Bikepacking packing list: what to bring

The list for one or two nights, what you can leave at home when you sleep indoors, and which bag each item goes in.

For a weekend of bikepacking you bring six groups of things: a repair kit, clothes for riding and for the evening, sleeping gear, cooking gear, electronics and food. If you sleep in a hotel or B&B, the sleeping and cooking gear stay at home and everything fits in a saddle bag and a handlebar bag.

Below is the full list, followed by where each group goes on the bike.

This guide is written by Maikel, founder of The Pack and a rider himself. Last updated on 11 November 2026.

The packing list

Repair kit

Two spare inner tubes and a patch kit
Tyre levers, a multi-tool and a pump
A spare chain link and a few cable ties

Clothes

One set of riding clothes, and a second pair of shorts for longer trips
A rain jacket and a warm layer
Something light and dry for the evening

Sleeping gear, only if you camp

A tent or bivvy bag
A sleeping bag and a sleeping mat

Cooking gear, only if you cook

A small stove, gas and a lighter
A pot, a mug and a spoon

Electronics

Phone, bike computer and lights
A power bank and charging cables

Food and personal items

Bars and gels for the day, and two full bottles
Bank card, ID and keys
Toothbrush, sunscreen and a small first aid kit

Sleeping indoors or camping

This choice decides how many bags you need.

Indoors: you skip the sleeping and cooking gear. A saddle bag for clothes and a handlebar bag for the day are enough.
Camping: the tent, sleeping bag and mat take the most room. Add fork bags for cooking gear or extra clothing.

For a first trip, one night indoors is the easy way to find out what you actually use.

What goes in which bag

Saddle bag: clothes and layers. The waterproof Saddle Bag 4L, from €39.99, attaches with two clips under the saddle.
Handlebar bag: phone, wallet and food for the day. The AWG Handlebar Bag holds 2.5 litres and has a separate phone compartment.
Frame bag: the repair kit and the power bank. See the AWG Frame Bag.
Top tube bag: bars and gels. The Snack Bag Top Tube Bag has an opening for a charger cable, handy when you charge while riding.
Fork bags: cooking gear or extra clothing. The 4L Pannier and the AWG 5L Pannier have a waterproof, removable pouch.

How these bags fit on a road or gravel bike is explained in our guide to bikepacking bags.

Keep dry what has to stay dry

A tube and tyre levers can get wet. Dry clothes, a sleeping bag and electronics cannot. Put those in a waterproof bag or in a waterproof inner pouch.

Which of our bags are waterproof and which are water-resistant is listed in our guide to waterproof bike bags.

Before you leave

Lay everything out and take away what you only bring "just in case".
Pack heavy things low and close to the frame.
Keep food, phone and rain jacket where you can reach them without unpacking.
Ride a short loop with the loaded bike and check that nothing rubs or sways.

For a normal day ride you need much less. That list is in what to bring on a road bike ride.

Frequently asked questions

What do you bring on a bikepacking trip?

A repair kit, clothes for riding and for the evening, electronics, food and personal items. If you camp, add sleeping gear, and cooking gear if you cook yourself.

What can I leave at home when I sleep in a hotel?

The tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and cooking gear. That leaves clothes, the repair kit, electronics and food, which fit in a saddle bag and a handlebar bag.

Where do the heavy things go?

Low and close to the frame: in a frame bag or in fork bags. Light, bulky things such as clothes go in the saddle bag.

How do I keep my clothes dry?

Pack them in a waterproof bag, such as the Saddle Bag 4L, or in the waterproof removable pouch of a fork bag.