When I packed for my first bikepacking trip, I was prepared for every possible scenario. Rain? Check. Cold nights? Triple-check. Unexpected gourmet cooking urges in the wilderness? Apparently, yes. I overpacked like I was moving into the forest permanently — and learned the hard way what never left my bags.
Whether you’re planning your first overnighter or your third cross-country route, here are five things I brought that I really didn’t need. Save your legs, your space, and your sanity.
1. Too Many Clothes (You’ll Wear the Same Thing Anyway)
I packed like I was headed to a fashion-forward campsite. Two cycling kits, extra base layers, a fleece, a hoodie, camp pants, extra socks, and — for some reason — two buffs.
Guess how much I wore? One outfit. Maybe two socks.
When you’re bikepacking, comfort, weather-resilience, and quick-drying materials matter. Freshness does not. You’ll sweat. You’ll smell. You’ll deal.
What to bring instead:
- One riding kit (jersey, bib, gloves)
- One off-bike outfit (light pants, t-shirt, insulating layer)
- Two pairs of socks. Max.
Every extra item is a hill in your pannier.
2. A Full Cooking Setup (For Meals I Skipped)
I wanted to “do it right” — so I packed:
- Pot set with lid and handle
- Spork, knife, cutting board
- Two gas canisters
- A fold-out windscreen
- Coffee press insert
Want to guess how many hot meals I made?
One. Instant noodles. Night two. Then I stuck to bread, fruit, trail mix, and café stops.
Unless you’re riding through true wilderness, you’ll probably be eating cold, fast, or from a corner shop. Cooking can be great, but not if it turns into a mobile kitchen.
- What works better:
- Instant oats, noodles, coffee sachets = done
- Alcohol stove or small gas burner
- One pot that nests a fuel canister
- Spoon
3. Huge Power Banks & Too Many Gadgets
I brought a 20,000mAh power bank and a solar panel and a massive flashlight. Because… the sun would disappear forever?
Here’s the truth: you’ll likely stop at cafés, shops, or sleep near outlets at least every couple of days. You don’t need to prep for full digital blackout unless you’re deep-off-grid.
Plus: most big battery banks are heavy bricks that mess with your weight balance.
What I’d do now:
- Bring one reliable 10,000–15,000mAh USB-C power bank
- Compact USB front light
- Headlamp with USB charging
- Use airplane mode or battery saver daily
Leave the solar gear and heavy torches to expedition riders.
4. Journal Kit That Stayed in the Bag
I brought a leather-bound notebook, a pen roll with four pens (?!), and even water-resistant pages.
Romantic, right?
In reality, I was too tired to write more than a few words per day. Most nights were eat-sleep-repeat. No fireside musings, no reflections on the silence of the road.
If journaling is your thing — go for it. But keep it small and optional.
What I use now:
- One pen. That works.
- Phone notes or voice memos
- One small pocket notebook
5. Tripod & GoPro Gear I Barely Touched
Here’s a hot take: unless you’re a full-time content creator, you don’t need a tripod.
I brought a mini flexible tripod, two mounts, a GoPro with extra batteries, and even a lav mic. I used it… twice. And every time I set it up, I felt impatient.
Capturing the moment became a chore — not a joy.
What I’d do instead:
- Use a phone clamp on your handlebars
- Take spontaneous phone shots
- If something’s truly worth filming, prop your phone up and roll
Ride the route, don’t direct a documentary.
Final Thoughts: Pack Light, ride Far
Every item you bring has a cost — in weight, in space, in energy.
These five items weren’t bad in themselves. But they were bad for me, on that trip, in that setup. The golden rule? If it doesn’t earn its spot, it stays home.
Bikepacking is about movement, simplicity, and letting go of the unnecessary — including a second hoodie.
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