Let’s discuss 7 bikepacking must-haves to never leave home without.

Some of these are so simple that they’re easy to overlook, but they’ve made my bikepacking trips much easier and enjoyable.

1. HEADLAMP

Investing money in a good headlamp is 100% worth it.

I remember my first bikepacking trip to France. I relied on my phone’s flashlight, but it was clumsy and inconvenient.

The biggest advantage of a headlamp is that it frees up both hands.

Nowadays, headlamps are super convenient, and many can be charged by USB. However, battery-powered options are still available but add extra weight.

Phones aren’t headlamps, and teeth aren’t phone holders

When camping, my sister didn’t have a headlamp but needed both her hands. So, she held her phone between her teeth, and as you maybe can guess, the screen didn’t survive. The teeth had damaged the phone screen.

Moral of the story: phones aren’t headlamps, and teeth aren’t phone holders.

See and be seen

In addition to convenience, a headlamp is great for safety during night or low-light rides. It shows you the road ahead, helping you spot obstacles, potholes, and uneven terrain.

A headlamp also makes you more visible to other road users, reducing the risk of accidents.

Nowadays, a headlamp is the first item I include on my bikepacking checklist, I wouldn’t leave home without it.

Bikepacking Must-Haves

2. ZIPLOC BAGS

Simple, lightweight, cheap.

Ziploc bags are one of those bikepacking essentials that turn out to be surprisingly useful on every trip.

They’re great for storing food, preparing breakfast-, lunch-, and dinner packs ahead of time. And will keep everything organized, portioned, and ready to grab.

Another advantage is that they’re reusable, which makes them eco-friendly.

Also, they are great for keeping gear dry. If you’re cycling in the rain and need quick access to your phone or other electronics, a ziploc bag is useful.

Simple supermarket ziploc bags aren’t that durable. They’re cheap, around €2 for 20, but they tear quite easily. To avoid this, it’s worth investing in higher-quality resealable ziploc bags. A little more expensive, but much more reliable.

Bikepacking Must-Haves

3. GOOD RAIN JACKET

Few things are more miserable on a bikepacking trip than getting caught in heavy rain.

Rain is part of bikepacking, but without good protection, it can quickly turn a great trip into a miserable one.

”Waterproofing level is the most important. Even low-budget jackets can keep you dry, and that’s the priority.”

Being wet also increases your risk of getting sick, and drying clothes on the road often is a challenge. That’s why a good rain jacket belongs on every bikepacking essentials list. And no, you don’t need to spend a fortune on one.

Higher-priced jackets offer better breathability, lighter weight, and a more compact pack size, but the most important feature is waterproofing.

Even very budget-friendly waterproof jackets can keep you dry, and that’s the priority.

Waterproof ratings

Waterproof rating (mm)	Water resistance

0–5,000 mm

Minimal to some resistance

6,000–10,000 mm

Rainproof: waterproof under light pressure

11,000–15,000 mm

Rainproof: waterproof except under high pressure

16,000–20,000 mm

Rainproof: waterproof under high pressure

Bikepacking Must-Haves

4. MULTITOOL

Your adventure is only as reliable as your bike.

A loose bolt, slipping saddle, or misaligned brake might seem minor at home, but when you’re far away from a bike shop, it can become major issues. Nevertheless, many common bike problems can be fixed quickly if you have the right tool with you.

That’s why a bike multitool belongs on every bikepacking essentials list. It’s small, weighs next to nothing, and can save you hours of frustration when something goes wrong.

A good multitool must include a range of Allen keys, Torx bits, and a screwdriver. Some models also include a chain breaker.

You don’t need the biggest or most expensive multitool. The best option is one that contains the tools needed for your specific bike and that you’ve tested.

You may not use your multitool every day, but when you have a mechanical issue and you’re far from any bike shop, it becomes the most essential item of your list.

5. TIE WRAPS

The good old tie wraps, an essential item that can solve many problems on a bikepacking trip.

Tie wraps are always worth having with you. If something breaks on your bike, tent, or gear, they provide a quick and reliable temporary fix.

They take up almost no space, are extremely lightweight, and cheap.

Held together by tie wraps in the Scottish Highlands

In Scotland, I learned about the importance of tie wraps.

I was bikepacking through remote terrain when my rear rack started to give out.

The rack was attached to my frame at four points, but one of them suddenly gave out. With no real tools or repair shop anywhere nearby, I grabbed a tie wrap and did the only thing I could: a quick emergency repair.

It held, but only for a while … Because a few hours later, a second mounting point gave out. Again, I repaired it with a tie wrap and kept going, hoping it would last. But it didn’t stop there. By the time I reached camp that evening, three out of the four connection points were held together with tie wraps!

It’s easy to say those simple plastic strips saved the day. I was in the middle of nowhere, and without them I would’ve had a serious problem.

Since that trip, tie wraps have become an essential part of my bikepacking list. No matter where I go, I always pack them.

Bikepacking Must-Haves

6. MULTI FUNCTIONAL BELT

Perhaps the most surprising item on this list, but very useful.

A multifunctional belt not only holds up your pants, but can also help keep your gear organized.

Compared to regular belts, it’s more compact, lightweight, and versatile. So perfect for bikepacking.

A belt can be surprisingly useful on a bikepacking trip. Besides holding up your pants, it can help secure gear to your bike and keep things from bouncing around on rough terrain.

Bikepacking Must-Haves

7. POSITIVE MINDSET

A completely different thing from the rest. But one of the most essential things to bring on a bikepacking trip isn’t something you can pack: it’s a positive mindset.

Things will go wrong, or simply not turn out as you planned.

Flexibility, patience, and a lighthearted attitude are key.

Also, the days when everything runs smoothly are often the ones you barely remember, while hard days are the ones that will stay with you forever.

A hard day in Norway

While cycling along a river on my 2022 bikepacking trip in Norway, I realized the bridge I was counting on suddenly ended in the middle of the water. There were no alternative crossings anywhere near.

I tried to improvise: barefoot in the river, moving my bags one by one, and afterwards carrying my bike across.

Even though the river was less than a meter deep, the current was very strong, the stones were slippery, and I just couldn’t keep my balance.

After an hour of struggling without really making progress, I had no choice but to dry my feet, load my bike again, and ride back through the steep mountains to a bridge that actually crossed the river.

Moments like this are when staying positive is crucial. I reminded myself that cycling a few extra hours through Norway’s stunning landscapes in the end isn’t a punishment at all.

When things don’t go as you planned, the best strategy is to accept, adapt, and keep cycling forward.