When it comes to multi-day cycling adventures, your choice of essential bikepacking gear can mean the difference between a smooth journey and a miserable long day. Bikepacking gives you more freedom than you ever thought possible. You can see beautiful scenery, ride on rough gravel paths, and enjoy the open road in ways you never have before. But getting your setup just right is the most important thing for enjoying the ride. At least for me.
Over the past few years, I have experimented with countless bags, mounts, and gadgets while training on daily rides. Also, short trips from Berlin to Dessau, Frankfurt Oder, and Cottbus, figuring out exactly what works when you’re far away from home.
Buying the right essential bikepacking gear will entirely change your experience on the bike, no matter how experienced you are with long-distance cycling or how nervous you are about your first overnighter. Some of the gear I tested over the years ended up being complete failures. While others became reliable travel partners for me on long-distance trips to places like Copenhagen and Oslo.
For smart bikepacking and a comfortable ride, this complete guide to my must-have bikepacking gear for 2026 shows you the ten most important things I never leave home without.
The Essential Bikepacking Gear That Saved My Trip from Berlin to Oslo
Route Werks Big Handlebar Bag
I previously preached about the Original Handlebar Bag, but after upgrading to the larger version late in 2025, I use it on every single ride. The easy on/off mounting system is incredibly slick, like it was on the older model.
If you travel with a proper camera like my vintage Canon F-1, the padded insert offers great protection against road vibrations. The real star, however, is the customizable, durable lid. It acts as the ultimate dashboard for my cockpit, keeping my navigation and tech protected yet completely accessible.
Restrap Bikepacking Bags
When I bought my Cinelli Zydeco gravel bike, I knew I needed luggage that could match its capability. Restrap is a UK-based company known for making handmade, rugged, and stylish bags that handle the elements beautifully.
I run their frame bag to house my heavy water bladder and repair tools, keeping the center of gravity low. For quick-access items like energy bars and sunscreen, their top tube bag is perfect. I also picked up their pedal straps and have been incredibly impressed by how secure they feel.
Thule Tour Rack & Ortlieb Dry-Pack
After backpacking to Copenhagen in 2024, I realized I absolutely hated the annoying side-to-side sway of traditional, large saddlebags on rough gravel roads. To fix this, I swapped to the Thule Tour Rack. It is easily one of the best upgrades I have ever made for long-distance bike rides.
To go with the rack, I picked up the Ortlieb Dry-Pack after plenty of research. This waterproof dry bag is brilliant for securing gear firmly to the rack. During the relentless rainy days on my way to Oslo, it kept my clothes bone-dry. The integrated daisy chains are a massive bonus, keeping the bag far more stable under a heavy load than I ever anticipated.
Topeak Versacage
Because my Cinelli Zydeco lacks native eyelets on the front fork for cargo cages, I had to get creative. After searching everywhere and nearly giving up, I found the Topeak Versacage.
This adaptable strap-on system allowed me to securely lash extra dry bags directly to my fork blades, significantly increasing my carrying capacity. It even became a great conversation starter with other cyclists I met along the trail since most of them had never seen this accessory before.
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT
Forget relying on your smartphone and Google Maps for multi-day routes; poor battery life and dropped signals will quickly leave you stranded. My less-than-stellar experiences with phone navigation led me straight to the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT.
The clean user interface, seamless Strava syncing, and robust waterproof build make it a winner. Plus, the live tracking feature gave my loved ones peace of mind back home while I was riding solo.
5.11 Chest Pack
Instead of wearing a sweaty backpack or a restrictive fanny pack, I opted for the 5.11 Chest Pack on my last tour. It was an excellent decision. The harness system distributes weight evenly across your torso, making it incredibly comfortable for 8+ hour days in the saddle.
It keeps my phone, wallet, and passport right at my fingertips.
Lomography LC-A+ Analog Camera
I love the rich look and tactile feel of film photography, so my Lomography LC-A+ always makes the cut. This compact, reliable analog camera is a favorite among film enthusiasts for its vibrant, high-contrast images and classic vignettes.
It is small enough to slip into my chest pack or handlebar bag without a second thought. And keep an eye out for my upcoming post featuring the actual film pictures from the trip from Copenhagen to Oslo!
Tribit StormBox Bluetooth Speaker
Sharing the lid of my Route Werks bag is this compact powerhouse of a speaker. The Tribit StormBox delivers impressive sound quality and boasts an 8+ hour battery life to get through long, lonely gravel climbs.
It kept me exceptional company on the road, blasting a specially curated trip playlist that you can check out over on my Spotify.
Rapha Explore Glasses
The massive lenses shield your eyes from debris, low-hanging branches, and bugs, while the hydrophobic coating prevents rain droplets from pooling and stops them from fogging up when you sweat. They are well worth the investment.
A massive thank you to Camila for gifting me these! The Rapha Explore Glasses are a massive upgrade over cheaper cycling sunglasses.
Specialized MIPS Helmet & Anker Power Bank
Safety and power are non-negotiable. Having previously survived a bike collision in Berlin, I never ride without my bright yellow Specialized helmet. The integrated MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) technology offers superior brain protection during angled impacts, and the high-visibility color ensures drivers see me from a distance.
To keep all this tech running, I carry an Anker 20,000 mAh power bank. It effortlessly recharges my phone, camera, and bike computer multiple times over, ensuring I never lose navigation or communication capabilities in remote areas.
The right essential bikepacking gear turns a potentially challenging ride into a smooth, memorable adventure. Whenever you make your final packing list, make sure it fits your bike’s layout and the conditions of the route. And happy riding!
