Bikepacking Gear

After testing shorter Appleman Bicycles cranks last fall, Miles was curious to take a deeper dive into crank length and its effect on power, body position, and bikepacking. Equipped with power pedals, a smart trainer, and cranks ranging from 145mm to 175mm, Miles and his friend Dave report back with some surprising findings. Find the full crank length test and an exclusive look at the making of Appleman’s 2XR cranks here…

The new King Cage Mini Thing Cage is a pared-down, two-bolt version of the popular Manything Cage that’s designed to carry bottles (or tallboys) that don’t fit in a standard cage. We’ve been using one for a couple of months for this review…

For our early Bedrock Mountain Clogs review, Cass and Virginia test both the Synthetic and “Eco Leather” version on the trails and streets of Oaxaca, Mexico. Read on for details on Bedrock’s latest all-terrain footwear…

HydraPak recently released several new filters and collapsible bottle systems, including the versatile HydraPak Flux 1.5L. We got a hold of one just before launch for this video review. Learn more here…

For most of us, traveling by bike started out with a rear rack and a pair of panniers. This simple and timeless setup is at the core of traditional bike touring setups and is still one of the most versatile options. With a growing number of high-quality small panniers, a lightweight rear bike rack can […]

Ultralight down pants are highly compressible, super warm, and can be a game-changer for shoulder season and winter bikepacking, as well as other outdoor pursuits. Logan and Virginia recently discovered this and have some thoughts on the subject. Learn more in this roundup as we review the lightest and best down pants on the market…

Gossamer Gear’s The Two is a lightweight, single-wall shelter that’s roomy enough for two people, bugproof, simple, and weighs less than two pounds. Miles and Lucas have been testing it out for the last year to see how it fares in a wide range of conditions, from the Pacific Northwest to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Find their detailed review here…

Have an old or busted skateboard deck that needs a new life? Our friend Dan Stranahan of Forager Cycles in Washington shares the steps he took to turn an old skate deck into a nifty and functional skateboard front rack. Find photos and his step-by-step guide here…

The Stomp Lox Slacks are a unique clipless cycling shoe with a wide toe-box, Vibram sole, and unmistakable look. We’ve been testing out the new European fit version for the last couple of months to see how they hold up. Find Miles’ review of the Stomp Lox Slacks Shoes here…

The Monē Light Bar is a wide carbon riser bar designed to pair nicely with modern mountain bikes that could benefit from more rise and sweep. Miles has been testing one out on a variety of bikes to see how it stacks up against other handlebars. Find his thoughts after several months of use here…

Closing out our Editor’s Dozen series that looks back at our favorite pieces of gear from the past year, Lucas shares his top 12 picks for 2022. Find his roundup of assorted things that saw lots of use and made a lasting impression during his bikepacking trips around the UK, Germany, and the Rocky Mountains here…

Fidlock water bottles offer a variety of magnetic Twist-action mounts that feature a quick-access design to replace traditional bottle cages. They’ve designed a system that’s low-profile and compatible with a wide range of bikes. Find a closer look at the entire suite in this detailed review…