Bikepacking Gear

With the 2018 Bikepacking Gear of the Year Awards behind us, there are still several great products left on the table that are worth mentioning. Here are a dozen of Logan’s favorites that in his opinion could have easily made the list…

The Rekon+ is a 27.5 x 2.8” tire from Maxxis available with an eye-catching skinwall design. Spencer J Harding tested a pair of them to see how they stand up to the rigors of shred-sledding and loaded touring…

The Pronghorn is Revelate Designs’ new ultra-minimal, waterproof handlebar system. As part of Revelate’s new race-inspired series, the Pronghorn is stripped down to the bare essentials. We had a chance to give it a try on the Appalachian Gravel Growler. Here’s what we found…

In celebration of another great year for the bikepacking community, we’re happy to announce our 2018 Bikepacking Awards. Part one of three recognizes gear that’s made a lasting impression in categories including Best New Component, Best Tools, and Top Five Bikepacking Bikes. Plus, some thoughts on the bikes that have captured our interest for 2019…

Fyxation’s Mesa MP Subzero Pedals are big, grippy, and designed around a durable nylon body with a chromoly steel spindle. Although they’re purpose-built with winter riding in mind, these pedals are certainly worth checking out if you’ve been considering giving flat pedal bikepacking a shot, no matter the season…

With the gearing needed for loaded bikepacking, SRAM’s 12-speed drivetrains are without a doubt intriguing. And, as more affordable groups and parts emerge, 1×12 is becoming increasingly attractive to bikepackers looking for a modern drivetrain. After 2,500+ miles on the Eagle X01 group and putting the 12-speed Eagle GX drivetrain through its paces in Georgia and Armenia, here’s our full review, complete with a detailed comparison, drawbacks, and a tuning how-to…

We had a chance to put several hundred miles on a pair of the new 45NRTH Ragnarök shoulder season shoes during the wet and cold of fall in the Appalachian Mountains. Here’s our detailed review…

Designed as an alternative to the ultra-technical backpacks of today, the Oveja Negra Portero is a stripped-down pack that looks good and doesn’t cram in loads of unnecessary features. After several months of daily use, on everything from morning commutes to multi-country bikepacking trips, Lucas offers some thoughts on how the Portero has performed…

Shimano’s new MT7 shoe is clipless-ready, offers increased flexibility for hiking, and is purpose-built for those looking to get out there and explore off the beaten path. So, how did the BOA-equipped mountain bike shoe stand up to the rigours of the Oregon Timber Trail and beyond? Read on to find out…

Klymit V Ultralite SL may not exactly roll of the tongue, but considering its weight, thickness, and pack size, you likely won’t care what it’s called. It’s the perfect example of an ultralight sleeping pad that doesn’t skimp on overall comfort. Best of all, Klymit manages all of this without hiking the price tag into astronomical realms. Here are our impressions after a summer and fall of bikepacking campouts…

New for 2018, MSR’s PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit takes the already compact canister stove we reviewed last year and incorporates an aluminum pot with lid, a bowl, an ultralight pot lifter, and stuff sack, all while leaving room for a 4 oz. fuel canister. Here are our thoughts after a few months and far too many instant oatmeals…

Rockgeist recently introduced the new Spacelink system, a steerer tube mounted accessory designed to anchor your top tube bag for better stability and to provide a velcro-free connection for your stem bags. We gave it a try on a couple trail rides, and here are our first impressions…