Reviews of bikepacking gear, page 2

A red and white full-suspension mountain bike, fully loaded for bikepacking, stands upright next to a large rock on a paved path. The bike features a frame bag, a large seat bag, a top tube bag, and several water bottles. The tires are tan-walled with knobby treads. In the background, a lush green landscape with trees and a winding path is visible under a cloudy sky. The image has a red banner at the top with "HELLENIC MOUNTAIN RACE" in white text, and a red overlay at the bottom with "GEAR LIST" in white text.

Gear list for Hellenic Mountain Race

An inventory of all the equipment, food, and supplements I’m taking for the Hellenic Mountain Race bikepacking event. I’m facing roughly 900 kilometers and 27,000 meters of elevation gain in the Pindus mountains. No bike shops nearby, and at night temperatures can drop below freezing. Read more

Four power banks of varying sizes and designs are laid out on a weathered wooden tree stump with green grass visible in the blurred background. A red and white text overlay on the image reads "HOW TO CHOOSE POWERBANK FOR BIKEPACKING?".

From left to right:
1.  A light gray power bank with a black top. It has "5000 FASTCHARGE" and "cellularline" written on it.
2.  A larger, slightly lighter gray power bank, also with a black top. The text "alza4power" is visible towards the bottom.
3.  A black power bank with a carbon fiber pattern.
4.  Another black power bank with a carbon fiber pattern, similar to the third one but slightly taller.

How to choose powerbank for bikepacking

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There are many half-truths and myths surrounding powerbanks, which we will now explain and dispel. I’ll show you which parameters to look for when choosing a suitable device, and which ones you may not be interested in. At the very end, I’ll share some of my own tips on powerbanks that I use… Read more

An image of a red and silver mountain bike outfitted with black bikepacking bags (including a seat bag, frame bag, and down tube bag), parked against a brick and stucco wall. Overlaid text reads “ATLAS MOUNTAIN RACE” at the top (white on red) and “GEAR LIST” at the bottom (bold red with white outline), indicating this is a gear list for a bikepacking race. The scene is set outdoors on grass with scattered leaves.

Gear list for Atlas Mountain Race

An inventory of all the gear, food, and supplements I took with me to the Atlas Mountain Race. I was glad I didn’t have to use any of the emergency items. Overall, apart from the food, I was satisfied with my selection. Read more

A low-angle shot shows a red mountain bike with knobby tires, likely muddy from a ride, positioned against a brightly spray-painted wall. The rear wheel, chain, and chainring are visible on the left, while the front wheel with a "ROCKET RON" tire and fender is partially visible on the right. A black, roll-top dry bag is secured to the bike's frame near the bottom bracket.

Tailfin Downtube Pack 3 Litres

Finally, a frame bag that you can ride with even when it’s empty. Tailfin came up with an interesting concept, especially suitable for smaller but heavier items. However, you need to be mindful of the space between the frame and the tire—especially when the fork is fully compressed. Read more

A close-up shot of a black bicycle saddle and a grey bikepacking seat bag with orange straps, set against a vibrant, multi-colored graffiti wall. The seat bag, which is branded "ORTLIEB Waterproof," appears to be packed full. A portion of the rear tire is visible at the bottom of the frame.

Ortlieb Seat-Pack 11 litres

Since I’ve owned this Ortlieb bag for five years, I can describe my experience with truly long-term use. And I must say that the test of time has kept it waterproof. It has decent capacity of 11 litres and excellent craftsmanship. Read more

A light-colored bikepacking saddle bag with the word "CYCLITE" printed on it is attached to the seat post of a red bicycle, set against a vibrant, multi-colored graffiti wall featuring pink, blue, yellow, and green geometric shapes. The bike has a black saddle and a "SCHWALBE" tire with brown sidewalls.

Cyclite Saddle Bag Small

Cyclite is not yet as well-known among bikepacking bag manufacturers, but their Saddle Bag stands out with its high-quality craftsmanship and unique features. For example, a plastic loop for a cup 🙂 I was testing this stuff on Tour Divide. Read more

A bicycle is parked in front of a vibrant graffiti-covered wall. The bike features a black saddle bag strapped to the seat post, with the white "Apidura" logo and a bee graphic visible. The bike's frame is a dark red, and a brown-walled Schwalbe tire is visible at the bottom. The graffiti behind the bike is a mix of bright colors, including pink, light blue, yellow, orange, and green, forming abstract shapes and lines.

Apidura Racing Saddle Pack

A review of a set of two saddle bags from Apidura in the racing variant. These are intended primarily for minimalists and racers. However, they may also interest anyone who rides more off-road and needs to carry just a few extra items. Read more