But for her, the most important thing to pack is detachment. It all starts before you even leave home, with conscious choices about what will actually be necessary. For a weekend trip, one change of clothes for riding, another for sleeping, a jacket for the night, cycling shoes or sneakers, and another pair of shoes to wear after showering are usually enough. If you’d rather change your riding clothes every day, that’s fine too, but keep in mind that often it’s enough to wash your shirt at night for it to be dry by the next morning.<\/p>\n
“On a trip, packing extra clothes just to ‘look different in photos’ only adds weight to your luggage. Swap out the bandana instead. I guarantee that won’t take away from the enjoyment of the trip. Extra weight, on the other hand, will. Lately I’ve preferred a button-up shirt made from tech, water-resistant fabric that can be worn open or closed depending on the temperature, dries fast, and also offers UV protection.”<\/p>\n
The same logic applies to your toiletry bag: less is more. Bring only small amounts of hygiene products and skip full-size bottles. These days, there are great shampoo and conditioner bar options. A small piece of each is enough for a weekend.<\/p>\n
Underwear: comfort and body care<\/h2>\n
For Susi Saito, choosing the right underwear directly affects comfort during a bikepacking trip, especially on days with many hours of riding.<\/p>\n
“I stopped wearing regular panties for riding. I prefer women’s cotton boxer briefs with no seam in the groin area. After many hours of pedaling, seams can cause a lot of discomfort for the female body. Synthetic fabrics, meanwhile, tend to overheat the skin.”<\/p>\n
She explains that many cyclists who wear padded shorts ride without underwear, but on a multi-day trip, that option can make hygiene more difficult, since the same piece tends to be worn for longer. Another recommendation is to swap a bra for a sports bra. Besides offering good support, it makes changing clothes anywhere along the trip easier.<\/p>\n
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Clothing for cold days<\/h2>\n
When the forecast calls for cold weather, a down jacket is the best option. Besides being lightweight, it takes up little space in your luggage. If investing in one isn’t possible, a fleece jacket also does the job well. Susi doesn’t recommend conventional wool, since it’s bulky and, if it gets wet, becomes heavy and takes a long time to dry. A windbreaker should always be part of your luggage, even on days without very low temperatures. It makes a huge difference on descents or when the wind picks up.<\/p>\n
Never wear jeans! Choose synthetic-fabric pants instead, which dry quickly. Models used in mountaineering that convert into shorts are quite functional, since they offer two options in a single piece. Leggings can be comfortable for riding, but they tend to take longer to dry.<\/p>\n
“In my case, I also chose not to use padded shorts with a gel liner. Even though they’re comfortable, I find them impractical for trips, since they take longer to wash and dry. I preferred investing in a good-quality saddle, which offers comfort. I also don’t recommend the one-piece bib\/onesie style. Can you imagine the hassle of having to pee on the road, ‘in the bushes’ style?” says Susi.<\/p>\n
Be prepared in case of rain<\/h2>\n
Even if rain isn’t in the forecast, never leave home without a waterproof jacket. Look for models with a hood, front zipper, and, if possible, underarm zip vents, which help with ventilation and reduce moisture buildup inside the jacket.<\/p>\n
If the ride will be long and in a cold region, it’s worth adding waterproof pants and gaiters to protect your legs and feet.<\/p>\n
“If you don’t have gaiters, a simple and effective solution is to place a plastic grocery bag over a dry sock, inside your shoe and under your waterproof pants.”<\/p>\n
Pay special attention to socks<\/h2>\n
Keeping your feet dry at all times is essential on a bikepacking trip. Riding for hours with wet socks, whether from rain, a swim under a waterfall, or crossing a river, makes blisters more likely and, on cold days, can even contribute to hypothermia.<\/p>\n
That’s why packing a few extra pairs is a small investment in weight but a big one in comfort and safety throughout the trip. Bring at least three pairs of socks, so you’ll always have a dry pair to change into along the way.<\/p>\n
Checklist:<\/h3>\n\n- One or two changes of riding clothes (shirt, shorts or pants, socks, sports bra, women’s underwear) and cycling shoes<\/li>\n
- One post-shower outfit for sleeping (a soft top and shorts or pants, a jacket, sandals or Crocs)<\/li>\n
- A quick-drying synthetic towel<\/li>\n
- Hygiene kit: small bottles (or small pieces of bars) of shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Moisturizer, sunscreen, insect repellent, toothbrush and toothpaste, and tweezers<\/li>\n
- First aid kit: pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, fever reducer, antiseptic, bandages, wrap, gauze, and rubbing alcohol<\/li>\n
- Accessories: gloves, arm warmers, two bandanas (for the neck and head), cap, visor. Sunglasses and clear glasses for night riding (to protect against insects).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
At the end of the day, minimalism doesn’t mean giving up comfort \u2014 it means carrying only what truly makes a difference in the experience, keeping the bike lighter and the trip more enjoyable.<\/p>\n
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At the end of the day, minimalism doesn’t mean giving up comfort \u2014 it means carrying only what truly makes a difference in the experience, keeping the bike lighter and the trip more enjoyable.<\/p>\n