16 Really Useful Things for BIKEPACKING

[@MattSwain1]

Disposable gloves, again take up no space but handy for keeping your hands clean if you end up needing to do emergency bike maintenance as you are unlikely to have anywhere to wash any oil off afterwards

[@buckroger6456]

Now this is actually a really smart idea. 👍

[@martjenk]

I always wrap my chain tool in a pair of these!

[@RJ-bl1jr]

You should have some in your first aid kit anyway to prevent BBP

[@markschlief8565]

Used as liners, they keep hands dry in wet weather and incredibly warm in cool/cold weather.

[@stuartpotter4923]

I highly recommend a packable pillow. I've been on trips and assumed I can use something else I have with me to roll up under my head - spare layers, down jacket, saddle bag... inevitably I get a rubbish nights sleep. An inflatable packable pillow takes up very little space but makes a big difference to your sleep and, therefore, you're recovery and energy the following day.

[@biking261]

I have an inflatable pillow and wouldn't be without it

[@chrisridesbicycles]

100% true. Makes life so much more enjoyable

[@Bishop0151]

If you buy wine in a box, they come with a free inflatable pillow.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

@@Bishop0151 Maybe I should drink wine instead of beer 🤔

[@markjthomson]

Yes indeed! I like the Klymit stuff.

[@bnorberg988]

I've been bike touring for 50+ years. And I clicked on this not expecting to agree or find much useful information. I was wrong. Great recommendations and nice video. Thanks. Subscribed and a comment to help the channel

[@bnorberg988]

There's a lot of decent recommendations below as well. But I'd like to add something to the list. Wool. A thin merino wool layer is comfortable and will keep you warm when wet. Plus it smells better after four days.

[@fandydiadline]

Whoa 50+ years! So many stories~

[@shlokshah5379]

Danm you had a good life can't even imagine that much experience.

[@HanOfGod13]

WolfTooth Quick Link Pliers, flat and light. Stores 2 pairs of quick/master links. Electrical Tape. Woolly or fleece beanie, for cold nights.

[@shekton]

Spare rear derailleur hanger for your bike. I recently had to cut and bike packing trip short as I'd bent mine. When my new one arrived it took me 5 mins to replace the old one. Something I could've done roadside and continued my adventure.

[@buckroger6456]

My plan is to get a gearbox and never have to worry about that stuff again.

[@bellavia5]

Thanks for your recommendation.

[@bellavia5]

No mention of first aid supplies. Bandages, sterilizer all that stuff. Back in the day I always had a first aid kit in my backpack for my daily route which included a short break at the mall. I'm sitting there and some people prepared to enter the pizza joint and one of them scrapes his shin on a concrete bench. He's bleeding and he says "Geez -I can't go walking in there like this". I say "Hold on a minute". I get out the First Aid stuff -. I wiped his leg with the sterilizer and then put a BIG band aid on the scrape. His brother insisted on buying me a couple of beers. Swell.

[@JakeMay]

Head torch would maybe be my addition. So useful being hands free putting up your tent or trying to do whatever in the dark

[@discbrakefan]

A good head torch (if camping). It’s the only light source you need and keeps your hands free.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Yeah something like an exposure you can attach to your helmet, and as the nights are now drawing in - useful to peer inside someone woods if you plan to wildcamp or bivvy.

[@AnthonyLock92]

Zip ties are amazing! My pannier snapped on some cobbles on a bike packing trip. fixed it with 5 zip ties. Held so well did not move at all in the next 1000km

[@thankmelater1254]

Zip ties and all covered with duct tape, that has held my homemade rear rack panniers on for 2 years of daily use.

[@tandemoniousd8493]

Wrap a few meters of gorilla tape around your pump handle or a flat piece of cardboard. It's small and light and can fix a lot of issues!

[@JayCharlz]

Tape around your pump saved me. I rode to Cornwall from Staffordshire and sat on my prescription sunglasses half way there and broke the arm. I literally would have been shafted if it wasn’t for that bit of tape as I’m blind as a bat.

[@thatwebbloke]

If you can't fix it with duct tape and/or cable ties in my experience you are F*$ked :-)

[@Draculapin]

Few meters ?? How.. 50cm is enough

[@michab4083]

Or around your CO2 cartridges, which has the additional benefit that you can hold them savely when inflating a tyre ...

[@alexcole4970]

You can also wrap it around a lighter and use it as kindling if you really get in a messed up situation...

[@JakeMay]

Actually my main recommendation is a charger with multiple USB slots. Being able to charge three things - e.g. your phone, a light and your bike computer - all at the same time for the hour you have access to power when you're in a pub or whatever, is so useful

[@LaLaObeRoT]

I use an Anker high power charger with integrated power bank. Super convenient.

[@georgetate4984]

When i ride either my mountain bike or road bike i all way carry a spare derailer hanger and a spare chain joiner link.

[@Cade_Media]

Mech hangers pretty much essential, probably worth a separate video on stuff that I wouldn't ride without!

[@krbndlls]

Two pairs of brake pads as well!

[@philipwaldman]

Yeah, ask Lawrence all about that.. Never leave home without one..

[@KowalskiVanishing_Point]

Tension straps, puffy jacket, zip ties, dehydrated food, multitool, feedbag are 6 of the things you mention that are on all my trips. But, I'm doing shorter ones in Northern Ontario on and off road. A thing I never go anywhere without is black electrical tape. Stuff is great for all kinds of repairs. Even saved our backsides on a snowmobile trip doing engine repair. Bear spray is never wrong as bears are a very real risk here. One thing I noticed on the picture for the video was your rear rack setup. Basically, what I see in a lot of bikepacking is a move back to more conventional bike touring rear racks while trying not to make it look that way. I use an old style cheaper rack and no panniers but some dry bags strapped horizontally if needed. Good video.

[@MikeGrenville]

I always pack an Emergency Foil Blanket. Having had an accident myself, I know the importance of keeping warm until help arrives

[@tonyb9735]

True, although there's probably no point having this and an emergency bivi bag.

[@jantown]

Packable daypack was my #1 addition to my bikepacking gear last summer. 4 oz, and fits in my hand when packed down. Allows us to get more snacks if there's a gas station/store near where we're camping. Bonus, we've added a packable *cooler* this summer (5oz? also small) Fits into the backpack with 6+ drinks and room for extra food. Is it the best cooler? Of course not. Can I have a cold beer 4 hours after reaching camp on a 90 degree (F) dat? Yes.

[@stormeporm]

An extra long titanium spoon! Especially with the dehydrated meals. The bags are to high for the spoon to reach the bottom comfortably. Also works really well with the big yogurt cups. Not heavy and easily pack-able. For the zip-ties you can store those in the hollow axle of your crank. I always have a bunch there even on regular rides. Saved me quite a few times.

[@OutdoorFreedomDk]

That's right. It's much easier to eat "bag food" with a LONG spoon / spork (20-25 cm)

[@Robutube1]

Slight upgrade to this excellent suggestion - get the "spork" version of the spoon so you've got a fork and knife function (sort of) too, for zero extra weight.

[@phorest]

How do you keep them in the crank axle?

[@stormeporm]

@@phorest I fold them and push them folded in there. The springiness keeps them stuck.

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

Hotels instead of a tent....it's lighter because you don't have to carry it..👍 Pub food instead of bars and gels....because it's just more tasty and you don't have to go far for a beer...👍 ...or am I missing the point of bike packing...🤔

[@Cade_Media]

Sounds like my kind of bikepacking

[@buckroger6456]

😂🤣🤣 sounds dope but expensive

[@michaelbradbrook9575]

A chain 'missing link'. Combined with a chain splitter, this can be a life saver if you bust your chain.

[@markus4891]

Another tip for the Garmin Varia: I had trouble mounting it to my big 16L Ortlieb Saddle Bag when Bikepacking, turns out you can just put it securely in your jersey (I put a few energy bars in the mid pocket and the Radar in front of it). It works as well as if you mount it on your bike.

[@dbenzhuser]

I strapped one of these GoPro mounts intended for chin bars of full face helmets to my saddle bag (same one from Ortlieb), then attached the Varia with a GoPro to Garmin adapter (orientation has to be the right one for the Varia). Worked like a charm.

[@markjthomson]

@@dbenzhuser Nice hack!

[@larrymcardle]

So glad you mentioned a powerbank! This is the ultimate bikepacking device for me. I have an Anker 20000 mAh with two outputs. I can recharge my phone, headlight, tail light, GoPro batteries, etc, during the night. This also negates the need for a GPS head unit for me, as I can use my phone exclusively. It's a great device for bikepacking, backpacking travel, and if SHTF.

[@bobwightman1054]

Better to have 2x 10,000mAh batteries than a single 20,000mAh one in case one fails/ gets wet / gets left in a café, etc.

[@karigrandii]

Or four 5000mAh?

[@bobwightman1054]

@@karigrandii Possibly. As you move to smaller capacities the proportion of packaging to capacity increases (you need to protect the battery and have input and output ports) so four 5,000mAh powerbanks will weigh more (and take up more space) than two 10,000mAh powerbanks which will weigh and take up more space than the 20,000mAh model. None are the overriding "correct" solution, just different ways of solving the power problem.

[@drbobjohnson812]

One thing I learned about powerbanks and electronic devices. Battery life is shorter in cold weather. Now if I am overnight in cold weather I put my electronics including battery packs in my sleeping bag overnight

[@eolle43]

Great list. I would add baby wipes (or equivalent) can be used for nature breaks as well as camp clean up.

[@stephaniegibbons8809]

nah, who wants to use plastic? the 'equivalent' is better (albeit not as convenient)

[@ospringate]

make sure they are biodegradable - many arent

[@suburbia2050]

check out the Culo clean water bottle tops

[@mdude2023]

Pro tip: you can find reusable zip ties now, just as cheap and good as regular ones but have a small extra tab you can push to reopen them

[@thankmelater1254]

You can also buy locking steel ties which you can unlock by sliding another piece of a tie into the ball locking mechanism and pulling out the tie.

[@lukeadair3571]

All zip ties are actually reusable. Just make sure you don't cut your fingernails

[@jeffbrownstain]

@@lukeadair3571 until the weather makes them brittle and they snap because plastic

[@mendyviola]

I’m old school. Bring a printed map, a compass, paper pad and pencil. They don’t rely on batteries. Get a rear view mirror that attaches to your helmet. Cheaper than the radar thing, and works as well as a car side mirror.

[@martjenk]

Ok I take that for back up but mapping apps are much more convenient.

[@suburbia2050]

@@martjenk yeah I always carry at least a compass for backup

[@vinylwalk3r]

Im planning a shorter (probably 4-5 days long) trip in the summer and just for the sake of wanting to try it (and my phones battery is bad as it is, Maps would demolish it) I'm going to bring a map and compass. Haven't used one since school but greatly looking forward to it! And it never dies from low battery!

[@tomsitzman3952]

There is a new reusable bag (1,000 times) made of silicon. Basically flexible glass. They work like the plastic zip bags but are are stronger. they come in different sizes pint to quart size. You can store electronic, food or almost anything. One brand in the States is called Stacher. Great for take out at a pub.

[@Cade_Media]

Ooo I'll check these out.

[@thebikepackingadventurer]

Black diamond ski straps are a must, strapping on lunch, clothing when it gets hot can strap to the outside and extra water bottles are great. Go round the tailfin a treat. I have the sawyer 105 water filter which is tiny and works well. I always have cable ties and also a small roll of electrical tape, just in case on the fly repairs are needed. Tyre boot/s is a must too if running tubes obviously, I also recommend buying a contact lens case and putting some sudocream in it, takes up no room at all really, but if you get cuts, saddle sores etc this comes in very handy

[@phorest]

Tyre boot whether your on tubeless or tubes. You can easily have to put a tube in a tubeless tyre to fix a puncture from a big sidewall slash.

[@markjthomson]

I carry a cafe lock, a thin 3m wire with a simple padlock. Stops the walk away. Sits neatly on my seat pack. I secure the padlock to the chain or a spoke so if the cable is cut it makes the bike tricky to move.

[@buckroger6456]

Always smart to have for long bike packing trips.

[@Redmire44]

Motorbike locks do this - they padlock to the disk brake

[@ermusas1]

wouldnt thieves just cut your spoke instead of the chain?

[@markjthomson]

@@ermusas1 Maybe... either way it is harder to cut than the cable itself... spokes are hard... the trick is not to make the bike steal proof, it's to stop opportunists and make it a harder target than the bike next to it. Remember... I am in view of my bike typically when using this.

[@markjthomson]

@@ermusas1 I sometimes lock the padlock around the chain wheel as well.

[@AlanJames]

Add in a long handled titanium spoon for eating out of those pouches. It'll make stirring and eating a lot less messy.

[@danwebber9494]

I carry a padded mailing envelope to put my meal in for additional insulation. It cooks faster and you can sit on it instead of cold ground while you eat.

[@JasonDBike]

Get water at graveyards. Garbage can be used as tire boot. Don't camp at altitude, it gets cold!

[@neillmorris1469]

Crematoriums usually have a public toilet too.

[@bertchalmers]

Empty resealable sandwich bags👍 and if you run cable brakes/gears a spare gear cable because as a last resort it can be used as an emergency brake cable.👍👍Most import - folded up toilet roll. Because leaves can be poisonous, and rocks don't have cushiony softness

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Yeah funny how loo roll never got an honourable mention. On multi-day trips I literally always have a few squares of the stuff. Baby wipes are also useful. The resealable sandwich bags are also great for say taking some raisins, apricot slices, nuts, any kind of loose food.

[@markjthomson]

Yes indeed... so many uses. I also carry a SH$T shovel... better option to bury... although double bagged in those useful ziplocks would work!

[@microfx]

@@BikepackingAdventuresyeah I always carry baby wipes, some cremes, magazines to read, 4-5 books, ...

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Spare spokes. The weigh nothing and you can tape them to the frame so they don‘t take up bag space.

[@PaulCrow-l1y]

You can store spare spokes inside your seatpost (push them into a piece of Styrofoam / Polystyrene cut to fit the post diameter. Very little weight expense too.)

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

Canoue bags for separating your kit into dry/warm/ spare clothes/ electronics. Mini grab bags within your bike bags keeps tidy and extra layer of waterproofing. The canoue bags can also be used as a pillow when you put your down jacket/spare clothes with in Gorilla tape to tape up any wear points on your saddle bags / bike frame

[@markjthomson]

Are they what you'd call dry bags?

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

@@markjthomson yes 👍

[@markjthomson]

@@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1 Perfect suggestion. Yes. I have a couple... one contains my SH$T KIT and the others useful stuff.

[@fotografamos4083]

Dynamo hub FTW! You can charge your battery pack on the go and never worry about finding a wall socket. Also, dynamo lights.

[@beacon8573]

Totally agree about the Leatherman tool. I use a small version which I think is called Skeletor. I’ve actually used the cutters to chop through a spoke, quite easily. Not on my bike but some poor guy who broke one and it was interfering with free rotation of his wheel.

[@davidmartin305]

A beard, CAMRA guide, pipe, sandals with spd cleat and an OS map 🤪 Old Skool!!!

[@TreibAir]

I'd add a CR2032 battery to the list. Tiny, weighs next to nothing and both my cadence and HR sensor use one.

[@HoloScope]

Oh for sure. You never want to have to search for one of those. It's a nightmare

[@omniyambot9876]

Ohh yo guys use cadence sensor bikepacking? Do you recommend cleats? What do you carry for self defense?

[@BeeRich33]

Rechargeables are ~$10, but you'd have to jimmy up a charging station for them.

[@mikebell4468]

Time for my quarterly watching of the Vietnam series, thanks for reminding me!

[@perserventia]

Over Thanksgiving, with my gravel star daughter, rode my 1st overnight camp bike packing tour, boulder, Colo. Best nights sleep I've had in years 😙🚲

[@leighbarnett386]

Thanks for the vid. Check out the sawyer squeeze water filter. It’s a great lightweight water filter and more versatile than one fixed to a water bottle.

[@Draculapin]

In combinaison with the CNOC 3L pouch

[@deKampeerwijzer]

Sawyer squeeze water filters aren’t reliable.

[@mwhittle91]

A jet boil or camping stove, especially if you've got dehydrated meals! Tyre boot A long handle spork... Once forgot and ate my meals with a credit card.

[@nomadicalex6218]

Good point with the ear plugs! Been times where I was on a bike packing trip and had to camp next to the highways and the lorries made so much noise so thanks for the tips.

[@BeeRich33]

Been bike touring since 1987 (yes, last century). Ear plugs are something I really should try. Cheers

[@DonnieX6]

Last millennium even ;)

[@Jesse-bb4qj]

I like to take a Foldable Foam seat pad, I leave it strapped to the outside of the seat pack and during stops I have a comfy seat and it also acts as a foot mat for my tent

[@benjaminheinzel1005]

I always take a Kelly kettle with me. You can heat up water in an amazingly short amount of time and with very little wood. The size of a 2*4 by 1 ft cut to kindling can boil a kettle in a few minutes. Also various accessories help to make it even better. It's also compact another bonus.

[@jirdesteva]

Presta to Schrader valve adapters for pumping up tires at gas stations.

[@BreezyE-d3n]

Ive found solar powered charges have recently evolved to the point where they're useful. I took the bigblue3 with me on a 17 day trip in Japan recently. Even wild camping on a deserted beach u can change your phone, gopro battery and lights as u have breakfast and pack up and use in on the move by clipping it to your rack. Folds up to the size of a pad of A4. Japan's sunnier than the UK tho.

[@josephhaddakin7095]

Yup. I did the same(28W bigblue) instead of of dynamo hub. Ran it across my panniers & back rack while riding or laid out next to tent on non-riding days. Worked great for phone & lights. Didn't need electrical outlet for 2 months traveling across the U.S. rough camping the whole time.

[@GeekonaBike]

THe ear plugs are a great ideal, I'll be carrying a pair from now on. A tip on your battery pack, if your running a dyno hub you'll want to look for a "Pass Through" one. Kind of hard to find but worth the looking as they allow you to recharge while powering a device as apposed to trying to charge a device like a head unit directly from the hub. Many smart device will turn themselves off when the dyno power drops to low because you stop or were riding to slowly.

[@buckroger6456]

Some of the really cool ones come with a headtube battery that can power stuff and charge your gear.

[@Johny-Kad]

I recommend carrying more than a pair, sometimes your earplugs just become dirty, or overused, and it is a great feeling to just pop fresh ones after a while:)

[@Bishop0151]

Cable ties, not in the bag, in the handlebar. You can easily fit a wide selection.

[@meltedcheese1908]

I like that ski strap suggestion. Was thinking of originally using velcro straps but feel this would work much better.

[@willowwatts]

I like taking zip lock bags ,a musette,a small cable lock while stopping for food/cafe ,water bladder, loo roll,body wipes(in case I don't find a shower or public toilet) Mosquito repellent ,eye pad, chain lube,and spare cash.

[@kevinlyon9501]

Like that the studio now looks like your in a bike shop, a lot of useful things and good tips in the comments. In past mtb trips I always carried first aid kit and it had a emergency beacon light.

[@atlaz]

You can get valve caps with built in valve core removers. I have them on all my tubeless bikes as they're cheap and if they're on the actual wheels, you can't really forget them (unlikely to lose two).

[@phorest]

Many multitools also have a slot on the chain-breaker [spoke wrench?] that works for a valve core tool.

[@stephenmorris6202]

Excellent recommendations. Picked up a few extras but I wouldn't describe the jacket as down. The ones you listed are synthetic so they survive getting damp.

[@davidalderson7761]

GPS tracker, best advice on here. Well done for mentioning it. Totally invaluable. I use SPOT. But there are several manufacturers available.

[@magebrin]

I'd love a video specifically about food and eating while bikepacking

[@buckroger6456]

Can beans, tortillas, peanut butter and trail mix along with few other items are always great since these take little space and have high cals and other vitamins the body needs. Also these are all things you can eat without having to take cooking gear.

[@krbndlls]

Musette bag. Takes no space, can be used to carry extra goods on your back for your camping meal when you have no space left.

[@Draculapin]

They even make foldable backpack that are more convenient than musette. Check the decathlon one for example

[@andreweeley5095]

What a top vid. Just looking at getting into bike packing as I like bikes & camping (doh!) - this list & those in the comments are just what I needed. Cheers

[@Cade_Media]

thanks for watching Andrew

[@John_CL]

5:45 that garmin gps replacement would be more expensive than my phone 😂

[@_carsonjones]

Pro tip... You can share your Garmin Varia sensor with other Garmin bike computer riders in your group. Works really well.

[@ganesanvengadesan6060]

That GARMIN tracker is awesome

[@matthewshaw3747]

Suggesting synthetic fill jacket is a great call if there is a risk of it getting wet. They tend not to pack up as small as down but if they get wet they will stay warm (down won’t) and when they dry they are back to normal where as down will clump and not be anywhere near as effective as they were before they got wet.

[@jaypoly]

Bongo ties, Woolly hat and Silva Ranger compass ( for power outage! ) Top video👍

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Thanks for the roll-up shoe idea. Got TCR next Summer so might "roll" with that suggestion, although to be honest looking at switching to mountain pedals, shoes and cleats so can walk around as normal.

[@Draculapin]

Water shoes are great alternative. I carry that everywhere I go

[@ddxleoncuprar]

I'm using skinners bare shoes when doing bikepacking trips.

[@raoultittel]

Thanks for that. I'm interested in doing this and have been thinking about it for ever. Your info is great.

[@laurenoe]

@9:17 Yeah...the battery pack for the Garmins are a game changer! The extra USB output on the bottom, and they are indestructible! Worth every penny!!!

[@tomekkruk6147]

You can get a radar for 200 ponds, or you can buy a little bar end mirror for a tenner. Does exactly the same thing.

[@rgefryer]

Erm... No, it doesn't. I've tried to get on with a number of mirrors, and never found one that I'm happy with. Whereas the Varia radar quickly became indispensable.

[@trevorrowell9451]

I totally agree. I live and cycle over 1000kms a month in the mountains of Southern France and have had a small bar end mirror for several years and find it indispensable, especially on narrow roads and long winding descents (a quick glance to check the road is clear and bends can be cycled safer and faster). Yes, it takes a little getting used to but it weighs next to nothing, has never broken and also tells the difference between lorries, cars and motor homes on busier roads. You would never ride a motorbike or drive a car without rear view mirrors, so why a bike? Is it bike snobbery? I paid six euros for mine. I would have bought them for all my friends, if I had any!

[@pdrmnds]

A packable bag or a musete. One time i had lodging a bit far way from the main road and needed to carry dinner to that place. I had to go to a supermarket and ride 10k with a supermarket bag as a backpack.

[@peddler931]

Mandatory to have a ceramic-clad steel coffee mug clipped to the outside of your pannier.

[@jonpoon3896]

Instead of a hard filter bottle, I prefer a filter that attaches to a soft bottle. Brands like Katadyn and Sawyer are what I’d look at. I keep it rolled up when I don’t need it. Also for the Garmin eating alert. You can set it on calories. If you have a HR monitor and power meter, you can set it for 1000 calories. That would be a good time to look to eat a meal

[@lechprotean]

the downside on really long trips is that the power meter etc can run out - I set the reminder to time as your body is mostly limited by how many calories/carbs it can take in (digest) in an hour anyway. So I'd keep it simple tbh and just eat a littlle every 30-45 minutes

[@jonpoon3896]

@@lechprotean power meter batteries last pretty long. Unless it’s a cheap power meter, it should last a 1 week bikepacking race. It’s good to have reminders for food within the hour as well as for 1000-1500 calories (which is about 4 hours). Did a 3500 mile race across the US this summer. It’s a good way to go about it

[@phorest]

@@jonpoon3896 And spare pm batteries are tiny!

[@frederickrasmussen1274]

1: Pillow (inflatable) 2: First aid kit 3: Coffee grinder, foldable dripper with paper filters and thermos/cup.

[@bnorberg988]

I can't believe I am recommending anything from Starbucks. But as an avid bike tourer and a habituated coffee drinker those little Starbucks Via packs are a great choice. Small and mess free.

[@rodcosta3603]

Top info sharing 👌🏻 ….and not the obvious stuff. 👍🏻

[@movemorenowjames]

Great tips - thanks - especially those tiny shoes.

[@crailtap811]

Just a heads up, Micro and Nano Puff jackets are Poly fill so no need to worry about them getting wet. It doesn’t contain any down at all.

[@OutdoorFreedomDk]

NICE VIDEO !I Nice tips ! I always bring my Anker 21W Solar charger for my power bank and other..

[@michelgeneral]

that bivy is really a good idea - good to use when fast packing

[@lidge1994]

There are also reusable cable ties which have a small handle you push to release them, you can still cut them to size, they're just bigger, at least the ones I have are wider than regular ones. They're of great use in my PC where I won't cut my cables trying to undo the cable ties later. Same with damaging your bike.

[@tobortine]

Open an account with one of the fintech banks (Starling, Monzo,etc) because they give you a card and an app. If you lose your card you can cancel it and still use the phone, if you lose your phone you can still use the card. I found this out the hard way, not bike packing but travelling in a foreign country I lost my card but was able to cancel it, order a new one and still use the app all without having to contact the bank. _No, I'm not affiliated, just impressed_

[@Draculapin]

Not bad. Also. Lots of people have multiple credit card and you can use the wallet app on your iPhone.

[@tobortine]

@@Draculapin Does the wallet app still allow you to use the card if the physical one is lost and cancelled? I know the fintech cards do because I've tried it but I'm not sure about traditional credit cards.

[@Draculapin]

@@tobortine No I don't think it does but like I said, if you have multiple cards you should be good. Leave one at home so it can never be stolen during your trip

[@smolotov5295]

Cycle2Carge is a must have for me :)

[@nigeldavenport1399]

Very well presented. Top marks!

[@suburbia2050]

I find a head torch (flashlight for our American cousins) rather than a more narrow beam cycling helmet light, useful for when setting up camp late at night or needing to go to the toilet, mine has a really useful red colour light option to avoid distracting/dazzling/waking other campers if in a campsite, plus the red light doesn't attract insects.

[@sfdint]

Agreed!

[@MRegah]

Awesome! Great selection! One more from my perspective: **tiny rear mirror** at the end of the drop bars. Of course doesn't make sense for off-road. But for road-bike packing, especially when your route choices are skewed toward more direct routes, shared with cars (e.g. on endurance races): super handy. It's one of my favourite accessories and I use it a lot when on country roads.

[@Cade_Media]

Great suggestion. I used one of those for riding across Australia

[@MRegah]

@@Cade_Media ah, awesome. Certainly perfect terrain for it. Looooong roads with the occasional car or mile-long truck : D

[@Cade_Media]

@@MRegah yeah and have to be so careful that the trucks don't cross over where you're riding!

[@saskhiker3935]

I use these tablets that when you add water they swell up into a disposable cloth. They are great for hygene, toilet paper, cleaning things. Amazon sells them.

[@buckroger6456]

Never heard of these. They sound like a great thing to have.

[@leplessis8179]

The most useful things when bicycle camping are a pack of those little tissues. They are great for wiping things on (and your nose as well).

[@corvus400]

thank you! Good tips for bikepacking.

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

I bring water shoes so that I don't have to wear bike shoes all the time. Packable and just enough sole to be useful

[@larrysawrenko6891]

Fantastic idea. I had ones ordered from Amazon before the I finished watching the video!

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

@@larrysawrenko6891 ha! Probably the same ones I got!

[@Mostlyharmless1985]

Folding solar panel. No faffing about with dynos robbing your bike of speed, just mount it somewhere on your set up and it will trickle charge your power bank. titanium chopsticks: does what a fork does and what a spork doesn’t. Parafin wax: emergency fire starter, dry lubricant, and Seam sealer. It’s very light weight and a chunk can go a long way. It can also be used for first aid for abrasions and rubs and chapped lips in a pinch.

[@drbobjohnson812]

I have had mixed results bringing solar panel on bike touring/packing. Unless it is mid day or you are going in the same direction for extended periods difficult to keep the sun on it. I am more successful with the solar panel when camping in same place for days

[@Mostlyharmless1985]

@@drbobjohnson812 I’ve had the same kind of results, but a good power-bank should give you many charges, the solar panel just extends your time between having to stop and charge it.

[@_________4292]

Zip bags for food, clothes (dry, wet) electronics ect.

[@karmatraining]

Great video. Can I make a small suggestion - if you placed your camera about 3-4 inches above your eyeline, you would achieve a much more flattering angle for very little work. Old Hollywood and CNN interview trick. Keep up the good work!

[@hansschmidt3144]

i do quite a lot of bikepacking. but the only thing i use from this list are ofc powerbanks.

[@redauwg911]

thank you for the video Francis

[@IndianaWalross]

Duct Tape + Isolation Tape. Put some strips or cm around your pump. You will always have some handy when lets say your bag rips or your brake cable leaks

[@joules531]

Quick tip about the Leatherman tool - At least here in the UK, a locking blade is illegal unless you have good reason to carry one. And carrying one just in case you "need to use it", would not be a good defence. Remove the blade completely, using an angle grinder, and carry a small swiss army knife or similar, as well as the bladeless leatherman. Don't get confused about the 3 inch rule - any blade that locks, no matter what the length, is illegal in the UK.

[@untenableposition]

right, but carrying one as a bicycle repair tool should be safe as it's a 'good reason'.

[@joules531]

@@untenableposition This certainly wouldn't pass the "good reason" test, here in the UK, because there's nothing on a bike that actually requires a locking blade.

[@nibbs15]

oh cool usefull bikepacking things

[@ronspencer6668]

I think that i liked the packable puffy the best. Cold is not good.

[@tailgatesurfer4523]

1. Get one of these e-Vape Refillers of ebay and fill them up with chain lube. Wrap some Tape around them. 2. Tape some Spokes to your frame 3. For short rides tape carb gels to your top tube, but only on the top end or above the tear mark, so that you can rip them off and open with one hand

[@marcelcormier8143]

Nice video! 👌 but, while bike packing, one would most often have the seat bag strapped to the seat post. The Varia is designed to be fastened to the seat post. So then, how would you recommend mounting the Varia if a seat bag is installed?

[@Cade_Media]

I clip mine on the back of the tailfin bag with the elastic band it comes with. A viewer also pointed out below that it works inside a jersey pocket too

[@imanayAieR]

there this extra mount for stem by garmin, i use back the same mount with the rubber work around my helmet, so it works like additional helmet (rear)light

[@sfdint]

I found a Garmin mount on a plastic bar with two screw holes and another plastic bar to attach it. I put the attachment bar inside my seatbag then drilled two holes through the fabric of the bag and attached the mount.

[@jnrickards]

Use a buff/neck gaitor as a sleep mask, fold it multiple times to make it thicker before putting it on

[@suburbia2050]

Good for keeping sun off back of neck too

[@GregorySkidmore]

Paper currency and a spare tube. Tubeless or not, every rider needs to pack at least one tube for their tire size because a gash can ruin even the shortest outing. Whether you pack a Park tire boot or a simple bill to block a massive puncture, you can pedal out instead of walking.

[@matteopicchio199]

Ermetic plastic bags from ikea (0,5l and 1l) very useful for spare candies, food and rubbish

[@PaulCansdale]

Really useful vid, thank you!