BIKEPACKING ESSENTIALS
KIT LIST
A cross between multi-day cycling and backpacking, bikepacking requires
some quality kit. Here’s what to pack for a two-wheel trip. Words: Amy Sedghi4 VANGO COBR A 200
SLEEPING BAG
Vango’s Cobra 200 is super
comfy, ridiculously light
(it weighs a mere 700g) and
packs down into a tiny four-
strap compression stuff sack.
It’s fi lled with ethically
sourced goose down
and has an aluminised
layer to refl ect heat. £178.
outdoorgear.co.uk
7 RESTR AP SADDLE BAG
Handmade in its Yorkshire
workshop, Restrap’s bags
are a top choice among
bikepackers for their ease of
use. It only takes moments
to attach the holster to
the bike; then, secure the
accompanying 14-litre dry
bag with a magnetic buckle
to keep all your kit safe.
£109.99. restrap.com(^6) BIG AGNES FLY CREEK HV
UL2 BIKEPACKING TENT
Big Agnes has gone the
extra mile by creating
bikepacking-specifi c tents,
with shorter pole sections
and a custom storage bag
that means the tent can be
stuff ed into a pannier or
strapped onto handlebars.
It’s lighter than your
average tent, too. £354.99.
ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk
5 SMARTWOOL MERINO 150
BASELAYER LONG SLEEVE
The importance of a good
base layer shouldn’t be
underestimated. Cue
Smartwool’s long-sleeve
merino base layer, made
from ethically sourced,
mulesing-free merino.
Garments are designed
with smooth fl atlock seams
to reduce chafi ng. £79.99.
smartwool.co.uk
3 ALPKIT KRAKU ULTRA-
COMPACT TITANIUM MICRO
CAMPING STOVE
Weighing just 45g, this
ultra-compact stove is
small but mighty — it can
deliver the power output
of a stove twice its size.
Also, 1% of all sales go to
the Certifi ed B Corp brand’s
independent charity, the
Alpkit Foundation.
£28.49. alpkit.com
(^8) LEZ YNE ZECTO DRIVE 250/80
BIKE LIGHT SET
Shorter winter days mean
more time spent cycling
in the dark, so bike lights
are essential. This set from
Lezyne off ers high visibility:
the front light off ers up to
250 lumens and the rear
light up to 80. They’re
rechargeable via USB, too.
£58.99. halfords.com
ride.lezyne.com
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 R APHA + POC OMNE
AIR HELMET
Swedish brand POC has
partnered up with Rapha to
produce a limited-edition
helmet. It’s optimised for
road and gravel riding, with
comfort, ventilation and
weight being key factors
in its design. Available in
three simple colourways,
the helmet is a minimalist’s
dream. £140. rapha.cc
2 ALBION ZOA
INSULATED JACKET
Albion has got warmth,
visibility and wind
resistance covered with
this ultra-lightweight
insulated model, its outer
fabric craft ed from a 100%
recycled Pertex Quantum.
There’s even a zippable
concealed rear pocket that
doubles as a travel pillow.
£185. albioncycling.com
50 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel
SMART TRAVELLER
50 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel