Bikepacking Gear

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…

“It’s not you, it’s the tent.” Most of us will agree, bikepacking as a couple is best done with a three-person tent. After 11 years, Skyler finds his ideal couples bikepacking shelter in a unique tunnel tent design, the Tarptent Cloudburst 3. Read the full review…

$305 dollars for a pair of non-clipless riding shoes? After spending a European summer in a pair of PEdALED’s Mido Boots – subjecting them to a prolonged soaking on the Trans Alp bikepacking route in the process – Cass Gilbert wonders whether it’s a price worth paying for such undeniably handsome riding shoes…

For the past six months, Joe has worn Shimano’s XC5s on everything from fast group road rides to gravel explorations to extended bikepacking trips. Can a single pair of shoes—especially one at such an attractive price point—rise to all of these challenges? Read on to find out…

While many bikepackers are satisfied with a folding multi-tool for trailside wrenching, and others just blow off weight concerns and carry a full set of L-hex wrenches, some prefer the utility of a bit driver multi-tool. Here’s a comprehensive list of some of the better ones out there…

For those seeking a brief escape from the city – a microadventure, as UK adventurer Al Humphries calls it – the humble bivy bag is one of the most simple, discreet, and affordable ways of spending a night in the wilds. We check out two budget camping offerings from British manufacturer Alpkit, and consider both the joys and tribulations of bivvying in Europe…