Bike Touring Gear List for Beginners: Everything You Need to Get Started
Getting started with bicycle touring can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to figure out exactly what gear you need (and what you don’t). With so many options out there, it’s easy to overpack, overspend, or forget something important. In this guide, I’ll walk you through a complete bike touring gear list for beginners, covering all the essential equipment you need to hit the road with confidence. From choosing the right bike and bags to packing the must-have tools, clothing, and camping gear, you’ll learn how to build a simple, reliable setup that keeps you comfortable, prepared, and ready for adventure—without carrying unnecessary weight.
The basic equipment needed for bicycle touring is really rather simple. To get started you will need:
- A bicycle.
- Some way of carrying your belongings (whether it be in a trailer or a set of panniers).
- Camping equipment ((if you choose to camp) such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.).
- A stove and the appropriate fuel ((if you choose to cook your own food) plus utensils and a cooking pot).
- Bicycle tools (such as a multi-tool, spare tube, patch kit, etc.).
- Clothing (i.e. shorts, shirts, rain jacket, shoes, etc.).
- Safety gear (such as a helmet and light).
- Technological devices (such as a cell phone, camera, GPS, etc.).
- Food and water.
- And any personal items you might choose to bring along.
Detailed packing lists for a bike tour of any length can be found inside: The Bicycle Touring Blueprint – the best book on the planet for planning, preparing for, and executing a bike tour of any kind, anywhere in the world.