Have you ever wanted to start bikepacking but weren't sure where to begin? Learning the in's and out's of bikepacking can be tricky and Jalen Bazile has nailed it down. As one of our Big Agnes Ambassadors Jalen gives you the full run down on everything you need for a great backpacking trip. From a comfortable sleep system to small repair trinkets you wouldn't normally think you need, here is his list of everything you need to know to ace your first bikepacking trip.
TOP 5 MUST HAVES
Jalen's Bikepacking Pack List:
SLEEP SYSTEM
- Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 Bikepack
- Big Agnes Starfire UL 20° Sleeping Bag
- Big Agnes Rapide SL Pad & Pillow
A good sleep system is much needed when you are gaining lots of mileage while on trail. Having an ultralight sleeping bag and ultralight tent eases the stress when packing your bike up for a long trip and assures you a good night's sleep after a long day. Our Rapide Sleeping Pad is perfect for bikepacking. The three season pad can handle all sorts of temperatures and is one of the lightest pads in our line.
APPAREL
- Rain Jacket
- Shorts
- Base layer tops & pants
- Wool socks
- Insulated puffy jacket
Weather can change quickly whether you're up in the mountains or in a vast desert. Being well equipped with the right apparel will keep you warm and toasty if a cold front rolls in. The Big Agnes Bearsley/Zetto jacket is a great choice for bikepacking because of its lightweight features and easy packability.
KITCHENWARE
- Pot & Stove
- Titanium Extra Long Spork
- Food Scraper
- Water Filter
- Dromedary Bag
Whether you're on a one-night trip or a couple weeklong trip having a good kitchen set up will make your meal planning and prep easier than ever. A titanium spork is great to bring with you because they are light weight and efficient.
REPAIR KIT
- Extra Spokes
- Orange Seal
- M10 Multi-tool
- Leatherman
- Patch Kit
- Gear Tape
- Heavy Duty Needle & Thread
- Tire Levers
- Chain Breaker Tool
- Quick Links
- Chain Lube
- CO2
- Extra bike tube
You never know when chaos can hit you on the trail. A broken chain or a hole in your rainfly can set you back if you're unprepared. The M10 tool by Crankbrothers is your one stop shop for allen key fixes. You can tighten bolts and it has extended length to get to hard-to-reach places on your bike.
ELECTRONICS
- Charging Cables
- SD Cards
- Polaroid Camera
- Hammerhead
- Spot Device
- Front & Rear Light
- 2 GoPro's
- Headlamp
PACKS
- 20L Backpack
- Saddle
- Handlebar + Top Tube Bags
- Frame Pack
- Front Pouch
- Hip Pack
Preparing for a bikepacking trip isn't for the fate of heart but with Jalen's expertise you should be ready to crush any trip you have planned. Get outside and enjoy!
About the Author:
Jalen is a facilitator, organizer, and outdoorsman who is dedicated to creating spaces that welcome and affirm Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. His background is in outdoor education and positive youth development and he supports and mentors young people for a number of youth organizations. Jalen organizes nature-based community events in Colorado and specializes in activities such as climbing, cycling, and overnight trips. In addition, Jalen is the founder of Travl Wide, a bikepacking outfitter that helps people develop their relationships with themselves, their community, and the land around them. He has a love for all things nature-based and is passionate about connecting people with the natural world. You can follow him on Instagram at @jalenbazile