Bikepacking is an exhilarating outdoor activity that combines the best of cycling and camping. Whether you’re planning a weekend trip or a multi-day adventure, one of the most crucial aspects of bikepacking is storage. But how much storage do you need for bikepacking? It’s a question that many riders grapple with, and in this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the factors that determine the right amount of storage for your bikepacking adventure. From the size of your tent to the amount of gear you plan to carry, we’ll cover it all. So, get ready to gear up and hit the trail with the perfect amount of storage for your next bikepacking adventure.
Factors to Consider When Determining Storage Needs
The Type of Bikepacking Trip
When determining how much storage you need for bikepacking, it’s important to consider the type of trip you’re planning. The amount of gear you’ll need will vary depending on the duration and location of your ride.
Multi-Day Expeditions
If you’re planning a multi-day expedition, you’ll need to pack enough gear to sustain you for several days in the wilderness. This will include:
- Clothing and Personal Items: You’ll need to pack enough clothing and personal items to keep you comfortable and protected in a variety of weather conditions. This may include layers of warm clothing, rain gear, hat, gloves, and other accessories.
- Food and Water: You’ll need to bring enough food and water to sustain you for several days. This may include energy bars, trail mix, dried fruits, nuts, and other non-perishable foods. You’ll also need to bring enough water or a way to filter water to stay hydrated.
* Shelter and Camping Gear: You’ll need to bring a tent, sleeping bag, and other camping gear to set up camp each night. You may also need a sleeping pad, a stove, and cooking utensils. - Repair and Maintenance Tools: You’ll need to bring tools to repair and maintain your bike in case of any issues. This may include a multi-tool, tire patches, tubes, and other spare parts.
- Navigation and Communication Devices: You’ll need to bring a map, compass, or GPS device to navigate your route. You may also want to bring a communication device, such as a satellite phone or two-way radio, in case of emergencies.
- Miscellaneous Items: You’ll need to bring other miscellaneous items, such as a first aid kit, headlamp, and sunglasses, to ensure your safety and comfort in the wilderness.
Short Day Rides
If you’re planning a short day ride, you’ll need to pack only enough gear to sustain you for a few hours in the wilderness. This will include:
- Food and Water: You’ll need to bring enough food and water to sustain you for a few hours. This may include energy bars, trail mix, dried fruits, nuts, and other non-perishable foods. You’ll also need to bring enough water or a way to filter water to stay hydrated.
The Size of Your Bikepacking Bags
Frame Bag Capacity
Frame bags are a popular choice for bikepacking as they are easy to attach and remove from the bike, and they provide a convenient way to carry essential items. The capacity of frame bags varies depending on their size, and the amount of storage you need will depend on the length and type of your trip.
Small Frame Bags
Small frame bags are typically designed to hold items such as snacks, spare batteries, and small first aid kits. They are ideal for shorter trips or for carrying items that you need to access frequently.
Medium Frame Bags
Medium frame bags are larger than small frame bags and can hold more items. They are suitable for longer trips and can accommodate items such as a change of clothes, a sleeping bag, and a stove.
Large Frame Bags
Large frame bags are the largest type of frame bag and can hold a significant amount of gear. They are ideal for extended trips and can accommodate items such as a tent, a sleeping bag, and a stove.
Pannier Capacity
Panniers are another popular choice for bikepacking, as they provide a spacious and secure way to carry gear. The capacity of panniers varies depending on their size, and the amount of storage you need will depend on the length and type of your trip.
Small Panniers
Small panniers are typically designed to hold items such as snacks, spare batteries, and small first aid kits. They are ideal for shorter trips or for carrying items that you need to access frequently.
Medium Panniers
Medium panniers are larger than small panniers and can hold more items. They are suitable for longer trips and can accommodate items such as a change of clothes, a sleeping bag, and a stove.
Large Panniers
Large panniers are the largest type of pannier and can hold a significant amount of gear. They are ideal for extended trips and can accommodate items such as a tent, a sleeping bag, and a stove.
It is important to consider the size of your bikepacking bags when determining how much storage you need. The capacity of frame bags and panniers varies, and it is essential to choose the right size for your trip. By considering the factors outlined in this guide, you can ensure that you have enough storage for your bikepacking adventure.
The Weight of Your Gear
When determining how much storage you need for bikepacking, it’s important to consider the weight of your gear. The weight of your gear will play a significant role in determining how much storage space you need, as well as the type of bike and equipment you will need to carry your gear.
Lightweight Backpacking
For lightweight backpacking, you will need to prioritize the weight of your gear, as you will be carrying it on your back for extended periods of time. In general, lightweight backpacking gear should weigh no more than 20-30 pounds, including your bike, gear, and supplies.
Gear List
- Tent: 1-2 person tent (1-2 pounds)
- Sleeping bag: 1-2 season bag (2-5 pounds)
- Sleeping pad: Lightweight pad (1-2 pounds)
- Backpack: 40-60 liter pack (2-4 pounds)
- Clothing: Lightweight, moisture-wicking layers (3-5 pounds)
- Food: Non-perishable, high-calorie food (4-6 pounds)
- Water filter: Lightweight filter (1-2 pounds)
- Personal hygiene items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap, etc. (1-2 pounds)
- Navigation: Map, compass, GPS (1-2 pounds)
- First aid: Basic first aid kit (1-2 pounds)
- Miscellaneous: Headlamp, sunglasses, etc. (1-2 pounds)
Packing Tips
- Prioritize the items you need most and pack them accordingly.
- Pack your gear in a way that allows for easy access and retrieval.
- Use lightweight, compact, and durable containers for your gear.
- Avoid overpacking and pack only what you need.
- Distribute the weight of your gear evenly across your body and bike.
Heavy Duty Backpacking
For heavy duty backpacking, you will need to carry more gear and supplies, as well as potentially more bulky and heavy equipment. In general, heavy duty backpacking gear should weigh no more than 40-60 pounds, including your bike, gear, and supplies.
- Tent: 2-3 person tent (3-5 pounds)
- Sleeping bag: 2-3 season bag (4-8 pounds)
- Sleeping pad: Thicker pad (2-4 pounds)
- Backpack: 50-70 liter pack (3-6 pounds)
- Clothing: Warmer, more durable layers (5-8 pounds)
- Food: Perishable and bulkier food (6-10 pounds)
- Water filter: Heavier filter (2-4 pounds)
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First aid: Comprehensive first aid kit (2-4 pounds)
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Consider using a bike trailer or other equipment to help carry your gear.
Your Riding Style and Comfort Level
When determining how much storage you need for bikepacking, it’s important to consider your riding style and comfort level. Different riding styles require different levels of protection, support, visibility, and comfort. Here are some factors to consider:
Aggressive Terrain
If you plan to ride on aggressive terrain, you’ll need more storage space to accommodate additional protection and support. You’ll also need to consider increased visibility and safety gear, such as lights and reflective clothing.
- Protection and support: If you’re riding on rough terrain, you’ll need more protection and support for your bike. This could include a more robust frame, suspension fork, and wider tires. You’ll also need more storage space for tools and spare parts to keep your bike in good condition.
- Visibility and safety: Riding on aggressive terrain can be dangerous, so you’ll need to ensure that you‘re visible to other road users. This could include reflective clothing, lights, and other safety gear.
- Comfort and well-being: Aggressive terrain can be tough on your body, so you’ll need to ensure that you‘re comfortable and well-equipped to handle the conditions. This could include hydration systems, first aid kits, and other gear to keep you comfortable and safe.
Smooth Terrain
If you plan to ride on smooth terrain, you’ll need less storage space for protection and support. However, you’ll still need to consider visibility and safety gear, as well as comfort and well-being.
- Protection and support: If you’re riding on smooth terrain, you won’t need as much protection and support for your bike. However, you’ll still need to consider tools and spare parts to keep your bike in good condition.
- Visibility and safety: Riding on smooth terrain can still be dangerous, so you’ll need to ensure that you‘re visible to other road users. This could include reflective clothing, lights, and other safety gear.
- Comfort and well-being: While riding on smooth terrain can be easier on your body, you’ll still need to ensure that you‘re comfortable and well-equipped to handle the conditions. This could include hydration systems, first aid kits, and other gear to keep you comfortable and safe.
In conclusion, when determining how much storage you need for bikepacking, it’s important to consider your riding style and comfort level. Different riding styles require different levels of protection, support, visibility, and comfort, and you’ll need to ensure that you have enough storage space to accommodate all of these factors.
Determining Your Storage Needs
Assessing Your Gear List
When planning a bikepacking trip, it’s crucial to assess your gear list and determine the amount of storage space you’ll need. To do this, you’ll need to categorize your gear and estimate the quantity of each item you’ll be bringing along.
Gear Categories
The first step in assessing your gear list is to categorize your items into several key areas:
- Clothing and Personal Items: This category includes your clothing, footwear, and personal hygiene items.
- Food and Water: You’ll need to bring enough food and water to sustain you throughout your trip.
- Shelter and Camping Gear: This category includes your tent, sleeping bag, and other camping equipment.
- Repair and Maintenance Tools: It’s important to bring tools to make any necessary repairs or adjustments to your bike.
- Navigation and Communication Devices: You’ll need a map, compass, or GPS device to navigate, as well as a means of communication in case of emergencies.
- Miscellaneous Items: This category includes any other items you may need, such as sunscreen, insect repellent, or first aid supplies.
Gear Quantities
Once you’ve categorized your gear, you’ll need to estimate the quantity of each item you’ll be bringing along. Here are some minimum and maximum recommendations to consider:
Minimum Recommendations
- Clothing and Personal Items: 1-2 outfits per day, plus extra layers for colder weather.
- Food and Water: 1-2 liters of water per day, plus snacks and non-perishable food items.
* Shelter and Camping Gear: 1-2 person tent, sleeping bag, and pad. - Repair and Maintenance Tools: Multi-tool, tire repair kit, and basic bike maintenance supplies.
- Navigation and Communication Devices: Map, compass, or GPS device, and a means of communication (e.g. phone or two-way radio).
- Miscellaneous Items: First aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, and any other necessary supplies.
Maximum Recommendations
- Clothing and Personal Items: 3-4 outfits per day, plus extra layers for colder weather.
- Food and Water: 3-4 liters of water per day, plus snacks and non-perishable food items.
* Shelter and Camping Gear: 1-3 person tent, sleeping bag, and pad. - Repair and Maintenance Tools: Full tool kit, spare parts, and additional bike maintenance supplies.
- Navigation and Communication Devices: GPS device with offline maps, satellite phone, or other means of communication.
- Miscellaneous Items: Full first aid kit, additional sunscreen and insect repellent, and any other necessary supplies.
By assessing your gear list and estimating the quantity of each item you’ll need, you can determine the amount of storage space you’ll require for your bikepacking trip.
Using Bikepacking Bag Sizing Charts
Frame Bag Sizing Chart
Frame bags are a popular choice for bikepacking as they provide easy access to gear and are well-suited for shorter trips. The capacity of frame bags varies depending on the design and location on the bike.
| Capacity (Liters) | Recommended Gear List |
|---|---|
| 6-10L | Lightweight clothing, food, water, and bike tools |
| 10-15L | Additional clothing, emergency supplies, and basic camping gear |
| 15-20L | Full camping gear, additional food, and water |
It’s important to note that the capacity of frame bags can be increased or decreased by using different combinations of bags or adding external attachment points.
Pannier Sizing Chart
Panniers are ideal for longer trips or carrying heavier loads. The capacity of panniers is typically measured in liters and can range from 6-25L per pannier.
| 20-25L | Extended trips or heavy loads, additional gear or supplies |
It’s important to consider the type of pannier, such as hard or soft, as well as the material, such as fabric or synthetic, as these factors can affect the overall capacity.
It’s also important to consider the type of bike and the placement of the panniers, as this can affect the handling and stability of the bike.
Factors to Consider
When determining how much storage you need for bikepacking, there are several factors to consider. These include:
- Trip duration: The longer the trip, the more storage you will need.
- Terrain: If you plan to tackle challenging terrain, you may need more storage for extra gear and supplies.
- Weather: Extreme weather conditions may require additional storage for warm clothing, rain gear, and other essentials.
- Personal needs: Consider your own personal needs, such as the amount of food and water you will need, and any specialized gear required for your chosen activity (e.g. camping, fishing, etc.).
- Group size: If you are bikepacking with a group, you will need to consider the storage needs of everyone in the group.
- Type of bike: The type of bike you are using will also impact your storage needs. For example, a fully-loaded touring bike will require more storage than a lightweight mountain bike.
- Packing efficiency: Finally, consider your own packing efficiency. If you are an experienced packer, you may be able to make do with less storage than someone who is less experienced.
Tips for Determining Storage Needs
- Consider the Trip Length and Location
- Short trips: You can get away with carrying fewer items and focusing on essentials.
- Long trips: More storage is required to accommodate gear for multiple days, meals, and extra clothing.
- Remote locations: Expect to carry more gear, such as navigation tools, first aid kits, and extra food.
- Identify Your Must-Haves
- Personal items: Toiletries, medications, and hygiene products.
- Clothing: Appropriate attire for the trip, including weather-appropriate layers.
- Nutrition: Food and hydration systems for refueling during the ride.
- Navigation: Maps, compass, or GPS device.
- Emergency preparedness: First aid kit, repair tools, and communication devices.
- Bike essentials: Bike lock, pump, tire repair kit, and multi-tool.
- Evaluate Your Bike’s Carry Capacity
- Frame bag volume: Measure the volume of the frame bags and compare it to your packing list.
- Rack capacity: Consider the size and number of rack bags, panniers, or backpacks you plan to use.
- Accessory mounts: Assess the availability of additional mounts for attaching gear, such as fork mounts or seat post bags.
- Prioritize and Pack Efficiently
- Organize your gear by importance and frequency of use.
- Utilize stackable or modular storage solutions for optimizing space.
- Use lightweight and compact items whenever possible.
- Pack and repack your gear multiple times to refine your approach and ensure efficiency.
- Test Your Load
- Pre-ride checks: Verify that your bike is properly balanced and handles well with the added weight.
- Ride adjustments: Make any necessary adjustments to your gear, packing technique, or bike setup for optimal performance.
Key Takeaways
- The amount of storage you need for bikepacking depends on several factors, including the duration of your trip, the terrain you’ll be riding on, and the type of gear you plan to bring.
- Consider the weight and size of your gear, as well as any specialized equipment you may need for camping, cooking, or navigation.
- A general rule of thumb is to aim for at least 20-30 liters of storage capacity per day of riding, but this can vary widely depending on your specific needs.
- Experiment with different pack configurations and adjust as needed to find the right balance of weight, comfort, and storage capacity for your trip.
FAQs
1. How much storage do I need for bikepacking?
Answer: The amount of storage you need for bikepacking depends on the length and type of your trip, as well as your personal gear requirements. A general rule of thumb is to aim for at least 2-3 liters of storage per day of your trip. However, this can vary widely depending on factors such as the terrain, weather, and the type of bike you’re using. For example, if you’re planning a multi-day trip through rugged terrain, you’ll likely need more storage than if you’re just going for a day ride.
2. What are the different types of bikepacking storage options?
Answer: There are several different types of bikepacking storage options available, including handlebar bags, seat bags, frame bags, and luggage racks. Each type of storage has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. For example, handlebar bags are great for quick access to small items, while seat bags are ideal for carrying larger items that you don’t need to access as frequently. Frame bags are a good option for carrying heavy items close to the bike’s center of gravity, and luggage racks are perfect for carrying large items such as a tent or sleeping bag.
3. How do I calculate my bikepacking storage needs?
Answer: To calculate your bikepacking storage needs, start by considering the length and type of your trip, as well as your personal gear requirements. Make a list of all the items you’ll need to bring, such as clothing, food, water, and shelter. Then, estimate the volume of each item and add it up to get a total volume. Compare this total volume to the storage capacity of your bikepacking setup to determine if you have enough storage space. If you find that you don’t have enough storage space, consider adding additional storage options or downsizing your gear.
4. Can I use a backpack as bikepacking storage?
Answer: Yes, you can use a backpack as bikepacking storage, but it’s important to choose a backpack that’s designed for cycling. Backpacks that are designed for cycling typically have features such as a comfortable hip belt, ventilated back panel, and reflective material for visibility. They may also have specialized compartments for storing items such as a water bottle or tools. Using a backpack as bikepacking storage can be a good option for shorter trips or for carrying items that you need to access frequently.
5. Can I use panniers as bikepacking storage?
Answer: Yes, you can use panniers as bikepacking storage. Panniers are a popular choice for bikepacking because they provide a large amount of storage space and are easy to attach and remove from the bike. They’re also weatherproof, which makes them a good option for carrying items such as a tent or sleeping bag. However, it’s important to choose panniers that are designed for cycling and that are compatible with your bike’s frame and wheels. Additionally, keep in mind that panniers can add weight and impact the handling of your bike, so it’s important to find a balance between storage capacity and weight.