Whilst backpacking, I prefer to use bags mounted to the bike, as opposed to a rucksack. This works for me, and I’ve nothing against carrying a rucksack, I just like to make the bike carry the weight instead of my back.
Here’s what I carry with me, what I carry it in, and what I think of each bit. It’s honest, and tailored to my being able to get out when I can, with the least amount of faff.
This is everything. It looks a like a lot and seemingly nothing all in one go.
This is packed into a medium frame bag, a medium saddlebag, two small fork bags, a handlebar bag and a top tube bag.
Everything I need is here, tools, spares, soap and first kits, tent, sleeping bag, cooking equipment, electronics and food.
All of that kit in the image above packs down into these bags, which get strapped to my bike.
Saddlebag
This is a Waterproof 17L Altura Vortex Saddlebag. It’s my second as the first ripped at the join underneath the seat post straps on first use. To be fair to Altura, they replaced immediately and with no question or cost to me. I’ve reinforced this one with Gorilla Tape, and I’m pleased to say it’s been fine. There’s plenty of room, it has a really handy one way compression valve, and I can attest that it is indeed waterproof.
It also easily attaches to the saddle rails via to buckles and large velcro strap attaches to the seatpost. It sways a little, but it’s neither noticeable or irritating. It is easy to stuff whilst attached to the bike, with a roll top closure. The only gripe is that where it tapers to the seatpost mount is incredibly stiff. This is good for it not swaying, but it makes it difficult to really pack items down into. It is a small gripe, but it does leave a small gap at the end which is unusable.
The bag contains my tent, first aid kit and has room for anything I might want to pick up – food etc.
The tent is an Alpkit Aeronaut 1, and is inflatable, meaning not awkward poles to pack. It inflates from my bike pump, which is fine, but at the end of a long ride, it’s the thing I like the least about the tent. Otherwise, it’s light (1KG), roomy enough for a one person tent (read doesn’t feel like a coffin), warm, and has space for shoes, helmet, and cooking equipment in the “porch”.
Frame Bag
This is a 2.5L Camel Chops “Even Steven”. It never leaves my bike. Except in this case for a photo. It carries my tools/spares/pump (the tools live in the jazz m&s make up bag. A gift from my wife), and rain jacket. I usually stash my phone and a few bars/pork pies in there too, on shorter or non bike packing rides.
Top Tube Bag
Another camel chops offering (small family business based in Scotland, highly recommend their stuff and they are a pleasure to deal with).
This one is waterproof, but as I stash my electronics in there, I’ve doubled up with a small dry bag. On longer trips, I’ve got a couple of power banks that I can charge my Garmin and lights from, and there’s a handy port in the bag that means I can charge my Garmin on the go, and stick my main light battery in too.
I’ve also got a couple of small first aid items stuffed in there so I don’t have to root around too much in the saddlebag.
Bar Bag
I’ve skirted around price so far, as I’ve managed to pick up a few bargains that may not be available still. Bikepacking doesn’t have to expensive, and there are places that will allow you to rent, try or borrow the bags, and often equipment. I was able to pick up my saddlebag in a scheme Altura was running, that allowed you to trade in your old/worn/used bags for a very heavy discount on their new range, and they would give the bags to either be repaired or given to an organisation that lends the bags out.
This bag was under £10.00. Brand new. It consists of a harness that mounts to your bars and and head tube, and the dry bag then attaches by big velcro straps, and is further secured by 2 chunky rucksack type buckles. It’s a PodSacs offering from Planet X, so the price will fluctuate, but if you can pick one up for under £30.00 you’re still getting a bargain.
I can’t fault anything about this bag, it fits my sleeping bag (3 seasons, Aldi special buy), pillow (Decathlon) and sleeping mat (again, Decathlon), with loads of room spare for additional clothing needed for the trip. I also strap a little squishy foldable mat, which weighs next to nothing and offers a nice place to sit or kneel when cooking.
The Decathlon sleeping mat is a Forclaz inflatable one, and it’s great. In as far as inflatable mats are. It’s affordable, light, packs down small, is easy to inflate and pack away.
The dry bag section has so far held up to deluges, and what I like most is that it detaches from the harness, which is incredibly useful as once the tent is up, everything in the dry bag is for in the tent, and it can be easily thrown in the tent if raining. It also makes packing up the morning after equally mostly faff free.
Fork Bags
Let’s talk about handling. Fully kitted up, your bike weighs more. So it handles differently. If you’re using a large saddlebag, you can’t always get as far back on the technical or steep descents. It’s the weight overall that affects the handling, not necessarily the additional weight on the forks or bars. That said, keep light, take what you need, and don’t overstuff.
The frame bags for me allow me to address the latter point of overstuffing. I can carry everything I need without them. They aren’t big or bulky, at 2.5L each, but they do just add convenience without a weight penalty.
Most fork mount options for gravel bikes are 3 bolt mounts on each fork. A cage is attached to these and the bag attached to the cage. There are other options, but is the most common, and what I’m using. My cages are a Decathlon Riverside aluminum cages and are one of the cheapest and least glamorous bits of kit here.
The bags are waterproof, cost effective, sturdy offerings from Brae. Another Scottish brand and I would recommend these. They have a strap mount on the bag, that like the handlebar bag, allow the bags to be easily removed and attached to the mounts.
These bags contain the rest of my kit, stove, mug, spork, bum cream, sun cream (not used so far..), soap leaves and kit wash soap leaves. Included on the photo and for use on my next trip is coffee, a coffee filter (the grey triangle and red silcone funnel).
Cooking wise, I’m using the tiny and powerful Alpkit Kraku, which weighs nothing and packs into my mug, along with spork and lighter.