Bikepacking Apparel

We took six of the most well-regarded clipless shoes on the market and put them to a test throughout a season of riding. Find a review of each here, alongside detailed insight into how to choose the best clipless shoes for bikepacking…

In this Make Your Own Bikepacking Gear (MYOBG) tutorial, Franzi Wernsing provides a step-by-step guide to making your own cycling cap. Find her detailed tutorial here, complete with lots of photos…

Ornot is a San Francisco-based cycling apparel company dedicated to doing things differently. From their minimal branding, to their full line of US-made products, to their commitment to operating an environmentally conscious business, they’ve got a lot going for them. After some spring riding, Miles is ready to share his thoughts on the Ornot Mission Shorts and newly released Trail Shirt. Read more here…

After a combined 500+ miles of riding, Miles and Lucas report back on Bontrager’s GR2 Gravel Bike Shoe, which was released earlier this spring. The lace-up closure and no-frills design are likely to appeal to bikepackers and gravel enthusiasts alike. Learn more here…

Rapha’s Explore Down Jacket is a lightweight, packable layer that’s designed to work equally well on and off the bike. After a few months of use in a variety of environments—from sunny Arizona, to rainy California, to cold and windy London—Lucas shares his impressions on what’s worked and what hasn’t. Find his full review here…

GORE’s fabrics have undoubtedly transformed the outdoor industry and anyone who spends any time outside has probably used their products. In addition to licensing its technologies to other companies, GORE has for many years produced its own line of technical garments that have by now reached elite status for thoughtfully designed outerwear. Joe Cruz spent the last six months rotating through three of their jackets and reports back on their limits and successes…

After years of riding in 5.10’s classic Freeriders, Cass thinks it’s time to give another trail shoe a go: Bontrager’s Flatlines. After six months of use, find out how he got on, and whether their Vibram tread survived the rigours of bikepacking, city sidewalks, and regular trail riding…

In 2019 Joe pedaled in Bosnia, on dirt roads from Munich to Marseille, and on a folding bike in Portugal. Closer to home he rode along the Mexico/Arizona border and was part of the Arkansas scouting mission for the No Place Like Oz loop. Not to mention a 50th birthday party of three days of massive gravel rides in Vermont with a few dozen close friends. Along the way he put plenty of new things to the test. Find his favorites here…

Next up in our Editor’s Dozen gear lists, Miles shares his thoughts on some components, clothing, and events that stood out in 2019. After six months on the road, from the Pacific Northwest to the Southeast and back again, Miles has packed in his fair share of riding. Here are a dozen items that have continued to prove their usefulness, over and over again…

With a lot of good items left over from our awards roundups, we’re putting down some of our favorites in several end of the year Editor’s Dozen gear lists. Here’s a collaboration from Virginia and Logan with twelve of their prized bikepacking finds from 2019…

It’s always hard to squeeze everything we like most into our Awards series. So this year, we’re adding in an Editor’s Dozen – gear, routes, and more – that didn’t make it into our main roundup posts. To kick off, here’s Cass’ pick of 2019, covering family bikepacking, a cargo plus bike, favourite routes, fancy carbon wheels, a Dyneema hip pack, a magic bungee cord, and more…

The second installment of our 2019 Bikepacking Awards recognizes the gear that’s impressed us this year. Find our top picks in a dozen categories, including Best New Component, Best Tools, and Top Five Bikepacking Bikes. Plus, some thoughts on the bikes that are already on our radar for 2020…