bikepacking, or that you absolutely must have something (especially if it’s expensive), probably has a vested interest in you buying it. Just saying.
Latest blog posts about cycle touring & bikepacking gear:
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No Stupid Questions: How Do I Dry Out My Wet Tent Every Day?
A reader writes: I’m 60 and been a cyclist forever but, aside from a 2 week youth hostel JOGLE in 1993, I haven’t toured. I’m planning a 3 night first go to start a week on Monday. I have a great tent (second-hand Wild Country Helm 1) and all the basic stuff and all second-hand […] Continue reading →
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No Stupid Question: Best Panniers For A Road/Gravel Tour-Commute?
A reader writes: I am going to order in September a new Oxford Bikes Expedition — what panniers would you suggest? I really only need to carry clothes, a very small tool kit and a lap top. Basically, I want to ride to my office down various gravel tracks and roads — my office is 550 […] Continue reading →
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The Most Popular Cycle Touring Tent Ever Made Is Now 40% Cheaper
I rarely post about outdoor industry sales and promotions, and when I do it’s truly in my readers’ interests! On this occasion, Seattle-based Cascade Designs (parent of MSR, Therm-a-Rest, SealLine and more) have launched a major sale on many cycle touring gear classics across their brands, running from May 17–27 – although I expect the […] Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: How To Secure My Bike & Gear While Riding Across The USA?
A reader writes: My biggest question about touring is security for my bike. I’m riding across the US in 2025, with a friend. Maybe a U‑lock is enough because we can always leave one of us at the bikes, but what if we want to eat at a restaurant? Or have some beers at the […] Continue reading →
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No Stupid Questions: What Are Your Top Wet Weather Cycle Touring Tips & Tricks?
A reader writes: Tom, I always enjoy your updates and reports. No big questions here, but one that does come to mind is what are your tips and tricks for riding in the rain. Most of us just do it, and have learned some ways to make it less than miserable like using a visor to keep […] Continue reading →