Hey,
Maybe some of you could help me with what im planning to bring with me.
Its a 3 days trip through germany and netherlands. Weather will be about 14-19°C and windy during the day and 1-5°C at night.
Mostly im scared of the cold nights, so im bringing this many clothes for the sleep.
Maybe you can help me reducing some of the bike-clothes? I have enough storage place, but less weight would be awesome now when i saw that it will be very windy 😀
I appreciate every feedback 🙂
by Tight-Criticism3910
6 Comments
When you get back, go through the bags methodically and note things you didn’t use.
Obvs stuff like tools and waterproofs are for when the event arises, but any other stuff which you have but didn’t use is just taking up space.
Have fun
Not sure if your evening Shirt is cotton, but don’t bring any cotton!
If you want to cut out weight, here are a few tips I could give you regarding the clothes. Keep in mind that nothing is mandatory for bikepacking, except for a bike that brakes. On the other hand, having a better clothing system adds to comfort and safety, depending of the environment you’ll be riding in.
### 3 layers system
The 3 layer system breaks down clothes in 3 categories, which are all you need for most outdoor adventures:
1. **Breathing layer**: this is your base layer, you’ll wear it all the time. A non cotton shirt (merino, synthetic) which is breathable and *doesn’t keep moisture*. You’ll wear the next layers only when necessary.
1. **Warmth layers**: a sweater/fleece and/or winter jacket (non waterproof). During summer/mid season, you could only bring a sweater/fleece. If you’ll encounter colder condtions, you could also bring a winter jacket. Puffy jackets work great, as they are very compressible.
1. **Protection layers**: these are the layers that’ll protect you against the elements. Waterproof jacket or bike poncho, rain pants, glove covers, shoe covers. Wear it when rainy or windy.
With this simple 3 to 4 elements setup, you adjust between all three layers by wearing only the ones necessary with the current weather:
– Sunny: 1
– Sunny and cold: 1 and 2
– Sunny and windy/rainy: 1 and 3
– Cold: 1 and 2
– Cold and windy/rainy: 1, 2 and 3
**Important note if you’ll be riding in cold rainy weather:** you must bring waterproof protection for your legs, hands and feet. Look for waterproof pants, glove covers and shoe covers.
### What clothe to bring?
1. **Base layers**: If you don’t wear bib shorts, you only 2 shirts, 2 underwear, 2 pair socks, mid-season gloves.
1. **Warmth layers**: a sweater or a fleece will do if it doesn’t rain and the temperature doesn’t drop. You’ll definitely be more comfortable at camp at night if you bring a small puffy winter jacket.
1. **Protection layers**: I’d recommend you to bring full waterproof protection if it’s going to rain: torso, legs, hands and feet. I’ll only skip the full protection during summer where I’ll only bring a waterproof jacket.
As for the night, you could wear your warmth layers if your sleeping bag isn’t warm enough.
### Price of all of this
You can find at Decathlon very cheap sweater, fleece, puffy jackets, rain jackets, poncho, glove covers and shoe covers.
Optimization of gear often comes with a price, but you could always make glove covers and shoe covers with strong plastic bags, cut & sewed together properly.
If you have any other quesiton, feel free to ask below 🙂
When it comes to clothing for the nights, it’s always better to have too much vs. too little. If any of your clothing gets wet, do you have backups? Trying to get some sleep when you are wet or cold can really drain your energy. ENJOY the ride!
Don’t forget the extra Unterhose in case of spontan einscheissen 😉
Have a nice trip!
Do yourself a favour and ditch the electric toothbrush 😂
Dental hygiene is super important but you’ll be alright using an acoustic toothbrush for a few nights