Gear Up & Get Lost 

Bikepacking offers a chance to detach and explore the world on our own terms. With everything we need (and nothing more) secured to our bike, there’s no limit to where we can go. Folks in our Herd find this escape from routine and time in nature equally beneficial for our minds, bodies, and souls. And that’s the inspiration behind the gear we’ve selected as our top picks below.

How We Choose Bike Packs & Bags

Packs and bags create the foundation of the bikepacking experience. The best bags secure our gear and ensure we’re not frequently stopping to adjust them—nothing is worse than bags that sway or continuously break down. To keep you riding and not spending time gear-fidgeting, we’ve chosen the bags that have streamlined our own trips without packing frustration.

Bikepacking bags come in a range of styles that fit the frame, beneath the seat, or on the handlebars. They can be further supplemented with fork cages and tube bags. The specific bags you need will depend on the requirements of your trip. You can opt for any combination, but a handlebar pack, frame pack, and seat bag will provide a good starting point for short to medium-distance missions. Keeping your gear dry and protected is also paramount, so dry bags or bags with highly water-resistant materials are another key factor are key to keep the good times rolling no matter what sort of weather nature has in mind.

Best Bike Bag

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More storage we’re packing with.

How We Choose Bikepacking Tools

It’s all finesse and gains until something inevitably fails, and bike-specific tools are essential to ensure you’re never met with a trip-ending obstacle. Whether we need to fix a rogue derailleur, pop a wheel off and swap a tire, or dial in more comfy geometry, tools that foster fast pit stops are (almost) as lovely as the company you’ll be sharing the ride with. The best bikepacking tools should carry the necessities without adding unnecessary grams, so we opt for lightweight yet robust designs, and multi-function tools that come with all the bits and pieces needed to fix our rig and stay moving.

Best Bikepacking Tool

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Other tools we trust to keep us moving.

How We Choose Bikepacking Sleep Systems

Similar to ultralight backpacking, the best bikepacking sleep systems pack down small and minimize weight, but still deliver all the comfort-focused features you’ll need after a long day on the move. If you’re new to bikepacking, you might be able to get away with the camping setup you likely have at home already. Conventional camping tents, bags, and pads may not give you the packability and weight-savings you'll need on the ride.

When it comes to sleeping bags, down options offer a better warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetic bags, while synthetic ones will usually be a little more weather-resistant and budget-friendly. We prefer inflatable sleeping pads for backpacking trips since they pack small and are lighter than most foam ones, but still foster proper post-ride zzz’s. Some riders opt for bivy shelters or simple tarps to save space, but we prefer bikepacking-specfic tents that fasten to our ride nicely, and allow us to ride and rest with adequate comfort.

Best Sleep Systems

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More tents, bags, and pads to complete your setup.

How We Choose A Bikepacking Bike

When it comes to finding the best bikepacking bike, there’s no single option that’s going to be the best for everyone. Bikepackers ride everything from aluminum commuters to full-suspension mountain bikes. The best bike for you will largely depend on the routes you ride, the terrain you’re on, and the distance you’re planning on going.

If you’re riding solely on smooth pavement, a touring bike is ideal. However, if you venture onto dirt roads, a gravel bike, or rigid mountain bike will provide a more secure ride. Knobby tires on these bikes offer extra comfort and better traction. Gravel bikes, in particular, handle loose gravel and quick descents with impressive stability, while hardtail mountain bikes offer more stability on extra rough sections.

If you’re riding on gravel roads or two-track roads, gravel bikes, rigid mountain bikes, and hardtail mountain bikes are all excellent choices. Again, rigid and hardtail mountain bikes are a bit heavier than gravel bikes, but they offer superior comfort and stability, especially on fast, loose, or rocky descents.

If you’re riding on singletrack, hardtail mountain bikes are solid a pick. A hardtail with front suspension helps you glide over roots and rocks, making your ride smoother. If you'll be tackling mostly technical singletrack, consider a full-suspension mountain bike for extra comfort. Fat-tire bikes are also a great option as they provide a cushy ride without the need for suspension and add traction in loose or sandy sections.

Look for extra mounting points on the bike’s frame for a little more freedom to pack how you please. This will allow you to pack bags or water cages in places like your fork and frame.

Some Fine-Tuned Bikepacking Bike Details

Bike deets run deep, and they can easily get your head spinning. Since the best bike for you will depend on your individual measurements and preferences, we recommend reading our Mountain Bike Buying Guide for the fine-tuned details on sizing, suspension styles, frame types, and more, but we’ve added a few of our key considerations for choosing a bikepacking bike below.

Geometry: The best bikepacking shapes prioritize stability, comfort, and versatility. A slacker head tube angle, longer wheelbase, and lower bottom bracket will help stabilize handling with loaded gear. Moderate stack and reach provide a comfortable riding position for long distances, while wide tire clearance and fork mounts enhance the bike's ability to carry gear and tackle any terrain.

Wheels: Balancing durability and strength with the ability to handle wider, tubeless tires is key with bikepacking wheels. Aluminum rims with more spokes are a sturdy, budget-friendly choice, while carbon rims shave weight and boost performance for a higher price. Go for wheels with tubeless compatibility and durable hubs for more reliability. Choose 29-inch wheels for stability and rolling over obstacles if you’re going for a mountain bike, or opt for 650b wheels if you want more maneuverability and wider tires on a gravel bike.

Tires: We opt for durable and versatile tires suited to the terrain we most often ride. Choose 29-inch mountain bike tires or 650b gravel sizes with widths of 2.1 to 2.6 inches for a balance of comfort and traction. We prioritize tubeless-ready tires for better flat resistance and the ability to run lower pressures.

Bikepacking Bikes

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Top Picks From The Backcountry Bulletin

How To Choose Bikepacking Shoes

Your choice of footwear creates the foundation of your body-to-bike connection. We look for comfortable, durable, power-infused shoes that don’t hang us up when we clip in. Hybrid pedals and shoes are solid options if you’ll be doing a fair bit of walking. And if you’re opting for flat-soled shoes and flat pedals, we recommend mountain bike pedals with pins to add a little more foot-to-pedal security.

Best Men’s Bikepacking Shoe

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Lace-up or dial-in more great options.

Best Women’s Bikepacking Shoe

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More shoes that’re in tune with your ride.

Best Men’s Bikepacking Apparel

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Bike-specific designs that breathe and move in all the ways you do. 

Best Women’s Bikepacking Apparel

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Inspired by the adventure. (Almost) as tough as you are. 

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