1 x BROOKS to stop the pain!

Creating space on your bike for bikepacking gear is easy with the multitude of bikepacking bags available. Although handlebar and saddle bags have many different fastening systems depending on brand and price they are normally quite secure in the way they mount to the bike. Saddle bags are however more susceptible to movement depending on how they are packed and tend to sway or sag if not packed properly. This phenomenon can cause distraction or even tire rub while riding. Benefits of a saddle bag : Very Versatile - Most saddle soft bags are adjustable in size and can accommodate small or larger gear items depending on the duration of your planned adventure bikepacking ride. Mounting Points - can attach items to the outside of the bag and store items on top of the bag with draw string systems as standard features to most bags. Turn Key Solution - No additional purchases are required as the bags come with all you will need to pack gear and secure the bag to your bike. To Consider : Choices - There are many bag choices with various price points to consider, this makes it challenging to easily choose the right bag. Be sure to first test the fit of as many bags as you can before making your decision. Setup - Setup might differ every time you pack the bag depending on what you take with you on tour, this makes it more challenging to get that perfect setup. That said it will take a few trips to get to grips with your bag making for easier packing for future bikepacking trips. Saddle soft bag stabilizers are available if sway is something you consider to be a deal breaker. More recently saddle mounted racks are becoming an alternative to consider before buying a soft saddle bag. I am using one myself for my bikepacking adventures. These racks are affordable and easy to mount but you will need to purchase additional items to store your gear in and straps to fasten the gear to the rack. Keep this in mind in addition to what you will pay for a saddle rack. Benefits of saddle mounted racks : Ease of use - Normally outfitted with some sort of quick release type of fastening system that lends itself towards easy fitment and removal of the rack. Sturdy - These racks are very sturdy and have no sway or movement even under rough road conditions. Max load is normally 10 kg. To Consider : Aesthetics - Seems more at home as a bike touring accessory than a bikepacking rig set up. Only important if you worry about appearances. Additional Costs - The rack does not come with bags or straps to secure your gear to the rack. Remember to include the cost of these items to that of the rack price to compare total cost versus that of a soft bag solution. Consider a dry bag, bungee cords and clips. It all boils down to personal preference and both solutions has their merits as a bikepacking saddle solution. Which one will you choose ...

Bikepacking as you know involves spending the night sleeping outside. This could be camping at a campsite where you pay a fee or wild camping out in nature. It then stands to reason that you will need something to sleep in or under. Here is my opinion on what to consider before buying a tent, shelter or bivy bag. The Tent: Choose between a one man or two person tent when you bikepack with a tent. Compared to a shelter and a bivy bag tents are the largest with space and the ability to store stuff inside the tent while sleeping. Packing space can be gained by unpacking and then repacking the tent, rolling it more tightly and removing the tent poles that can be tied to your bike's frame will free up valuable space on your bike. Compact tents weigh around 1.8 kg max, anything heavier is not compact enough. When traveling with a partner a two person tent can be carried by one rider to free up space on another riders bike for food, clothes... One man tents are more compact with less space, but still bigger than a bivy bag with space for your stuff inside the tent. Some tents are constructed from mesh with a rain cover. While great for warm nights, almost giving the feeling of sleeping under the stars when the rain cover is removed, during cold weather these tents do not offer much in terms of heat retention. Shelter: A shelter is different than a tent as it has no ground sheet, windows or zipper doors. Perfect for a light weight bikepacking setup, shelters take up less space than a tent. Shelters offer protection against unexpected rain while still providing some privacy. Due to the lack of any type of floor cover with water column they can not protect against prolonged rainfall. Shelters are good for shorter and overnight bikepacking trips with predictable weather, limited rain and wind. Bivy Bag: Bivy bags are quick to set up, compact and low profile. Important when choosing a bivy bag is to be sure that the material is breathable and water proof. Paired with a good quality sleeping bag bivy bags can be very comfortable and keep you warm even when temperatures are low outside. In some countries setting up a tented camp in the wilderness is considered rude making the bivy bag ideal if you plan to camp wild. Condensation can sometimes be a concern when using a bivy but there are ways to minimize this. While not unique to bivy bags condensation in tents are not in direct contact with your body. Conclusion: Each type of overnight setup has it's own plus and minuses. Ultimately it will be your choice which will best suite your needs. Tents are best if you do mixed bikepacking rides using paid camping and sometimes wild camping options. If you are planning more wild camping where setting up and departing quickly is a consideration then a bivy might be right for you. Lastly, if you do short overnight trips during months when the weather is pleasant then a sleeping bag and shelter might be all you need. The most important is that you get out there and bikepack!!