What equipment do you need for bikepacking?
At Speck-Sports, we haven't waited for bikepacking to become fashionable before equipping you. To help you choose, we've put together a rundown of the equipment you'll need. And we'll start with the most important thing of all: the containers!
Bikepacking: getting the right equipment
It's no coincidence that we at Speck-Sports have selected two brands that have proved their worth in the bikepacking world: Ortlieb and Apidura. Renowned for the sturdiness and watertightness of their bike bags, the compactness and reliability of their fastening systems, these German and English nuggets are leading the segment and are unanimously acclaimed by the community.
Ortlieb:
Specializing in waterproof bicycle and outdoor packs for 40 years, the Heilsbronn-based brand designs and produces its panniers in Germany. Ortlieb's tour de force lies in the manufacture of its products in waterproof PS21R nylon (up to 67 IP), with closure systems based on roll-up, watertight zipper, hook-and-loop tape or sealing lip. These products come with a 5-year guarantee, are wear-resistant and durable, perfectly waterproof and repairable.
Apidura:
The small London-based company was born in 2013 out of the need to design products specifically dedicated to mountain biking. Tori Fahey and Pierre Coeffe, the brand's two founders and great explorers before the Eternal, like to recall that their impetus came from the desire to "liberate the instinct for adventure" in mountain bikers. Contract amply fulfilled. Apidura has opted for three-layer polyurethane textiles, resistant to abrasion and tearing, and perfectly waterproof. Here too, the seams are welded. The velcro fasteners are made of Hypalon : tough, carbon-friendly and gentle on your tubes.
Handlebar panniers
The handlebar pannier is fitted directly to the handlebars. It allows you to distribute the weight evenly between the front and rear of the bike. You can store compressible equipment, clothes, freeze-dried food, etc. in it. The handlebar bag is available in 9 and 15 litre versions from Ortlieb and 9 or 14 litre versions from Apidura in the EXPEDITION range. The British brand offers the option of increasing the volume by a further 4.5 litres by attaching a handlebar pouch to the pannier. A useful feature for storing your phone, papers, snacks and all those little things you're happy to grab with one hand.
Frame bags
Frame panniers are designed to hold your heaviest and bulkiest equipment, such as tents, sleeping bags, sleeping and cooking gear. While the load placed in the frame lowers the bike's centre of gravity, it is distributed along a narrow axis and therefore has little impact on the bike's handling.
Ortlieb 's FRAME-PACK Black Matt frame bags are available in 6L and 4L versions.
Made from waterproof nylon and equipped with a zip fastener, they are perfectly airtight. Fitting is simple thanks to the strong, super-grip fasteners attached to the top bar of the frame and the variable side straps that wrap around the seat tube or down tube of the bike.
Apidura's EXPEDITION range of frame bags, selected by Speck-Sports, start small at 3 litres, 4.5 litres and easily expand to 12 litres and 14 litres. This is where you'll store your most bulky equipment. Your tent , for example. Some tents, such as those from Big Agnes, have very segmented poles with 30 cm poles, which are very practical when you need to fit them on your bike.
Make sure the panniers are compatible with your frame. Printable templates are available.
Frame bags can be complemented by top tube bags, which have small capacities and can hold your phone, a snack, electronics and all the small items you'll be happy to have close at hand.
Fork bags
With over 3 litres of content at Ortlieb and 4.5 litres at Apidura, fork bags offer plenty of extra storage options for light camping gear or food (freeze-dried meals, snacks, etc.). Both German and British fork bags are splash, splash and dust resistant.
Saddle bags
Saddlebags are handy for storing compressible equipment (spare clothes, etc.). With one, two or three attachment points on the seat tube, and another in the saddle rail, they are securely fastened. Perfectly secured, they minimise tossing and turning.
Robust, waterproof and well thought-out, the Ortlieb SEAT PACK and Apidura EXPEDITION saddlebags will quickly become indispensable for all your outings. At Speck-Sports, we've selected Ortlieb's 11-litre and 16.5-litre versions to suit your needs, giving you the choice of an ergonomic or more generous model, depending in particular on the bivouac solution you choose. Its hook-and-loop fasteners (just 6cm of clearance is enough) are particularly eye-catching and effective. With a Daisy Chain, you'll also be able to hang gear easily and access it quickly. At Apidura we've selected the 9, 14 and 17-litre versions of the EXPEDITION range and, in the RACING range with its sporty, elegant design, the 7-litre pannier. Waterproof and particularly hard-wearing, they'll keep your stuff nice and dry.
Tents
This is obviously the essential element of your bivouac. The heaviest and bulkiest. So you'll need to carry it on your frame, in a suitable pannier. But not all tents are suitable for bikepacking, and it's not just a question of weight. Speck-Sports has selected two tents from Big Agnes, an outdoor specialist for over 20 years, that meet the very specific requirements of bikepacking. The shortened segments of the poles, thanks to the shortstick poleset system, allow you to store them easily in your frame bag. Made from ultra-light 30cm aluminium for both the FLY CREEK HV Ul1 and its two-seater sister, the FLY CREEK HV Ul2, they allow you to fit the tent on the bike frame. The storage bag has also been redesigned for bikepacking, with a special attachment system. These all-weather tents offer optimum habitability. Made from a double ripstop siliconised nylon roof + PU (inside), they have a 1200mm Schmerber waterproof rating. These smart tents are also ideal for hikers who want to save space in their packs.
Good food
Bikepacking means travelling light, but certainly not on an empty stomach! At Speck-Sports, if there's one thing we can't ignore, it's the comfort of sportsmen and women. After an intense day, it's vital to be able to count on copious, energetic and balanced meals . Speck-Sports recommends a whole range of freeze-dried meals to put in your bags before you set off, from brands such as MX3 Nutrition, Trek'n eat, Voyager, Lyofood and Forestia. You'll be able to choose from a wide range of menus, from shepherd's pie to beef stew and salmon pasta. All you need is a stove, boil a little water and add it to the sachet. The Trek'n eat brand also offers its PS 1000+ range, with over 1000 calories, for big hunger pangs and long-lasting satiety. Speck-Sports also distributes the Baouw brand of fruit purees and organic and/or vegan energy bars, as well as protein bars with high nutritional value.
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