Wondering how to pack for bikepacking?

Getting your bag layout right can make or break your trip. These tips will help you avoid the mistakes I learned the hard way.

How to pack for bikepacking bag layout guide tips — Using these tips I learned, the ride through Scotland on my gravel bike was so much smoother

1. KEEP ESSENTIAL ITEMS CLOSE

This might seem like common sense, but when I first started bikepacking, I made the mistake of placing items I needed often in hard to reach places.

For that reason, save yourself stress and frustration by getting into the habit of packing frequently used items where you can grab them easily.

Where to keep your essential items?

What works best for me is placing the following items near the top of my bag, where they are easy to grab throughout the day:

Phone, Camera, GoPro: Items you’ll reach for the most during the day
Food: Small snacks like cookies, raisins, or whatever quick-energy bites you prefer
Sun protection
Sunglasses
Earbuds
Wallet

Bigger items you’ll want within reach as well

Some items are too big for your handlebar or top tube bag, but you can still keep them near the top of your main bags for convenience:

Rain jacket: In cold conditions your gloves and hat as well
Jacket or sweater: Keep within reach for sudden drops in temperature
Store stove and lighter: Side by side to save time
Plate, cutlery, and cup: Easy access makes meal brakes quicker
Food, fruits, nuts, etc
Helmet: If riding hilly or mountainous terrain. Strap it to the outside of the bike between carrier straps for quick access

2. PACK ITEMS IN THE SAME PLACE

Before you travel, it is useful to plan your bag layout, including where to store each item.

In the summer of 2020, I cycled from the Netherlands to Venice, I arrived in Sankt Goar along the Rhine after about two weeks.

The day started great, and all was going well until I suddenly realized I lost my wallet ..

Despite searching everywhere, after an hour or two, I gave up, called home, and told them the bad news.

Already, thoughts turned to getting home without money or a card. How to pay for a bus or train ticket?

I wanted to make one last attempt to find my wallet, and finally I found it, tucked inside my fold up bag.

But,

It was a good lesson. After that experience, I started paying much more attention to where I store my items.

So, make it a habit to always keep your items in the same place. That way, you don’t end up in a similar situation.

How to pack for bikepacking

Make it a habit to always store your items in the exact same place.

Tip: Don’t keep all your money in one spot. Stash some cash elsewhere so you won’t be completely stranded like I was. For example, roll up a few bills in your seat tube for emergencies.

3. USE PACKING CUBES

Packing cubes make life on your bike a lot easier. Typically, organizer bags come in a set of three: a large, medium, and small.

It is worth investing in good quality bags since they will be opened and closed often, so a weak zipper can quickly become a problem.

Breathable material also helps prevent clothes from smelling after a few days on the road. A decent set usually only costs around 10 to 25 euros.

This 3 pack set from Decathlon has worked really well for me.

As a bonus, they can also double as a soft and comfortable pillow.

4. BALANCE YOUR BIKE WELL

During my first bikepacking trip from home to the South of France in the summer of 2018, I arrived in the coastal town of Le Tréport after about a week of cycling.

Soon after, a sharp pain started building in my right knee. One of the worst things that can happen while bikepacking is getting aches and pains: you want to keep going, but sometimes you are forced to stop and rest.

After some thinking, the cause became clear. My weight on the bike was not properly distributed.

When one side of your body works harder with every pedal stroke, those small imbalances add up and can lead to injuries.

How to pack for bikepacking

Bad weight distribution makes the bike harder to control and increases the risk of injury.

Improper weight distribution also makes the bike harder to control, which can create dangerous situations and further increase the risk of injury.

After three days of rest, stretching, and redistributing my bags, I was back on the road and had no more pain for the rest of the trip.

Front-rear weight distribution is important as well

Balancing the weight between the front and rear of your bike is also important.

For example, keeping the front of your bike light makes steering easier and more stable.

I aim for about 60-70% of the weight at the rear and 30-40% at the front.

Go with what feels right for your bike and riding style. Test your setup a few days before a big trip to make sure the weight distribution feels comfortable.

How to pack for bikepacking

5. WATERPROOF YOUR ELECTRONICS

Make sure the bag used for electronics is fully waterproof.

Be cautious with bags labeled water resistant, they can handle light rain but they will not protect your electronics in heavy rains.

If your current bag is not fully waterproof, you can also place electronics in a smaller waterproof bag inside the main bag.

For example, two 7 liter waterproof bags from Decathlon cost just 10 euros total and lasted a one-year trip through South America, including hiking and even being buried in sand.

All in all, reliable waterproof bags are highly recommended.

This waterproof bag from Decathlon and this one from Sea-to-Summit do a great job for me.