Affordable Bikepacking Gear to Get You Started
- nocellajoe
- Nov 13
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
In NYC, small apartments are filled with outdoor gear that was used once and disregarded. No one wants to drop $900 on an activity that they might not repeat.
There is generally a correlation between the price of bikepacking gear and its quality. This post is about the outliers that I have used and observed that break the mold, aligning durability, quality and value.
On a side note regarding bikepacking gear, I always tell folks that are new to it to envision a use for these items after or between trips. Maybe those panniers can help you commute to work, or maybe that camp chair can be used in the park on the weekend. These multi-uses increase the value of your bikepacking gear.
This post will select a few option per category to consider, but more importantly will give you some criteria and advice for your selection process.
(Please note that links to gear below are Affiliate Links. When you purchase, they are fulfilled by REI, and 718 gets a cut of the deal.)
Tent:
Your tent is probably the most important thing to get right, as spending a wet/cold night in a tent is among the biggest indicators that you wont be doing this again.
Things to consider right off the bat are the tents size and weight. The size relates to how many people it can sleep. The weight will impact the load of your bike. I use a 1-person tent as I am always solo, and don't bring gear into my tent at night. If you are going to camp regularly with someone else and/or like to have a decent amount of items and gear with you in the tent, you might want to consider a 2-person tent.
For an entry level tent, I am looking to keep it under 5 pounds. Coming with a footprint is a plus.
Sleeping Bag:
Your sleeping bags is another super high priority item to get right, for the reasons listed above. Sleeping bags come rated for certain temperatures, with ones rated for colder temperatures being heavier (more fill/insulation) and more expensive. You need to determine what seasons you will be realistically be bikepacking, and get an appropriate bag. For most 3-season bikepackers, a bag in the 30-45 degree Fahrenheit range will work (and bringing a liner to add a little warmth in unexpected conditions is always a good practice). If you are camping year round, you'll be in the 5-20 degree Fahrenheit range.
Many people who are just starting out with bikepacking simply take the sleeping bag they have around. If this is case, it is advised that you understand what the temperature rating is.
Sleeping Pad:
Slightly underrated, but just as important to overnight comfort is your sleeping pad. You will need a sleeping pad, as sleeping in a sleeping bag directly on the tent floor is VERY uncomfortable and not advisable.
The 2 types of sleeping pads are rigid foam and inflatable. Each has pros and cons:
Rigid: (Pros: Lightweight, can't deflate. Cons: Packs Bulkier)
Inflatable: (Pros: Packs Compact, Comfort. Cons: Can get punctured)
I personally use an insulated pad, and have never suffered a puncture in over 175 trips.
Cooking Set:
Selecting a cooking sets leans a lot on personal preference. Are you looking to just boil water for coffee and oatmeal, or are you preparing an involved meal? Another consideration is fuel type for you stove. They range from gas cannisters to denatured alcohol to wood and solid fuel cubes. Getting a cook set (stove plus pots/pans/cups) is a very cost effective way to go.
Bike Bags:
I am going to make an exception here and suggest the brand that I have used for many thousands of miles, which is Arkel (you can go here and get 10% off your order...select "Bike Bags"). Not the cheapest (not too bad actually), but the best bags in the world.
Trying to save some money with bike bags is a tricky challenge, as you want a situation that inspires confidence in your packing job. Keeping your gear safe, waterproof and on you bike is important. Arkel bags are made in Canada, have a lifetime warranty and are waterproof.
Other brands that I see A LOT out on the trail are Rock Bros, Axiom and Ortlieb.
Camp and Bike Tools:
There are tools that can get you out of a pinch, and tools that can make you life easier. Having a bike multi-tool with you is a plus (and learning how to use each tool is a bigger plus!). Also, having an all-purpose camp knife can really help out a lot at camp.
Borrowing/Used Gear:
A great approach is to either borrow gear, or buy it used. The 3 places I tell people to look are:
Our Discord Server (NYC Cycling), check the Gear Buy-Sell-Trade-Donate Channel
Online Sales: REI is know to have great sales
Facebook Marketplace
Note: For better or worse, I do not use AI to create my posts. This is all me, with my misspelling, poor grammar and tangential thoughts. I didn't get into this line of work to hand over my thoughts, expertise and experience to AI to spit out blog posts.
718 Gear:
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