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I fancy a bit of bike packing / light touring. One or two nights kind of thing. I’d be happy with ride, pub meal, camp out, coffee and pastries breakfast, cafes for second breakfast and lunches.
I’ve got the choice of two perfect bikes already and a selection of bikepacking bags that I’ve been collecting slowly.
But the bewildering array of equipment available has me stumped. I need a sleep mat, sleeping bag and a tent. I’m not sure if I’ll like camping, not having done it for decades, so I’m slightly reluctant to spend loads and it get used once. But I know that it’s a self fulfilling prophecy that cheap, crap kit usually means you end up hating whatever you’re doing.
Budget? £200 for all three if that’s possible. I’m only planning on summer trips to begin with, I’m not that stupid to have a go at winter survival.
What ya got?
Buy cheap buy twice is the thing here.
The Airo 3/4 mat from Alpkit is ideal, maybe a NatureHike 1 man tent and a second hand down bag?
I don't believe in the synthetic bag idea myself, down is lighter, more packable and warmer. Modern dry bags mean they stay dry too.
£200 will be a bit of a stretch. I'd echo the buy cheap buy twice comment. Also depends what time of year you intend to go.
Lanshan Flames Creed 1 tent from AliExpress for about £80, but you need to buy a pole. I've been using this tent for a few years.
Decathlon trekking mat. Get the highest R rating. There is 3.3 rated mat for £65
Doesn't leave much for a sleeping bag. The Alpkit Cloud Peak synthetics are OK. That will set you back another ~£100 though.
Edit: Just read the summer comment. You might be OK with the lower rated sleep mat and 2 season bag.
Decent insulated mat, 2 season bag and base layers if you need them - particularly if you nip outside for a mid-night whizz.
I have been looking at this as well. Seems to be a bit of a sale on at decathlon but can't vouch for quality personally but my brother in law is a big fan
And if this is allowed I found this bike packing equipment checklist article, may or may not be useful for you
https://bikepacking.com/bikepacking-101/pack-list/
I think the AliExpress Lanshan tents represent good value. Only used mine a few times but it's well put together and very light and packable.
Best weight/cost comfort for a mat I've found is the Alpkit version of a Z-mat. Not as easy to carry as one of the fancier inflatables but a good bit cheaper.
My first place to look for a sleeping bag would be Alpkit as well, but I gather Decathlon's range is good value as well.
Tarp i/o a tent to save £? Get a good bag and mat for better sleep and have a tarp for basic cover. Great for summer trips if the area's not buggy. Alpkit and Decathlon or S/H for the rest.
If you are anywhere near Calderdale you are welcome to borrow my Alpkit tent and a cheap inflatable bed mat to try. That leaves you plenty of budget for a decent sleeping bag.
My bro in law advised me to go light on the sleeping bag as I'd be carrying a down jacket for the evening anyway. This has so far worked out for occasional needs.
I have since added an expensive mat too but you need to try a cheap one first to decide if £200 is a big enough budget...
Much as I enjoy a night under a tarp (I'll be out with mine on Tues/Wed), I think it'd be a good way to put off someone who's new to the whole thing.
Keep an eye on ebay.
You can pick up some quality kit on there, esp in winter for summer type kit and vice versa for down jackets etc.
I have gradually got kit this way.
A less quality set of kit may just mean you choose your route and choose a good weather window rather than splash the cash and you can add and replace if you enjoy it.
You can hire good kit , but its not particualry cheap to do so.
We did hire superlight sleeping bags for a 3 week camping trip to France a few years back to see if we liked it before getting our own (via ebay ) after a period of seeing what came up for sale.
If your unsure get a cheap tent and give it a go first.
Unless you borrow or go eBay route £200 might be a struggle. Maybe try classifieds of hiking or bear bones bikepacking site?
I went down the alpkit route with soloist XL tent & cloud base matt which brought it to around £200 and then went with a north face sleeping bag from their sale.
£200 for all three if that’s possible.
I have these 3: tent, sleeping bag and inflatable mat, they're light and small, looks like you'd get the lot for a shade over £200ish:
£70:
https://www.tiso.com/eatnz7ti0192/oex-phoxx-1v2-green/00175225/
£55:
https://alpkit.com/products/cloud-base
£90:
https://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Snugpak_Softie_Expansion_3_Sleeping_Bag/
I ended up very happy with a Naturehike tent; they are good value. It helps they are largely clones of proven designs/structures, and whilst they aren't quite as light as some of their 'originals', they are still well made and the materials are good. Poles are not too long - I can get them inside the frame of my gravel bike, with all the sheets in my front bag. (Short poles are a godsend for bikepacking).
I think the thing you'll struggle with in that budget is three items, esp sleeping bag. As people have pointed out above, you can go less warm on bag and back up with clothing - or a liner.
The problem, as with all these things, is that weight and volume are both priorities: smaller and lighter is nicer to ride with. But you might also get away with things you already have, but it sounds like there might not be much in your case. (Eg: I used my old summer sleeping bag and mat, and bought a tent, and that tent is a keeper, but I've since replaced bag/mat, and the down bag is wonderful: warm, cosy, tiny).
I'd strongly recommend seeing if you can borrow kit, rather than buy cheap/large stuff you won't like. There's also healthy trade on eBay to explore. The bikepacking dot com list is good in that it talks about the options you have - you need some kind of shelter, some kind of sleep system, etc - but how you go about achieving that is up to you, and your priorities. (eg: my tent is a small 2-man, but I'm big, and it gives me space to get all my kit inside, me inside, and not be uncomfortable, and that's a priority for me. Some smaller people are much happier in tiny 1-mans because they are smaller, or travel lighter).
The other advantage to eBay is: you can sell things you don't like.
Sorry that I have that many words and not much more concrete advice.
Much as I enjoy a night under a tarp (I'll be out with mine on Tues/Wed), I think it'd be a good way to put off someone who's new to the whole thing.
Maybe if the weather's bad and you pitch it badly in the wrong place. If it's 1-2 night opportunistic summer use in fair weather it may be a smart move. Anyway, just an idea RE budget.
£55:
Looks good for the money, only 420g and 5cm thick. Warm/comfy/light? Prob 2/3 there but warm enough for summer.
Oex phoxx2 ( unless you’re around 6’5”)
alpkit sleepmat ( thicker versions if you’re a side sleeper)
decathlon pillow
snugpak jungle bag for warmer times.
£55:
Looks good for the money, only 420g and 5cm thick. Warm/comfy/light? Prob 2/3 there but warm enough for summer.
I had a Cloud base . Can recommend it. Comfortable for the weight. For cold weather a closed cell pad underneath sorts it.Had to bin it after I couldn't repair a few slow punctures. Don't camp in the desert surrounded by Catci and you should be OK.
The Go Outdoors Flux 2 looks similar. I am now using the Flux 7R. Larger and heavier. But then so am I.
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/16555336/oex-flux-2-sleeping-mat-16555336
I think in your situation, I'd start off with a hotel/youth hostel/bnb. You've kinda opted for pubs/cafes for food rather than cooking anyway, commercial accommodation isn't really much more of a stretch, and gives you an intro into multi-day stuff without the kit outlay.
Your issue is that if you are cold and uncomfortable you will not enjoy a nights camping. Warm sleeping bag and halfway decent mat are essential IMO. you can get cheap warm sleeping bags - just heavy and bulky
I bike pack a fair bit; chief thought, bulk is a far bigger problem than weight.
But, try your first trip using hostels etc.
I just came back from 3 days and 180 miles offroad in the Cairngorms & Rannoch - gypsy-type hut for the 1st night and Youth Hostel the 2nd. Glad I did, weather was gobbing and even had sleet on the 3rd day.
Thanks everyone. Lots to think about.
As coincidences happen 9 times out of ten, a mate has messaged me this afternoon about a 2 day / 1 night mini adventure.
I’ve had a rummage in the loft and found one of Boy1’s old one man tents, a Berghaus Peak 3.1. It’s a bit weighty 1.9kg, and isn’t small, but with the pole removed, possibly replaced with a carbon pole it could be a goer.
How do people carry a walking pole on your bike with one of those aliexpress tent? Do you use a z pole a cheap walking pole and take it to bits or substitute with something else?
i like the look of those but cant get my head around the practicality of a walking pole on a bike? (Sorry might just be my frazzled brain after a 12 hour shift that is over thinking it)
One of my tents is a SMD Lunar Solo - the design that Lanshan "copied". Whenj I bought it I was supplied with a multi-part carbon pole. You can also buy one from Bearbones Bikepacking.
@ffati you can get third party folding poles; just found a carbon one for thirty quid.
Sorry - I should have added a link
https://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/product/shelter-specific-poles/
You could always do some "tarpigami" with a decent tarp like one from DD hammocks and a collapsible/telescopic walking pole I suppose
My Vango Nevis 300 tent fits in a dry bag on my gravel bars. Can recommend. Vango Aotrom mat is similar to the Alpkit cloud base and packs very small, but isn't insulated. Fine for summer use.
Lots of sounds advice so far. Another shout for the OEX/Go outdoors stuff. Got an insulated mat like the cloudbase, OEX Flux 5.0, currently £54 for members and an R rating of 3, so reasonably warm. OEX also do cheaper down bags for reasonable money. They aren't as light as the expensive ones, but still packable. As said above, that's probably more important. I've got a Snugpak jungle bag, but unless it's a warm night, you'll be wearing all your clothes and still not be that warm.
It's easy to over-think this sort of stuff which is what I tend to do, and rather than going on a bikepacking adventure you procrastinate over kit & never end up going and doing the thing you originally wanted to do.
A few years ago, I planned an over-night trip with a couple of mates and realised I needed to buy a few bits; pretty much the same as you - I had a giant sleeping bag which would have been impossible to pack & no sleeping mat or tent.
I ended up getting a Highlander Blackthorn 1 tent for £50, a Snugpak travelpak 2 sleeping bag for about £60 and a Trekology sleeping mat off Amazon for about £25 - I don't think they sell them anymore but it's just a generic sleeping mat, probably with a very low R value.
This was in the middle of the summer and night time temps probably didn't drop much below 7deg. C if that.
In terms of performance
- the tent is very low & makes it difficult to do anything once inside. Even getting dressed in the morning was a hilarious/frustrating contortion act. But it was a nice cosy shelter and very low-profile/inconspicuous.
- the sleeping bag was toasty warm - probably more than needed for summer camping, especially if you have a down jacket you can throw on. It was quite bulky, so took up a decent amount of my saddle bag.
Sleeping mat. Absolutely fine. No complaints and about the size of a coke can.
Anyway - regardless of the kit, I had a great time. If the weather had been rubbish, the only thing I would have appreciated more would have been a higher tent I could actually sit-up in it.
If I was to do more of this kind of thing, I would probably upgrade the tent first, then sleeping bag for something that squashes up smaller.
Just realised there is no bikepacking thread so thought I’d hijack with my musings!
I had a bit of a nightmare trip last week. Was supposed to be doing the badger divide north to south. Cycled 10 miles to Winchester, train to Waterloo, cycled to Euston to get the Caledonian sleeper. Was a bit early so had a couple of pints.
Board the train, find my cabin and have a couple of brew dogs. Decide to get my head down but I get woken at 2am by the train being shunted. Look at my phone and there is a text message from the train company saying the train has been cancelled due power line failure and that we’re returning to Euston. Gutted!
Couldnt get back to sleep so start looking at options. Caledonian inform us that we have free seats on the Kings X to Edinburgh train at 0630, so I cycle to Kings X and get on. It’s not until we’re 30 min out of London that I realise that all bike spaces between Edinburgh and Inverness are booked. Decide to cut my losses and get off at Peterborough and head home to Hampshire.
Once home, wifey tells me that she’s not expecting me home for a few days so is there any other trip I can do. After a bit of research I settle on the East Devon trail.
Next morning, I cycle BACK to Winchester and get the train to Exeter. Had a lovely couple of days doing the route. Weather was pretty Scottish and some of the hike a bikes gave me a sense of humour failure but had a great time.
it wasn’t the highlands, but at least I salvaged something! 
Looks like you made a great time of it anyway!
Nice
Is bike packing a ht only thing or can / do people use full sussers too?
Part of me wishes I had a full suss with a spacious triangle for bags, instead of a hard tail. I don’t think id gain much out of it for the routes I mainly ride ie South Downs. If I was going to be doing things like the HT550 then I probably would get one.
Is bike packing a ht only thing or can / do people use full sussers too?
Both work but by the time you have a shock in the main triangle and allow for rear wheel travel luggage capacity can be a problem, especially for those of us who are short of leg.
Back on the tent question, something like the NatureHike Cloud Up 1 can be used as a kind of glorified tarp by just using the outer fly. Saves a lot of weight and you still get full shelter from the elements. I found the poles can be slung under the top tube on a medium frame roadbike, but you'd have to measure up for something else.
yes i know, lawn in a shocking state!
Another little update.
I unpacked the Berghaus Peak 3.1 and had a play. The aluminium pole is lightweight and in really short sections, so that’s not a problem. The inner and outer when packed together is a bit long to fit on the bars. I think with another couple of goes folding it differently and I could get it to work.
@Chaos Your idea of just using the outer together with a Tyvex ground sheet might work too. Although for my first trip I want to be as comfortable as possible. Read that as dry.
I think I’ve narrowed down the sleeping bag to an OEX Drift. Either the 700 or 1000. Depends how small they pack down.
Sleep mat and now some cooking kit, I’ve already decided I’ll need coffee and porridge to get going in the morning.
Any suggestions as to where on the bike to pack everything? I’ve got some Restrap bags, 14ltr handle bar holster / dry bag, 14ltr saddle bag, and the large 4.5ltr frame bag. Also a stem bag and the food bag that clips onto the handle bar bag.
Again, thanks for the suggestions.
can be used as a kind of glorified tarp by just using the outer fly
yes can be done with this too:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Orion-Trekking-Cactus-Green/dp/B01LZ8OOZW/
can be used as a kind of glorified tarp by just using the outer fly
yes can be done with this too:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Orion-Trekking-Cactus-Green/dp/B01LZ8OOZW/
Any suggestions as to where on the bike to pack everything? I’ve got some Restrap bags, 14ltr handle bar holster / dry bag, 14ltr saddle bag, and the large 4.5ltr frame bag. Also a stem bag and the food bag that clips onto the handle bar bag.
Weight in the middle if you can, and as low as you can. Light stuff at the front/rear. So, I stick tent sheets and sleeping bag in handlebar bag; tentpoles, stove, tools, etc, in frame bag; then sleep mat + clothes, food in my seatpack. Top tube bag for USB battery, snacks, suncream, wet wipes.
Handlebars are good for light-but-bulky - weight on them feels awful, especially off-road.
This is a (now well superceded) list of my kit and how I packed it. It might be of some benefit.
https://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2013/05/bikepacking-kit-list.html
I'm very tempted to revisit this and do a comparison with a current-day load out.
I'm very tempted to revisit this and do a comparison with a current-day load out.
I for one would be interested to read that
That setup above has been my go to for a while. It may not appeal to everyone but it works for me.
Salsa cradle on bar = Hubba Bubba NX 2 man tent
Top tube bag = Nutty bag (roasted nuts and gummy bears 🤣), tubeless plugs and small leatherman
Alpkit frame bag = 2 x inner tubes, Tool kit, waterproofs, small gilet, hip flask, powerbank + leads, food.
Tailfin rear rack = down jacket, thermorest neo air lite, criterion quantum down 200 sleeping bag, sea to summit pillow, travel towel, flex tail tiny pump.
Running vest = I have a very strict wet/dry routine so I have a spare t-shirt, shorts and socks in a dry bag.
If I’m trying to be discreet and wild camp, I wont take the tent. Instead I have a Rab siltarp and my old army bivvi bag.
Any suggestions as to where on the bike to pack everything? I’ve got some Restrap bags, 14ltr handle bar holster / dry bag, 14ltr saddle bag, and the large 4.5ltr frame bag.
Try to keep small, dense items in the frame bag to centralise and lower CoM. Bar and seat pack weights ideally similar, some bikes suit front or rear bias, worth experimenting with.
Put sleeping kit into a drybag somewhere only accessed when setting up or leaving your sleep spot, I tend to use my seatpack for dry sleeping gear as it's easier to get at things in my bar bag. Clothes, tent/tarp etc somewhere else where it's ok to have damp gear or be opening the bag more often potentially during rain. Dual-ended bar bags are good for this, Wildcat used to have a 2-compartment dry bag for that use (pressure will force water through eventually but separation is generally ok). Somewhere secure to store a tent or tarp or wet jacket outside the bags is good, I like to pop my tarp on the top of my seatpack so it can dry as I ride. A short cord leash and mini carabiner's good for security, amazing how much lost stuff there is in bikepacking events.
https://alpkit.com/blogs/spotlight/packing-your-frame-bag
- written in 2012 (with terrible phone photos) but all that's changed is I now use a Wildcat seatpack that is very stable but slower to access, so I switched my sleeping gear to the seatpack and have easier access to spare clothes at the front. That was the main change I made before some long distance races 2013-2015 and my packing methods haven't changed since then. I tend to use a smaller frame pack now as I generally don't need as much kit. Used to keep a bottle in the upper frame bag area, easy/useful and takes any size bottle inc mineral water etc but perhaps why the zipper failed on this bag mid race (Alpkit repaired it FOC)
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Very similar set up to my discreet camping kit Montgomery.
This was the set up to ride from Southampton to Glasgow a few years ago. The main difference (apart from the bike which I still have) is the ortlieb saddle bag doesn’t work with a dropper so that’s why I went with the Tailfin. The ortlieb 
bag is amazing and I still use it occasionally. It’s surprising the amount of kit you can get in it.
The inner and outer when packed together is a bit long to fit on the bars. I think with another couple of goes folding it differently and I could get it to work.
For separate inner/outer pitching tents I'll sometimes put each in their own dry bag for ease of packing. It also means that if you need to pack quickly you can dispense with the fold-a-rama and just stuff them in.
On my recent 4 day trip, partly due to the heat, my arse blistered where my shorts and saddle met, despite chammy cream. This happened on day one...
So my bikepacking equipment question is what are the best undershorts for long days in the saddle.
My usual riding is 2-3hrs so I have never noticed how uncomfy my current shorts are.
I'm not sure what the comfiest are, but my advice is when doing several days in the saddle consecutively, use different brands. Slightly different seams etc so you don't just rub or pressure one place.
I have some baleaf, endura, arsuxeo and mountneer padded shorts and van rysel bib shorts
The inner and outer when packed together is a bit long to fit on the bars. I think with another couple of goes folding it differently and I could get it to work.
I put my tents in a compression sack - it really makes a difference.
https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/air-compressor/
Also you open the debate - fold and roll tents or stuff them at random?
I also have compression drysacks for other stuff
Sound advice. I did that but sadly the damage was already done.