Bicycle touring Gear list

In my five-year-long history of cycle touring, I have tested many different set-ups and different gear. If you are asking yourself the question What should I pack for a bicycle tour ?, check out my list for some inspiration.

Damn it, I stay at home and don’t go anywhere, I think every time I start packing for a bike tour. If hell exists, I am convinced that’s what it looks like – packing, decision-making, and trying to stuff everything into the panniers. 

The silent voice in the back of my head keeps telling me: you have forgotten about something! I run around looking for things and then face decision paralysis trying to determine what things to leave, and what things to pack. Weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Ok, it is actually not that bad. I admit, my nails before every trip are bitten to the nab. It also happened that I burst into tears while sitting among the piles of stuff to pack in the middle of my room. But all in all, it is just about finding a system. The first time is the worst: you cannot imagine what awaits you on your trip.

Below, you can find my personal list of things I pack for my bike tours and some recommendations of the gear I use and am happy with. There is no one-size-fits-all, so you will have to find your own perfect set-up.

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Bike and cycling gear

Bicycle

Is the bike that stands in your basement good enough for a tough bike tour? I know people who travelled the world on a folding bike or a supermarket bike. I have one motto: it is always better to go than not to go, even if you only have a crappy bike at your disposal.

Sure, conquering the alpine passes on Dutch omafiets with three gears is a debatable pleasure, but on the other hand: it is a good challenge. The main point is to have a working bicycle. Although, of course, it is more pleasurable to ride a decent bike.

I currently tour on a Giant Talon 29 1 mountain bike. It allows me to leave the paved roads and comfortably cycle on bumpy or sandy trails. It has never let me down and I am absolutely happy with it, although I wouldn’t recommend it if you are travelling mostly on asphalt roads or if you are looking for something very comfortable (this sporty MTB position is not for everyone).

Lights

I very rarely cycle in the dark, but my bike is equipped with a front and rear light. I use a basic Lidl set I bought in Belgium for 12 €. It is charged with a USB-C cable, which is very convenient and strong enough to make me visible after dusk. If you plan to bike at night in the forest or on poorly lit roads, definitely get something with more lumens.

Reflective vest

A basic reflective vest from a hardware store for a few euros can save your life in the fog or inside tunnels. Safety first!

Water bottle

I usually carry two 800 ml bottles. If you’re planning to cycle in the heat, it might be worth getting an insulated bottle. There’s nothing more disgusting than warm water from a plastic bottle during the heat.

Lock

To keep my bike safe, I use a chain lock. It is pretty heavy (more than 1 kg) but that’s the price I am willing to pay for having something a thief cannot cut in five minutes. A good U-lock will also protect your bike well.

Chain lubricant and a cloth + an old toothbrush

To assure your bike runs smoothly, it’s important to keep the chain clean and apply the chain wax regularly. I use an old toothbrush and a wet cotton cloth.

Pump

I am happy with my Giant Control Mini Combo Enduro. It is attached to the frame, weighs nearly nothing, and pumps almost as good as a garage pump.

Update: I am no longer happy with my Giant Pump which broke down after about 2 years. I was using a small pump buy in Lidl for the last 2 years but it was unreliable too. Recently, my dad gave me a pump from Kross but I didn’t have a chance to properly test it yet. So if you have any recommendations for a good, light pump, drop them in the comments!

A spare inner tube and patches

I usually carry one spare inner tube and a set of self-adhesive patches to fix the small punctures.

Tire levers

Essential to change the inner tube.

Multitool

I’ve been using the cheapest multitool from Decathlon for a couple of years. Although it is not at the top of ergonomy and versatility, it has all the essential Allen keys to assemble my bike at the airport and fix the basic faults. I can also definitely recommend this small multitool from Park Tool.

Zip ties and duct tape

Zip ties and duct tape are universal means to fix everything, at least temporarily. I have used it to fix my panniers, my rack, my tent – as long as you have duct tape and zip ties with you, you will survive!

Bungee cords and rack straps

To fix everything on the luggage rack. I also use the bungee cords to hang my laundry.

Helmet

Before buying a helmet do your research and buy something solid. I am using a Giro helmet.

Smartphone holder

Very useful if you use the phone for navigation. I am using Quad-Lock – quite pricey for a piece of plastic but very convenient to use and sturdy – holds the phone stable even on bumpy trails.

Bags

Panniers

For me, a pair for the rear rack is enough, although many people claim it’s better to distribute the weight evenly on the front and back. My rationale is that if I take more bags, I’ll also take more stuff and will have to carry too much. 

I am using the Crosso Dry 60 with the click system (read my review of Crosso Dry 60 panniers here). They are sturdy, waterproof and light. Produced in Poland and is way cheaper than the world’s market leader Ortlieb. The click system is a bit expensive and less durable but makes taking the bags off and putting them back on easy and fast. It is also compatible with any baggage rack.

Handlebar bag

For years, I was using an old bag found in my parents’ basement. Recently, I bought Agu Venture. It is more spacious than most handlebar bags (17 litres). It is a bit pricey but easy to attach, light, waterproof and made with eco-friendly and recycled materials.

Snack bag

For many years of bicycle touring, I struggled with eating regularly. I forgot. I was too lazy to take something out of my panniers. That’s why I bought a snack bag – a small bag that you can place on your handlebar to keep the snacks handy while riding.

I am using a hand-crafted bag from Baby Legs Bags.

Backpack

To have something to carry my stuff in when I hike or walk around cities, I bring a small backpack. After 5 years, my super comfy Coleman Hayden Creek 40 died, and I replaced it with a cheaper Quechua NH500 from Decathlon. So far (after one year), I am happy with it. It has a lot of pockets and is suited for carrying a laptop too.

For cycling, I attach the backpack to the top of my luggage rack with bungee cords.

Clothes

Depending on your destination and the time of the year, you will need to adjust the list of clothes you need to pack for a bicycle tour. My list is prepared for summer/early autumn trips, taking into account unpredictable mountain weather.

T-shirt

I bring two T-shirts of breathable fabric. I am a big fan of this super cheap and eco-friendly shirt from Decathlon (Quechua MH100). I have had it for a few years already, wearing it constantly, not only while travelling but also for a workout at home, and it still looks new. 

I definitely recommend t-shirts made of merino wool. They are light dry quickly and don’t smell, even if you wear them for longer than one day.

I have a rotation system: 1 t-shirt on me, another one (washed after being worn a day before) drying attached to the luggage rack.  

Cycling shorts

I carry two padded cycling shorts. Is it a must-have? Not really. If you have a perfectly comfortable, soft saddle, you’ll survive. But for me, good padded shorts save my ass. Literally.

Windbreaker

Windbreaker or something to put on your back when it’s chilly. Very useful on long downhill rides in the mountains.

Hoodie/sweater

Something properly warm to wear in the evening and to sleep in when you’re camping and the nights are cold. I am absolutely happy with my Patagonia hoodie – it’s very comfy and keeps me warm even if the temperatures are super low.

Waterproof pants

A pair of good, waterproof trousers has made my life quality so much better on many rainy and cold days. They usually have also good wind-stopping properties, to keep you warm. Choose something that is made of breathable materials, otherwise, you will be protected from the external humidity but you will drown in your own sweat.

I wear waterproof pants from a Norwegian producer Move On (I had to buy a men’s model because all the women’s models were either too tight in the thighs or too big in the waist).

Update, September 2022: My Move-On pants have suffered from a lot of rips and holes made by campfire sparks and I needed to say goodbye. If you have any recommendations for good, light, waterproof pants, I’d be really grateful! Feel free to drop them in the comments 🙂

Rain jacket

Most people hate cycling in the rain but having a good rain jacket can make it at least bearable. You should look for something that has a waterproof rating of 20K. I have been using Patagonia Torrentshell for four years now and it still keeps me dry, even in quite heavy rain.

Plastic raincoat aka trash bag

Weighs nothing, takes no space and can save you in the pouring rain when every jacket would already be soaked. Not to be used over a long time because you sweat in it like a pig, but it’s perfect for short intense rain.

Rubber gloves

When it is raining and cold, they will keep your normal gloves dry and prevent your hands from freezing.

Gloves

I usually have cycling gloves without fingers, and a pair of skiing gloves, if I plan to cycle high in the mountains. Made my life much more comfortable when I was camping in the Tien-Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan at -3 celsius. 

Buff

You can use it as a headband, scarf, or hat.

Shoes

When I started bicycle touring, I was still using SPD cycling shoes and pedals. I decided to replace them with platform pedals, and now I only carry one pair of shoes for cycling and walking/hiking. I am a big fan of Salomon Speedcross. They are super light, comfortable (I don’t feel like I am wearing any shoes at all) and have a solid grip, so they are perfect for hiking in the mountains.

Civilian clothes

Two or three t-shirts, long pants (better thin and not as heavy as jeans), and shorts.

Something to sleep in

Usually a t-shirt and shorts.

Toiletries

I have written a separate article about my bicycle touring toiletry bag. You can read it here.

First aid kit

The essentials:

1. Gauze swaps
2. Adhesive bandage
3. Band-aids
4. Emergency blanket
5. Disinfectant spray
6. Ibuprofen
7. Diarrhoea pills
8. Effervescent electrolytes tablets

Camping gear

Tent

I use Fjord Nansen Tromvik II. It is a pretty light (less than 2 kg) two-person tent that can survive even in difficult conditions.

Self-inflating mat

Smaller and more compact than a regular mat. I am using Fjord Nansen Enmo Light which weighs ca. 0.5 kg and doesn’t take up much space.

Sleeping bag

A down bag is smaller but costlier and not really good in a humid climate. I am using The North Face Gold Kazoo. It weighs less than 900 g and is warm enough to have a good night’s sleep in sub-zero temperatures. Unfortunately, this model is sold out at the moment, but you can find a lot of other good sleeping bags here.

Cooking gear

Stove

I use a multi-fuel MSR WhisperLite International V2 Combo that runs on petrol, kerosene and white gas. Better than a gas stove in places where cartridges are difficult to find.

Pot

I cook in this Decathlon pot which comes in a set with two bowls and foldable spoons.

Mug

Swiss army knife. Since 2015 I’ve been using Victorinox Handyman which is still super sharp and has a knife, can opener, wine opener, mini saw and a couple more functions.

Headlamp

A headlamp is absolutely necessary if you’re planning to camp. I also used it when my bike’s front light broke. I have a Petzl Tikka headlamp and have been using it for 8 years.

Water filter

A good water filter removes bacteria, parasites and microplastics. I always my LifeStraw filter if I am not 100 % sure that the water source at my camp is clean.

Electronics

Phone

We all know we wouldn’t survive without a phone these days…

Camera

For many years I was carrying a DSLR Canon 550D with a kit lens – of 18-55 mm. In 2021, I changed it to Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III with a 12-40 mm pro lens. 

It is not only more compact and lighter but also water-sealed. I also appreciate the fact that it can be charged with a USB-C cable, so I can use my power bank for charging when I am wild camping and don’t need to bring spare batteries.

Travel tripod

When you travel solo and want to have pictures of yourself or if you want to take nice night shots, a tripod is a must! I used to carry a mini tripod with flexible legs that you can attach to trees, poles and everything but it recently broke and I decided to replace it with a light and cheap regular-size tripod. I chose Camprock CP-530 because of its compact weight and additional converter to use with a smartphone. I cannot recommend it now, since I’ve only had it for a few months but I will keep you updated!

Powerbank

I was super happy with TP-LINK TL-PB20100 could charge my smartphone 7 times, but after 2 years, it died. I don’t recommend any solar power banks – I’ve had one or two, and the solar panel was not working at all.

Now, I am using Reinston 20 000 mAh and so far it’s been working quite well, allowing me to survive about 4 days with no access to electricity.

Solar panel

For five years of my cycle tours, I was relying only on a power bank. I simply had to stay in a hostel or a B&B once every few nights. I recently bought a solar panel, to be a bit more independent. I didn’t want to spend too much, I also didn’t like the idea of carrying a big and heavy panel.

That’s why I chose Anker PowerPort Lite 15 W.

Other

Sports watch with GPS

I used to be a running freak and since then I have a Garmin Forerunner 630 watch, which is very useful on a bicycle tour too! The only downside is the short battery life – I have to charge it at least every other day. If I was buying a new watch now, I would rather choose something with a solar battery, like Garmin Instinct 2, so I don’t have to worry about charging.

Revolut card

The Revolut bank card has saved me a lot of hassle (and money) while travelling abroad. You can exchange currencies in the mobile app with a very favourable exchange rate (just don’t do it on weekends, when there is an extra fee) and withdraw money from many ATMs abroad without any additional costs. Since I’ve got Revolut, I rarely go to exchange offices.

If you want to try Revolut out, you can use my referral link. If you do, I will receive a small commission which will help me work on this blog. Thank you!

Sunglasses

I have sunglasses adjusted to my sight defect, so I don’t have to wear contact lenses while wearing sunglasses.

Insurance card

I never travel without insurance. Shit happens, very rarely, but it happens and I don’t want to be in a situation where I have to pay a gigantic bill for a hospital stay. Currently, I am insured with SafetyWing. My trips are often with an open end and I don’t always know for how long I will be needing insurance. SafetyWing automatically renews every four weeks and I can cancel it whenever I want if I am coming home. Edit, 06.02.2023: I realised I did an oopsie with buying SafetyWing insurance, as it doesn’t cover bicycle touring. I am switching my insurance now to a Polish provider PZU. Lesson learned: always read the insurance policy carefully and by every doubt get in touch with the provider to clarify whether or not your insurance covers bicycle touring.

Edit, 23.01.2024: SafetyWing recently changed their policy and now bicycle touring is covered! If you’re looking for good insurance for long-term bicycle touring, I definitely recommend them.