Product recommendations, long-term wear tests, and bikepacking gear guides from riders who've put the kit through its paces on real expeditions — not press trips.
Everything you need to know before buying your first bag setup
After testing 40+ bag systems across 30,000km of bikepacking routes, here's the definitive breakdown of what works, what doesn't, and how to build a setup that won't let you down on a remote mountain pass at 3am.
90 days of daily use across three continents
I wore these bibs for 90 consecutive days on the Silk Road Mountain Race, a Trans-Pyrenees crossing, and a month of daily training. Here's what held up, what didn't, and whether the £260 price tag is justified.
“Best-in-class chamois for multi-day riding. Worth every penny.”
Does solar charging actually make a difference in the field?
After 14 months and 18,000km including the Tour Divide and two Silk Road Mountain Race attempts, I can finally give a definitive verdict on whether the solar panel is a gimmick or a genuine game-changer.
“Solar charging adds 1–2 hours daily in good conditions. Transformative on remote routes.”
Which shelter system suits your riding style and budget?
From a 510g Zpacks Duplex to a bomber MSR Hubba Hubba, we tested 12 shelter systems across alpine storms, desert nights, and everything in between. Here's the honest breakdown.
The most-packed jacket on the circuit, tested to destruction
Three years, four continents, one jacket. The Houdini has been stuffed into frame bags, rained on in the Pyrenees, and used as a pillow in Kyrgyzstan. Here's what three years of real use looks like.
“Still the best packable wind layer for bikepacking. Irreplaceable.”
The benchmark seat bag after 25,000km of testing
Revelate invented the modern bikepacking seat bag. Fifteen years later, the Terrapin is still the benchmark. After 25,000km across the Tour Divide, SRMR, and dozens of shorter routes, here's why.
“Still the best seat bag available. The waterproofing is genuinely bombproof.”
You don't need to spend $3,000 to start bikepacking
The bikepacking industry loves to sell you expensive kit. But you can build a genuinely capable setup for under $500 that will handle a week-long route without drama. Here's exactly how.
The purpose-built bikepacking machine after 40,000km
Two years, 40,000km, and three major races later — the Salsa Cutthroat Carbon remains the most capable purpose-built bikepacking bike I've ridden. Here's the full picture, including what I'd change.
“The best purpose-built bikepacking bike for serious expeditions.”
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