Bikepacking Gear

Originally published in 2020, updated in November 2025 Editor’s Note: While updating the camp stove Gear Index for 2025, we were heartened to see most stoves still available, along with […]

A few years ago, Buffalo Bags in Thailand released a limited run of handlebar bags made from vintage military tarps. Enamored with their look, Miles couldn’t resist purchasing one of his own. After several years of use, he decided it was finally time to share his thoughts. Find Miles’ Buffalo Bags Big Buffalo review here…

Curious about non-SRAM/Shimano shifting options? Logan put the shiny, small-batch Vivo Enduro derailleur and F3 shifter through 1,000 miles of trail use to see how this combo stacks up over the long haul. Find the full review here….

Not every piece of gear has to be expensive or overbuilt to make life at camp easier. In this roundup, Neil shares 13 functional, affordable, and game-changing little pieces of gear that have earned a spot in his kit. From cooking to sleeping and staying clean, these little things just work…

While searching for ways to bring order to the chaos of his basement, Miles came across the GearBlocks bike storage system and sliding unistrut bike hooks. Find his thoughts on the GearBlocks system and a look at a game-changing DIY tote storage system he made to further organize his stuff here…

The new Tailfin SpeedPack is a lighter, more minimalist take on the brand’s rock-solid, rack-mounted rear bag. It features a 10-liter main capacity (plus a 3-liter expandable pocket), a carbon-frame body, and the new FitLink seatpost connector for dialed clearance (even with droppers). We put it through the paces on gravel and singletrack to see where it shines for this full review…

Teased at the MADE bike show earlier this year, the Jack’s Sacks ODS is a clever deployable storage bag that mounts on the top tube for those times when you need a temporary boost in carrying capacity. We had a chance to take a closer look ahead of today’s launch…

With so many great full-frame bag options on the market, the Wizard Works Forres had its work cut out to distinguish itself from the crowd. However, after several overnighters, bikepacking through the Ozarks, and lengthy test periods on three different bikes, Nic feels that this universal frame bag may be the best in class for gravel bikes with ample inner triangle space. Read his Wizard Works Forres review here…

Dissatisfied with narrow, ultralight sleeping pads, Miles and Emily turned to the Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated sleeping pad to see if it could meet their high standards for camping comfort. Find their review here after sleeping on them throughout every night of bikepacking this year…

Wolf Tooth just dropped a trio of SPD-compatible pedals (CTRL, ALT, DEL) with a slick party trick: tool-simple, adjustable Q-factor for a dialed stance on any bike. Neil tested the CTRL and ALT trail and XC pedals and came away impressed. Find our full Wolf Tooth pedals review for ride impressions, specs, and pros/cons here, plus a back-to-back comparison with Shimano SPDs.

Dropper posts might get all the glory, but the tiny lever under your thumb makes—or breaks—them. Over the years, Logan has tested dozens of remotes, and he recently pulled together his top five standouts that nail ergonomics, feel, and compatibility. Find his roundup of the best dropper post levers available here…

With more gravel-oriented clipless shoes hitting the market in recent years, Nic decided to take a look at the Giro Empire SRC—a revamped version of the brand’s storied VR90 model. After 3,000+ miles, he learned a lot more than just how these clipless shoes performed when attached to a pedal. Read on for the full long-term review and see how they stood up to “feet made of acid”…