How to Pack for Bikepacking

How to Pack for Bikepacking

Bikepacking is a fun and adventurous way to explore the outdoors. With everything you need for one or more nights packed securely on your bike, you can travel fast to reach destinations that would be days away by foot.

Packing your bike for bikepacking requires you to think strategically about where things go and be smart about distributing weight. A loaded bike will never handle as well as one that has nothing extra on it, but when you pack well, you'll find you can successfully navigate off-road terrain and have fun doing so.

• Put lightweight, bulky items in your seat pack and handlebar pack: Overloading these packs can negatively impact the handling of your bike. Many bikepackers put things like clothes, a sleeping bag, sleeping pad and tent in their seat pack and handlebar pack.
• Put heavy items in your frame pack: Packing your stove, fuel, bike tubes, extra food and other heavy items in your frame pack keeps your bike's center of gravity low to help maintain your bike's handling.
• Keep frequently used items within reach: Things like snacks, water, maps and a cell phone are best kept in stem bags, top tube bags or cages where you can get to them easily.