Bikepacking Gear

We got Shimano’s full 12-speed M8100 series drivetrain and new braking system shortly after its release back in 2019. Following about 2,500 miles of use, here’s our atypical Shimano XT review, which sheds light on 10 things we’ve learned about it and compares it to SRAM Eagle and SLX…

There seems to be a shortage of flat-pedal mountain bike shoes for cold weather—or mountain weather—and we’re always on the hunt for new options. Prone to cold feet, Logan has found several that work for him over the last few years, some of which might surprise you. Find the list here, plus a few tips for keeping your feet warm…

The Apple Airtag is a tiny device designed to help you keep track of your belongings in case they go missing. In this video review, Neil shows how it works, tests it in the most trying conditions, and finds some strategic locations to place it so it works properly on your bike, and we list several Airtag bike mount options…

The SOTO WindMaster stands proudly as a maximalist canister stove that promises high power and unparalleled performance in the wind. Throughout the winter, Josh put the stove through its paces on coffee rides and glamping overnighters to see if the WindMaster lives up to its name. Read his in-depth review here…

Just released, the Endura MT500 Burner Flat ticks a lot of boxes that riders look for in a backcountry mountain biking and bikepacking shoe. We’ve been testing a pair over a handful of rides to see how they stack up for this launch day review. Find all the details here…

Utah-based Nuclear Sunrise Stitchworks recently updated some of their accessory bags, and they sent them over so we could take a closer look. Find photos, specs, and our first impressions here…

Italian brand DMT Cycling’s line of performance cycling shoes have one thing in common: they all have a fully knit upper construction. We were interested to see how they performed in the real world, so we picked up a pair of the DMT GK1 Gravel Shoes for a closer look. Find Miles’ thoughts here…

Seat packs and saddlebags are quintessential pieces of bikepacking gear, but they’re often pricey. In our latest Bikepacking Hacks video, Neil walks through some simple and affordable DIY solutions for carrying gear at the rear end of your bike. Watch it here and find a list of options and notes we put together for other low-budget seat pack solutions…

The 2.3-pound, freestanding Big Sky International Soul 1P tent checks a lot of boxes for the weight-conscious bikepacker. We’ve been testing the bikepacking version for nearly a year to see how it holds up in a wide range of conditions. Find our long-term review here…

Getting into bikepacking can seem expensive and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In our first Bikepacking Hacks video, Neil talks through a few free and cheap ways to carry gear on your handlebars…

Electronic shifting is quite controversial when it comes to reliability and whether it will overtake mechanical shifting in popularity during the coming years. In this video, Neil unpacks the world of electronic shifting, the available systems, what’s to like, what’s not to like, and how it fits into the world of bikepacking…

From the folks behind Landyachtz Bikes in British Columbia, the Reform Seymour is a saddle that thermo-molds to your body to improve comfort, weight distribution, and balance on your bike. Find Miles’ long-term review of what Reform calls “the world’s best fitting saddle” here…