Logan Watts

The new Restrap Rolltop Hydration Vest builds on the British maker’s Race Hydration Vest with a larger, fully waterproof 14L capacity designed for remote bike routes and mountain adventures. Find details and two videos here…

Rick Hunter has been refining racks for decades, but his new Hunter Cycles Cargo Rack feels like one of those rare designs that just clicks. With built-in cargo cages, axle mounts, clever strap-keepers, and a modular chromoly construction, it’s a minimalist’s dream for carrying extra water, food, or gear without compromise. After a few trips with it, we’re convinced it’s one of the smartest and most versatile bikepacking racks out there. Find Logan’s full review here…

Sometimes, you have to reinvent the wheel. Rogue Panda just did that with a completely out-of-the-box frame bag thumb screw and washer design. We’ve been using pre-production versions for several months to see how they work. Find our mini-review of the all-new Rogue Panda Frame Bag Thumb Screw system here…

Ultra-distance powerhouse Alex McCormack is back in action, this time taking on the Silk Road Mountain Race in his bid for a 2025 Mountain Series clean sweep. With wins already at the Atlas Mountain Race and Hellenic Mountain Race, a victory here would cement an unprecedented triple crown. Alex is riding a Fairlight Holt 2.0, featuring Shimano XTR wireless shifting and a few other changes for this ride. Have a look here….

Just announced, the revamped Surly Skid Loader compact electric cargo bike hauls bigger payloads with updated Bosch electronics, dual battery capability, and a 100-pound-capacity rear rack. It looks ready for carless car-camping duties, making carrying more and driving less easier than ever. Details here…

Backed by a 130-page deep dive from Fairlight founder and designer Dom Thomas, the Fairlight Holt 2.0 is here. Shaped by thousands of real-world miles from riders and racers, the second-gen Holt blends meticulous engineering, athlete-driven feedback, and precision Taiwanese manufacturing to deliver a true bikepacking tool. From subtle geometry tweaks to an all-new rear triangle and tubing, every detail reflects Fairlight’s ethos for purposeful design. Check it out here…

For Collective Reward #223, one lucky Bikepacking Collective member will win a curated prize package loaded with gear and goodies. This bundle includes a Miss Grape handlebar bag, a pair of pumps from Blackburn, a topeak toolkit, a chain lube system from Finish Line, a custom bucket hat from Sour Bikes by Quinda Verhuel, and more goodies from Big Agnes and Lezyne. Find the full details here…

As the tariffs put pressure on all facets of the bike industry over the last few months, Esker Cycles held the line—until now. Starting September 1, a 10% tariff surcharge will apply to all new orders. For riders eyeballing a new Esker, August is the last chance to lock in current pricing. Find details here…

Announced just last week, the 95-gram Smith Blade is a titanium multi-tool with 21 functions that looks to replace the standard Leatherman tool in a more lightweight package. Even more interesting is that it raised nearly $6,000,000 on Kickstarter in a week. Find details here…

Last month, friend and fellow YouTuber Ryan Van Duzer set out on our lovely Sage and Saddles loop in Gunnison, Colorado, where he put together a four-part video series documenting the ride. Watch it here and find more information about the route…

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and onX Maps have released an interactive map that highlights six million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands across 17 Western states currently identified as eligible for potential sale. Learn more here…

Confident on rough terrain thanks to its mountain bike demeanor but still surprisingly light and snappy, the all-new Norco Search Carbon is a gravel bike with a little extra backbone. Featuring progressive geometry, in-frame storage, an integrated fender, and clearance for larger tires, it’s built for riders who want to move fast and ride a variety of terrain. Find our full review after testing it on everything from smooth gravel to chunky doubletrack, plus an interesting singletrack descent running from a bear…