In 2 weeks, I'm going on my first bikepacking trip: one night in Southern UK. Wild, I know, but you have to start somewhere. I'd love to do more but family responsibilities make that impossible for now.
50km out and 50km back. Photo taken from one of a number of shakedown/getting-used-to-weight rides along similar tracks I'll be riding on the day. I've got about 80% of the weight on the bike right now, am waiting on one a frame bag from Restrap for clothes and food.
Not fully self-supporting for this trip, I expect I'll stop in at a pub for lunch on the way out.
I'll report back when I complete!
Kit list:
Bike
- Pretty stock Boardman 8.9 ADV 2025
- SKS Bluemels mudguards
- Shimano PD-EH500 Touring pedals (SPD one side, flat on other)
- FoldyLock Compact folding bike lock
- Garmin Edge 540
- Generic Amazon front light (I won't be riding at night)
- Lezyne Strip Drive 300+ rear light
- Elite Fly Tex water bottle 750ml x 2.
Bags
- Restrap saddle bag (18 Litres)
- Restrap holster bar bag plus (18 litres)
- Restrap custom frame bag (on its way!)
- Restrap bolt-on top tube bag (0.8 Litres)
- Restrap stem bag (not pictured)
Camping
- Tent: Mongar UL 2-Person Ultralight backpacking tent + Footprint
- Bag: CWM400 Down Ultralight Sleeping Bag 43°F / 6°C
- Pad: TuYe R5.8 Ultralight
- Pilow: YuGu™ Hybrid Foam-Inflatable
Tech
- Anker 20,000 mAh power bank
- Very short USB cable
- Blukar head torch
- Shokz Open Run Pro 2 bone conduction sports headphones
- Crank Brothers Multi 19 bike tool
- Spare inner tube (tubeless is cool but I'm not ready for that, my rims/tires are)
- Bicycle pump
- Quick links for 10 speed
- Weldtite airtite puncture repair kit (glue/pads)
- Tyremonkey tire irons
Cooking
- MSR Pocket Rocket 2 – isobutane
- Primas Camping Gas isobutane + propane
- Stcrerag gas tank bracket
- Toaks Titanium 750ml pot
- Light My Fire spork
- Bic Maxi, matches
- Sachet of washing up liquid
- Herbal tea bags
- Tiny sponge
- Cloth square (big handkerchief)
Clothes
- Specialized MIPS helmet
- Endura rain jacket
- Padded bib shorts (from Evans cycles, unsure of brand) x 2
- Decathlon string vests x 2
- Rotto cycling jersey – short sleeve (orange) x2
- Marks and Spencer standard socks x 2
- Decathlon fingerless cycling gloves
- Decathlon cycling gloves
- Castelli Pro Seamless 2 arm warmer
- Castelli Nano Flex 3G knee warmers
- Castelli Pro thermal 2 headband
- Danish Endurance snood
- Mountain warehouse merino wool base layer
- Decathlon JKT MT500 down jacket
- Decathlon trousers MT500
- Underpants for the evening at camp
- Carter USM T-shirt for campsite
- MTB Cycling shorts I bought years ago
- Decathlon SPD mountain bike shoes
- Nomad sunglasses
- Cheap decathlon cycling glasses
- Woolly hat
Food
- TREK protein flapjacks x2
- Noodles, cooked chicken, flavour sachet
- Mixed Nuts
- Bananas
- Cadburys Chocolate
- 330ml beer if I have room (I will)
Medical
- Lifesystems Pocket first aid kit
- Paracetamol, ibuprofen, anti-histamine
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss picks,
- Tiny sachet of shower gel
- Suncream
- Loo roll
- Ultra lite towel I've had for years
Other
- Phone, wallet
- Moleskine notebook
- Staedtler Triplus fineliner pen, 0.3mm
- Victorinox Cadet Swiss army knife (on my keys)
- Maglite Solitaire torch (on my keys)
- Reading glasses
- Zip ties
- Restrap fast straps (rubberised straps)
- 4m paracord
- Rubbery gloves
- Book (if room!)
by brainwipe
6 Comments
That’s a lot of gear for a simple overnight no? I took less than that for 3 days to Swanage. Though I probably under packed lol
Looks sweet and good luck! Where will you keep water?
Looks like a ton of gear (especially in the clothing department with multiple bibs, vests, jersey) for an overnighter, but also understand if you’re just testing the gear out to see how it would work for a longer trip.
I kind of just get used to be semi dirty out on the road. The less clothing you pack the more beer you can bring!
I think that’s a great list. I’ll be doing a couple of nights and there is a lot to take right!
I would just take one jersey, one baselayer and maybe one pair of socks for an overnighter tbh. Once you’ve done one bikepacking trip you’ll probably find some of the stuff you took you didn’t actually need. When I did my first one I dragged around a pair of trousers (I was staying in hotels) to wear in the evening, but the truth is I didn’t actually need them. Now I just wear my MTB shorts I’ve been riding with, but swap out the bibs underneath for a pair of boxers. I do take a pair of thermal leggings to wear at night, and if it’s cold I put those on underneath.
Are you wild camping or staying in campsites? If it’s latter you most likely won’t need toilet paper.
Edit: I do take a thermal baselayer as well, to wear at night.
Good setup!
With many good value for the money items (and some more pricey items)