Editor’s Dozen: Lucas’s Favorite Gear of 2024 (Summer)
Continuing our mid-year Editor’s Dozen series, Lucas rounds up an eclectic mix of 12 pieces of gear that have already made their mark on 2024. Having accompanied him on trips from the deep canyons of Utah to the high mountains of Colorado, find his list of standouts here, which includes camera gear, bags, components, electronics, apparel, and much more…
PUBLISHED Jul 18, 2024
A little over halfway into 2024, my efforts to spend more time outside have paid off, and it’s already been a good year in terms of hours spent riding, sleeping under the stars, and testing gear. I’ve traveled far fewer miles than usual, leaving Colorado just once so far, and reducing my scope has enabled me to see more of my home state and local trails in richer detail than ever before. From longer trips to day rides, overnighters, and even a weekly group ride I’ve attended since the spring, a handful of items have made their way into my regular rotation.
In this latest edition of our ongoing Editor’s Dozen series, I highlight 12 items that have already made the cut in my list of 2024 favorites, sharing a brief introduction to each with photos and links to learn more where applicable. As always, a handful of intangibles are mixed in for good measure. A couple of items have longer-form reviews on the way, but you can find my initial impressions of everything below. If you have any feedback or questions about anything on my list, I’d love to hear from you in the Conversation section at the bottom of this post.
Cedaero Moon Lander Hip Pack
Made in Minnesota, USA / $79.95 at Cedaero
Measuring a compact 9″ wide by 5.25″ high by 3.5″ deep with a two-liter capacity, Cedaero’s Minnesota-made Moon Lander Hip Pack is the ideal size and shape for hauling essentials on and off the bike. I’ve been using mine daily since I picked it up in November, and it comes with me most of the time I leave the house, whether walking the dog, running errands, or bikepacking. It generally carries my Fuji X-T3 or a combination of everyday items like my point-and-shoot camera, wallet, keys, phone, etc. I mostly wear it slung sideways over my shoulder as I don’t love wearing anything hip-pack-style, but it’s comfortable in either position thanks to its padded back panel.
The Moon Lander is available in nearly 30 color/fabric combinations. The 15-ounce waxed canvas I went for has faded a little and taken on some reddish Southwestern dirt in the time I’ve had it, but it’s held up very well to abrasion and is slowly earning a nice patina. Mine is very well made, the zipper runs smoothly with one hand, and I appreciate the key loop, which I consider a must-have feature for any bag. If I could ask for one change in a future version, I would love the option for a small inside pocket where I can stash my wallet so I’m not worried about it flying away every time I pull my camera out.
Light-Responsive Lenses
Josh Meissner broke the proverbial ice on somewhat dorky but worthwhile accessories with his detailed review of Da Brim in April, opening the doors for me to share my love of light-responsive lenses. For a decade, I’ve worn eye protection on every ride, which has meant carrying two pairs of glasses: one with tinted lenses for daylight riding and one with clear lenses for pedaling during the off hours. It’s a hassle, but I’ve always willingly sacrificed some precious cargo space and made it work.
Like many others, I resisted Transitions-style lenses for years because I was always slightly put off by the dreaded in-between, half-tinted phase. At some point during the time I’d written them off, the technology seems to have caught up with where I’d hoped it would be, and the light-responsive lenses I’ve had in my Warby Parker glasses for the past year go from crystal clear at night to fully tinted during the day. They respond quickly to changes in the light and have held up exceptionally well after many miles. I especially love not having to keep track of multiple pairs of glasses or stop and switch them when the light changes mid-ride. One drawback to note is that my Warbys are next to useless in the car/bus/train, as they adjust to the ambient light inside rather than what’s outside, so you may still need a secondary pair of shades for getting around off the bike.
The Right Book at the Right Time
Recommending books is tricky, so rather than outright telling anyone what to read, I want to use this space in my Editor’s Dozen to shout out the potentially life-changing possibilities of picking up the right book at the right moment. Whether by chance or fate, I’ve been lucky to find many formative books (as well as podcasts, albums, films, and even posts on this site) exactly when I needed them most over the years. I’m sure you can think of a handful, too. There’s some real magic in connecting with a piece of writing when it happens to synchronize with your current frequency.
Pulling a few from my shelves, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez remains my favorite book ever, and it’s the one that first made me fall in love with reading novels. I’ve read Eating Animals from Jonathan Safran Foer a few times throughout my 15-ish-year journey with vegetarianism, most recently picking it up again at the beginning of this year. It’s not perfect, but I think it does a phenomenal job of helping the reader at least pause to consider the practice of eating meat. The Abundance of Less by Andy Couturier is an inspiring and insight-packed collection of profiles of people who’ve left more conventional modern lives behind in search of simplicity, nature, and time. I’m not quite ready to give it all up and head off the grid yet, but reading it, I gleaned many lessons that can translate to my life halfway across the world.
Ergon GA3 Grips
Made in Germany / $34.95 at Ergon
Like others on the BIKEPACKING.com team, I eventually found my way to Ergon’s GA3s after too much trial and error with other grips that sometimes left my hands sore or numb after long rides. Their flexible ergonomic wings really work, and the difference has been night and day when I’ve swapped them out for the stock grips on a handful of review bikes. The GA3s currently live on my hardtail, where they provide a confident, pain-free place to put my hands on singletrack loops and multi-day bikepacking trips alike.
I appreciate that their shape is closer to a traditional round grip, as some other offerings take a far less subtle approach to ergonomics that ends up being too much. The GA3s feel great, providing a generous grip without hotspots or imprints across the 136mm perch. The rubber compound still looks great after many dusty miles, and the inboard clamp makes taking them on and off a breeze. I went with black, but they’re available in seven colors and two sizes to suit various tastes and needs. At around $35, they’re a no-brainer for anyone looking to add a little comfort to their cockpit.
Light Phone II
Made in China / $299 at The Light Phone
Between my laptop and my phone, my screen time is unacceptably high by my standards; I’m still experimenting with different ways to address this. My phone is far less of an issue than my MacBook, but as the easier of the two to address, I recently decided it was finally time to get a “dumbphone.” I’ve followed the Light Phone’s development since it launched on Kickstarter in 2015 and ended up getting a version II last year.
I’d like to write a longer piece on how I’ve integrated it into my routine soon, including for use on the bike. But, for now, I’ll say that “Light Phone weekends” have been a great way for me to be reachable without unnecessary distractions, helping me be more present and engaged and offering a little pause in the endless inputs of emails, WhatsApp and Instagram messages, and the like. I just pop my SIM card out of my iPhone and into the Light Phone so some folks can reach me at the same number. The others can wait until Monday.
Using the tiny Light Phone II has helped me begin to rewire my brain so I don’t instinctively reach for my phone. I only grab the Light Phone when I need to make a call or send a text, often just a couple of times per day. It also has notes, an alarm, simple directions, and a few other handy features, and I use it much more like a tool than a toy, which is the role I think phones should play in my life. The e-ink screen is crisp and easy to read, and it fits easily in my front pocket, though given how little I feel compelled to use a phone without a million apps, it generally lives in my hip pack or handlebar bag for most of the day. Sure, it’s an expensive take on disconnecting, but I value the all-in approach it forces me into, rather than just putting my phone in airplane mode and trying to resist the urge to check it.
Blue Lug KOMA Rear Light
$39 at Analog Cycles
Inspired by years of living in Germany, most of my bikes now have dynamo hubs and lights. I can’t imagine going back to batteries for most applications. That said, I’m still regularly experimenting with building various bikes that sometimes come and go quickly, and I occasionally have review bikes rotating in and out, so dynamo lighting isn’t always a practical option. In these cases, my go-to rear light is the Blue Lug KOMA, a featherweight, tiny option with a timeless design.
I think the KOMA looks damn good on the back of just about any bike, and it’s incredibly easy to attach/detach by simply twisting the body away from the mount a few times instead of relying on O-rings that eventually break and other fussy plastic brackets. The KOMA charges in just a couple of hours via USB, has no-nonsense solid and flashing modes, and offers a modest 20-lumen output that’s bright enough to be seen in clear conditions. I bought mine directly from Blue Lug in Japan, but many bike shops stock them in several colors in person and online. There’s also a matching white/front light, but I’d recommend skipping that in favor of something more powerful.
Outer Shell Drawcord Handlebar Bag (Rando UL)
Made in San Francisco / $120+ at Outer Shell Adventure
Specially designed to take on the iconic Paris-Brest-Paris event and tested throughout a season of randonneuring, just 130 pieces of Outer Shell’s Rando UL version of their best-selling Drawcord Handlebar Bag (DHB) were made last year. I was lucky enough to snag one. In addition to the ultra-practical clear lid, quick-access interior, stretchy side pockets, and one-handed drawcord closure that all come standard on the DHB, the Rando UL version incorporates lightweight acrylic rods into the lid and sides to add stiffness and help it keep its shape. The rods are a welcome update to an already great bag, and as of this month, they’re now a standard DHB feature, as we announced here.
Depending on your packing style, the DHB’s five-liter capacity will likely be somewhat limiting for anything beyond day rides. Still, if you’re not expecting it to meet the demands of fully loaded bikepacking, I think it comes close to perfection. The Rando UL version is built from strong and light ULTRA 400X fabric, reducing weight and adding a touch of visibility for night riding, and it also sports a high-vis orange cord for a little pop of color. Though the Rando UL version pictured here is no longer offered, the standard DHB is now in stock in the same white Ultra fabric (and nine other color/fabric options).
Ornot GRID THERMAL HOODED PULLOVER
Made in Oakland, USA / $135 at Ornot
Piece by piece, Ornot is slowly taking over my entire collection of riding clothes. I only ride in their Lightweight Mission Shorts these days, and I was very impressed with their new Lightweight Mission Pants on my ride along the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park earlier this year. Another piece that solidified its spot in my regular rotation during that ride is the Grid Thermal Hooded Pullover, an amazingly versatile Californa-made layer that’s equal parts warm, breathable, and comfortable.
Given the impressive warmth-to-weight ratio, I nearly always keep the Grid Thermal Hooded Pullover handy in a bar bag for when the sun dips below the mountains and the temperatures drop. It’s a cozy mid-layer for around camp, too, and it hasn’t picked up odors on longer trips or shown signs of wear from my backpack or hip pack. Plus, the front kangaroo pocket and rear zip pocket both come in handy for stashing small items.
40mm Focal Length
I’ve loved the 40mm lenses since I stumbled upon the mega sharp and compact 40mm Minolta M-Rokkor and Leica Summicron-C back in my film days. I sold off my film cameras and developing and scanning kit in 2017 and haven’t looked back (partly because everything is outrageously expensive these days), but I’ve been missing my favorite focal length since. Although most prime lens shooters are firmly in the 28mm, 35mm, or 50mm camps, I think the versatile, underrated 40mm perspective is ideal for just about everything, whether that’s snapshots, landscapes, or environmental portraits.
It’s hard to say if I’d choose it over 50mm if I could only have one focal length, but I’d easily pick it over 28mm, which typically feels too wide. Even 35mm can, too, so I appreciate the little bit of pre-cropping that 40mm affords, sometimes saving me from myself. After growing tired of lugging around my DSLR a couple of years back and leaning more on point-and-shoots, as recognized in my year-end Editor’s Dozen in 2022 (linked below), I’ve more recently found my way back to something in between with the Nikon ZF with a 40mm lens and the Fuji X-T3 with a 40mm equivalent 27mm lens. Switching back to the familiar 40mm perspective makes me feel right at home and able to visualize frames without needing the viewfinder, which has rekindled the inspiration to bring my camera wherever I go.
Rapha Explore Powerweave Shoes
Made in China / $380 at Rapha
This time around, my shamelessly luxurious pick is a pair of incredibly expensive shoes that I was initially skeptical of but have grown to love. The Rapha Explore Powerweave Shoes debuted in 2021, and I’ve been wearing them on and off ever since. At launch, many readers were suspicious about how well the Powerweave fabric would withstand the rigors of riding. I was also curious, and my report is that they fray easily but hold up better than expected where it counts, assuming you’re not bothered by their tattered appearance.
I’m on my second pair of these shoes now and use them strictly for day rides on my rando bike because they have Hope cleats to match that bike’s Hope Union RC pedals, which aren’t compatible with the Shimano cleats I have on every other clipless bike. I haven’t done any hike-a-bike in them and don’t think they’d hold up great as a proper expedition shoe. And despite my well-documented distrust of BOA dials, I can’t deny the incredible comfort of these shoes. They have never given me any hot spots, even on all-day rides. They regulate temperature well in all weather, are lighter than anything else in my closet, and dry quickly. Frankly, I couldn’t justify paying full retail for them on my budget, but if you can find them on sale, I think they’re worth splurging on for folks in the market for an airy all-road shoe.
Take-a-Trip My Little (Basket) Bungee
Made in Oregon, USA / $9+ at Take a Trip
One of my favorite small accessories of late is the My Little Bungee from Take a Trip Bags in Oregon, a super cute and characterful multi-purpose bungee strap with nearly unlimited uses. I’ve purchased several, and I adore the little splash of color they add. Made from ⅛” shock cord, they can be stretched surprisingly far (within reason) and cinched down snugly. I use them for all kinds of applications and typically have a couple kicking around in my frame bag. The My Little Bungees are available in 5, 10, 15, and 20-inch lengths and a rotating mix of colors.
More recently, maker Michael of Take a Trip launched My Little Basket Bungee, which has hooks on both sides and is offered in versions made to suit Wald 137 or Wald 139 baskets. Just one bungee is enough to hold my basket bag in place, and I’ve successfully secured some pretty wacky payloads using a few of them. They can easily be loosed or tightened with one hand, and at this point, I wouldn’t think of going back to anything else for basketpacking. You can buy a My Little Basket Bungee in 20, 30, and 40-inch lengths and four colors.
Wolf Tooth Waveform Pedals
Made in Minnesota, USA / $199.95 at Wolf Tooth Components
We reviewed the Wolf Tooth Waveform platform pedals when they were announced in October 2022, and based on Logan’s overwhelmingly positive feedback, I’ve been waiting for an excuse to buy a pair. That excuse came in the form of finally seeing them in person when I shot and rode Justin McKinley’s Moots Mooto X this spring. He had only good things to say about them, convincing me to finally spring for the premium pedals.
I’ve only been riding them for a few months, but they’ve quickly become my preferred flat pedals (side note: If $200 feels like too much for flat pedals, I still stand by the budget-friendly PNW Range Composite Pedals I highlighted in my year-end 2023 Editor’s Dozen, but it’s hard to make a meaningful comparison between the two). The Waveforms’ studs are seriously grippy without being overly aggressive, and the low-profile concave shape suits my flexy flat shoes well. They’re made in Minnesota, spin smoothly on three fully sealed cartridge bearings, and are offered in two sensible sizes and eight colors. If you’re looking for a reliable and rebuildable pair of flat pedals for life, these are well worth checking out.
Bonus: Nils Frahm
Rounding out my mid-year picks with a bonus 13th entry, I want to close with a mention of my all-time favorite musician, Nils Frahm. Born in Hamburg and based in Berlin, he’s a German composer who blurs the lines between classical and electronic music, creating uniquely immersive and moving work that never fails to transport me into its soundscapes. If you’ve ever read an issue of The Bikepacking Journal, you can be sure that the final push to get it off the print was made possible by countless cups of coffee and even more Nils Frahm.
If the track above speaks to you at all, I can also suggest “My Friend the Forest” and “Sunson,” two of my favorites that are both on the excellent All Melody album. There’s not a whole lot in the way of video online, but his live performance from the 2015 Montreux Jazz Festival is exceptional if you want to see more of him in action, and it’s also one of my favorite pieces of background music for working.
Is one of the picks above also a favorite of yours? Or maybe you’ve had a different experience with an item on my list? Want to recommend a favorite book or musician? Drop me a note in the conversation below!
Further Reading
Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...
Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.