Last updated: July 2026
Bikepacking: Why Everyone Is Packing Their Bikes
Bikepacking is trekking by bike: instead of heavy panniers on a rack, ultralight, compact gear is attached directly to the bike – in frame bags, saddle bags, and handlebar rolls. The result is an agile bike that handles gravel, trails, and back roads just as well as asphalt. No wonder bikepacking is booming: it combines the freedom of bike touring with the lightness of ultralight trekking.
In this guide, you'll learn what gear you really need, how to put together your setup – and how to get started with your first overnight trip without spending thousands of euros.
The Basic Principle: Light and Compact Wins
With bikepacking, you have significantly less storage space than with classic panniers – usually 20 to 35 liters in total. This isn't a disadvantage, but the concept: the less you carry, the more relaxed you ride, the easier you climb, and the less wear and tear you have. The community's rule of thumb: Focus on the "Big Three" – sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and shelter (tent or bivvy). This is where the greatest weight and pack size savings are.
The Bags: Frame Bag, Saddle Bag, Handlebar Roll
Full disclosure: We don't carry bikepacking bags – but you need them, so they belong in every proper guide. The classic setup:
- Saddle bag (8–14 l): for sleeping bag and clothing – light, compressible gear at the back
- Frame bag (3–6 l): for heavy items like tools, power bank, food – lower center of gravity
- Handlebar roll (8–15 l): for tent and sleeping pad – note: pole length or pack length counts here, usually a maximum of 50 cm is practical
That's exactly why not only weight matters in bikepacking, but also pack size – a tent can be light and still not fit in the handlebar roll.
The Sleep System: Tent, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad
Shelter: A light one- or two-person tent under 1.5 kg is the standard. Minimalists opt for a bivvy bag – under 500 g, smallest pack size, but no rain cover for cooking. Which design suits you best, we explain in detail in the Bikepacking Tent Buying Guide.
Sleeping bag: Down beats synthetic fiber by far in terms of pack size – a 290-g down sleeping bag compresses to the size of a water bottle. For warm sleepers and summer trips, a quilt is the community's recommendation: down on top, open at the bottom, even lighter.
Sleeping pad: inflatable instead of self-inflating – an ultralight air pad packs down to the size of a can. More on this in the Bikepacking Sleep System guide.
Clothing: Why Merino is Unbeatable for Bikepacking
The easiest weight saving: less change of clothes. Merino wool stays odor-neutral even after several sweaty stages – a merino shirt plus a spare set is enough for a week. Air it out in the evening, keep riding in the morning. Add merino boxer shorts and light merino socks – you don't need anything more.
Example Setup: What a Light Bikepacking Weight Budget Looks Like
- Shelter: 900–1,500 g (tent) or 400–600 g (bivvy)
- Sleeping bag/quilt: 300–600 g depending on the season
- Sleeping pad: 350–500 g
- Complete clothing: under 1,000 g with merino
- Target base weight (without food/water/bike): 5–7 kg for summer tours
Bikepacking Packing List: The Essentials, Compact
Sleeping: Tent/bivvy, sleeping bag, sleeping pad · Clothing: Merino shirt (1+1), boxer shorts, socks, rain jacket, insulation jacket · Kitchen & water: Hydration bladder, stove optional · Bike: multitool, spare tube, pump, chain oil · Miscellaneous: power bank, light, first aid kit, emergency blanket. You can find the detailed version with a checklist in the Bikepacking Packing List.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bikepacking (FAQ)
What bike do I need for bikepacking?
The one you have. Gravel bikes are the classic, but hardtail MTBs, touring bikes, and even road bikes work – what matters are tires with some volume and working brakes. Ride first, then upgrade.
How much does it cost to get started?
With used bags and a light sleep system, you're fully equipped from about €400–600 – significantly cheaper than getting started with many other outdoor sports, if you already have the bike.
How do I get started best?
With a "Sub-24-Hour-Overnighter": ride out in the afternoon, 20–30 km out, spend the night, and ride back in the morning. This way you test your setup risk-free before heading out on multi-day tours.
Tent or bivvy bag?
Tent for comfort and bad weather, bivvy for minimalists and stable summer conditions. Many start with the bivvy and switch to a tent when they're out for longer.
Ultralight Recommendations for Bikepacking
Our favorites from the bikepacking gear – selected by weight and pack size:
Conclusion: Just Get Started
Bikepacking doesn't need a perfect setup – it needs a first trip. Start with the bike you have, borrow or buy used what's missing, and invest first in the Big Three: light shelter, compressible down sleeping bag, compact sleeping pad. Everything else will follow along the way – and that's exactly the appeal of it.