Bikepacking Gear

We’ve been happily using the Blackburn Switch multi-tool for a couple years now, so we were excited to see the release of a bigger and more comprehensive second generation model of the tool, the Big Switch. Here’s our hands-on first impressions along with a look at the Switch Wrap…

The best clothes are those you can ride in, wear to your local coffee shop, and maybe even use as a pillow, reckons Cass Gilbert. Adding a sense of style to his bikepacking wardrobe, he comes to the conclusion that the technically cut, Kitsbow Icon V2 flannel shirt is here to stay, patches and all…

This pair of Five Ten Guide Tennies has seen almost 4,000 miles of walking, pedaling, and hike-a-biking. They’ve been through muddy, rocky, wet, and bone-dry conditions in Cuba, Uganda, Rwanda, and the southeastern US… and they’re still going. Are Guide Tennies the best bike travel shoes available? Find out in this ultra-long-term review…

Rear racks may not be the first thing that comes to mind for those converted to bikepacking, but in the case of fat biking, they can play an important role in how (and where) we carry our gear for extended trips. Don’t underestimate the simplicity and practicality of a well-made rear rack designed for big tires. Here’s our Low Down guide to racks compatible with fat bikes…

The OneUp EDC System is loaded with tools and functions, all of which fit neatly into a well-engineered and compact package. But, does it have everything you might need for a bikepacking trip? We’ve had the EDC Tool and HV Pump combo in our possession for about a year now. Here’s the review. Plus, a look at the new Plug and Plier Kit…

Well loved by long distance through-hikers, California-based Tarptent is known for its broad range of minimal and lightweight shelters and tents. We take the freestanding Bowfin 1 on our travels and see how it fares for bikepacking, testing it in a range of locations, from balmy Lake Tahoe and blisteringly hot Baja California, to Bolivia’s blustery Altiplano…

Ever since SRAM’s 12-speed Eagle drivetrain was released a couple years ago, companies have been scrambling to increase the range possible with existing 1×11 parts. In this Low Down gear guide, we take a look at products that add range to your 1×11 or simply achieve a lower granny gear for pedaling a loaded bike…

Rockgeist just announced a new design for a custom wedge-style frame bag. We had the chance to put one to the test for this first look…

Long before the advent of modern bikepacking seatpacks, there were saddlebags. This style of luggage continues to hold favour amongst many dirt road and gravel tourers, largely because of its top-loading practicality. In this edition of The Low Down, we take a look at what kind of saddlebags are on the market, discuss their pros and cons, and suggest accessories to help run them securely. Given that they’re also loaded from the top, we’ve included a number of front rolltop bags, too.

Rockgeist recently introduced a new subset of custom frame bags, the Fiber Flight Series, that come in three fabrics and offer an interesting aesthetic at less weight. TJ Kearns tried one for several months for this review…

Made from waxed canvas and wool felt, Makeshifter’s Snackhole is guaranteed to add a little colour and flair to your rig. We take one bikepacking in Baja California and report back on how it weathered the ride and fared in the sea air…

Virginia “The Destroyer” puts a pair of Specialized 2FO ClipLite shoes to the test for almost three years and reports back on how they held up.