Long-distance bike touring gear list · 1 month and up

A long crossing demands self-sufficiency: fixing things yourself, cooking, managing water and power over time. The list grows, but every item has to earn its place.

Here is a typical kit for a trip of a month or more. Weights are per unit; in remote areas, add water, food and some spare mechanical parts.

• 1-person tent1.90 kg
• Sleeping bag, 0°C comfort1.30 kg
• Inflatable sleeping pad450 g
• Pad repair kit (patches)20 g
• Silk liner (hygiene + 2-3°C warmer)120 g
• Inflatable pillow80 g

• Bib shorts×2360 g
• Cycling jersey140 g
• Merino T-shirt (spare)150 g
• Pair of socks×2100 g
• Helmet300 g
• Sunglasses (sun + grit)30 g
• Cycling gloves / mitts60 g
• Thin cycling cap40 g
• Cycling shoes (worn)0 g

• Off-bike outfit: light shorts/trousers + tee400 g
• Underwear×280 g
• Light sandals / flip-flops350 g
• Microfibre towel100 g
• Thin beanie (cold nights)40 g
• Swimwear80 g

• Waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex or equiv.)320 g
• Rain overtrousers220 g
• Packable down jacket350 g
• Light fleece / merino midlayer280 g
• Windproof gilet (descents/mornings)80 g
• Buff / neck gaiter40 g
• Arm + leg warmers120 g
• Waterproof overshoes120 g
• Waterproof gloves / overmitts80 g

• Multi-fuel stove750 g
• Titanium/alu pot, 750ml180 g
• Collapsible or titanium mug70 g
• Spork + knife60 g
• Folding knife50 g
• Lighter (keep apart)×230 g
• Water filter (Sawyer/BeFree type)110 g
• Purification tablets (backup)20 g
• Empty bottles (750 ml)×2160 g
• Soft water bladder 2-3L (dry areas)120 g
• Dedicated food bag (smells/animals)50 g
• Mini sponge + solid dish soap40 g
• Coffee kit (filter/grinder, morale matters)100 g

• Emergency ration (2 bars + dried fruit)250 g
• Water supply (0.75 L)×21.50 kg

• Inner tube×2240 g
• Patch kit + tyre levers80 g
• Mini pump120 g
• Bike multitool (with chain breaker)160 g
• Quick link×210 g
• Spare derailleur hanger30 g
• Spare spoke (long distance)×330 g
• Brake cable + gear cable30 g
• Spare brake pads (pair)40 g
• Foldable spare tyre (remote areas)350 g
• Mini chain lube50 g
• Rag + nitrile gloves30 g
• Zip ties + gaffer tape (wrapped)40 g
• Light lock (cable or folding)280 g
• Tubeless plug kit40 g

• Toothbrush + solid toothpaste50 g
• All-purpose soap (body + laundry)90 g
• Sunscreen80 g
• SPF lip balm10 g
• Chamois cream60 g
• Toilet paper (crushed roll) + lighter50 g
• Mini hand sanitiser40 g
• Washing line + 4 pegs40 g
• Nail clippers / tweezers20 g
• Earplugs (campsites, dorms)10 g

• Plasters + gauze + steri-strips50 g
• Antiseptic (single doses)30 g
• Painkillers / anti-inflammatories20 g
• Anti-diarrhoeal + rehydration salts30 g
• Antihistamines10 g
• Blister plasters (second skin)20 g
• Tick remover5 g
• Emergency blanket60 g
• Cohesive bandage (sprains, support)40 g
• Personal medication (trip length + margin)50 g

• Phone (carried)0 g
• Handlebar phone mount80 g
• Power bank 20,000 mAh (long range)380 g
• Dual USB charger + cables120 g
• Travel plug adapter80 g
• Rechargeable front + rear lights150 g
• Head torch70 g
• Paper map of the region (analogue backup)100 g
• Dynamo hub charger (long haul)150 g
• Earphones (one ear only when riding)50 g

• ID card / passport30 g
• Card + cash (split in 2 places)20 g
• Health card / European health insurance card10 g
• Paper copies + scans in the cloud20 g
• Mini notebook + pen50 g

• 3 m of thin cord (endless uses)30 g
• Zip bag (docs, phone, crumbs)×420 g
• Bin bag (makeshift rain cover, rubbish)×230 g
• Safety pin×45 g
• Mini sewing kit10 g
• Insect repellent60 g
• Whistle (remote areas)5 g
• Book / e-reader (evenings)180 g

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