Done plenty of back packing over the years, but never done anything super lightweight, or with the sort of space restrictions I'll have for this summers trips. I have a framebag, with a bar bag and seat pack on the way. Will run a small (16l) rucksack too if need be. Never done any bike packing stuff before, so I'm looking for feedback on the current kit list. This will be a one-nighter initially on dartmoor. Got other stuff planned for the summer too (including a three-week trip!).

If anyone has suggestions for things missing or things that can be reduced, etc that would be vaguely exciting. Might be missing some obvious things too, sometimes it's hardest to think of those.

* Tent (Terra Nova Laser)
* Sleeping mat (Therma-a-rest)
* Sleeping Bag
* Small pillow if space exists (I like good quality sleep)

___

* MSR Stove
* MSR Fuel Bottle (Mount under downtube)
* Pan
* Mug
* Spork
* Something edible
* Steel (to light stove)
* Water puri tabs
* Water bladder

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* Something for the evening (lightweight trousers, clean tshirt)
* Clean padded shorts
* Clean socks
* Spare layers

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* Multitool
* Spare tube
* Puncture repair kit (I'm not walking home…)
* Leatherman
* Small first-aid kit
* Pump

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* Suncream
* Sunglasses
* Phone
* External phone battery
* Wallet
* Lights
* Camera
* Map/Compass

For your first trip I'd just go with what you have listed above. I'd think about adding a jacket & hat for while you're around camp as night temps are still dropping quite low.

The idea is to be comfortable whilst not taking the kitchen sink, so if a pillow will help you sleep then take one.

Spare clothes for the next day? Depends where in the Tramp scale you are

I hope I'm not been harsh here, it's meant to be constructive

* Tent (Terra Nova Laser)
* Sleeping mat (Therma-a-rest)
* Sleeping Bag
* Small pillow if space exists (I like good quality sleep)

___

* MSR Stove - About the heaviest stove option possible
* MSR Fuel Bottle (Mount under downtube)
* Pan
* Mug - Do you really need a pan and mug?
* Spork
* Something edible
* Steel (to light stove) - Heavy, 50p lighter is much lighter (no pun intended)
* Water puri tabs
* Water bladder

---

* Something for the evening (lightweight trousers, clean tshirt) - Overkill for a single night
* Clean padded shorts - you'll never develop an arse like leather with this approach
* Clean socks - take 1pr and use them to sleep in. Re-use riding socks each day
* Spare layers - what kind of layers

---

* Multitool
* Spare tube
* Puncture repair kit (I'm not walking home…)
* Leatherman
* Small first-aid kit
* Pump

---

* Suncream
* Sunglasses
* Phone
* External phone battery
* Wallet
* Lights
* Camera - does your phone not take pictures?
* Map/Compass

I'm popping out for a 2 nighter tomorrow, this lot will be coming along. I'd add a tarp to the list if the forecast didn't look like it does.

Bivvy bag
Sleeping bag
Exped Synmat UL
Thermarest pillow case

Down jacket
Down beanie

Ti mug
10g stove
windshield
125ml meths
Sawyer mini
Lighter
650ml bottle on bike

Spare tube, links and patches
Pump
Mini tool

ipod touch
Bits of map

As Chew says, much will depend on your 'Tramp Level threshold'

Increase your tramp level on clothing it's really not that bad. You can put the same wet gear back on a few days in a row and really it's OK. It sounds loads worse than it is in reality. Your feet only feel grim for about 15mins before you warm up and anyway putting on dry socks and then putting them into wet boots is just a waste of dry socks.

Have your riding clothes and your sleeping clothes don't bother with spares.

Sleeping clothes for me are socks, long sleeve base layer and a pair of baggy shorts.
Down jacket and hat for the evening is a must I would say, but if you sleep cold you can sleep in them as well.

Think about your food choices in relation to what you might need to cook with. When not having a pub dinner I'll be zip lock bag cooking. Check the cooking tips thread here: http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... ips#p30354

Thanks all. I'll try and stick my though process below for things.

I hope I'm not been harsh here, it's meant to be constructive

Nope, just what I was after. Thanks.

Something for the evening (lightweight trousers, clean tshirt) - Overkill for a single night

Was going to make this nigh clothing as well.

Clean socks - take 1pr and use them to sleep in. Re-use riding socks each day

My feet are pretty rank at the best of times, and have a habit of falling apart they're not looked after. Certainly not something I want to happen when I need them.

Spare layers - what kind of layers

Couple of base layers as they're thing and light, and a fleece. Will have my waterproof too, if gets too cold I'll crawl into my sleeping bag.

Camera - does your phone not take pictures?

This'll be the SLR. Otherwise I would just use my phone. If I pickup the loaded bike and bulk at the weight too much I'll leave it at home, but I'd rather have it.

Down jacket and hat for the evening

Hat was supposed to be on the list, easy to forget the obvious sometimes though. My down jacket doesn't exactly pack down small, so was planning on just getting on my sleeping bag if I get cold in the evening. Could add my soft-shell though.


A lot of this is relying on existing kit, too. I'm a student at the moment so pretty much zero funds for additional kit, but intend to start building up lighter/smaller gear after graduation this summer.

Regarding evening/night clothing. If I think I am likely to be wet at the end of the day's ride and not be able to dry out the stuff i'm wearing then I pack a pair of Ron Hill tracksters, light thermal top and light thermal long johns which can be bought cheap and pack fairly small. Wear around camp with a down jacket (or fleece in your case) or to sleep in to increase the bags temp rating. I always pack a pair of thermal socks which I make sure I keep dry because if I go to bed with cold feet then they take forever to warm up and stop me from dropping off to sleep.

Stove is the cheapest and easiest way to lose weight from that kit list - I made myself a meths burning stove from 2 cans and some bits of wire, weighs next to nothing and heats water nice and quickly - lots of places to find out how online - just google beer can stove, but here is good: http://zenstoves.net

danielgroves wrote:
* Small pillow if space exists (I like good quality sleep)

If you want to save space, I use my bar mounted dry bag and seal it half to three quarters full of air to make a pillow. Makes two uses for one piece of kit and is pretty comfy to boot!

You'll be fine with what you have. The only way to find out what you really need/ want is to try it and see.

If you want to save space, I use my bar mounted dry bag and seal it half to three quarters full of air to make a pillow. Makes two uses for one piece of kit and is pretty comfy to boot!

Genius! I feel ashamed that I didn't think of it now.

danielgroves wrote:

If you want to save space, I use my bar mounted dry bag and seal it half to three quarters full of air to make a pillow. Makes two uses for one piece of kit and is pretty comfy to boot!

Genius! I feel ashamed that I didn't think of it now.

This is only good when the conditions are dry. Believe me on our last trip the last thing you want to put your face next to would have been the bar mounted dry bags.

This is only good when the conditions are dry. Believe me on our last trip the last thing you want to put your face next to would have been the bar mounted dry bags.

This is true, but even if you were to double-drybag something to keep one dry it'll be smaller/lighter than most pillows.

Just turn it inside out

Ray Young wrote:Regarding evening/night clothing. If I think I am likely to be wet at the end of the day's ride and not be able to dry out the stuff i'm wearing then I pack a pair of Ron Hill tracksters, light thermal top and light thermal long johns which can be bought cheap and pack fairly small. Wear around camp with a down jacket (or fleece in your case) or to sleep in to increase the bags temp rating. I always pack a pair of thermal socks which I make sure I keep dry because if I go to bed with cold feet then they take forever to warm up and stop me from dropping off to sleep.

The best way to dry things out in the evening is to wear them. If you can get yourself out of the wind, keep the wet stuff on while you eat, sort kit etc. By the time you're ready for sleep, your clothes will be nearly dry and a lot more pleasant to put on in the morning. This approach worked for me on the recent wet Wales Trip.