Editor’s Dozen: Logan and VA’s Favorite Gear and More of 2024

As I start typing this, I honestly can’t believe it’s already the end of the year. This has been, far and away, the fastest feeling trip around the sun I’ve experienced. They say that time speeds up as we get older, but the brevity of 2024 seems otherworldly. A lot happened personally this year, and I was busier than ever working on this site, but Virginia and I also tackled fewer trips than we have in a decade, relying on weekend day rides and the occasional overnighter to keep us sane.

I suppose that in and of itself backs up one theory that describes why the perception of time accelerates as we age: the idea is when we’re younger, almost everything is new, and our mind works hard to process and store detailed memories of these experiences. As a result, time seems to slow down because our minds are busy accumulating a lot of vivid, distinct moments. However, as we get older, the novelty of everyday life decreases, and many experiences become routine or repetitive. This leads to fewer unique memories being formed, and our brains process fewer “frames per second,” so to speak. Consequently, time feels like it’s passing faster because our perception is largely based on the quantity and potency of experiences.

All that being said, we managed to develop some new passion projects and try a lot of fresh gear on day rides, local overnighters, and a couple of short trips. And while none of this seemed to slow down time, there are definitely a few things that were upgraded to a special place over the past 12 months, including newfound and rediscovered interests, some epic handlebars, and one very heavy tool. Read on for details about a baker’s dozen products and things that made our year, including a favorite photo.

Basketpacking (and the Wald 137 Half-basket)

~400 grams / Made in USA / $36 at Analog

After some 12 years of helming the rudder here at BIKEPACKING.com, Virginia and I have had the pleasure of putting countless bags and all variety of setups through their paces, including dozens of front carrying solutions, ranging from handlebar harnesses to hardware-based cradles and from retro-savvy waxed-canvas top-opening bags to techy burrito rolls made from advanced waterproof fabrics. However, we had yet to enlist the venerable front basket method. I finally tossed all fears of rattling wire contraptions out into the headwind and tried multiple basketpacking arrangements this year, and I gotta say, I might be hooked.

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My basketpacking tenure started off by testing the new Blackburn Grid Front Basket Rack. I’m not sure if that’s academically considered a basket system by the purists, so I’ll just refer to it as a gateway drug. Either way, during my time with that rack/basket, I appreciated the simple luxury of sloppy packing, the fact that the easy-to-remove basket bag could be a catch-all organizer at camp, and that it really didn’t matter how overfilled or empty it was.

I eventually found my way to true Luddite nirvana: a wire basket of questionable construction attached to a rack with some sort of retrofitted alchemy. Same benefits, but lighter, and maybe more classy. Ultimately, I bought an even lighter half-basket from Blue Lug and made my own basket bag for it. Stay tuned for more on that.

7mesh Spruce Hoody

309 grams / Made in Vietnam / $180 at 7mesh

Virginia: The Spruce hoody is one of 7mesh’s newest offerings, and it seemed like a great option for fall riding. Much of the cooler weather apparel I own constricts my movement, which means I never wear it off the bike. From my experience with the Callaghan, I figured the Spruce would be just as comfortable on as off the bike, and I was right. Though the fabric isn’t quite as soft and plush as that of the Callaghan, the fleece-lined pockets and chin guard add to its cozy factor, and the relaxed fit means I can move without the fabric squeezing my arms or feeling excessively stretched across my upper back and shoulders. The fabric is also supple enough that it drapes around my figure, versus some fabrics that seem as though they could stand on their own. The elasticized cuffs and waist and zippered pockets are a departure from the Callaghan, which add to the Spruce’s superior functionality on the bike.

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While I do miss the softer fabric of the Callaghan, the proprietary WTV 200 (Wind.Thermal. Ventilation.) fabric from which the Spruce is constructed seems like a better bet for temperature regulation in colder weather. The exterior of the jacket has a windbreaker-type sheen, though it’s a far cry from the slick, plasticky essence of a more traditional (aka suffocating) windbreaker. Beneath that lies a waffled insulating layer made of 92% recycled polyester. The waffling provides warmth by trapping body heat but also wicks moisture away from the skin. At rest, the Spruce is quite a bit warmer than the Callaghan, so I look forward to wearing it further into the winter.

Hope Dropper Lever

39 grams / Made in England / $75 at Jenson

Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m a staunch pundit for Hope brakes; I now own three sets of their Tech 4 E4s. While they’re not the breeziest brakes to set up or maintain, once dialed in, they’re nearly unmatched. Naturally, I was enchanted when Hope released a dropper lever last year. Designed with the same precision detailing and aesthetic as their brakes, the Hope Dropper Lever features an intricately machined, fully adjustable design and comes in several color options. I was immediately smitten with its performance and build quality—and now I own two.

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Hope’s UK-machined dropper lever is one of the most pleasant feeling levers I’ve moved my left thumb across. It rotates on a ball bearing for fluid actuation and allows adjustable leverage; increasing leverage offers a lighter feel with extended lever travel, while decreasing leverage provides quicker action and shorter travel. It also has adjustable reach with the sliding paddle and can be mounted directly to Hope levers for a clean, integrated look or paired with SRAM Matchmaker or a standard bar clamp. Aside from the fact that it looks sharp, it’s quickly become one of my favorite dropper levers for its leverage and paddle adjustment. The fact that it comes in silver is icing on the cake.

Icebreaker Merino Boxer Briefs

72 grams / Made in China / $115 (3-pack) at Icebreaker $45 at Backcountry

Icebreaker Merino Boxer Briefs aren’t exactly new to me this year. Quite the contrary; I’ve had two pairs in my wardrobe for over a decade. Purchased in 2012, they impressively withstood a fair share of off-and-on use, including regular rotation during a grueling four-month bike tour. I used a chamois for most rides in the years following that trip but returned to a chamois-free cycling life last year, and my trusty briefs finally gave out.

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After that, I decided to invest in the updated version with a three-pack purchase. The design has evolved slightly since 2012—these seem a bit thicker, although that might just be in contrast to my well-worn originals. Regardless, the durability and quality still seem consistent. Worn daily for pedaling and beyond, so far so good, and I expect to be riding in them for years to come.

Stooge x Doom Tracker Bar

Made in NM, USA / £150 at Stooge

Despite having a very deep bench within my personal handlebar collection, I discovered a new one this year that’s become a star player on my rigid mountain bikes. The Doom/Stooge Tracker Bar was designed by Stooge Cycles and is made by Doom Bars in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was kind of an across-the-pond collab made specifically for the Stooge Dirt Tracker. Although the Tracker Bar made it into our annual Gear of the Year Awards, I thought it was worth mentioning again to provide a little context and show off this titanium version.

The first iteration I tried is made from robust 4130 Chromoly steel and finished with a striking nickel-plated coating that brilliantly complements the bike it was designed for. With a 70mm rise, a generous 20° backsweep, and an uncut width of 880mm (though I trimmed mine to 830mm), the bar prioritizes comfort and still ticks all the boxes when it comes to dirt-noodling performance.

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I love this bar for its upright stance, vibration-damping qualities, and perfectly ergonomic angles, offering a smooth, comfortable ride whether meandering along enjoying the scenery, wrenching up a singlespeed climb, jibbing around on smooth singletrack, or picking apart a chunky downhill. In fact, I liked it so much, I contacted Doom Bars and had a titanium version made. It’s lighter and even more comfortable, and it looks beautiful to boot. Unfortunately, the original Stooge x Doom Tracker Bar is long out of stock, but you can get the Tracker 85 Bar for £72 here or contact Doom Bars about similar models.

We Are One Fuse Rims

526 grams (28h single) / Made in Canada / $475 at We Are One

It seems like every carbon mountain bike rim on the market has a 30mm inner width these days. That’s fine for most tires, but I prefer something with a little more breadth when mounting rubber that’s 2.6″ and wider. On the hunt for such a unicorn, I came across the 33mm We Are One Fuse rims. While 3mm isn’t monumentally different from the 30mm norm, it adds a little bit of volume that makes them a pretty good candidate for 2.6″ and 2.8″ tires. With that, I purchased a pair and had the expert wheel builder Ryan Santoski at Totem Cyclery in Denver lace up a bedazzling fresh set of boots using brass nipples and a whole lot of silver.

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Like their other rims, the Fuse comes in 28- and 32-hole versions, all of which are made in Kamloops, British Columbia. We Are One offers quite a few rim models, spanning three widths, two diameters, and both hole counts, catering to a wide range of tire preferences. The Fuse—which is now called an Enduro or E-bike rim, but wasn’t when I bought these—is the widest of the three.

The standout feature of the Fuse rims is their striking, wavy external profile. While this concept isn’t entirely unique—both NOBL and Forge+Bond have a comparable approach—We Are One’s take on it looks particularly clean to my eye. The design aims to improve alignment between the inner rim wall and the spoke bracing angle, ensuring the nipple sits more evenly against the rim to reduce stress on both the spoke and nipple. So far, I really like the look of these rims, even on a full-steel, classically minded bike. They’re also a pleasure on the trail and aren’t overly harsh. The Fuse seems like a good value and nice spec set for a high-end set of Canadian-made rims.

Fox Speedframe Pro Helmet

395 grams (medium) / Made in TBD / $139+ at REI

I’m embarrassed to say that it’s been a very long while since I’ve purchased a new helmet. Not smart considering that my last one saw a couple of spectacular collisions over the last two years. Amplifying my boneheaded stubbornness is the fact that I’ve been using the same two Leatt DBXs (2.0 and 3.0, I think) for nearly six years. I guess I risked brain carnage to avoid landfill garbage. That being said, I’ve tried on a couple of lids from various brands over those years and never found one I gelled with.

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I don’t have a long list of criteria when looking for a new helmet. It’s pretty simple, really: 1. It has to have plenty of protection at the base, which is common for trail/enduro helmets; 2. I prefer a relatively trim form factor compared to most of the inherently ugly, bulbous, and oversized options out there; 3. A magnetic buckle is mandatory. Why in holy hell are all manufacturers not including this simple feature!? Once you use one, you simply can’t return to the old ways of a plastic compression buckle.

The Fox Speedframe Pro came recommended for all of these reasons and didn’t disappoint. It has a nice trim look that’s not overly bulky, and their magnetic buckle is a pleasure to use. My only complaint is that there aren’t many simple color options available. Fortunately, I found this Greg Minnar edition and rather like the look of it. Plus, it has two white panels, which make it a little more visible than my typical tendency toward single-color, non-sporty gray and drab options.

MYOBG projects

This fall, we dove headfirst into several significant DIY/MYOBG projects. Despite the long after-hours doing so, it was rewarding to get back to something we’d left by the wayside back in the beginnings of this website. At any rate, we’re excited to share a thing or two early next year. Stay tuned, and now that we’ve greased the creative wheels, please leave us a note in the conversation below with any DIY pieces you’d like to see in the future. And in the meantime, be sure to peruse our flourishing library of MYOBG tutorials here.

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Smith Seeker Sunglasses

Assembled in USA / $205 at Smith

Virginia: I’ve worn Ombraz for years, and while I really like them, I was excited to try out Smith’s new Seeker sunglasses when given the opportunity. As soon as I put these shades on, I was reminded of just how great Smith’s ChromaPop lenses are. No lenses I’ve ever worn can compare. It’s like the difference between looking through a dirty, smeared windshield and one that’s just been attended to by a highly detail-oriented cleaner or comparing the amorphous blob of a Rorschach test and the hyperrealism of a Keng Lye work of art. Okay, maybe that’s a bit much, but these lenses really are amazing.

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In addition to their incredible lenses, the Seekers feature a few other details that make them great for cycling. The lenses are full-coverage and the integrated side shields are subtle but successfully cut peripheral glare while providing added protection from flying debris and dust. The glasses come with a paracord leash that’s easily detachable. Dangling the glasses allows for quick adjustments to frequently changing lighting and is also safer than rashly sticking them in a framebag. And when it’s time to stow them, Smith includes the nicest sunglass case I’ve seen. It’s soft-sided with an integrated cleaning cloth and a roll top that buckles. I’ve discovered that the buckle system is perfect for strapping my lenses to my handlebars, where they’re easy to locate and much less likely to get crushed.

The glasses I’m wearing have lenses designed for really bright light, which is ideal for high-elevation and desert riding, but may be a little too dark for afternoon rides in the forest. Fortunately Smith offers six variations on these glasses, each with a different frame finish and lens combination. At $175, I’m not likely to rush out and buy another pair right now, but I will consider buying another pair when these ultimately meet their demise.

Swift Umbra Collection Zeitgeist Pack

~600 grams / Made in WA, USA / $215 at Swift

The Zeitgeist has been one of our favorite handlebar bags since it was redesigned and rereleased at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s light, offers a near perfect volume of versatile packing space, and its internal fiberglass batten make it very stable. We’re still rocking and rolling with the tan/coyote-color one we reviewed back in 2020, but it’s definitely got a few battle scars after accompanying us on nearly every bikepacking trip we’ve taken since.

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When I saw that Swift launched the new limited edition Umbra Collection, I knew we had to finally shore up a replacement. The Umbra Collection draws inspiration from moody, mossy earth tones, utilizing reversed X-Pac fabric to showcase its distinctive patterns and textures. This unique post-modern approach highlights the technical properties of the materials, resulting in a canvas of patterns that are typically concealed. The collection features two of Swift’s most popular bags, the Zeitgeist and Moxie, which you can see more of here. At any rate, I love the look of the Umbra and look forward to putting it to use for years to come.

Wilton Multi-Purpose Bench Vise

40 pounds / Made in IL, USA / $206 at Wilton Store

I was kidding with a friend of mine after the US election went the way of a turd, and said, “Well, I finally bought a bench vise this year, so I guess I can’t flee the country.” All joking aside, I think the 40-pound Wilton Multi-Purpose Bench Vise is the heaviest metal object I now own, and it could certainly double as an anchor, but I love it.

To be honest, I’m not sure why I waited this long to buy a bench vise. They’re one of the most useful tools in a shop, and in the first week I owned it, I think I used it five times. I had been subbing in my trusty pair of Knipex pliers and various clamps to accomplish similar tasks, but there’s truly no substitute.

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The only trick to finally pulling the trigger on a vise was deciding on which Wilton model to get. I knew I wanted a Wilton—they’ve been making vises in Illinois for 80-some-odd years—but I still feel like I spent a week researching them. As you can see in this comparison chart, they have quite a few options. I probably stared at that a little too long, but I think it was an article on Bob Vila’s website that convinced me to buy the Multi-Purpose (Model 550P) with 5 1/2″ jaws, a 360° rotating head, and base. It seemed like a good value that was a little more versatile than the Utility model but not as expensive as the Tradesman.

Mission Workshop Acre Series Jacket

335 grams (size large) / Made in Vietnam / $275 at Mission Workshop

Released in 2021, the Mission Workshop Acre Series Jacket isn’t exactly new, but after picking one up this year, I can see why it’s remained unchanged in their lineup. According to Mission Workshop, it’s made for fast and light cycling adventures, combining performance and practicality. I’d say that’s pretty accurate since they managed to wrap a lot of great features and functionality into a relatively minimal package. At 335 grams, it’s not the lightest puffy in my collection, and even though it stuffs into its own pocket, it doesn’t compress nearly as much as other down jackets I’ve owned. However, fits better than any puffy I’ve worn and seems significantly more durable than most other ultralight jackets, which are two reasons, among others, why it’s quickly become one of my favorite insulated jackets.

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The Acre Series Jacket features a DWR-coated Pertex Quantum outer shell, certified by BLUESIGN, and is insulated with 40 grams of PrimaLoft Gold for warmth. It’s surprisingly toasty for a non-down jacket and easily competes with many of them in that regard. Designed with cyclists in mind, it includes a dropped tail, reflective tabs on each side for visibility, and well-thought-out storage: two hand-warmer pockets, two internal open pockets, and a large rear snack or glove pocket, which has two zippers that double as vents. Note that I often wear a size medium jacket, but I sized up to a large on this one, and it fits perfectly.

Perhaps my favorite feature is the two-way YKK zipper. Not enough jackets have this ridiculously simple and practical detail, which is one of my favorite ways of managing body heat when riding in colder temps. Adding to that, they used relatively burly molded-tooth YKK zippers for the main zip and pockets, adding another level of dependability. Don’t change a thing, Mission Workshop.

Specialized 2FO Roost Canvas

$48 at Backcountry

To round out this brimming baker’s dozen, I had to include one more thing that’s impressed me recently. Over the past couple of years, the Specialized 2FO Roost has become my go-to flat-pedal shoe. They offer exceptional grip, fit comfortably with their spacious toe box, and have proven to be incredibly durable. Admittedly, the original design left something to be desired—they had a bit of a bowling shoe vibe, which wasn’t exactly my style. Fortunately, Specialized stepped up with the “Syn” version and now the Canvas option, both of which look far more refined and aesthetically pleasing than the original, all while retaining the same excellent performance.

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One thing to note. The Canvas may breathe better and dry out a little faster than the Synthetic version, but it also gets wet easier. No problem in the desert, but if you’re in a wet, rainy area, it’s worth considering.

Favorite Shot of 2024

Since this is a collaborative post from Virginia and me, we thought it’d be fun to highlight a favorite photo we worked on together. Many of you might not realize where some of the “riding shots” in my bike reviews come from, so here’s a little behind-the-scenes insight. In many cases—including this one—I set up the shot, give Virginia (who’s admittedly not a photographer) some creative freedom, and we run with it. While this isn’t a particularly picture-perfect photo of some epic destination, we had a great time creating it. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing a trusty rigid steel basket bike out taking on the berms?

And for posterity, here are a couple of similar bangers we’ve made together over the last few years…

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If you’re interested in purchasing any of these products, please support your local bike shop and buy from them when possible. If you can’t, or they’re only obtainable online, we’ve provided links to manufacturers and stores where they are currently available; some of these retailers offer a modest referral fee, which helps support this platform. This has no bearing on the review or selection.

Further Reading

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