Bikepacking checklist: essential gear for long distance cycling adventures

Whether you're planning your first overnight bikepacking trip or preparing for a race across Europe, having the right gear can make the difference between you having the time of your life or some rather grittier ‘Type 2’ fun on your adventure. So let’s make sure that you’ve got everything you need before you head out.

More than just a buzzword, bikepacking is the imperfect art of carrying seemingly little on your bike while magically also having everything that you need right there with you as you go gallivanting into the wild. 

Unlike traditional cycle touring with panniers, bikepacking emphasises lightweight, streamlined gear that attaches directly to the bike frame through specialised bags.

Some important factors to consider within your setup are weight distribution, waterproofing, accessibility, and aerodynamics. The ideal setup distributes weight evenly across the bike, with heavier items positioned low and close to the centre of gravity.

Based on the terrain of your planned ride, your options will be to choose between a road bike, gravel bike or mountain bike. Remember that your bike is the tool to get you places, so as long as you can ride it comfortably, you’re good to go. That being said, as someone who has certainly taken the conventionally wrong bike to wrong places, here’s a bit of a guideline for you to go on:

Road bikes: Great for when you’re meant to be on a smooth road for most of your ride. The gear ratio can be on the harder side as a result. If you’re looking for speed and efficiency, then this one’s for you. Canyon’s Endurace series is perfect for your tarmac-based bikepacking adventures. 

Gravel bikes: Unsure of what you might get yourself into? I believe that that’s what gravel bikes were designed for. A gravel bike tends to have a more relaxed geometry and allows for the space to accommodate wider tyres, making it more comfortable to ride on rougher surfaces. Most gravel bikes also have extra mounting points to put up pannier racks and mudguards. I’ve ridden around the world on a Canyon Grail. My favourite thing about the Grail is that it has all the capability of a gravel bike and yet rides like a fast road bike. The 1x setup makes it foolproof for bikepacking. Pro tip- if you’re worried that you’ll run out of gears, change your chainring to a 40T or 38T. The bike comes with a 42T. You’ll thank me later…

If you’re hoping for a bike that’ll tackle any terrain and handle just about every bikepacking adventure that you can imagine, go for the Canyon Grizl.

Mountain bikes: If you’re looking for the perfect bike for any off-road mission, whether it’s a hike-a-bike up a munro (the name for a Scottish mountain with a summit at least 3,000 feet high) or shredding it downhill or a hut to hut mountain range crossing, a mountain bike can open up access to practically any terrain out there. Check out Canyon’s Neuron, Lux, Grand Canyon or Exceed models for your perfect bikepacking adventure buddy on knobbly tyres. There’s something to be said about exploring the countryside with a friend on your mountain bikes.

On a multi-day bikepacking pack, always aim for comfort over fashion or speed. This means carrying clothes that are not only appropriate for the weather conditions but ones that you can move around comfortably in. 

As brilliant as an all-purpose onesie may sound, we recommend layering your clothing instead. Base layers serve as your foundation, with merino wool a good option for bikepacking due to its exceptional odour resistance and moisture management. Merino can absorb up to 35% of its weight in moisture before feeling wet. Your mid layers should focus on insulation. You can use lightweight down or synthetic jackets providing core warmth. Outer layers protect against wind and precipitation with waterproof fabrics like Gore-tex.

If you’re heading out for a multi-day ride in a cold-ish country, then your bikepacking checklist is incomplete without a couple of pairs of cycling shorts, a short sleeve and a long sleeve top, a base layer, a pair of leggings, lightweight fleece jacket, good quality waterproof jacket and trousers, waterproof socks, down jacket, buff, gloves, underwear and anything lightweight that you fancy carrying for off-bike use. If you happen to be someone who struggles to keep their hands warm, consider carrying liner gloves as well as a spare set of gloves. When choosing your off-bike clothes, ask yourself the following things:

• Does this have more than one use? (for example, convertible trousers instead of carrying trousers and shorts separately)
• Does this have pockets?
• Does this dry easily?
• Does this pack up small?
• Can you ride a bike in this if need be?
• Can you use this as an extra layer if you get cold?

In a warm-ish country, it is vital to pack something that’s quick-drying and loose-fitting. 

To avoid confusion, here’s a quick list of on and off-bike essentials for a bikepacking trip:

On-bike essentials:

• Lightweight merino long-sleeve base layer
• Moisture-wicking cycling jersey or t-shirt
• Padded cycling shorts or bibs (1-2 pairs)
• Cycling-specific socks (2 pairs)
• Lightweight cycling gloves
• Arm + leg warmers + shoe covers for temperature versatility

Off-bike essentials:

• Insulated puffy jacket or vest
• Clean underwear and socks for sleeping
• Lightweight shorts or long pants for town
• Packable rain jacket and pants
• Warm beanie or cap

If you’re looking to save money while still gearing up for adventure, our bikepacking on a budget guide has you covered.

There are several ways to pack your gear on your bike. Good-quality purpose-built bikepacking bags can be both sturdy and waterproof. 

Ideally, you want to distribute your gear by putting your camping gear in the handlebar pack, tools and electronics in the frame bag and clothes in the rear bag – or whatever combination works for you. If you’re in an area where you might need to carry more water with you, you can use a hydration vest along with the water bottles that you already have on your bike. For step-by-step packing strategies, see our guide on organizing bikepacking bags for maximum comfort and efficiency.

Make sure you test your full setup with all the gear before you head out on the actual ride. Use it during some of your training rides. There’s a good chance that you’ll overpack to start with, but that’s okay, you can just fix it after the trial ride. Your test ride should ideally include at least one hill and a rough off-road section to make sure that nothing is wiggly or loose. So, if you’re preparing for an endurance event, check out our detailed guide on how to train for long-distance cycling to make your rides smoother and more enjoyable.

Whether you do or do not know how to fix your own bike at the time of leaving for your trip, you will give yourself the best chance of working your way out of any situation if you have the right tools. Especially when you’re bikepacking in the middle of nowhere, it’s important to have the right tools with you. 

For basic bike repairs, you can carry a puncture repair kit (different for tubeless, if that’s what you’re using), a bike multi-tool with chain breaker, tyre levers, a bike pump (and a smaller spare pump), spare tubes, reusable zip ties, black tape, and super glue. Consider carrying spare brake pads and a spare derailleur hanger. 

If you're on a tubeless setup, don’t forget to carry tyre plugs and additional sealant.

Essential Tools and Spares Checklist:

Core tools:

• Multi-tool with chain breaker
• Good quality pump with pressure gauge
• Tyre levers and spoke wrench
• Valve core tool for tubeless systems

Essential spares:

• Spare tubes (1-2 depending on trip length)
• Tubeless tyre plugs and insertion tool
• Quick-links for chain repair (2-3 links)
• Spare brake and derailleur cables
• Duct tape and zip ties in various sizes

Pair your tools with our bike maintenance guide to make sure you’re ready for anything the road throws at you.

Tents, bivvies, and sleeping bags

Your sleep system represents one of the most critical components of your bikepacking kit, as quality rest directly impacts performance, safety, and enjoyment. Camping doesn’t just allow us to be closer to nature and gives us the freedom to sleep outdoors, it is also a great option to go bikepacking on a budget.

Depending on the expected weather forecast, you can choose between a tent or a bivvy. Personally, I am a big fan of using a bivvy bag because it takes up less space but also allows for more freedom of sneaking into tiny places for a cosy night. That being said, if better privacy and a sturdy weather-proof shelter for the night is your priority, a tent is your best bet. 

When looking at sleeping pads, look at the R-value that they offer. R-value ratings of 2-3 suit summer conditions, while 4+ handles cold weather.

Cooking and water storage

As far as convenience and reliability goes, canister stoves prove to be the best for bikepacking. Titanium cookware offers the best strength-to-weight ratio, and, while you’re at it with your lightweight cooking equipment, don’t forget to carry a spork. If you do, though, you can always use one of your tools as a spork! (obviously not the sharp ones)

As for water filtration, you can carry the tablets that you can find in any pharmaceutical shop. 

I recommend reading reviews and chatting to people who’ve been to places where you want to go on your bike and see what they used. Perhaps even borrow someone’s gear and try it out for a night or two before buying. One thing’s for sure though- you should never find out how any of your gear works, especially camping gear, for the first time on the first night of your trip. Test, test, test.

Using a dedicated bike computer or GPS unit means that you will get a superior battery life and mostly bulletproof weatherproofness. Try to get something that has more than 12 hours of battery life – some even offer solar charging.

Obviously, you can also use your smartphone for navigation. But it will definitely consume more power and won’t be as weatherproof as the other options.

Navigation and electronics checklist

Primary navigation:

• Bike computer and/or smartphone with navigation apps
• Offline maps downloaded for entire route
• Paper maps and compass as backup
• Waterproof mounting system

Power management:

• 10,000-20,000 mAh power bank (carry two just in case)
• USB charging cables for all devices
• Wall charger for resupply stops

Safety electronics:

• Satellite communicator 
• Front bike light (500+ lumens)
• Rear safety light with flashing capability
• Backup headlamp for camp use

In the spirit of preparing for the 1% of times when things do go wrong, please carry a basic First Aid kit with you, along with an emergency blanket. Medical emergencies in remote locations require a good level of first aid knowledge and appropriate supplies.

Some specialist devices can provide two-way messaging and SOS capability. Emergency location identification requires GPS coordinates and What3Words app for precise location communication.

Essential safety item checklist

Core first aid supplies:

• Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
• Sterile gauze pads and medical tape
• Large trauma dressing
• Steri-strips for wound closure
• Pain relievers (ibuprofen, paracetamol)
• Personal prescription medications

Emergency communication:

• Satellite communicator 
• Emergency whistle and signalling mirror
• Emergency contact information
• Route itinerary copy

Right, all packed for your next adventure? Good. The first step into the world of bikepacking can sure be intimidating. It takes some practice to learn to trust yourself. In fact, the more you handle everything that has gone wrong, the more confident you get to venture further. Start locally on familiar grounds, test your gear and basic navigational skills, and practice fixing your bike in comfortable settings before depending on these skills remotely.

Canyon's gravel bike lineup represents some of the most capable bikes perfect for bikepacking. The Grizl offers robust construction, extensive mounting points, and 50mm tyre clearance for diverse terrain. Especially with the ECLIPS technology, Grizl ESC is the perfect adventure bike. Another option is my personal favourite, the Grail, as I used it for my 29,000km bike ride around the world. Whether you choose a Grizl or Grail, make sure that it fits you well. Check out our bike finder tool, if you’re unsure. 

Check out how to plan your route for your upcoming adventure and some last minute tips on how to make the most out of your journey.

And there we go… Now that you’ve got this bikepacking checklist, go explore the world on two wheels. Adventure is just around the corner.