This is an updated version of my packing list from 2022. I’ve become a frequent bikepacker doing trips between 3 days and 2 weeks.

My 2026 bikepacking MTB

Bikes and bags

Surly Midnight Special gravel bike

  • Custom built Midnight Special with 700x40C tires
  • Drive train: Shinano GRX 1x11 (40T + 11-46T)
  • Pannier rack: Tubus Fly
  • Bags: 2 x Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic bags (2x20l)

29” hardtail mountain bike

  • Custom (self) built MTB with 2.3”/2.2” tires
  • Drive train: Sram NX Eagle 1x11 (32T + 11-50T)
  • Handlebar bag: BBB BSB-141 size M, dry bag with harness (~10l)
  • Saddle bag: Rockbros 10L waterproof (~2017 edition)
  • Frame bag: DIY full frame bag, not waterproof

Optional bags

  • Top tube bag: Riverside 1.5l from Decathlon
  • Snack bag: Tiny bag for the front of the top tube

Gear

  • Tent: Naturehike Cloud Up™ Pro 1-person tent - freestanding tent that packs small and blends in easily in the forest (green color).
  • Tent footprint: came with the tent, I always carry it to be able to pitch on rough surface.
  • Mat: Sea To Summit UltraLight Air (regular) - 1.5 season mat that packs smnall.
  • 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.
  • Pillow: Quechua Air Basic from Decathlon, packs small and drastically increases my comfort.
  • Small foam mat: something to sit on while camping. Makes a huge difference.
  • Wallet: a Paprcut wallet in a small Loksak aLOKSAK Waterproof bag.
  • Documents: ID, credit card, debit card, cash, health insurance card, DAV membership card, emergency contacts.
  • Bike computer: Wahoo ELEMNT Roam - Battery lasts for almost 2 days.
  • Phone: iPhone 13 Mini - Always in low power mode and bluetooth off to last through the day.
  • Power bank: Hama 10000mAh - Covers my charging needs as long as I can recharge everything every 2 days.
  • Charging cables: USB-C to lightning cable and USB-A to USB-C converter for the iPhone, USB-A to mini USB cable for the Wahoo, the lamp and the power bank.
  • Charger: iPhone USB A charger (EU) version - Small and can charge all the gadgets.
  • Earphones: Sennheiser MP50 - White noise can help tuning out sounds of nature, podcasts and music can entertain me during transport.
  • Lightning Y cable: To be able to use headphones and charge the phone the same time (thank you Tim for killing the 3.5mm jack).
  • Lightning to 3.5mm converter: Thank you Tim again!
  • 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.
  • Spare AAA battery: 3 pieces for the headlamp or the rear lights.
  • 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 titanium - The plastic versions kept breaking in the bag.
  • Bottles: 2 x 750ml cycling bottles.
  • 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.
  • Stove: Esbit Pocket Stove with dry fuel tablets. Also a lighter.
  • Cup: Stainless steel cup, ~0.5l with a piece of tinfoil as a lid. For coffee, tea, porridge, or a cup of noodles.
  • Ground coffee, powdered milk, tea: I make cowboy coffee nowadays, and tea some times.
  • Kitchen cloth, paper napkin: Small, 20x20cm kitchen cloth and a few napkins can be very useful.
  • Ziploc bags: A couple of medimu size (2l) bags.
  • Small sponge: cut from a larger piece, for cleaning dishes.
  • Small foldable backpack: Decathlon - For last mile groceries and beer transportation, carry-on bag on buses.
  • 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 cut from a soap bar.
  • Deodorant: CD travel roll-on deodorant - Acceptable shower substitute.
  • Razor: For longer trips.
  • Sunscreen: SPF 50 - Whatever I have at home in a small container.
  • Lip balm: SPF 20 or more.
  • Hand sanitizer: Isopropyl alcohol based in a small bottle. Essential, especially when using contact lenses.
  • Microfiber cloth for cleaning my glasses.
  • Tissue: 2 x 1 pack of 10 or more. Also using it as toilet paper.
  • Wet toilet paper: travel size 10 pack.
  • Tubeless sealant: In a small bottle, both bikes run tubeless.
  • Tubeless repair kit: Tubeless plugs and tool, in case the sealant needs help.
  • Spare tube: In case tubeless is beyond repair.
  • Patch kit and tyre levers.
  • Spare parts: spare bolt for the SPD cleat, shifter cable, derailleur hanger, brake pads, spoke.
  • 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: an old Cateye model with belt clip, running on AAA batteries.
  • Emergency blanket: for various cold or wet incidents.
  • 2 short sleeve cycling jerseys: with 3 back pockets.
  • 1 long sleeve cycling jersey: and/or a long sleeve non-cycling layer.
  • Cycling shorts: bib shorts or padded MTB shorts. Former better comfort at the contact, latter has pockets.
  • Rain jacket: The North Face rainproof hiking jacket. Also keeps warm on cold nights.
  • Rainproof pants: Origin Outdoors Rain Trousers ‘Drytogo’.
  • Rain gloves, overshoes: Take little place, increase comfort on longer rainy rides.
  • Underwear: 2 lycra trunk briefs, bought them 15 years ago in Walmart.
  • 2 pairs of socks: Light/warm depending on the weather.
  • Pants and shorts: The North Face zip-off pants to have both after-ride shorts or warmer pants in the evening.
  • Base layer pants: Something synthetic, for cold nights or worn under cycling shorts.
  • Swimwear: briefs from Decathlon, dries fast and takes little space.
  • Baseball cap: synthetic from Vaude, to be worn after and before riding and during transport.
  • Towel: Sea to Summit Dry Lite microfibre towel, medium size.
  • 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: I’m a very shallow sleeper.
  • Eye mask: from intercontinental flights.
  • Shoes: Specialized Recon 1.0 MTB shoes with Shimano SM-SH51 cleats. Or a pair of waterproof Lowa hiking shoes if I don’t feel like I’ll need cleats but want to be able to walk around.
  • Helmet: Specialized Propero 2
  • Bike “lock”: A small coffee lock.
  • Apps: OsmAnd for navigation with offline maps, myNoise for sleep aid white noise, Wahoo companion app.
  • Food: instant ramen soup, oatmeal, mixed nuts.

Optional gear

  • Ebook reader: Kobo Clara BW with padded case - For falling asleep or train rides.
  • Travel laptop: 2017 12” MacBook (weighs 0.92 kg), for working on trains and buses or watching movies, or planning routes on the go.
  • Sunglasses, contact lenses, eye drops: I am short sighted (-5) and can not wear regular sunglasses without contact lenses. When I can justify the extra bulk and hassle, I bring daily (disposable) contact lenses, eye drops (I get dry eyes) and cheap sunglasses from Decathlon (blue and untinted swappable lenses).
  • Arm and knee warmers: depending on the weather.
  • Long gloves: If temperatures are expected to go below 10C. I have cold hands…
  • Warm cycling cap: To be worn under the helmet or during cold nights.
  • Mudguards: Depending on the weather and bike. Ass Savers for the back, usually nothing on the front.

Bikepacking gear laid out on the floor