Jim Dirlam’s Complete Bicycle Touring Gear Checklist
July 28, 2009 by Jim Dirlam
In response to my recent post on the 10 Important Items You Should Have, But Might Not Think Of Bringing On Your Bike Tour, BicycleTouringPro.com reader, Jim Dirlam sent me a checklist that he created to help bicycle travelers pack for their upcoming bicycle touring adventures.
The list is incredibly detailed and I’ve decided to share it with you (with Jim’s permission of course), as I know it will help many of you who are currently in the process of planning and preparing for your upcoming trips by bike.
As Jim notes in his email to me, this is an updated list of everything one might need on a bike tour, but not necessarily everything one SHOULD bring.
You can download Jim’s complete checklist here as a PDF document, or you can peruse the list by simply scrolling down below.
Bicycle Accessories (mounted to bike)
- Front +/– Rear Rack & Panniers —and/or — Trailer
- Handlebar Bag (+ mounting bracket)
- Rain Covers and/or Plastic Bags (for non-waterproof panniers)
- Trunk (Rack) Bag or PVC Dry Bag* (for rainy tours)
- Seat / Frame Bag (good for storing tire repair kit)
- Comfortable Saddle (personal choice—not racing seat!)
- Handlebar Extensions w/ Paddled Grip Tape
- Stem Riser / Adjustable Stem (may need if touring w/ mt. bike)
- Water Bottles+Cages and/or Hydration Pack (i.e. Camelbak )
- LCD Cycle Computer (w/ new or extra battery)
- LED Flashing Tail Light
- LED Head Light (or use camping headlamp)
- Mirror (mounted on handlebar / helmet)
- Air Horn / Bell (i.e. Delta AirZound)
- Multi-mount (i.e. Topeak BarXtender / Minora SpaceGrip)
- Front + Rear Fenders
- Bungie Cords / Webbing Straps (2-3)
- Bike Lock (key/combo cable is sufficient; U-Locks=heavy/overkill)
- Reflectors (or reflective safety vest or reflective clothes)
- Dog / Bear Pepper Spray (attach to bike frame)
- Bike Mojo (i.e. mascot/trinket on bike)—don’t ride without one!
Camping Gear (in various stuff sacks)
- Tent (1/2 man)+(rainfly;poles;stakes;stuff sacks;ground sheet) or
- Camping Hammock or Tarp + Tyvek / Poly Ground Sheet
- Sleeping Bag (15-20F Down / Synthetic) + Compression Sack
- Sleeping Bag Liner (for mild/cold camping or hostel use)
- Air Mattress/Pad+Stuff Sack (i.e.Therm-a-Rest; Insul-Mat; Z-rest)
- Air Pillow (or use extra clothes in stuff sack)
- Nylon Stuff Sacks (various sizes; for clothes + gear)
- Backpacking Stove (in stuff bag or cook pot)
- Fuel Bottle (11–22oz: liquid gas/alcohol or 8oz butane canister)
- Cook Pot (1-2 liter pot w/ lid; aluminum / titanium)
- Utensils: Spork / Spoon+Fork+Knife set (lexan / titanium)
- Insulated Travel Mug (hot coffee in camp/town or to take on bike)
- Water Filter/UV Purifier/Aqua Mira (for backcountry or int’l travel)
- Water Tank (i.e.Platypus/MSR: for collecting+pre-filtering+shower)
- *PVC Dry Bag (handy for keeping large items dry on rack)
- Portable Camp Chair (i.e. CrazyCreek or ThermaRest chair-kit)
- Light Backpack / Daypack / Hydrationpack (if doing side hikes)
- Bike Cover (coated nylon / poly tarp—cut to fit your bike & gear
- Clothes Pins (6-8; for drying clothes / securing bike cover at night)
- Mosquito Head Net (used in buggy areas like AK or MN)
Cycling Clothes (usually wearing, unless you ride naked)
- Helmet (proper size & fit) + optional Visor
- Cycling Jersey or Synthetic T-Shirt (2-3)
- Cycling Shorts (1-2 — maybe 3 for long tours)
- Cycling / Synthetic Underwear [Boxer/Briefs + Sports Bras] (2-3)
- Cycling Gloves (1 pr. / 2 pair if on long tour)
- Cycling Socks (Synthetic / Wool; 2-3 pr. i.e. Coolmax )
- Clipless Cycling Shoes (or trail/running shoes if using toe-clips)
Foul-Weather Cycling Clothes (in nylon stuff sack)
- Long-Sleeve Jersey / Light-Mid Synthetic/Wool Zip Shirt (1)
- Cycling Long-Tights / Insulated Windpants (1)
- Rain Jacket + Pants (1 set — waterproof nylon / Gore-Tex )
- Fall/Winter Gloves / Mittens+Liners (1 pr.)
- Synthetic Helmet Liner / Sweat Bands / Bandana (1)
- Helmet Liner / Skull Cap / Fleece or Wool Hat (1)
- Balaclava / Neoprene Face Mask (1)
- Arm + Leg Warmers (1+1 pr.)
- Waterproof Socks (1pr. — i.e. Sealskinz / Gore-Tex )
- Waterproof Rain Booties / Gaiters (1 pr.)
- Helmet Cover (1)
Camp + Town Clothes (in nylon stuff sack)
- Clean Synthetic / Cotton T-Shirt / Collared Travel Shirt (1)
- Fleece Jacket/Vest or Mid/Heavy L/S Pullover (1)
- Synthetic Hiking / Running / Swim Shorts (1/1)
- Synthetic Pants / Convertable Pants/Shorts w/ elastic+belt (1)
- Synthetic Underwear (1 + clean/dry briefs—off the bike)
- Base Layer (synthetic long underwear top+bottom—1 set)
- Synthetic / Wool (warm!) Socks (1 pr.)
- Baseball Cap / Visor / Sun Hat (1)
- Sandals / Rubber Clogs / Flip-Flops / Running Shoes (1 pr.)
Food Bag (in zip-lock bags inside nylon stuff sack)
- 50′ Nylon Cord (for hanging food; carabiner attached+small sack)
- Meals + Snacks
- Multi-Spice (i.e. Mrs. Dash ) or Individual Spices (in film canisters)
- Sports / Energy Drink Mixes (i.e. Gatorade powder)
Documents (in wallet / travel pouch / handlebar bag)
- Drivers License (or other official photo ID)
- Passport (if traveling international)
- ATM / Debit Card
- Credit Card(s) (w/ bank’s hotline # to call if lost / stolen)
- Cash (+ extra $20 in $1′s & change—for vending / laundry)
- Personal / Traveler’s Checks
- Travel Tickets (airline / train / bus)
- Photocopies (passport / license; stored in separate place)
- Emergency Contact Info (on biz card / journal / wrist band)
- Health +/– Travel Insurance Card
- Student ID Card / Youth Hostel Card
- Phone Calling Card
- Contacts List (family / friends) + Stamps (for postcards)
- Biz Cards (w/ contact info: name/e-mail/website/address/phone)
Personal Items (usually wearing and/or in handlebar bag)
- Watch (+ alarm; altimeter; barometer; compass—i.e. Suunto )
- Sunglasses (+ case; extra lenses; neck strap; cleaning cloth)
- Contact Lenses (+ lens case; lens solution)
- Eyeglasses (+ case)
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+; sweatproof; spray is more convenient)
- Insect Repellent (25% DEET or alternative)
- Lip Balm (i.e. Chapstick / Blistex)
Gadgets + Travel Items (in handlebar bag)
- Cell Phone + Charger
- LED Headlamp + Batteries
- Digital Camera; Memory Cards; Charger; Case (+ accessories)
- Extra Battery; Card Reader; Mini Tripod; Screen Shield; Lens
- iPod / mp3 Player (Radio; Recorder + Earphones; Charger)
- GPS (+ charger / batteries / bar mount — i.e. Garmin; Magellan )
- USB Flash Drive (for photos; maps; waypts; bookmarks; contacts)
- USB mini cable (for uploading photos, etc.)
- PDA / Pocket-Mail Device (becoming obsolete)
- Laptop Computer (+ carry case; charger; accessories, etc.)
- NOAA Weather Radio (handy for long/remote tours)
- 2-Way Radio (i.e. Motorola; handy for group / SAG tours)
- Maps (in case/zip-lock—i.e. AdventureCyc /Rand McNally /AAA )
- Guidebook (in zip-lock; i.e. Lonely Planet ; Frommer’s )
- Pen (2) + Sharpie (black marker) + Highlighter (for marking maps)
- Journal (small notebook—or voice recording device)
- Reading Book / Magazine
- Small Padlock (for hostel lockers—if using)
- Binoculars
Bike Tools + Spare Parts (in pouch or zip-lock)
- Air Pump (mini / mid size; pack in bag instead of on bike frame)
- Patch Kit + Tire Levers
- Spare Tubes 1-2 (+ 1 spare tube for trailer if using)
- Presta / Schrader Valve Adapter (1-2)
- Tire Pressure Gauge
- Degreaser (Gunk or biodegradable kind)
- Chain Lube (Pedros , White Lightning , etc.)
- Spokes (3-6; 3 sizes—specific to your wheel)
- QR Axle
- Trailer QR Axle + Retaining Pins (if using trailer)
- Brake Pads (specific to your bike)
- Spare Tire (folding bead—for bike or trailer)
- Brake/Shift Cable
- Nuts + Bolts + Bailing Wire (specifically for racks, brakes, etc.)
- Hose Clamps + Carriage Bolts (for repairing blown shocks, etc.)
- Replacement Cleats + Hardware (SPD=2 bolt / Look=3 bolt)
- Shop Rag (Bandana/Handy Wipes—for cleaning greasy hands)
- Bicycle Multi-Tool (i.e. Topeak Alien II )—or indiv tools below:
- Screwdrivers; Wrenches: 2-10mm Allen; Spoke; Pedal; Cresent)
- Chain Tool + Spare Link(s)
- Cassette / Freewheel Removal Tool
- Basic Knowledge of Bike Repair (or manual / downloaded info)
Additional Repair Items (in pouch or zip-lock)
- Multi-Tool / Pocket Knife (i.e. Leatherman /Swiss Army /Gerber )
- Duct Tape & Electrical Tape (small roll; 1+ yd.)
- Plastic Zip Ties (various sizes)
- Glue / Liquid Thread Lock (Crazy / Gorilla / Loctite —small tube)
- Batteries (AAA: for headlamps; bike LEDs; AA: camera; etc.)
- Plastic Bags: (zip-lock / compactor / garbage—different sizes)
- Bite/Flow Valve (for hydration bladder—if using)
- Air Mattress Patch Kit (or use bike patch kit)
- Sewing Kit (needle; thread; buttons; small safety pins, etc.)
- Folding Sewing Scissors (or use multi-tool / knife)
- Safety Pins (4-5; large)
- Shoe Laces (or cut pieces from nylon cord)
- Zipper Pulls (can substitute w/ small zip ties)
- Rubber Bands (4-5; heavy-duty)
- Seam Sealer (small tube)
Toiletries (in travel pouch or zip-lock)
- Travel Towel (i.e. MSR Pack/Towl or chamois)
- Washcloth (i.e. bandana or www.ultralighttowels.com)
- Soap / Shampoo; (i.e. Mtn/Camp Suds / Dr. Bonner’s )
- Deodorant (travel size)
- Toothbrush + Toothpaste + Floss or Floss-Sticks
- Toilet Paper (small roll in zip-lock) or Handy/Baby Wipes
- Hand Sanitizer (i.e. Purell )
- Skin Cream (i.e. Noxema or Aloe Vera)—good for wind/sunburn
- Nail Clippers + Nail File
- Tweezers
- Hair Brush / Comb
- Hair Ties ‘Scrunchies’ (for long hair)
- Disposible Razor (+ shaving cream)—or substitute
- Compact Mirror (for contact lens wearers)—or use bike mirror
- Woman’s Hygiene Products
- Ear Plugs (for sound sleeping in woods, hostels, etc.)
- Prophylactic (i.e. condoms)—maybe you’ll get lucky!
- Prescription Medication
- Multi-Vitamins
First-Aid / Other Toiltries (in pouch or zip-lock)
- Band-Aids (assorted sizes & shapes)
- First-Aid Ointment (i.e. Neosporin )
- Adhesive First-Aid Tape
- Moleskin / Blister Bandages
- Alcohol Wipes
- Cotton Swabs
- Compress / Gause Pads (med / large size)
- Ibroprophen (i.e. Advil ) / Aspirin (i.e. Bayer )
- Anti-Chafing Balm (i.e. Vaseline —for saddle sores)
- Anti-Itch Cream (i.e. Hydrocortisone)
- Muscle Relief Cream (i.e. Icy-Hot, Sports Cream )
- Foot Powder (i.e. Gold Bond )
- Anti-Diahearreal Tabs (i.e. Imodium AD )
- Antihistimine Tablets (i.e. Benadryl )
- Zinc Tablets (i.e. Airborne )—cold prevention
- Sports Injury Cloth Bandage
- Neoprene Knee / Ankle Wrap
Survival Items (in pouch or zip-lock)
- Lighter (butane / disposible) + Storm Matches
- Compass (on handlebar / watch / hand)
- Whistle
- Emergency Space (mylar) Blanket
- Personal Locator Beacon (i.e. SPOT; ACR Terrafix/Microfix)
Click here to download Jim Dirlam’s complete bike touring gear checklist (PDF / 5 pages / 89 KB)
Darren, thanks for posting. Just wanted to point out that the gear list that is posted above is actually version 4, but that’s OK, as you have the most recent PDF list (v5) available for download via the hyperlink… v4 & v5 are nearly identical, as I corrected a few errors (i.e. “Helmet Liner” repeated, etc.)
There’s many “gear lists” out there, but they always seemed to be missing something or weren’t specific to bike touring. With that said, unless one is embarking on a world tour or to remote regions, not everything on the list is needed, and many times might be overkill… Your legs will thank you with a “less is more” attitude! Also, I listed some specific product brands as examples, although I’m not endorsing those products in any way. If anyone thinks I missed anything on this list, let me or Darren know… Happy Touring!
Thanks again Jim!
Darren, I just saw your Twitter post asking for questions. Hopefully this gear checklist is relevant to my situation. I’m planning my first tour and I don’t know how much storage space I’m really going to need, so I don’t want to overbuy (size of pannier and quantity of panniers/ bags). I’m trying to go ultralight and minimalist and still keep the cost down while using quality goods. The only item I have so far is a Marmot synthetic baselayer, which weighs under 6 oz. I have a wish list for the rest of the gear, but am still flexible on what exactly I’ll be using. When a pannier is described by its volume in liters, all I can think of is “how many 2 liters of Coke will I have in gear?” Is there a better way to figure out how much space you really need without already having the gear or doing crazy measuring? My trip will be from Kansas City to Washington, DC and then over to the Atlantic Ocean and take place in June. My 1980′s Bianchi Grizzly has fender/rack eyelets on the front and back. Thanks.
Jaron, that’s a good question. I think the best way to know what size panniers to get is to pack up all the stuff you think you are going to need for your trip and bundle it all together. Remember how big that pile looks. Then try and find some panniers at your local REI or sporting goods store and see which panniers you think will hold all the stuff you have packed. Remember though that you need to have some extra space inside your panniers for extra food and water you might pick up along the way, as well as an additional items/souvenirs you might acquire while on your travels.
When I bought my first set of panniers I just got the largest set Lone Peak made because I knew that I could always ride with less stuff than the panniers held… and I knew I’d have the room needed if I did want to pick up some additional stuff along the way. Does that make sense?
Jaron, Darren’s suggestion is a wise idea assuming you find a local store, before buying them. (Easier said than done.) If you cannot find any to test fit, I would be more concerned with getting quality bags, rather then too concerned with size. Volume runs from about 600cu to well over 3,000 cu inches. Most pairs are approx 1,500-3,000 cu in. Jandd Expeditions (6,800+cu) are enormous. Since I don’t know how much gear you’re hauling, and if I had to guess, I’d get at least 1,500cu bags up front and at least 2,500cu on rear.
On 2 tours, I used Lone Peaks P-400s (2,500cu” pr.) on the rear rack, LP bar bag, but no front panniers, as I didn’t have any. I thought the P-400s were small; had to bungee my tent, sleeping bag & foam pad above the rack, plus a small daypack above all that which made for a back heavy ride. I don’t recommend touring with a “rear only” setup as it put a lot of stress on your back wheel. Since then I’ve been using a BOB trailer (holds a ton), but I recently got some Axiom Champlain & Lasalle panniers. I haven’t tried the Lasalles yet, but they are 40L/2440 cubic inches and intend to use them up front. (They’re for front/rear.) I’ve used the Champlains over a weekend ride—huge, but still needed a little room for a tent and food bag (and since I want to have the top of my rear rack totally free of gear—rare for bike tourists!) Remember, you can always haul less stuff in larger panniers; you’ll be strapping extra shit over your bike if you get small bags. As Darren said, you want to leave some spare room for food, water, and gifts. (A food bag can easily take up half to 1 whole small/med pannier; and I always find myself picking a few T-shirts, etc along the way.) I recommend you go with (medium) front + (med/large) rear panniers + handlebar bag setup, which allow you to carry everything in panniers, and you may still have room inside your panniers, if you go light as you said.
As for brands, Axiom or Lone Peaks are a solid choice for budget buyers. (I found Axiom (axiomgear.com) to be a steal (quality&value!) and they are way better quality than Nashbar or Performance bike brands (stay away from those.) I can vouch for either, although I haven’t done a long tour with the Axioms yet. If you have the scratch and want to make an investment in the best gear, go for Arkels, but they are very $$$. I recently got fed up with a Nashbar bag and got an Arkel bar bag—the best! (I hate when gear fails on tour.) If you want high quality AND want/need waterproof, get Ortliebs. They’re world popular for a reason, although you give up organizing convenience of pockets.
If you have time/patience, you might find some killer gear deals on Craigslist (I did) or ebay. Otherwise, check out bikebagshop.com (Arkel, Ortlieb, Vaude) or treefortbikes.com (great price on Axoim) or thetouringstore.com (Lone Peak & Ortlieb). Also REI, EMS, or your LBS…
PS: The quality of your racks and pannier attachment system is AS (if not more) important then the bags themselves. (Ask any seasoned tourer this). Lone Peak have sturdy (but plastic hooks) that only mount to small diameter round tubing. Axoim use rubber-coated metal hooks that fit on most racks but are not as easy to use as LP’s bags. Arkel & Ortlieb have the best attachments, which is partly why they cost more.
Thanks for the responses. I may post back when I get everything together.
An excellent guide !!!!!!
Thanks Johann. If it helps just one rider, than it was worth compiling this list…
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