Packing List: Bike Touring

Sleep Well and Pack Well

If you're thinking of upgrading some of your core gear, consider starting with a new sleeping bag. In recent years the ultralight wave in camping equipment has created a space-race mentality among manufacturers to engineer ever-lighter, tiny-packing bags. A small-packing bag can save a surprising amount of space in a pannier or on a rack. Down bags compress the smallest, but you need to be hyper-vigilant about protecting it from moisture. If you carry down, stuff it into a plastic garbage bag after you crunch it into its stuff sack. New synthetic bags, particularly those that use new insulations such as PrimaLoft® Sport or Polarguard® Delta, compress surprisingly well and provide a respectable level of warmth for a modest weight. The key advantage for using a synthetic bag: It dries out much, much faster than down. In a pinch, you can even sleep in a damp synthetic bag (it will still insulate) and dry it out with body heat. Consider bringing a bag liner, too. It can boost a bag's comfort rating by 10 to 15 degrees, help keep a bag clean, and, on balmy nights at low elevations, can be used alone.

Thailand Photos: Biking Bangkok

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You've heard it before, but you can never hear it enough—plan to pack according to weather. A three-day tour through arid terrain will differ greatly, climate-wise, from a pedal through rainforest-lined asphalt. Also, while you do have those panniers to carry your load, still aim for the less-is-more approach; it'll increase your balancing ability, reduce weight drag, and give you spare room for that must-have purchase (perishable or otherwise) that you encounter mid-route, especially if you're weaving into small towns while touring. For the heavily-laden, also consider one of the new towing trailers that you can attach to your bike—they even have some out there now that can handle most singletrack routes (albeit slow-going).

All-Season Clothing

• Helmet
• Jersey
• Wicking tees
• Wicking long-sleeve top
• Arm and leg warmers
• Fleece vest/jacket
• Cycling shorts
• Wicking underwear
• Soft-shell pants
• Cycling shoes
• Off-bike footwear
• Wicking socks
• Padded cycling gloves
• Non-cycling convertible pants

Wet- or Cold-Weather Add-Ons

• Waterproof/breathable jacket and pants (hard or soft shell)
• Waterproof/breathable gaiters
• Weather-resistant gloves or overgloves
• Goggles
• Helmet liner, skullcap, or stocking cap
• Mid- or expedition-weight base layers

Travel Gear

• Handlebar bag (with clear map slot)
• Front and rear panniers with rain covers
• Seat bag
• Hydration pack
• Water bottles
• Headlamp
• Batteries
• Headlight/taillight
• Rearview mirror
• Bungee cords/compression straps
• Accessory cord (25+ feet)
• Lock
• Maps/guidebooks
• Cyclometer
• GPS
• Cell phone/PDA
• Watch with altimeter and alarms

Tools/Spare Parts

• Spare tubes (2+)
• Spare tire
• Spare spokes (6+)
• Bike-specific multi-tool (with spoke wrench, allen wrenches, screwdrivers, etc)
• Multi-tool (with vise-grip/needle-nose pliers, knife)
• Spoke wrench (sized for your spokes)
• Compact tire pump/gauge
• Tire levers
• Adjustable crescent wrench (6-inch)
• Patch kit
• Chain lube
• Chain tool
• Spare chain link
• Brake/derailleur cables
• Assorted nuts and bolts
• Duct tape
• Emergency whistle