Bikepacking Gear

While a lot of modern bike standards and technologies are widely adopted at this point, some folks might still question whether it’s okay to go bikepacking with a suspension fork, particularly on extra-long trips. Others might have questions about maintenance, service intervals, reliability, and setup. To test all this, we put over 1,500 miles on a fork during a big bikepacking trip, then met with a veteran suspension expert to see how it fared, answer some questions, and do some science…

The Tumbleweed Persuader Bar is among our favorites in the bikepacking-friendly alt bar category. Today, the Alloy Persuader just got a relatively subtle update that makes a big difference. Learn more here…

In our ongoing Decade in Review series, we take a deep dive into the site’s 10-year archive and look back at the gear we’ve tried along the way, choosing our all-time top picks in a variety of categories. This time around, we share a our favorite real-world, trip-tested handlebars for bikepacking and bike touring. Find the full list here…

After 3,000 miles of use and abuse, Logan reports back on one of his favorite wheelsets, the Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S Carbon. Find his full long-term review here…

As hydration vests become increasingly common in the world of bikepacking, we figured it was about time we got our hands on two of the latest to see what all the fuss is all about. Find Miles’ thoughts after testing the Apidura Racing Hydration Vest and PEdALED Odyssey Hydro Vest here…

Although many of us are completely sold on bikepacking with flat bars, they have one major drawback compared to their curvy counterparts: a lack of alternative hand positions. Find our mini guide to popular solutions to this problem here, including reviews of top-rated bar ends, thumb grips, and inner bar ends…

As bikepackers, we naturally seek comfort and ways to reduce wear and tear on our bodies. There are many ways to do so, and suspension seat posts are a popular option. Cane Creek has been at the forefront of such posts for some time, including their newest model, the eeSilk+. In our latest video, Neil shares some general thoughts on suspension seat posts, how the eeSilk+ fared, and how to fine-tune it…

This Gear Index was originally published in January 2021 and was updated in July 2022. We know one of the core tenets of bikepacking is minimalism. We’ve waxed lyrical about […]

Let’s be honest, long rides can get uncomfortable. And bikes don’t always fit perfectly right out of the gate. But there’s hope. With some simple parts changes, specialty components, and proven techniques, it’s possible to make your bike more comfortable for long-haul rides and bikepacking trips. In our latest video, Neil shares 11 methods, products, and ideas…

Prime riding season is in full swing in the Pacific Northwest, serving up some of the best conditions for long days of bikepacking, ocean swimming, and slow nights at camp. Miles and Emily have put together a dozen of their favourite products for this roundup, including new finds and time-tested gear that’s been coming along on every ride…

Bicycle trailers can help turn our more off-beat and imaginative bikepacking aspirations into reality, be it by carrying a surfboard across Baja or bringing your dog along for the ride. Mexican callejero Huesos and his humans try out Frances Cycles’ Farfarer over a number of trail rides and multi-day trips into the mountains, reporting in with their respective findings…

Can a budget mountain bike tire offer the same performance as a top dollar product? Neil got a pair of American Classic’s new $45 Mauka tires to find out. Learn more about how the brand’s “downcountry” model rides and more in this review…