Bikepacking Gear

Over the last three months, Neil Beltchenko has thrown a little bit of everything at the PEARL iZUMi X-Alp Summit shoes. They’ve endured simple day rides, the 530-mile Colorado Trail, and everything in between. I this video review, Neil picks apart their pedaling performance, hike-ability, and overall durability after 200+ hours of use…

Released this spring, the BXB Piccolo Short Flap is a modern top-accessed saddlebag or handlebar bag that’s specifically tailored for bikes with tighter clearances and narrower drops. We spent several months testing out the large and small Piccolo on a wide range of trips and day rides. Find our full review here…

Are you a painter who loves to bikepack? Or a bikepacker who loves to paint? The Pocket Art Toolkit’s minimal, lightweight paint set comes included with everything you need – from a miniature palette, room for a small watercolor notebook, and water brush. Botanical artist Emma Bucke takes one on her local mountain loop to see what she can create…

Good brakes are an essential part of any bike, but does it really matter what type of brake you use for bikepacking? There are many factors to consider, including mechanical vs. hydraulic, types of pads, and reliability. In this article, we take a look at the pros and cons of different types of brakes, reveal some of our favorites, and present a video on the subject…

The Archer Components D1x Trail shifter and remote provides electronic shifting that’s compatible with any derailleur or bike, bringing the benefits of wireless shifting to your favourite drivetrain combination. We’ve been testing the system out this summer to figure out what it does best and where it falls short. Find Miles’ full review here…

Designed to work with their own baggage system and racks from other brands, Tailfin’s 5L and 10L Mini Panniers are the latest addition to an ever-expanding range. Cass Gilbert tried out a sample set for a few months before their official launch. Read on for full details on how they performed and some longterm feedback on the AeroPack itself…

Five years after his last custom framebag, Cass Gilbert tries one of Buckhorn’s made-to-measure bags for size, adding a splash of color to his bike. He talks about the bag, the process of ordering one, and considers why going custom can be such a satisfying experience, especially when the maker is local and rides the same trails as you do…

Flat bars for drop-bar bikes? That’s not an entirely new concept, but the new Curve Remlaw Bar takes it a step further with a handlebar that’s optimized to provide the exact reach as a drop bar, but with the comfort, simplicity, and control of a flat bar. Find our full review here…

We’re big fans of modern bikepacking-style seatpacks. They don’t require any mounting hardware—such as a rear rack or support—keeping them light and allowing them to be fitted to almost any bike. Given their limited capacity, they also help cap a general tendency amongst most of us to bring too much stuff on our trips. Holster-style […]

How best to carry a camera on a bikepacking trip is an age-old quandary. With its wide range of options and price points, PS Bagworks’ interchangeable Rider Strap and Wrist Strap have been working out well for Cass Gilbert. In this review, he explains why…

After several months of use, we take a closer look at how the Ride Wrap Tailored Protection Kit is holding up on the recently reviewed Kona Hei Hei. Find a gallery of images and some thoughts here…

Thinking about having a custom frame bag made or wondering why you should consider getting one for your bike? In this guide, we walk through everything you need to know about custom-made frame bags, including recommended features, types of designs, and a thorough list of makers from around the world. Plus, find our latest video on the subject…