A Beginner’s Guide to Bikepacking: Tips, Gear & More

Interested in bikepacking? Or maybe you’ve heard the term, but you’re still not quite sure what it actually entails. The good news is that we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on bikepacking for beginners. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about bikepacking in Australia.

What is Bikepacking?

Bikepacking is a fairly recent term, derived from backpacking. Essentially, it’s backpacking with a bike. But wait, we hear you asking, doesn’t that already exist? What about bike touring? 

Is there actually any difference between bike touring and bikepacking?

Bikepacking takes a more rugged, minimalist approach. Gravel, unpaved, and other off-road surfaces are the foundation that bikepacking trips are built on, so minimalism is a big consideration. When preparing a rig for these kinds of trips, you’ll want to keep your setup even more light, streamlined, and nimble than you would when touring. Keeping weight to a minimum and ensuring gear is well secured onto either you or your bike is therefore essential. You’ll be grateful for a well-balanced load when you’re powering up a sneaky hill that’s appeared out of nowhere or lifting your bike up and over another fallen tree!

What gear do you need for a bikepacking adventure?

To get started, you don’t need to invest in super expensive bikepacking-specific gear. The best bike to get out there on is the one you already own, and you can use gear that you already use for backpacking adventures.

Just like with backpacking, less is more. The only thing this doesn’t apply to is snacks because snacks are life. Make sure you pack more snacks than you think you’ll need, as riding burns a lot of energy. And it’s a whole lot easier to deal with the challenges that adventures throw at you when you’re not hangry.

There are however a few essential items that everyone should be taking with them on a bikepacking trip. The amount of gear you take will depend on how long you’re heading out for, the terrain, the expected weather, and other considerations. Nevertheless, here are some of the crucial items you’ll need if you’re heading out for at least one night.

A sturdy, reliable bike

The most important item is a sturdy bike, built for off-road conditions. That means a strong frame, the right tires for the rough and ready tracks you’ll be traversing, and of course, a comfortable seat. Safety is a must, so be sure to take a helmet that will protect you in the event of an accident, and high-quality lights so that you can both see the trail after the sun goes down and remain visible to other trail users.

Durable packs

There are a few different types of packs that you can take when bikepacking. Some people even opt for a backpack only, but bike packs are ideal for weight distribution and making sure your back isn’t working too hard throughout the journey. A few different versatile options include:

• A frame bag (fits within the bike frame triangle)

• Handlebar roll or bag

• Seat pack

• Top tube bag

• Stem bags

Combine these options with a small backpack for a nicely balanced load.

Versatile clothing

As with hiking, prioritising gear that serves multiple purposes can help cut down on unnecessary weight. Wearing layers that perform well in all conditions is a great first step. Merino clothing is a great choice due to its breathable nature, natural anti-microbial properties, and its ability to keep you warm even when it gets wet. Make sure you choose durable clothing that is comfy and breathable, so you can minimise sweat and discomfort while in the saddle You’ll probably want to bring at least one change of clothes, and make sure that they are packed in a dry sack to prevent them getting wet in the event of a downpour. Check the weather before you set off and ensure you’ve packed appropriately.

Plenty of water & food

You can’t go anywhere without water! So make sure you take enough with you to last until your first refill station. It’s essential to plan your route carefully, so that you’re never far from water. If you only have access to natural water sources like streams, make sure you take proper water treatment equipment. When choosing food for your bikepacking adventure, make sure you pick items that aren’t too heavy, yet deliver sustenance and a high-calorie count to keep you moving.

Weight Distribution on your Bike

It is important to consider weight distribution on your bike—too much weight at either the front or the back can make it significantly more difficult to stay rubber-side-down when you’re dealing with steeper or more technical trail sections. Trial packs and shakedown rides are your best friend—you’ll never regret practising taking everything on and off your bike. Especially when it’s dark out, your fingers are frozen, and you’re trying to squeeze everything back into the spots they miraculously originated from.

Bikepacking Navigation

When you’re heading off-trail or just slightly further away from civilisation, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and know exactly where you’re going. A map and compass are a great failsafe, but only if you can competently and confidently use them. 

For a techier and more foolproof option, there are several great apps that allow you to download offline maps, either for a manually plotted route or for an uploaded GPX—check out Ride with GPS and Gaia GPS to start with. If you decide to go down the app route, don’t forget that relying solely on your phone will drain your battery more quickly, which could be a problem if that’s also your only method of communication. You should also play around with the apps to ensure you’re comfortable using them before you go.

It’s always worth considering a PLB or Satellite Messenger Device like a SPOT Gen 4 Messenger, or something that does both like a Garmin inReach Mini 2. Either way, always let someone know where you’re going.

Bring a friend

Sharing at least your first few adventures with a friend can be a great way for you to build up skills on the trail and give you the confidence to explore somewhere you might not be comfortable doing so on your own. That’s not to say that solo adventures aren’t amazing in their own way, but with someone else, you’ll have a buddy to share the struggles with.

As with all adventures, ensure you follow Leave No Trace principles to help protect the natural environment we all love to explore. And always check out the local regulations and emergency advice before you go.

FAQs about bikepacking

What is the difference between bikepacking and touring?

Bikepacking focuses more on adventure first, and involves getting off-road and into the wilderness, while touring generally sticks to roads and paths. Bikepacking is generally more minimalist than bike touring, which can usually cope with a more loaded down setup due to the nature of paved roads and tracks. However, both of these types of riding involve carrying gear and riding long distances.

What are the advantages of bikepacking?

Bikepacking comes with plenty of advantages. This method of travel allows you to reach really remote areas and take advantage of less-accessed beauty. It’s also a wonderful physical challenge, and requires great fitness. It’s an environmentally-friendly way to travel, too.

How far can you bikepack in a day?

This depends mostly on the individual, but other factors like terrain, weather, gear load, and water sources will affect how far you can bikepack in a day. Some riders may be able to cover up to 120km in a single day, while others may only cover about 30-40km.

What are your tips for Bikepacking?

Did we miss some of your top tips for bikepacking? Let us know in the comments below!