This article was first published in the May 2016 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
The explosion in the popularity of bikepacking (as opposed to bike touring that uses metal racks for mounting luggage) is understandable. With bags that are lightweight, quick to fit and versatile, you can be off on an overnight camping trip in minutes.
Take your regular road, gravel or mountain bike riding up a notch with a bite-sized overnight adventure (for those tight on time), or try travelling light with minimal camping gear on a regular tour.
To help you get started on your first backpacking adventure, WIRED has put together a selection of gear that's essential for hitting the open road with a fully-laden bike.
UK-based Singular Cycles' Puffin is its take on the fatbike phenomenon. With a 4130 Chro-moly steel frame and rigid fork, it's built around huge 4.7-inch tyres. As a result it's quite at home on regular (rooty and rocky) trails, but comes alive on the loose stuff (snow and sand).
The volume of fatbike tyres - and that they're run tubeless so they're virtually flat-free - means you have oodles of cushiony float to roll over anything in your path. Kind of like a two-wheeled monster truck. £400 (frame and fork only); £1,900 (built as here)
All Kitsbow's cycling kit comes in an understated palette, in slim-fit technical fabrics, including merino. $265 (A/M jersey); $285 (A/M short)
POC TRABEC RACE
The tough, light, polycarbonate Poc Trabec helmet uses a polystyrene-Aramid inner core. €200 https://www.pocsports.com/
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WILDCAT GEAR BAGS
Wildcat's ultra-functional bags have been designed and made in Brecon, Wales, since 2010. They feature ballistic nylon shells and mesh dividers to keep you organised, and have been on such epic rides as Aidan Harding's ten-day, 1,600km race along the Iditarod Trail in Alaksa.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
