Bikepacking Basics: Essential Guide for Beginners in 2025

Bikepacking combines the freedom of cycling with the adventure of overnight camping, allowing you to explore remote areas and connect with nature in ways that traditional tourism simply can't match. Whether you're looking to escape for a weekend or embark on an epic cross-country journey, this comprehensive guide will help you master the essentials of bikepacking in 2025.

What is Bikepacking?

Bikepacking is a self-supported style of bicycle travel that blends elements of mountain biking, cycle touring, and minimalist camping. Unlike traditional bicycle touring that often uses panniers on dedicated touring bikes, bikepacking utilizes lightweight, compact gear attached directly to your bicycle frame, handlebars, and seatpost.

The beauty of bikepacking lies in its versatility—it can be done on almost any bike and terrain, from smooth gravel roads to rugged mountain trails. In 2025, the bikepacking community continues to grow, with more purpose-built gear, established routes, and resources available than ever before.

Choosing the Right Bike

While you can bikepack on almost any bicycle, certain types excel depending on your intended terrain:

Gravel Bikes

Best for: Mixed terrain, dirt roads, light trails Advantages: Versatile, efficient on pavement, capable off-road Popular 2025 models: MoVcan Adventure Gravel, Salsa Warbird, Specialized Diverge

Hardtail Mountain Bikes

Best for: Rough terrain, technical trails Advantages: Durable, stable, comfortable on rough surfaces Popular 2025 models: Surly Karate Monkey, Trek Marlin, Santa Cruz Chameleon

Rigid Mountain Bikes

Best for: Experienced bikepackers seeking simplicity Advantages: Lightweight, less maintenance, direct power transfer Popular 2025 models: Surly Bridge Club, Bombtrack Beyond+

Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes

Best for: Technical mountain terrain Advantages: Maximum comfort on rough trails Considerations: Less frame space for bags, more complex maintenance

If you're just starting out, a gravel bike offers the most versatility for various terrain. As your skills and interests develop, you can always specialize with a more terrain-specific bike.

Essential Bikepacking Gear: The 2025 Edition

Bikepacking Bags

The cornerstone of modern bikepacking is a specialized bag system that distributes weight efficiently around your bike. In 2025, these bags have evolved to be more lightweight, waterproof, and stable than ever before.

Frame Bags

Frame bags fit within your bike's main triangle, keeping weight centered and low for optimal handling. The latest designs in 2025 feature:

• Waterproof zippers and materials
• Internal dividers for organization
• Reinforced mounting points to prevent swaying

Top 2025 picks: Apidura Expedition Frame Pack, Ortlieb Frame-Pack Toptube, Revelate Designs Ripio

Handlebar Bags

These attach to your handlebars and typically hold lightweight but bulky items like sleeping gear. Modern handlebar bags feature:

• Quick-release mounting systems
• Integrated accessory pockets
• Stabilization straps to prevent bouncing

Top 2025 picks: Rockgeist BarJam Harness, Outer Shell Handlebar Harness, Chrome Industries Helix

Seatpost Bags

Also called saddle bags, these attach under your saddle and behind your seatpost, offering significant storage without affecting handling. Look for:

• Anti-sway stabilization systems
• Waterproof construction
• Variable volume (roll-top closures)

Top 2025 picks: Miss Grape Cluster, Topeak Backloader, Wildcat Tiger Drover

Top Tube Bags

These small bags sit on your top tube for quick access to snacks, electronics, or navigation tools:

• Some feature phone-compatible top windows
• Waterproof construction with easy-access openings
• Stable mounting systems that prevent leg rub

Top 2025 picks: Revelate Designs Gas Tank, Apidura Racing Top Tube Pack

Sleep Systems

Your sleep system is one of the most important aspects of your bikepacking setup, balancing comfort, warmth, and packability.

Shelters

Options range from ultralight tarps to freestanding tents:

Ultralight Tents (1-2 lbs): Single-wall designs that minimize weight but may sacrifice some space and weather protection.

• Sea to Summit Alto TR1
• Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1

Bikepacking-Specific Tents (2-3 lbs): Designed with shorter pole sections to pack more efficiently on handlebars.

• MSR Hubba Hubba NX
• Nemo Dragonfly

Bivy Sacks (8-16 oz): Minimalist waterproof sleeves that go around your sleeping bag for the lightest option.

• Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
• REI Co-op Bug Out Bivy

Hammocks: Great for wooded areas but require trees and additional insulation underneath.

• Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight

Sleeping Bags and Quilts

In 2025, ultralight down sleeping bags and quilts dominate the bikepacking scene:

Traditional Mummy Bags: Offer maximum warmth and full enclosure.

• Sea to Summit Spark UltraLight (15°F)
• Western Mountaineering Flylite

Quilts: Open-backed design saves weight by eliminating insulation compressed beneath you.

• Enlightened Equipment Revelation
• Thermarest Vesper 32

Hybrid Systems: Newer designs that convert between bag and quilt.

• Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag
• Feathered Friends Flicker

For three-season bikepacking in most climates, aim for a temperature rating around 30°F (0°C), which provides versatility with layering options.

Sleeping Pads

A quality sleeping pad provides both comfort and crucial insulation from the ground:

Air Pads: Maximum comfort-to-weight ratio.

• Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (R-value: 4.2)
• Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat

Foam Pads: Indestructible, affordable, and multi-purpose.

• Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol
• Nemo Switchback

Look for an R-value of at least 3 for three-season use. In 2025, many ultralight pads now achieve impressive R-values of 4+ while weighing less than a pound.

Cooking Systems

Your cooking setup can be as simple or elaborate as you prefer:

Ultralight Stove Systems:

• MSR PocketRocket 2 with titanium pot
• Jetboil Stash Cooking System

Alcohol Stoves:

• Trangia Spirit Burner
• DIY options (lighter but less efficient)

Cold-Soaking: The ultimate lightweight approach is to skip cooking entirely and cold-soak foods like oatmeal, couscous, and dehydrated beans.

Many bikepackers are now adopting modular cooking systems that allow for both hot cooking and cold-soaking depending on conditions.

Water Filtration and Storage

Access to clean water is essential. Modern options include:

Filters:

• Sawyer Squeeze Mini
• Katadyn BeFree

Chemical Treatment:

• Aquatabs
• Potable Aqua Tablets

Storage Solutions:

• Frame-mounted bottles
• Hydration bladders in frame bags
• Collapsible bottles (Platypus, HydraPak)

Water strategy depends on your route, so research water availability ahead of time and plan accordingly.

Planning Your First Bikepacking Adventure

Start Small

For your first trip, choose a single overnight journey close to home with:

• Manageable distance (25-40 miles per day)
• Known camping options
• Bailout points if things don't go as planned
• Cell service throughout

Route Planning Tools

Several excellent resources help plan bikepacking routes:

• Bikepacking.com - Curated routes worldwide
• RideWithGPS - Route creation and discovery platform
• Komoot - Navigation and route planning with terrain specificity
• Trailforks - Mountain bike trail information

Training and Preparation

Before your first multi-day trip:

1. Practice riding with a loaded bike
2. Test your gear on a shakedown trip
3. Learn basic bike maintenance
4. Build endurance gradually

Bikepacking Food Strategies for 2025

Food planning has evolved significantly for bikepackers in 2025:

Dehydrated Meals

Lightweight commercial options like Mountain House and Good To-Go provide excellent nutrition-to-weight ratios.

Grocery Store Strategy

Simple, calorie-dense foods that require minimal or no preparation:

• Tortillas with peanut butter
• Tuna or salmon packets
• Trail mix and dried fruits
• Instant oatmeal
• Shelf-stable cheese

Resupply Planning

For longer trips, plan your route around towns where you can resupply. Most bikepackers aim to carry 1-2 days of food at a time when resupply options are available.

Safety and Emergency Preparation

Navigation

• Carry a dedicated GPS device with your route loaded
• Bring a backup power source for electronics
• Always have paper maps as a failsafe

Emergency Gear

• First aid kit tailored to wilderness adventure
• Emergency communication device (Garmin inReach, SPOT)
• Space blanket and emergency bivy
• Fire-starting tools

Bike Repair Essentials

• Multi-tool with chain breaker
• Spare tubes or tubeless repair kit
• Mini-pump or CO2 inflator
• Patch kit
• Quick links for chain repair
• Tire boot material
• Duct tape and zip ties

Sustainable Bikepacking Practices

In 2025, the bikepacking community places increased emphasis on environmental stewardship:

Leave No Trace Principles

• Pack out all trash
• Minimize campfire impacts
• Respect wildlife
• Stay on established trails

Indigenous Land Acknowledgment

Many routes pass through traditional Indigenous territories. Research whose land you're traveling through and respect cultural sites.

Support Local Economies

Purchase supplies from local businesses along your route rather than bringing everything from home.

The Social Side of Bikepacking

Bikepacking can be a solitary adventure or a social experience:

Online Communities

• Join bikepacking forums and social media groups
• Share routes and experiences on platforms like The Radavist
• Participate in virtual events that support the community

Group Rides and Events

• Organized bikepacking races and events
• Shop-led overnight trips
• Bikepacking "Grand Departs" where multiple riders begin a route together

Conclusion: Your Bikepacking Journey Begins

Bikepacking offers a unique blend of athletic challenge, nature connection, and adventure that few other activities can match. By starting with appropriate gear, careful planning, and reasonable expectations, you'll set yourself up for success in this rewarding pursuit.

Remember that bikepacking is highly personal—there's no single "right way" to do it. As you gain experience, you'll refine your gear choices and techniques to match your specific needs and preferences.

Most importantly, embrace the journey itself rather than focusing solely on your destination. Some of the most memorable bikepacking experiences come from unexpected discoveries, chance encounters, and the simple joy of traveling through beautiful landscapes under your own power.

Ready to start your bikepacking adventure? Check out our complete collection of bikepacking gear at MoVcan Bike to find everything you need for your journey.