MTB Bikepacking - How Much Do You Need To Spend On Camping Tech?

[@matt_acton-varian]

Makes a nice change of pace from the usual content, but still top drawer entertainment. Where bike packing is concerned, money shouldn't matter. As long as your kit is fit for purpose, you can spend as much or as little as you want. The winner is whoever enjoys themselves taking in the great outdoors!

[@thim8009]

I think most people start like Blake, and slowly end up like Anna if they feel it's something they want to keep doing.

[@vidibites]

It would have been good to see a middle ground option too. These tests always feel like the two extremes.

[@paulpetch]

Unless you are a GP or dentist 😅

[@michaeldoshier1107]

100 percent agree

[@symonhammond5623]

My 2 favourite presenters working together ❤️ more of this please 🙏

[@fegasegiawan3440]

I like this kind of video. Great laugh between anna and blake. Need more fun video like this!

[@codyhirsch2230]

I love hammock camping, I like the idea of the bike tent but then you can't go on any night rides. Love the video. Keep it up guys.

[@jaimewilson6312]

Fun video! Love Seeing Anna featured more and more. She’s fun and just fantastic. So genuine and full of joy.

[@stulpnerkarl6062]

I absolutely love being outdoors. Actually planned a bikepacking trip this summer and really lookin forward to this. Thx Anna and Blake for this amazin episode! ❤️😎👍🏻

[@saprojects5874]

Sorry, but as I a hiker, I've got some advice for people who are willing spend a little bit more money and shave some weight from their setups. Number one, using quilts instead of sleaping bags shaves some weight and money. The second objection is (in case of Anna's setup) the sleeping pad choice. I think (and the bigger part of internet thinks so) that a sleeping pad makes up to 50% of sleeping kit warmth, so never forget to go for a sleeping pad equally good as your sleeping bag. Either way, the video is awezome!

[@tomaszsamsel7710]

what i love about the tarp is when it's raining you setup your tarp wide, go under, and you are sheltered, you can setup your hammock (don't forget your drip stoppers Blake!), you can cook, you can sit down and enjoy your coffee, you can work on your bike if needed and you are already dry and sheltered :)

[@aether388]

"420 - now that's a good number!" I love Blake 😂

[@georgecowley3972]

Dude I’m stoned af watching this too 😂

[@elcovlaminckx]

Th one problem i got with the bikekamper tent is that you can no longer use the bike.

[@ApexHerbivore]

This.

[@AdamosFF]

I come from wildlife photography, backpacking and hiking so when I started riding MTB I already had almost all essentials for bikepacking. My 3 season sleeping bag is 550 grams T Limit -5 Celsius and a Thermarest air mat. Everything fits in to my 28 liters backpack

[@johnnydoe66]

I think it would be best to go with a bit more expensive sleeping and shelter gear, that way you're more likely to have a more pleasurable experience and want to try again. Like other comments, most people will start cheap and then gradually spend more if they keep on going bikepacking. As far as keeping water from running down the suspension straps of the hammock, tie cordage around each strap and let the ends hang down. The water will follow the cordage and drip to the ground and not run into the hammock.

[@OranMc1]

Blake should race his scout again

[@gmbn]

We're sure he could be tempted 👀

[@etherealicer]

With all the kit :D

[@nottakumi1226]

20:31 tie some small string to your support lines, leave them hanging, like tassels. They will catch the rain water and let it drip off BEFORE it reaches you.

[@ZeroSeriesMMX]

I kinda like going for a mix of cheap/reliable and a bit premium/lightweight but both quality gear... The premium stuff will most likely be the heaviest stuff (like the tent) and the cheap but quality stuff will be those easy-to-use, and I'm thankful that there are local manufacturers of such camping gears.

[@peterkapunkt6783]

Exactly. Wouldn't buy the cheapest mattress or sleeping bag, but you can totally use a cheap gas stove or some cheap aluminium pot and so on.

[@leogoughmtbs]

Great vid guys, and really useful as I am planning on going bike packing this summer. Please could you put some links to Blakes kit as the branding wasn't as obvious. Happy riding 👍

[@smashy152]

drip loops on the hammock ropes can help stop water running down them, its just a bit of string you tie around the rope to be the new low point

[@ryanmccormack2458]

When out on a bike camping trip, the last thing on my mind is, how quick can I do things? So the 1st challenges were a bit pointless to me. I'm all for saving the pennies so Blake's definitely is my winner.

[@jimmy8x541]

Nooo! The Bikamper that Anna uses seems to be discontinued. That's a shame, such a cool concept I was ready to buy one!

[@PmatWolf]

I feel in all honesty its down the frequency you go back packing or bike camping, i wild camp a lot and tried the hammock camping, i did the bivi bag thing when i was in the forces but find the old poncho (tarp) is way more flexible, provide way more room and can be adapted to your conditions, its light easy to pack quick to deploy, you can use it for sleeping under, cooking under, even fixing you bike under or just shelter in foul weather. Great video guys awsome stuff

[@stujm8376]

Love that you're both riding hardtails... I've retired my dual sus as I'm loving riding my hardtail everywhere and every style of riding recently. It does help that I've just swapped my tyres out for two Schwalbe Magic Marys, best decision I ever made, they're amazing. Got to be honest though, I'd take the best of both. You're both winners in my book, it depends on how pignolo you are (there's one for Anna's dad to translate...😬)

[@wolfura]

Hardtails are the best for bikepacking. If squishy, you can't put anything under your saddle.

[@MotoMarvmtb]

Loved it 😂 It was a tie except the weight test and speed packing test.

[@Bundy67]

I really enjoyed this video. Anna and Blake both have very infectious laughs! 😂

[@ExplosiveNotes]

To paraphrase Dr. Bridgewood somewhat, I already own bedroom, kitchen etc. and haven't got bored of them yet 😁 but these videos are fun to watch.

[@Off.On.Adventure]

Blake. Have a look at using drip lines for your hammock. It will stop the rain running down into your hammock.

[@daskleineM]

I think both of you are winners because you're enjoying having a good time out on the bike.

[@etherealicer]

I like both kits, but it seems that both are already at a limit. What if you need to bring more meals + water, spare cloth and some toiletry? Price is often also put into longevity and most tents do fine in rain, it is the sun that destroys them. So, the real test is to have these tents a month in the sun (and then test how waterproof they are). Personally, I feel there was no winner or looser. Start with cheap, learn what works and matters (for you) and upgrade accordingly if necessary. I for example like an insulated bag (with a bottle of frozen water), where I can store stuff like chocolate that otherwise would melt in the sun (because quite frankly, I usually ride when it's sunny).

[@Birdpoo777]

or a water filter bottle

[@wolfura]

You can take a backpack with you as well. 30 liter backpack should be plenty for all of that.

[@etherealicer]

@@wolfura A larger backpack is fine for shorter rides. But for long trips it might get uncomfortable. Personally, I would rather opt for saddlebags.

[@baldy214]

Fun entertaining slapstick vid. Certainly, emphasises the extremes in bike-packing. I'm not sure a hammock is suitable. Planning the rides around woodlots and hotels could be fun but limiting, tricky and only done once 🙂

[@tomrodgers6629]

No one won on packing unless your racing it does not matter. Anna won on weight as long as her equipment works as advertised. Blake wins tent set up. You can't go wrong with a hammock easy to stow and it keeps you off the ground. Blake again, A little extra weight but he has a fully prepared meal in a can and he does not even need the stove not even for coffee it is just a pleasantry. Blake again, I would rather a small leak that takes time to form then laying on the wet cold ground. Love the channel.

[@LaurenceLDN]

It does mean that you need to be camping in a forest. I can think of many rides I've done where that wouldn't be possible. Tent every time for me.

[@DjxJt13]

heres my take : Mega with mostly Blakes setup, i would take her front rack, I prefer hamack but i think its a tie on that one, the tent looked really loose idk if its because of the race setup or if its made to be loose. Both setups are defenetly good enought but lacking in certain area , First aid kit and the likes. Nice video.

[@ThePnev]

Another fun video guys! Somewhere between both your setups, I'd say is the winners choice! Blakes kit defos the most versatile but Anna's mounts are a must for rides over longer, more extreme terrain! *though wouldn't advise cooking in the can Blake. Potential for the can lining to leach into your tasty tasty beans...

[@user-ey6yj5ww8g]

Baked beans are cooked in the can as part of the production process

[@better.better]

I'm going to point out that it can get much much more expensive and much much lighter... for example Anna's tent, if made from Dyneema Composite Fabric (formerly "Cuban fiber") the same design would weigh significantly less, and the price would be significantly more. that said, I don't know if anybody makes that style of tent out of DCF. by the same token hommocks can be much lighter and much more expensive as well, and writing this comment previous to the challenges I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that Blake has gotten a pretty standard cheap hammock, which can certainly do the job, but it's not very comfortable due to the fabric and it's construction, and he probably hasn't done enough research to know that there's some simple DIY changes you can make to reduce the pack weight, and still retain ease of setup. Hammocks have several important advantages over tents, mainly when it rains you're not on the ground if you misjudged the terrain and the spot you chose gets flooded, and the recovery sleep is so much better. the downside is, as somebody else pointed out, a hammock relies on trees with adequate size and adequate spacing, but with a ground cloth and pad you can use a hammock like a bivy, but best to practice that in the backyard rather than try to figure out how to do it when the situation arises. there are hammocks that are designed to do exactly that, and there are other solutions to that problem that all involve bringing extra gear, however I don't know of any of those that are optimized for bikepacking, they're all meant for backpacking. by the way don't put anything on your own back if you can avoid it, make the bike do all the carrying, that's what it's for. Now I'll watch the rest of the video| packing challenge: to be fair most of the time you start off with everything all spread out so you don't forget anything important. also an experienced camper combines and packs as much as possible to reduce the set-up time as much as possible. for example I pack my quilts into my hammock and stuff it all into one dry bag. I literally get rid of all the stuff sacks that everything is shipped in. saves a tiny bit of weight and a lot of time. I'm also not as concerned about the weight that's what a bike frame and gearing is for. it's different if you're racing, as long as you deliberately train for it though the weight doesn't matter as much, your body will adapt. commuting fully packed is a good way to train for it. set up challenge: don't be fooled Blake's hammock is not ready for sleeping in, NOT ONLY THAT but I would not trust that suspension the way he did it, and mosquitoes are going to eat him alive. you're not going to get a good recovery sleep if you're fighting the mosquitoes all night. clearly did some adjustment to the suspension during the cut, the hammock suspension as seen after the tarp has been suspended is obviously more trustworthy. camp kitchen challenge: beans are good but one can of beans by themselves is not adequate for me. better off with a small can of beans and a large can of salmon (pouch is better, eaten the same way Anna ate her pouch. less cans is better, because you have to carry the trash out with you...) rain challenge: hammock-Tie some drip lines to the suspension: I tie old socks on my hammock & tarp suspensions, some people use torn up T-shirts, doesn't matter as long as it's absorbant enough that water won't sneak around it. tent-that wasn't nearly long enough for water to pool up and seep underneath. one thing they didn't do is the "waking up to pee in the middle of the night" challenge, nor the "changing clothes in the rain" challenge... the hammock setup would win both of those no contest

[@slaylorswift6338]

The setup from Blake is good for Germany, because its illegal to camp in a tent freely, but his setup doesn't count as a tent;), so it's the "legal" option.

[@LaurenceLDN]

Also 'illegal' in the UK. But no one cares about that! Just be stealthy and all is well.

[@richiem5777]

Light weight/ 'Primo' v budget, matters not. What matters is the smile on your face and enjoying the peace that cones with being in the outdoors.

[@Ricardus1]

I liked the hammock (standing room). Didn't like the bike tent (digging bike forks into the ground). However a tent is caravan park friendly when showers, electricity and washing machines are needed.

[@dpomberger]

Nature won and both of you :D And even we won - a very nice video. I really really like the Nukeproof :D

[@PVVI2015]

That was fun! Definitely a tie - but I’d like the equipment Anna had😇

[@destroystreets1023]

When you cook food ina can it relaese cemicals from the can lining. also the bike tent wouldnt make it through a light storm

[@user-ey6yj5ww8g]

Baked beans are cooked in the can as part of the production process

[@peterharrington8709]

Great video on every level. Reckon it'd be a laugh a minute bike packing with these two.

[@johnpayne2465]

Full points to both for enjoying the challenge!

[@AcLaMaDoR]

I went bikepacking on a bone stock Marin nicasio + and around 75 euros worth of equipment. Rode from Girona to Milan in 10 days

[@adammiller6932]

We used base Procaliber’s and bargain luggage from Planet X. Great fun C2C in Scotland, almost ended up in latest 007 filem.

[@shanemartingreenan]

Oooooo there seemed to be a little bit of electric going on between them pair 😊

[@katropanigerry2984]

if the rain is very strong Anna will be flooded, and on Blakes Tent He actually told us the weakness maybe when the rain is strong and runs on tree trunk it will eventually flow thru the straps in to the hammock.

[@AaronHendu]

I got a rear pannier rack and bags, an underseat bag, and a simple top bar bag for my phone and stuff. Cost me about $50 in total and I do my groceries with it lol I have loaded it with 40lbs of gear. I can carry another 40lb on my back if I want to. I am only 120lbs. I have a hammock and tent setup, whichever I feel like. I no longer bring a stove of any kind...a small fire is fine...or no cooking at all. I will bring lots of sandwiches and jerky and snacks. I also dont bring very much water and bring a life straw with a usb pump and long hose...and filter my own water from whatever water source I can find. I bring dry juice powders to mix with it. And coffee if I plan on a fire.

[@lostinature]

Not going to decide who won. I'd happily go camping with either setup. Coming from years of hiking and wildcamping prior to bikepacking, I already have all the cool gear. Started off really cheap about 10-12 years ago. didn't have any money, so I started with the cheapest tent available and 2nd hand sleeping gear. Although it has got more comfortable over the years, I want to quote Blake from the cheapest bike video "I am getting the same enjoyment". To be fair, when it is pouring down - I live in Denmark, so it is giong to - I do enjoy staying warm and dry. Have both the tent setup and hammock setup. Hammock being my favourite, although more fiddly to setup. Quick tip for the hammock in the rain: Add driplines (google it). Effectively, water is a lazy substance and by adding at simple bagclip or even just a knotted line to the suspension, you can stay nice and dry

[@tobiasiserhot4880]

Verry cool Format... PLZ more of this

[@goreccz589]

Well That is hard to compare If budget would not be problem I would prefer Blake sleeping setup but with Anna sleeping bag…. kitchen setup Anna is winner for sure…. In total Anna is winning as to be honest after long ride you want to to sleep and eat in peace and sometimes is hard to find where to put hammock :) Again great video I love watching your content.. hope one day i will get to bike festival to meet you all :)

[@reneesui9206]

My favorite tent is giving my friend my van and meeting them for dinner and sleeping in the back of the van waterproof heated and rodent free.

[@KP-ol3tc]

That Canyon is over 5 lbs lighter than my 20" freestyle bmx with no brakes and Ti bits all over!!! 😳😳😳

[@r.davies2702]

People are spoilt these days huh .

[@pedroclaro7822]

14:17 cameraman of culture

[@73megalith]

Think the tree straps for hammock get a full wrap around the tree, dunno if i would trust that set up 🤣

[@GhislainLeduc]

For me, it's Blake because of the cost but you do need to have trees :)

[@JajaKings]

For the camps: I love Blakes tent with the hammock, but i think that the Solution of Anna has one major adavantage : when somebody wants to steal the bike and Blake is slepping between two trees in his the hammock, someone could sneek up and take that bike wiht him and Blake wouldn't even notice. With Annas tent, thats using the whole bike to get a holding structure, u would notice when someone is trying to get the bike, and they would have to put the front wheel back in too, so youre likely to notice when someone tries to steal it.

[@bob69365]

The biggest downside to Anna’s tent is Topeak haven’t made them for years. You’d think as a sponsor they’d have told them 😮

[@hardtailharry6812]

" great number 420" legend

[@lifetimemtb1671]

„420? It‘s good number“ i broke down laughing at work😂

[@andrewsiasparks]

I would go with blakes setup and build a fire. Dig a small trench for wet rocks under the hammock to keep me nice and toasty all night.

[@user-ju1du2sm6b]

You cannot reuse them tins at all acidity issues and stuff you cannot even use them for cooking at all xd. Nice vid😊

[@jnstroik]

You could put something like a clothes pin on the hammock straps to divert the water coming down them

[@paulcole9636]

Re hammock. To stop rain running down your straps to your bed put a third on and let it hang down, the water will follow path of least resistance

[@martinhagen2913]

4:20 Good number, Blake... funny man :D :D :D

[@shaneblyth1565]

Eating beans from a can! Blake’s British transformation is complete!

[@charlesstevenson8751]

Blakes setup is affordable and practical.

[@beneadesmtb]

If it was upto me, id of have Blake's bike with Anna's set up. I've had canyons and can't fault them, just found myself with a soft spot for nukeproof and Lapierre recently. Probably helps I've just got a Lapierre and my favourite riders are on nukeys so... yeah. A bit of brand bias there.

[@ashpunting]

Well, I think you're both winners, but overall, Anna took first place, but she did spend more money and blake. i would have cooked tinned sausage and beans. I really enjoyed that challenge 😂😅😁Anna's tent and sleeping bag won it for me 🎉

[@r.davies2702]

Anna's kit cost as much as a decent second hand bike or a few nights in a hotel. Blake for the win in my book.

[@kylejohnson7626]

Tie a drip line to your hammock straps to keep rain water from dripping down the straps to the hammock.

[@adrianwilkinson2547]

Mountain biking is the winner! 🤘❤️🌈🕊️🌎

[@davidadamus177]

That was fun to watch! Pretty sure i would wind up somewhere in the middle. Not sure the hammock works for me, and im definitely not loaded either LOL. The Topeak Bikamper is an interesting choice, isnt that discontinued?

[@raphaelwolff8205]

Anna and Blake that was great well done.

[@wtfchazpwnt]

That bike camping tent is awesome

[@Bungle2010]

Except as far as I can tell it's been discontinued.

[@tomclarkson6078]

If there was ever a moment for Anna to look high maintenance this was it 😂.

[@freeridemtbauz]

nice video guys, funny and enjoyable 😂

[@brianjames9335]

That Bikamper tent looks great but nowhere in the UK sells it anymore. I keep seeing it on videos and getting envious 😢

[@Bungle2010]

As far as I can tell it's been discontiued.

[@KDog2264]

I like both set ups , but I dislike camping if I had to do it I would prefer Anna set up, it looks to be a little more comfortable.

[@FuzzyHippy]

Im going to have to go with Blake as I have the same hammock 😅

[@SARGEinc]

The decision to take a can of beans instead of a pot is wild to me. A tiny pot and prepackaged rice/pasta is probably lighter, and then you don't have to injest chemicals after cooking in that can.

[@dannyk3718]

Indeed 420 is a fine number well said Blake

[@ZOB4]

I would have Blake's bike (or a fatbike) with Anna's kit - I think that's where the sweet spot is.

[@ZeroSeriesMMX]

Blake's Canyon Dude is light AF, just around 12 kilos iirc (quoting what he said on a previous video).

[@christopherlind]

Love the video keep up the great work and can u do bike package with a back and front rack

[@JogieGlenMait16]

the more you do it, the more you will appreciate the "primo" stuff.

[@mattnorris529]

I think her tent is really cool but if she wanted to set up camp and go for a lightweight sunset ride she has to put her bike back together.

[@georgepeterson3440]

Camp setup tie Blake falling was after the fact

[@----.__]

Both Anna and Blake agreed that he fell out the bed, and it's only possible to fall out of something if you're in something to begin with. Ergo, Blake had to have been in the bed in order to have fallen out of it. Case closed.

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Awesome video.💯👌🏻🚴‍♀️

[@lindonandlisa8114]

been looking for the Topic bike tint and cannot find it anywhere

[@davidglanfield3897]

Topeak tent looks awesome but you try and buy one in the uk

[@hugobci]

My gravel bike with two bags weight 20 kg too! What a suffering

[@federaldelii]

Nice episode 💯👏🏻

[@iggalan]

My votes go all for Anna, sorry Blake 😂 sleeping in a hammock doesn’t seem comfortable… or safe 😂 .

[@pedroclaro7822]

1800€ for 5kg less. I could lose around 10kg in body weight (and muscle that I’ve been building) for free. Actually it would be earning/saving me money cuz it would require me to not eat anything for like a month.

[@dyfanlloyd4494]

Does anyone know where you can buy the topeak bikamper I can’t find it in stock anywhere 😂

[@royvandijk7119]

Just wondering, why not a decent size backpack?

[@kevindean9613]

I found the topeak tent not very good for condensation , Something like the big agnes copper spur is a lot better inmho.

[@TheCosmicGuy0111]

Nice

[@danvalicek]

Am I the only one who prefers to just throw everything in a backpack?

[@MartinMikulka]

Weight Weenie battle is actually interesting. Blake's total is 20.1 kg, where the bike does 14.9 kg, so the gear is 5.2kg for 195 GBP. Anna's total is 14.3 kg, her bike does 8.9 kg, so the gear is 5.4kg for 1099 GBP. Who's the winner then?

[@HolisticHealthEducation]

Looks like you had fun. 😂

[@paranoiid1018]

The more expensive the gear the more convenient build they are

[@Bungle2010]

Not much use showing the Topeak tent when as far as I can tell it's a discontinued product...........