Bikepacking Gear

With the Tour Divide kicking off tomorrow, folks might be wondering how riders choose the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a long and intense ride that tests all bike components, especially the ones grinding along day after day. In our latest YouTube video, we talk about what factors to consider and reveal a few of our favorite tires for long, mixed-terrain routes…

Wolf Tooth Components just launched their all-new WT-1 Chain Lube, which is designed to clean, protect, and last up to five times longer than other chain lubes. We had the chance to give it a try prior to launch. Find our first impressions here…

What makes a great hip pack? In this video review, Neil shares some thoughts on his new favorite, the Dakine Hot Laps 5L. It’s big, loaded with features that work well on the bike, and he rarely leaves home without it. Find the specs, how he packs his Hot Laps, and how it’s held up to a few months of riding.

Just released, the Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR is a rather fresh and modern take on the traditional top-loading handlebar bag. We got to put a couple hundred miles on one for this shakedown review. Find everything you need to know about this unique, waterproof roll-top bag here…

Keen to try sleeping between two trees? Over the last year, we’ve been testing three different styles of hammocks from Eagles Nest Outfitters and Dutchware to see what the fuss is all about. Find our thoughts on those here, as well as an introductory guide to what you need for a reliable bikepacking hammock setup, thoughts from a hammock aficionado, and more…

The Wayward Riders Louise Dropper Post Harness was recently updated with more tire clearance, added stability, and compatibility with dry bags ranging from 3 to 13L in size. We’ve been testing the Louise V2 this spring to discover how much it’s improved over the original. Find the full review here…

Named after their lauded flat pedal, the Crankbrothers Stamp Lace is the company’s most economically priced flat pedal option in its new shoe lineup. We put quite a few rugged bikepacking and trail mountain biking miles on a pair for this full review. See more here…

After seven months and 2,000+ miles of rigorous use, Neil shares his thoughts on the Pearl Izumi X Alp Launch SPD clipless mountain bike shoes. Find out about their pedal performance, off-the-bike comfort, and most importantly, overall durability in this long term review…

Floppy top tube bag got you down? Using a short stem and running out of room for straps? We’ve been testing three of the best top tube bag stabilizing solutions from Rockgeist, DrJ0n Bagworks, and 76 Projects to see who does what best. Find photos, specs, and our thoughts on each of these clever little devices here…

Lindarets recently released two clever travel tools, both designed to work in conjunction with a 12mm axle without the bulkiness of a dedicated tool. Check out our thoughts on the new Travel Disc Brake Rotor Lockring Tool and Travel Hex Tool here…

The new Ergon SMC Core Saddle is designed to be the brand’s most comfortable mountain bike saddle to date. We’ve been trying out both the men’s and women’s versions since their release to see how they build on the SMC Sport. Find our thoughts on both here…

The sub-two-pound Zpacks Free Duo is an ultralight, versatile Dyneema tent that offers something few others in its weight class can: a completely freestanding design. We tested one for nearly a year in a broad range of conditions for this long-term review. Also, find a weight and price comparison to several other freestanding tents on the market…