How To Pack Your Bags For Bikepacking

We don't tend to think about how we pack our bags when going on a trip, but if you're bikepacking it's absolutely vital that all the bags on your bike are packed correctly. Josh runs through his top tips for packing when going bikepacking.

Once you've decided on what kit you need to bring with you on your bikepacking trip, you'll need to have a proper think about the order and placement of all your things on your bike. If the weight isn't distributed correctly your bikes handling can be quite considerably affected. For example you want your heaviest items to go in a frame bag as the weight is the most central, and the lowest possible on the bike.

Do you have any bag packing tips you want to share? Let us know!

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Music: Psychadelic Background 3 T60 - Merlean

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[gcn]

Do you have any bag packing tips you want to share? Let us know!

[HSV-mbgf]

*I did my last overnight Bike & Camp in jeans and a T-Shirt on a heavy bike with panniers.*
*Moral of this is don't get too caught up in having the right gear or looking the part just go out there and enjoy*

[RafaelZanolla]

A golden tip I found elsewhere here on YouTube is, whenever you look for something in your bags / panniers while out on a trip and manage to find it on a different one, consider moving it to the first place you thought it was, as it is already etched in your mind. I applied it on the last trips I took using a more traditional touring setup and, simple as it is, it really helped me define places for the weird bits like toilet paper or my buff. Also, please make Global Bikepacking Network a thing!

[MrSpeakerCone]

I'm an experienced outdoorsman and I have to say you're running a pretty spartan setup here. One thing you should consider is your morale; Make sure you're equipped to have a nice time not just on the bike but off it as well. For example, I like to bring a book, a card game if traveling with others, some extra tasty food, some flip flops so I can give my feet a rest at the end of the day, a flask of whisky, that sort of thing.
I'd also recommend skipping the expensive titanium spork and going for a plastic spoon and chopsticks. Maybe a small plastic bowl too; I've burned myself many times trying to eat out of a cooking dish. Spend the extra 9g, honestly

[JamesAnderson]

The quality of GCN content these days is phenomenal. Josh is a natural. Really great work all. Thank you.

[MidtownSkyport]

Josh is a natural in front of the camera. More from him, please :)

[gkazanjian]

I run a very identical bikepacking setup with few minor differences:
1. a small tent goes into the frame bag, in addition to tools and spare tubes.
2. Contrary to Josh, I prefer as little weight as possible up front (better handling), so I pack all my clothes into the seat post bag with the exception of sleeping bag and mat that go onto the handlebars.
3. I ride a small sized frame, so often I do not have space within the frame for 2 water bottles. Instead you can duck tape (or zip tie) old-style water bottle cages (like the ones on Si's bike) on the fork blades.

[shenava]

Aero schoolboy error - inside of mug facing into the wind creating a wind scoop. Watt a diference it makes ;)

[bicycleutopia]

Both these guys are articulate presenters. How rare!!!! Somin really is great in front of the camera: he's funny; doesnt interrupt his guest; his comments ADD to the guest's info, for expansion of emphasis.

[acousticgearhead]

Love that you are doing this bike-packing/gravel special!
The real question I keep asking myself though is:
When will we be able to get a hold of those fetching not-quite-baggy shorts?

[jakubzgutka]

Bikepacking bags are so useful, I love them. Even got the same model as you, Si. I find this seat bag extremely convenient when commuting on my gravel bike - no sweaty back from wearing a backpack, no heavy rack.

[SiliconEngineer]

Absolutely loved every one of the Morocco bike packing series episodes. Every bit as cool as it is inspiring. Much respect, Sir Si!

[EspenFrafalne]

If you ask me, panniers are essential for a nice comfortable trip, where you have plenty of space for everything you need, and a few "comfort items". Those smaller bags are mostly for people who want to go as far as possible in a day - although some of them make a great addition to panniers, and they are also perfect for daytrips.

I REALLY like ultralight gear and all that stuff - but as many ultralight backpackers have come to realize; the weight is only one of the factors for how enjoyable the trip will be. I like to have enough room for my a tent, sleeping bag (or quilt), sleeping pad, cookset, food, water, waterfilter, monocular, video-glasses, battery banks, solar panels, GPS, and maybe some clean clothes. And if i had a hammock from "hummingbird hammocks", id bring it in addition to my tent, as well as on daytrips.

[TheKimjoh]

I tried a bunch of different setups on a bunch if different bikes. I wouldnt concider myself experienced by any stretch but I would never go without a hydration bladder. Water is just just too important in order to have a good time both on and off the bike. If you dont finnish the entire bladder you will have some warm water to clean yourself with as you change your clothes

I would ditch the bottle cages and bottles on these bikes, aswell as the front bag and let the hydration bladders pack and one of those large triangular framebags pick up the slack

I would not want to sleep on the ground after lots of hours in the saddle. Treat yourself to a hammock a decent one is only a couple of hundred grams. Never underestimate the value of a good nights sleep if you are riding the next morning. Oh and bring a lightweight multitool with pliers and a a knife or scissors. Paired with your bike specific tools you can improvise a fix for most thingsusing that.

[phxrsx]

Its pretty amazing you guys can produce so much content from just a simple machine.

[Boopop]

I know bikepacking is very much in vogue at the moment, but could you do a series in bike touring (.inc camping) at some point? Feeling a bit left out! Cheers :)

[rohan-ghosh]

I just brought my first real bike and I find biking SO

[DaveWarnock]

I find it really useful to combine bike packing front luggage with rear panniers when doing fully loaded road touring. Did the Loire for 2 weeks last summer. Used my Wildcat Gear Fat Lion to carry a 3 person tent including poles, plus a Lioness for my passport, money, sunglasses etc.

[Fixajo]

7:09 "Am I allowed to stick that in there as well?" "You can fit it wherever you want" HAAAAH!!

[TrailsofCalifornia]

Such a great help! Planning a bike packing trip of my own. Thanks for the tips!