Bikepacking Gear

Although we’d usually recommend a tire or wheel upgrade before investing in other small parts, there’s something about an ultra-smooth dropper post lever that really brings a bike build together. In this dropper post lever shootout, Miles takes a look at three high-end levers from Wolf Tooth Components, Paul, and PNW, all guaranteed to bring silky smooth actuation to your favourite post…

Just released, the new chromoly, 800mm (and 840) Tumbleweed Persuader handlebars feature a 30-degree sweep, tons of grip area, and a couple more interesting features. We got ahold of a pair for this first look…

Looking for a good wheelset for your big-tire drop-bar bike? The truth is, wheel options with the proper specs can be hard to come by—wide rims fit for 47mm-2.1” tires, 12mm gravel axle standards, and a spoke count suitable for a bikepacking load. See what options are available, plus our suggested “proper” tire/rim width ratio, and first looks at four wheelsets we like…

Joe Cruz sets out on El Camino del Diablo and beyond to test the Sierra Designs High Side 1, a relatively affordable one-person tent that claims to be lightweight, highly packable, and fully functional for backpacking and bikepacking alike. Here’s the full review…

Cass tries his hand at cooking with the Solo Stove Lite, an ultralight cooking system that uses twigs, leaves, and other forms of biomass to generate heat. Read on to find out how it fares in both perfectly dry Spanish conditions, and less than ideal UK drizzle…

Blackburn’s updated Outpost Elite collection is designed to be completely waterproof, and it’s also lighter and more durable than the original Outpost line. The Outpost Elite Universal Seat Pack works with both standard and dropper seat posts by way of an alloy support wing and internal plate to minimize sway. We’ve been using it regularly for the last few months, including on some spring bikepacking trips. Read on for the full review…

Reducing the weight and bulk of core gear and adopting a minimal bikepacking setup can require significant investment. So, it’s always good to try ultralight gear that’s aimed towards the more affordable end of the market. Here are our thoughts on a summer pairing from Alpkit: the PipeDream 200 down sleeping bag and the Cloud Base air mattress…

We’ve been testing the Copper Spur HV UL1 Bikepack and Fly Creek HV UL1 Bikepack, Big Agnes’ two bikepacking-specific, 1-person tents that were announced last summer. Nearly a year in, here are our thoughts on each, plus a detailed comparison…

We had a chance to take a long look at Hunter Cycles’ new Cow Catcher Stem Rack. Built specifically for the PAUL Boxcar stem, this lightweight rack is designed to carry gear at the handlebars and avoid frame and cable interference. Here are the details, loads of photos, and a Q and A with Rick Hunter about this innovative carrying system…

Giro Terraduro shoes have been a widely popular option for clipless bikepacking since their launch in 2013. A rugged design, grippy sole, and mid-range price tag are all reasons why Miles picked up a pair over two years ago and has continued wearing them ever since. Here’s his long-term review, with insight from several other seasoned riders who have also failed to destroy them, despite their best efforts…

The US-made Tarptent Double Rainbow is the brand’s most popular model. Weighing in at just 1.2 kilograms (2.65 pounds), it offers a surprising amount of living space for two riders, combined with a very minimal pack size, making it ideal for bikepackers… especially tall ones. We take a look at the newly updated 2019 model, testing it out camping in the US, the UK, and France.

Presenting part two of our findings among the brand booths and displays at the 2019 Sea Otter Classic. Here are more than 20 new and interesting products from Rotor, Redshift, EVOC, Topeak, and more…