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Throughout the The Project and my adventures I learned what works, what works, what doesn’t, and which bikepacking gear is essential. Bikepacking gear is much like hiking gear—you just carry it differently.
Every adventurer or weekend warrior has a love affair with gear. We love to talk about it, research it, buy/sell it and most of all use it! Over the years I have owned my fare share. Every time I go on a new adventure I replace something. It’s a revolving door of sorts, as none of us starts as an expert. We learn as we go and refine out set up.
I have taken the time to put what I used and learned during my many bikepacking trips and my Triple Crown in the pages below. Keep reading to find out my Pros/Cons, What worked and didn’t, and what I would do differently next time.
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My introduction to bikepacking was a 4000 miles crash course in one year. Luckily I relied on my hiking experience to make the transition. Bikepacking does require a more selective pallet as space is more limited than with hiking.
Bikepacking, with its limited space makes you rethink what you bring and more importantly what you can do without. With that said my bikepacking experience so far is mostly racing. Those touring might bring all the comforts one would have hiking as well.
Checkout all my different bikepacking gear lists from the bikepacking triple crown and beyond at the buttons below.
Overall my gear for the AZT was minimal, designed to protect me from the sun, and keep me warm in the evenings. The desert can be rough on gear so I kept this in mind when selecting which items I would take.
The Tour Divide has a wide range of weather which one must strongly consider when selecting gear. The other key factor is overall comfort. Long days in the saddle and short nights in camp means the right gear can make or break your trip.
Between the elevation and volatile weather the Colorado Trail is a beast. Staying dry and protected while not having a ton of weight was high on my list when selecting my gear.
Even though The Lake Trail is a shorter trail, you still have to be prepared for anything. You could credit card the trail but if your camping a full set up and foul weather gear is needed.
The If I Rode The…Again Series is a collection of gear lists showing what I would bring for gear if I went back and rode a trail again. I show what gear I used last time, what I would bring next time, and I explain why. I also give insight into my mindset for each trail and how that effects my gear decisions.
In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, AZTR, Kokopelli Trail, and Bay Circuit Trail again.
Read these next or checkout the main resource page.
Checkout all our Planning Aids at our store. (Tour Divide, GDMBR, AZTR, CTR, Kokopelli Trail, TNGA, Coconino 250, and Bay Circuit Trail). SOBO & NOBO, as well as metric versions are available depending on the route.
Dive into all three gear lists from the Bikepacking Triple Crown, and find pros & cons; things I’d do differently; and tips.
In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, AZTR, Kokopelli Trail, and Bay Circuit Trail again.
Curios to know what gear other riders used to get to the finish line? Checkout our Rider Surveys to find out what works or to take the survey yourself.