I’ve started doing short, 2-4 days long bikepacking trips a couple of years ago. Not knowing if this will become my thing or not, I’ve started with a minimal kit (using whatever I already had, like a road bike) which is today a bit more elaborate, but still not particularly fancy.

  • Road bike: Verenti Technique 105 (2016) - Budget road bike from Wiggle with Shimano 105 set. Cable runs slightly modified to fit the bags.
  • Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport 2 (700x28C) - Low cost slick road tires that take a bit of abuse on gravel, dirt and sand easily and they last for very long.
  • Handlebar bag: BBB BSB-141 size M - Only using the harness for the mat.
  • Saddle bag: Rockbros 10L waterproof (~2017 edition)
  • Tent: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo (green) with carbon pole - 1.5 person non-freestanding tent that packs very small and blends in easily in the forest.
  • Tent footprint: small size Tyvek sheet from Six Moon Designs.
  • 2 extra stakes and guy lines from a Decathlon tent if there is any rain or wind in the forecast.
  • Mat: Thermarest TrailLite self inflating (from the early 2000s) - Rather bulky and heavy, due to be replaced to something that uses half the space.
  • Sleeping bag: Freetime Micropak 800D - Rated 3C/-2C/-18C and that means I’m not cold in 10C if I have 1 layer of clothing on.
  • Wallet: a small Loksak aLOKSAK Waterproof bag.
  • Documents: ID, credit card, debit card, cash, health insurance card, BahnCard, organ donor card.
  • Bike computer: Wahoo ELEMNT Roam - Battery lasts for 2 days.
  • Phone: iPhone SE (classic) - Always in low power mode and bluetooth off to last through the day.
  • Battery pack: 6000mAh - Can charge the phone twice.
  • Charging cables: iPhone lightning cable, mini USB A cable for the Wahoo and the lamp.
  • Charger: iPhone USB A charger (EU) version - Small and can charge all the gadgets.
  • Repair kit: zip ties, a piece of duct tape, rubber bands, small rope, needle and floss.
  • Headlamp: Petzl Actic Core with Petzl Core battery with helmet mount - Chargeable via USB, also takes regular AAA batteries.
  • Ebook reader: Kindle Paperwhite with padded case - For falling asleep or train rides.
  • Earphones: Sennheiser MP50 - White noise can help tuning out souds of nature.
  • Stuff sacks: Sea to Summit (6L, 15L) - Large for clothes, small for accessories.
  • Pocket knife: Victorinox Swiss Army - Knife, can opener, bottle opener and tweezers are essential (the latter for removing ticks).
  • Spork: Light My Fire - Nice but does not stand the stuff sack mistreatment and tends to break into pieces.
  • Bottles: 2 x 750ml cycling bottles mounted on the frame (top of bottom tube, front of seat tube).
  • Water bag: Platypus Platy 2L - In case we need to carry extra water to the camp.
  • Water purifier: Microups tabs - For emergencies if drinking from lakes or rivers is the only option.
  • Salt: 10g - Just in case.
  • Small foldable backpack: Decathlon Kalenji - For last mile groceries and beer transportation.
  • Mosquito and tick repellent: Autan - Transferred to a small spray container.
  • Toothbrush - Handle shortened to fit in a small ziploc bag.
  • Toothpaste - Travel size, refilled to a large tube.
  • Soap: a small piece - Not that I ever used one on a trip.
  • Deodorant: CD travel roll-on deodorant - Acceptable shower substitute.
  • Sunscreen: SPF 50 - Whatever I have at home in a small container.
  • Microfiber cloth and wet wipes for cleaning my glasses.
  • Tissue: pack of 10 or more. Also using it as toilet paper.
  • Wet toilet paper: travel size 10 pack.
  • Spare tube
  • Patch kit and tyre levers.
  • Spare bolt for the SPD cleat
  • Pump: a 3 EUR plastic pump I bought 15 years ago.
  • Rubber gloves (thin and light) - For dirty repair jobs.
  • Small multitool with chain opener.
  • Chain lube in a small container - For longer rides or in case of rain.
  • Rear lamp: cheap and small Chinese lamp, chargeable via USB.
  • Emergency blanket: for various cold or wet incidents.
  • 1 short sleeve cycling jersey: with 3 back pockets.
  • 1 long sleeve cycling jersey
  • 1 pair of bib shorts: padded.
  • Rain jacket: Altura cycling jacket - Small and folds down to a tight pack. Also keeps warm on cold nights.
  • Underwear: 1 piece of lycra trunk briefs, bought them 10 years ago in Walmart.
  • 2 pairs of socks - Light/warm depending on the weather.
  • Shorts: Decathlon fitness shorts - A pair of loose shorts for the evenings.
  • Swimwear: 25 year old Speedos, in case naked swimming is not an option.
  • Towel: Sea to Summit Dry Lite microfibre towel, medium size.
  • Arm and knee warmers: depending on the weather.
  • Neck warmer: 66 North merino - For cold nights and chilly mornings.
  • Light buff: an old piece of unknown origin - I always wear this under the helmet, keeps my head warm or the bugs away.
  • Earplugs: Pluggerz SleepSleep Uni-Fit - I’m a very shallow sleeper.
  • Eye mask: from intercontinental flights.
  • Shoes: Scott MTB shoes with Shimano SM-SH51 cleats.
  • Helmet: Specialized Propero 2
  • Bike “lock”: Hiplok ZCOM1YL - Takes about 30 seconds to open it without knowing the combination, helps the bike from falling during a train ride.