BIKEPACKING JAPAN, A LIGHTWEIGHT TOURING SETUP: Japanese Odyssey kit and gear check

This video runs through the kit and gear I used for the Japanese Odyssey. The Japan is a 1500mile bikepacking event running the length of Japan. The event is predominantly on road however there are a few gravel sections on route. The Japanese Odyssey is a free route event with a number of pre determined checkpoints and parkour sectors which riders must including in their route.
My kit list was as follows:
Saddle pack:
-Nemo Hornet 1p Tent ( poles and pegs stored in frame bag)
-Thermarest Neo Air sleeping Pad
-Custom PHD designs sleeping bag
- Albion All Road Pertex Shield Rain Jacket
-Albion Zoo Rain Trousers
Frame pack:
-Albion long sleeve Ultra jersey
- Albion Light Weight Gilet
-Albion Merino Neck Warmer
- POC Arm warmers
-dhb LAB leg warmers
-dhb LAD polartec gloves
-OMM rain mitts
-HUNT cap
- Head band
- Double USB wal socket
-Assorted cables
-Spare tube and Voile strap
Top Tube pack:
- Olympus film camera
-Dyna plug and spare plugs
-Vulcanising glue
-Sunscreen
-Lezyne multi tool
-Tyre lever
-Spare bolts, patches etc
-Exposure Joystick helmet light
-Albion winter socks
Bar pack:
-Rapha Lightweight trail pants
-Albion Merino T shirt
-Albion Long sleeve Merino base layer
- HUNT socks
- under wear
- Albion ZOA lightweight insulated jacket
More information about the event can be found here:
www.japanese-o...
A big thank you to the brands that support me:
Mason Cycles - masoncycles.cc
Hunt Bike wheels - www.huntbikewh...
Albion Cycling - www.albioncycl...
Tailfin Bikepacking equipment - www.tailfin.cc...
Rene Herse tyres - www.renehersec...
Enduro bearings - cycling.enduro...
If you like my videos and would like to help me produce more, please consider buying me a 'virtual coffee' at the link below, thanks!

[@whiteryanc]

I am absolutely astonished at the amount of stuff you can fit in your frame bag! As a 5’4” adult, I’m am supremely envious!

[@joshibbett]

Yes it’s certainly a perk of being tall!

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Looking forward to the video of the journey itself. I have the very same Shimano shoes - they've been sat on my shelf since August. I had been planning to wear them for PBP, but hadn't bedded them in yet. Finally got my road bike today after the crash at PBP - so tomorrow - finally get to ride the Sonder again and try out the shoes! I do love the look of them; hopefully they will not disappoint for comfort.

[@linesided]

Very helpful and thank for turning me on to Albion. Hope you get a commission :)

[@michaelbudler7369]

Great job, I always enjoy your content!!!

[@adammackenzie]

Awesome, ride safe

[@jeztv9014]

Josh - I use these as overgloves - 'TRIBAN Compact Waterproof Windproof Overgloves' from Decathlon - 3 finger waterproof mitts - V good for £17.99

[@annyeay]

Decathlon has split finger reflective cycling rain gloves

[@joshibbett]

Excellent will look them up thanks

[@milanoreddc5591]

I got reflective split finger gloves from Lidl, I’m sure they were like £3,99 have worked really well so far!

[@jonpoon3896]

In the past, I’d wear nitrile gloves under my normal gloves. Doesn’t keep the gloves dry but does keep the moisture off my skin

[@stephenm8270]

decathlon waterproof overgloves work well

[@joshibbett]

Excellent thanks for the tip

[@lydiagould3090]

Another helpful video! I'm amazed how much stuff you can get in that saddle pack🤣I made a list of what you took on the last trip and realised I should have taken a thicker jacket for the night ,riding and sleeping. I don't take a tent , but a bivvy bag for a quick getaway, and less likelyhood of being spotted. Do you reckon its worth taking a sleeping mat? I feel they may be an extra bit of bulkiness I don't need, but I'm always cold🥶🥶🥶 (no fat on me) and think just the goretex of the bivvy doesn't offer enough insulation.

[@oldanslo]

The ground is very effective at sucking heat from your body. Sleeping mats are as much for insulation as they are for comfort. With a decent mat you can be warmer with a lighter sleeping bag.

[@joshibbett]

Hi Lydia. Yes it’s always take a sleeping pad if possible as it does offer a lot of insulation from the ground. Plus a more comfortable sleep is better for recovery.

[@brackishcycles]

Love the break down. As a bikepacker since 2013, it's been a process to get even close to the level of refinement you have! So insight into your setup is always appreciated. Seems like you took a LOT of clothes. Do you think you packed too much of anything (clothing or otherwise)

[@joshibbett]

I don't think I took too much, if anything not enough! Would have liked to have had my ultralight insulated jacket from Albion to keep the chill off while riding.

[@esavirtanen6418]

Do you keep washing your bib shorts every day since it mostly seems you run only one pair in the events? These videos are really useful since I'm cutting gear but I think I still might bring two shorts and alternate.

[@joshibbett]

I washed them every time I stayed in a hotel so at worst rode them 2 days without as wash. If I was camping more regularly then I think I would have taken a second set

[@jamescoveney3754]

I have always wanted to do the Japanese odyssey, unable to due to work/life commitments...

[@joshibbett]

It’s a fantastic way to discover the country if you ever manage to find the time. Would definitely recommend it

[@living4adrenaline]

Again I'm sponsored by Albion.

[@RoadyPacking-CyclingAdventures]

Nice packing dude. I'm liking the 'flip over' top tube bag.... was it a good barrier for rain?

[@joshibbett]

It's pretty good at keeping the rain out as there is a decent overlap between the lid and the body of the bag. However if you are riding in continuous torrential rain all day I suspect that eventually the water will start to seep in as with any other bikepacking bags.

[@RoadyPacking-CyclingAdventures]

Cheers mate, looking forward to watching the series of your Bikepacking Japan Tour ;-) @@joshibbett

[@alexflorance1111]

Where do you get all the little bags/pouches from? I’ve been really struggling to find some decent ones to help me pack! Thanks

[@joshibbett]

Alpkit have a good range of dry bags, although the small Green pouch I keep my cables in is actually the storage bag for an Albion ultralight insulated jacket that I repurposed

[@user-fh9nz4rk3q]

Hi Josh,thanks for the Video .How you plan the route of the japanese odyssee 🤓?

[@joshibbett]

Just made a video on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIunqYqFqrF-bZY

[@johnnyloco11]

Do you shop at the same store as Mary Poppins?

[@joshibbett]

Yes there’s currently some excellent Black Friday deals on never ending bags at the moment ! 😎

[@johnnyloco11]

The Albian clothing looks especially smart - yet visible - for cycle clothing. Nice for touring. @@joshibbett