Bikepacking trips, what to take

Bikepacking trips, what to take

Bikepacking

After just finishing a nine day bikepacking adventure through the Scottish Highlands, I thought it was worthwhile publishing what stuff I took with me. I’ve been fairly good this time guessing what I’d need, almost all items have at least been used once, others were more in there for eventualities. In general it should give you a good starting point what to consider for a multi day trip in the Scottish Highlands. First of all you need a proper bike. I chose the Swobo Mutineer, a 650b rigid singlespeed bike, and I can happily say it did an amazing job. Best bike I have ridden, it simply rolls over everything as smooth as with any suspension. I did the red route in Fort William on it to test it properly, and was impressed.

Everything was packed into my new Apidura front roll and regular saddle bag, dry lined with bin bags, possibly the cheapest solution to get both bags waterproof. Other bits were stashed away in a drinking bottle which acts well as tool box and water reservoir for emergencies, my mattress was strapped on the front bag in a dry bag, some smaller items fitted well in jersey pockets. The conditions were mainly dry and late summer, with a fair bit of rain on the last days. Typical for Scotland in September. And here the kit:

Front roll, on body:

  • Montane Primaloft jacket
  • Rab bivy bag
  • Ortlieb map case, OS map for Knoydart
  • Garmin Etrex 20, 2 sets of batteries
  • Thermarest in Kathmandu dry bag (strapped to bag)
  • Swobo merino long pants
  • Tineli short bibs
  • 2 boxer shorts
  • Head torch
  • Spare padding bits to protect frame
  • Spare strap
  • Tooth brush, tooth paste, shower gel, alcoholic hand wipe
  • Endura waterproof shorts
  • 2 pairs Defeet woolie boolie socks
  • Specialized shoes
  • Defeet knee warmers
  • Skins compression short sleeve base layer
  • Montane short sleeve base layer
  • Tineli long sleeve jersey
  • Swobo short sleeve jersey
  • Specialized waterproof gloves
  • Specialized long gloves
  • Specialized propero 2 helmet
  • Lupine Piko lights, spare battery & charger
  • Montane Velocity waterproof shell
  • Canon S120 camera, spare battery, charger, power cable, neoprene case
  • iPhone and Oakley pouch
  • Wallet
  • USB charger pack & cable
  • 2 Scotland’s Wild Trails guide books
  • Foldable cup & bowl
  • Travel towel
  • Food for day (banana chips, oatcakes, bars, noodles, chocolate)
  • Plastic zip bags
  • Toilet paper

Drinking bottle:

  • Multitool
  • Tablets for emergencies
  • Black and white tape
  • Spork
  • Opinel knife
  • Park tools patches
  • Track tool
  • Spare pads x2
  • Brake cable
  • Cloth
  • Cable ties

Saddle bag:

  • Specialized arm warmers
  • Merino buff
  • Merino gloves
  • Merino beanie
  • Sleeping bag
  • Spare tube
  • 6mm align key
  • Back light
  • iPhone charger and cable
  • Montane pertex windbreaker
  • Endura skull cap

Plus Camelbak Podium drinking bottle & Lezyne pump with gaffer tape wrapped around on frame