This is a list of the varied gear and equipment I currently use on my cycle tours and bikepacking trips, together with manufacturer and retailer links.
The collection represents 20 years of riding Earth on long-haul (months/years) and short-haul (days/weeks) trips, buying and making cycle touring and bikepacking gear, and publishing blog posts, books and occasional videos on the topic. 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.
There are a few hand-selected affiliate links to makers and retailers I believe in, which are identified with an asterisk (*). Read my affiliate policy here. I don’t link to Amazon.
Cycle Touring Equipment
All-Purpose Touring Bike
For mixed-terrain and long-haul trips I have been riding a custom-built Oxford Bike Works Expedition since 2014. If you have time, here’s a 10,000-word walkthrough of the design and build, and details of 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 (part 1 of 7)
- 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 / buy direct / eBay), depending on whether I need full waterproofing.
When I use front panniers (rarely), I take Crosso Dry 30s (eBay).
I strap things to racks with flat bungees to avoid damage.
Further reading:
- Do I Really Need Ortliebs? A Buyer’s Guide To Panniers For Cycle Tours & Expeditions
- Carradice Super C Rear Pannier Review
- Crosso Dry, Twist & Expert Pannier Review & Detailed Photos
Handlebar Bag
Ortlieb Ultimate Classic in the larger 6.5‑litre size (buy direct / Cyclestore / Tredz / eBay). I also like Klickfix front baskets (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 over time have been from SealLine (buy direct) and Sea To Summit (buy direct).
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), which these days is very rarely.
Dirt-Road Bikepacking Equiment
Off-Road Bikepacking Bike
My dirt-road/gravel bikepacking bike is a 2024 custom built Oxford Bike Works Outlander, purpose-designed for shorter multi-day rallies and rides with lightweight camping gear.
Bikepacking Frame Luggage
Most of my bikepacking luggage is from UK direct retailer Alpkit: a Stingray custom frame bag, Big Papa seat pack, a Stem Cell handlebar pouch, and a Kanga handlebar harness with a 20l Airlok Dual. They don’t sponsor me. I just like their stuff. I also use a top-tube bag and handlebar pouch from Decathlon.
I often 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 my partner is along for the ride, we’ll pack our 3‑berth MSR Mutha Hubba HP. Today’s equivalent is the MSR Hubba Hubba 3 (buy direct / REI / MEC / eBay). Ours is 16 years old and going strong.
For minimalist bikepacking I’ve been using the British-designed Terra Nova Starlite 2 (my review / buy direct and get 10% off with code TOMSBIKETRIP / 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 British Army Paratex bivvy bag (eBay) or, better, a Hennessy Deep Jungle Hammock (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 (eBay).
For winter conditions I use a down-filled Big Agnes Storm King rated to ‑25ºC (discontinued).
Camping Mat
For regular touring and camping, an Alpkit Airo 180 (direct). In winter, an Exped DownMat 7 (my review); the closest of today’s models is the Dura 10R (buy direct / REI / MEC / eBay).
Also read:
Extras
Alpkit Drift inflatable pillow & cover (buy direct), Alpkit Qark headtorch (buy direct), McNett/Gear Aid Tenacious Tape (Go Outdoors / REI / MEC / eBay) for gear repairs (duct tape also works), bamboo toothbrush.
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
Riding solo: a Vango Firestorm Compact canister stove (direct / eBay) or a homemade meths/alcohol stove (how-to video).
In pairs/groups or on longer trips: Alpkit Koro (direct) for canister gas alone, or MSR WhisperLite Universal (review / buy direct / REI / MEC / eBay) for liquid fuel and long-term serviceability.
Also read:
Cookware
Riding solo: An older version of the MSR Trail Lite Solo kit (buy direct / eBay) when fully loaded, or an Alpkit MyTiMug (buy direct) to save weight.
In pairs/groups: Alpkit AliPots (buy direct), and sometimes a GSI Outdoors Pinnacle frying pan (buy direct).
Also read:
Water Purification
If I need one (rarely), my filter of choice is the Sawyer Squeeze (REI / eBay).
Utensils & Accessories
Spoon, Opinel No8 stainless steel folding knife (REI / MEC / 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 Sigma waterproof jacket (men’s/women’s), 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). For serious winter camping I hide inside an Alpkit Fantom (men’s/women’s).
Shoes & Socks
My feet get on well with Salomon’s low-profile Gore-Tex hiking shoes. Your mileage may differ. 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? Obviously.
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 7 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:
-
Kona Sutra 2014 Preview
UPDATE: My full review of the 2014 Sutra is now online and supersedes this preview. Check it out here. In 2012 I took a cross-section of the best and most popular mid-range road touring bikes and singled out the Kona Sutra as the one I wanted to take on a long-term test for my ride down the U.S. West Coast. I had a good working relationship with the Kona crew and suggested a few tweaks that would optimize a future incarnation, some of which were suggested by blog readers. Behold the 2013 Sutra, which incorporated all of these changes and made… Continue reading →
-
How I Got A Touring Bike, Gear & Luggage For The Price Of A Round Of Drinks
I believe a lack of funds should not be an obstacle to setting off on a cycling adventure. But rather than spend a few thousand words arguing my case, I decided to demonstrate the principles of no-budget cycle touring by doing one myself. In this, the first post of a series (which I’ll warn you right now is going to require at least two cups of tea), I’ll demonstrate how I gathered everything necessary to set off on a big bike trip for the price of a round of drinks. And by a round of drinks, I mean £25.14. (That… Continue reading →
-
Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite Ultralight Camping Mat: Long-Term Review
A detailed write-up of this impressively light, compact and comfortable camping mat, used on multiple expeditions since 2012. Links to best deals included. Continue reading →
-
Folding Touring: A Review Of The Tern Link P24h
A long-term test and write-up of the Link P24h folding touring bike from Tern, its fully-loaded and long distance performance, and its portability in the real world scenarios. Continue reading →
-
MSR WhisperLite Universal Canister/Multi-Fuel Stove: Owner Review
Full disclosure: In 2012, Cascade Designs sent me a WhisperLite Universal for testing, review and feedback. As with all such arrangements, I reserve the right to write honestly. If a product is crap, I’ll tell you why. We are already spoilt for choice with camping stoves, but MSR have recently brought out a hybrid-fuel version of the classic Whisperlite, which burns propane-butane canister fuel as happily as the unleaded petrol/gasoline/benzine/diesel/kerosene/white gas we’ve come to rely on as cycle-tourists. This is interesting. Who is the MSR Whisperlite Universal for? Why would you want to burn canister fuel? It’s more expensive, the canisters… Continue reading →