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Do you toss and turn a lot? Consider a quilt, which is a little easier to move around in than an enclosed mummy bag. Are you a side sleeper? If so, you might want a thicker inflatable mat and a large pillow. If you’re planning to invest in new sleeping gear, do your homework first, considering a few factors. One stumbling block that newcomers often have with camping is getting a comfortable night’s sleep.
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Tarp - a good, lightweight solution if bugs and critters aren’t an issue tarps come in a variety of sizes and can be set up in a variety of configurations.
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“Fast fly” - a setup that’s possible with some tents using just the rainfly, ground sheet, and poles it works much like a tarp but is easier to set up.Tent - ultralight tents are the most common shelter used by bikepackers as they’re fully enclosed to keep out bugs and critters most double-wall tents consist of five components that can be divvied up into various bags for on-bike storage: the tent body, a rain fly, poles, stakes, and optional ground sheet.We’ve identified the five main types of camping shelters here for reference. There are a few variations to consider, and it’s important to keep in mind that there are usually multiple components within a shelter system. The bulkiest part of a bikepacking gear list is typically the shelter. Most of us here at prefer sleeping in a tent with an ultralight quilt and inflatable sleeping mat. Decide which shelter and sleeping gear you need based on temperatures and the environment where you’ll be traveling, whether there are insects and critters, and your personal comfort preferences. The first thing we’ll delve into is the sleep system. Note that we’ve also included resource link lists in each category below to help further your research. If you’re still lacking the necessary equipment, try to borrow some gear from a friend, make your own, or inquire about gear-share libraries and second-hand shops in your area. Make an inventory and use what you already have. Most folks who are into the outdoors have some basic camping equipment, and if you’re already a cyclist, you probably have a few repair supplies and tools too. The frequency of towns, eateries, and resupply points will help you figure out how much space you need for food, and knowing where and how often water sources are accessible will help you plan the amount of water you need to carry.Īs you’ll see in this list, bikepacking can be quite gear intensive, but don’t let that stop you. Understanding the climate and potential weather scenarios will help you decide what clothing and sleep system you’ll need. It’s important to research your intended route(s) to help determine exactly what to bring. While this list won’t cover all the gear you need for some trips and might be excessive for others, it’s a good starting point. Typically, we carry most of what’s listed here-aside from the alternates-plus a few of the extras, which are marked with an asterisk. This is a good baseline kit that we use for many of our bikepacking adventures. We’ve put together a comprehensive list covering six main categories of gear. Now that you’ve put some thought into the variety of bikepacking bags options, let’s walk through what goes inside them.
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