Essential Cycling Kit List

A touring bike is specifically designed to carry heavy loads while maintaining stability and comfort over long distances. Whether you're embarking on a multi-day cycling adventure or exploring a weekend trail, having the right gear is essential. Bicycle touring can range from single-day trips to extended travels spanning weeks or months. 

Essential Bike Touring & Cycling Kit Checklist

Our comprehensive checklist includes everything you need for a successful bike tour, from durable panniers and clothing accessories to must-have tools and essentials. Each product has been carefully curated, tested and come highly recommended by cycling experts. 

🛒 Click the links below to gear up with the best bike touring essentials and hit the road or trails with confidence!

💬 Got a go-to product we missed? Share your favourite bike touring gear in the comments below!

Panniers 

• Panniers are large bags that can hold 20–40 liters of gear. 
• Rear Pannier Carrier Sigma Bikes

Other accessories 

• A handlebar bag is ideal for carrying lightweight but bulky items like sleeping bags and down jackets. 
• Waterproof phone frame bag or Rockbros Bike Frame Bag 
• A trunk bag 
• Rain covers or plastic bags 
• Extra water bottle mounts
• Bike Repair Kit Further Information
• Basic back and headlight

Gear 

• Stainless steel drinks bottles or a vacuum flask
• Basic Multitool or the Sonder Trailside 20pc multi-tool 
• Binoculars
• A sewing kit
• Bike Locks

• A wicking base layer to wear under your jersey, or this short sleeved Close Fit Merino Base Layer

• A cycling jersey. A short-sleeved jersey for warm weather, or a long-sleeved jersey for sun protection. 
• A windbreaker or waterproof jacket
• Cycling shorts. Padded shorts or tights; Men’s or Women's  
• Men's Padded underwear; Women's padded underwear
  
• Cycling Socks Women’s;  Men’s Socks
• Cycling gloves

Other Items and Campsite Comforts

• Tube Scarf 
• Fleece or wool hat
• Post-ride shoes or sandals
• Post-ride clothes
• Sunscreen
• Tent 
• Sea to Summit Sleeping Mat
• Sea to Summit Sleeping Pillow
• Raidlight ULTRALIGHT DOWN 2 in 1 Sleeping Bag Jacket combo

Navigation

• Satellite Messenger

Food and water

• Firepot food packs
• Coffee bags
• Camping stove Fire-Maple FMS-X1 Camping Stove Gas System
• Firedragon fuel blocks
• Firedragon burner
• Kidney Bean Shape 1 Litre Alloy Mug

First aid 

• An adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, and blister treatment
• Antiseptic spray

Other essentials

Multi-tool Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife

A headlamp Petzl Actik 

Water Treatment Sawyer Squeeze

Insect repellent 

Power bank charger 

Personal medication, ibuprofen, Panadol

Harrier emergency whistle and blanket 

Deodorant

Preparation: Consider your trip's grading, Train consistently, Be flexible, Get familiar with handling your bike, and Ensure you have quality wet weather gear. 

Eight essential trailside skills for bikepacking and cycle touring - helpful videos and tips by Alpkit

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