Bikepackers' Packing Guide

The term 'bikepacking' is used commonly thesedays when talking about riding self-supported with a minimum of one night spent on the trip - sometimes 'bikepacking' even replaces the word 'touring'. Here in this guide with an interactive photo, written by Amy at Paper Roads, we will not try to define a universal meaning of the word 'bikepacking', but use it in relation to suit riding multi-day on the trails, gravel roads and terrain in Aotearoa New Zealand.

If you're not from NZ, know that our country is HILLY (generally mountainous), the trails and gravel roads are twisty and range from ROUGH to unrideable and the weather is CRAZY AND WET. Hence the bikepacking gear I make is designed to help you be efficient and ride swiftly with all the bags held on tight; rather than be adjusting loose bits while drenched in rain, blown by gale force winds and your fingers frost bitten (it's not that bad...but no promises). 

With this said, it's handy to know how to pack everything into a compact setup that will get you up hills as light as possible, and know that you can enjoy yourself more without suffering up hills on a 35kg bike with front and back panniers (that won't fit through our narrow swing bridges), containing 1L of sunscreen and things that you should leave at home.

This packing guide is especially useful for Small frame riders (as it's demonstrated on a small bike), and those looking to tackle rides such as the Kennett Brothers' big 3 bikepacking routes: the Tour Aotearoa, Kopiko Aotearoa and the Sounds 2 Sound. This method of packing will work for the Tour Divide...if you're riding that, you should know how to pack anyways! Those in the pointy end will eliminate a few items mentioned in this guide (like a cooker, a luxury sleeping mat, change of clothes etc), and if you ride a bigger bike, you can probably fit everything in fewer bags.

As said, this is a guide - just a source of reference to give the general concept. 'Compact and tight' are the key words when bike-packing. 

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