Gear for Glampacking: 14 Items to Make Bikepacking More Fun and Comfy

Over the years, I’ve wised up. My bikepacking trips used to focus on traveling light and fast, covering as much ground as possible while carrying as little as possible. But in that time, I’ve learned to bring a few creature comforts that make the journey more fun and comfortable. In this piece, I’m going to share 14 of those things, many of which several of us here on the BIKEPACKING.com team have come to love. Obviously, I’m not suggesting carrying everything on this list all at once, but adding one or two at a time can enhance your experience. Use this list as inspiration for your next trip to add a little more plush or fun to your adventure. Watch the video and read on for the written version with links to relevant resources.

Pillow(s)

For years, I’ve always used whatever I had on hand to make a pillow—stuffing a dry bag or stuff sack with extra clothes, using my shoes or rain layers under my sleeping pad, or just going without a makeshift option. As someone who tosses and turns a lot, those methods work, but they’re never the most comfortable. So, this summer, I decided to finally buy a pillow. I’ve been using the Nemo Fillo Elite, and it seems to do the trick. It weighs only 70 grams and packs down to the size of my palm, making it an easy addition to my sleep kit that I don’t even have to think about.

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Lucas uses an older Sea To Summit Aeros, and Miles enjoys his Exped MegaPillow and Down Pillow. Logan brings two pillows on every trip, an inflatable AXL air from Big Agnes and the Hyperlite Stuff Pillow. Combined with a layer, the two make for one big fluffy pillow that he says was a game changer.

Ultralight Camp Chair

Ultralight camp chairs have become popular for bikepacking lately. While they’re certainly one of the bulkier additions you could add to your kit, they can also increase the camp comfort factor by providing back support and keeping you off the cold, wet ground. As Logan mentions, chairs are a great alternative to sitting on rocks, tree limbs, or stumps—which is especially great for an aging back. There are plenty of options out there, which you can find here.

Most of these chairs use segmented poles for the legs, with a rectangular fabric hammock suspended from the base poles to form the seat. Some of our favorites are the Helinox Chair Zero, the Big Agnes Skyline, and the Nemo Moonlight Elite, which I recently reviewed. While not as comfortable, a foam pad is also a great option to separate you and the ground, and I always bring one when I don’t have space for a chair.

Slingshot

Looking for some fun during those post-ride afternoons while bikepacking? A slingshot is one of our go-to ways to stay entertained at camp. It’s perfect for sharpening your target practice skills and maximizing lazy downtime. There are lightweight, packable options from talented builders like Sour, WZRD, Hunter Cycles, and Zodiac Engineering; find a few of those here. All you need is a target, a pebble or acorn, and your inner child.

Down Pants

After using ultralight down pants for two years, I’m convinced they’ve replaced long johns for good. While ideal for shoulder season bikepacking, I now take them on trips year-round here in Colorado. Like down jackets, their insulation-to-volume ratio and packability are unbeatable.

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Several brands offer great lightweight options that rival the weight and compactness of other layers. I call mine “dance pants” because they make me want to dance! My Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer pants have been fantastic, and Virginia loves her Montbell Lightweight down pants. Check out our full roundup here.

Games/cards/dice

Something I’ve been bringing on trips for a while now is a deck of cards. It’s lightweight, packable, and offers endless entertainment, especially for two players. My partner and I have an ongoing gin rummy game we play every time we go bikepacking. Lucas likes to bring Uno, and dice are another compact option—great for games like Yahtzee or Farkle. These are all perfect tent-friendly games, whether you’re winding down for the night, waiting out a storm, or just looking to pass time while having dinner around camp.

Music and Books

While it’s debatable whether music belongs in nature, there are times when bringing a small speaker feels right. When hanging out with friends around camp, chatting and listening to a few tunes—or a podcast—can make the experience more memorable; music often ties into important life moments. Though I’m against riding with a speaker, at camp, especially when you’re in a private spot with no one else around, I think it can be a nice touch. I usually use my iPhone, but JBL speakers are lightweight and packable.

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For the trail, headphones are great, too. I absolutely love my Jabra Elite Eight Active headphones, and Logan is really into the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. And if you prefer podcasts or audiobooks, those can be a nice addition.

Lights/lantern

Most people use a headlamp for bikepacking, as it’s a practical way to navigate camp at night or use for night riding if need be. Recently, I’ve been trying out lanterns on group trips for better lighting in the “kitchen” area during darker months or inside the tent. I’ve also strung up lights to create a cozy camp vibe. The Black Diamond Moji Lantern has become a favorite—rechargeable, fun, with various color options and great brightness. Inflatable solar-powered lights like the Mpowerd Luci lantern are also fantastic, and LED string lights, such as the Big Agnes Mountain Glow, add extra style and function.

Wide sleeping pads

Since having kids, I don’t have the opportunity to share a tent with my partner as much as I used to, but the team here at BIKEPACKING.com has been testing wider sleeping pads—both for couples and for solo use. Logan mentioned that he’s a fervent wide sleeping pad convert and uses the Nemo Tensor Wide, which offers five extra inches of width over a standard pad, preventing arms from falling off the sides.

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Miles and Emily go even wider with double sleeping pads, ideal for some couples, though they’re heavier and take longer to inflate. Double pads cover most of the tent floor, eliminating gaps and providing flexibility for movement without slipping off.

Sleeping pad pump

Speaking of blowing up, electronic pumps that inflate and deflate sleeping pads are a newer piece of bikepacking/backpacking gear on the scene. I’ve been using the Flextail for a few weeks, and while it’s a nice alternative to blow-up bags or using your breath, it doesn’t inflate pads much faster. Plus, it’s another thing to charge or potentially break. Blowing up a pad with your breath can introduce moisture that leads to mold, bacteria, and insulation degradation, so a pump or pump sack is generally a better option despite the extra hassle.

Camp shoes

One tried and true luxury that I absolutely love is bringing ultralight camp shoes. While I don’t pack them every time, whenever I do, I’m reminded why they’re so great. After a long day in stinky cycling shoes, slipping into lightweight camp shoes or sandals is incredibly refreshing. This summer, I picked up the Treadlabs Redway Sandals, which my podiatrist recommended for their arch support. They’re super lightweight and look great, too.

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We’ve got a full resource on camp shoes, highlighting favorites like Bedrock Sandals. Miles even started using the PEdALED Foldable Bikepacking shoes and loves them.

Frisbee

Have you ever played light-up frisbee on a crisp desert night? It’s a magical experience! While full-size light-up frisbees can be a bit bulky for bikepacking, if you’re a frisbee aficionado, it’s worth making space for one. I’m a big fan of the Flash Flight light-up frisbee, loving its 185-gram weight and feel. But if that’s too much to pack, the $9 Waboba Wingman is a great, lightweight alternative. I’m sure there are other fun, compact options, so feel free to share any good suggestions you have in the conversation below.

Fly Rod

I’m not much of an angler, but I’ve dabbled in fly fishing and even owned a Tenkara rod. Living and bikepacking in trout-rich areas, I’ve realized that bikes are perfect for reaching remote rivers, streams, and lakes that are tough to access on foot or by vehicle, offering secluded fishing spots. Many of our route networks offer fly-fishing opportunities, making it a great multi-sport adventure. Tenkara rods are fantastic for packing light, but some prefer a reel. The telescoping Reyr Gear collapsible fly rod is another solid option.

Upgraded Cook Kit

Minimal cook kits have come a long way, perfect for quickly boiling water or heating simple meals. However, a more elaborate cook kit offers greater flexibility for preparing intricate dishes. For example, you could bring a cast iron skillet for gourmet campfire cooking, a larger pan for pancakes, or a home-style dinner.

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A collapsible frying pan is especially handy for those using panniers. I’ve used a GSI Outdoors model for years, and newer versions are even lighter. An upgraded cook kit means upgraded meals—oils, butter, and spices can enhance any camp dish. For some inspiration, check out The Bikepacking Cookbook.

Fancy Beverages

From freshly ground coffee to hand-muddled cocktails, savoring a hand-crafted drink in the backcountry is a special treat. While instant coffee has come a long way and is incredibly convenient, nothing compares to the taste of freshly ground coffee brewed with a pour-over, AeroPress, or the highly recommended Wacaco Picopresso Lucas reviewed and often uses. The same applies to cocktails—packing a bit of basil, agave, lime, and mezcal creates a delicious, easy-to-make drink that will likely taste even better in the great outdoors. Be creative, think outside the box, and bring along your favorite drink!

There are 14 items you can bring to elevate your bikepacking experience, ranging from kitchen essentials to sleep comfort and activities to keep you entertained. Bikepacking is all about having fun, and while these items aren’t strictly necessary, they can certainly add some flair and make your trip more enjoyable. What luxury items have you packed on your adventures? Share your thoughts in the conversation below!