2021 Bikepacking Gear of the Year

Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR

The Handlebar-Pack QR offers 11 liters of storage, weighs 551 grams, and like Ortlieb’s other bike bags, is waterproof via their seam-welded, proprietary PVC-free, PU-coated fabric. It offers a unique attachment system that allows it to attach to only the handlebars and remain stable without the use of a rack or a headtube strap, thus avoiding cable interference. It comes in just one size that’s optimized to fit drop bars around 40cm wide and larger, and that’s part of its beauty. It offers a great solution for riders who don’t have a lot of space in the handlebar area. Read our review here.

$160 at Ortlieb.com

Rogue Panda Custom Recycled Frame Bag

While most bikepacking bags (frame bags, specifically) are made from X-Pac, there are several fabric options being developed that are less impactful on the environment. Rogue Panda was one of the first companies to use this fabric in their products, offering a recycled fabric from Challenge Outdoor. EPX200 has similar properties to VX21 but is made from 100% recycled polyester, and as with all of Rogue Panda’s products, their custom frame bags are extremely well-made and designed to last for years of hard use and abuse. Check out Neil’s YouTube video review here.

$195+ at RoguePanda.com

Stealth Mountain Panniers

Handmade to order in New Zealand, Stealth’s Mountain Panniers are smaller than traditional panniers and designed to handle the rigors of mountain biking and bikepacking. The Mountain Panniers attach to most racks using a rattle-free velcro mounting system with an additional lower cam lock buckle to keep things in place. They are sold as a pair, providing up to 16 liters of storage and are simple, compact, tough, and were noteworthy among the bags and gear we tested this year. Find them in our Mini Panniers Index.

$250 at Stealth

Tanglefoot Moonshiner

While so many bicycles these days bend toward being in a hurry of one sort or other, Tanglefoot offers a reminder of what an all-terrain bicycle is. The Moonshiner invites you to pedal abandoned deep woods doubletrack or over a rugged craggy pass, to problem solve up a dry riverbed, to drop down crooked boulder stairs, to meander on country dirt roads, or to flow through the twistiest singletrack. In his upcoming review, Joe Cruz says to “Put aside your assumptions and your on-paper analysis of how this bike should ride.”

Otso Fenrir

We’ve been testing the Fenrir for a couple of months now and should have a review up soon. But it definitely deserves a spot on this list. The Fenrir is a rigid, stainless steel mountain bike that is optimized and sized for either drop bars or flat bars, depending on the stem length. It clears plus tires and has a snappy and supple ride quality, reversible dropouts, and loads of other features that automatically make it a great bikepacking bike fit for routes like the Tour Divide or even our Tian Shan Traverse in Kyrgyzstan. Stay tuned for more.

Salsa Timberjack

Believe it or not, the Timberjack is back on the awards list for a second year. Reason being, the TJ was redesigned from the ground up for 2021, with an all-new geometry that made a great bike even better. Both Miles and Neil agree that this is one of the best hardtails they’ve tried over the last couple of years. And at its price point, it’s hard to beat. Find the written review here, and check out the YouTube review here.

Roval Carbon Control 29 Wheelset

Roval has been a leader in carbon wheels for quite some time. This year, they released the Roval Control Carbon 29, $1,350 carbon wheels featuring a 29mm internal width rim, DT350 hubs, steel threaded spokes, and a weight of 1,474 grams including tape and valves. I mean, what more could you ask for? The answer to that is durability and a great ride quality, both of which we’ve found in testing these wheels for the last eight months. Stay tuned for a long-term review.

$1,349 at Jenson

Tranz X Jump Seat Post

Tranz X Jump Seat Post has a number of uses. Pop it on a turn-of-the-millenia steel mtb (think Specialized Rockhopper or similar), and give yourself extra riding confidence when tackling trails. Or, use it on your utility bike, either when you’re loading it up and need some extra stability, or for a cargo steed that’s shared between family members of different heights. Either way, thanks to its cable-less setup and easy to activate lever, it’s super quick to swap out with your rigid post when the situation demands it.

$118 at Transx AMZN

Surly Corner Bar

The Surly Corner Bar is one of a kind, designed to make it super easy to switch from flat bars to drop bars without switching from MTB shifters and brakes. It feels more stable than a normal drop bar, and the reach and leverage on mountain bike controls are surprisingly good. As stated in the review, “Yeah, it’s heavy as all get out. But if that’s not a concern and you want to tinker with the fit and feel of the hardtail or rigid mountain bike that’s collecting dust in your shed, adding a Surly Corner Bar is certain to be an interesting way of mixing things up.”

$99 at Campfire

SRAM GX Eagle AXS

For the GX Eagle AXS group, SRAM essentially took a group we already loved and added a wireless option that we’ve found to be equally as reliable, intuitive, and well-executed. It essentially has the same guts as the venerable and reliable X01 AXS group that we’ve put thousands of miles on, and it’s slightly more affordable. It’s still an “upgrade” worthy investment, but we’re excited to see SRAM find success with the technology and advance it into a less costly group for those who have the resources. Find our review here.

$443+ at REI Jenson

Fox 36 Fork

During our test period with the Pivot Trail 429, we had the chance to try out the Fox 36 fork, a heavier and larger stanchion-equipped fork than our preconceptions led us to believe was the better option. However, it was a game-changer, both on the trail and when riding the bike loaded up. It’s noticeably stiffer and holds up throughout long descents. The added stiffness felt much more substantial, stable, and sure in the corners, and it will likely make you second guess counting grams on a trail bike.

$1079 at Jenson

Rapha Powerweave Explore Gravel Shoes

Released this spring, Rapha’s Explore Powerweave gravel shoes have earned their place as Lucas’ go-to shoes for all-day rides in warmer weather. With their minimal weight, roomy toe box, cushy foam insole, and micro-adjustable BOA fit, their exceptional comfort matches their sneakeresque look. All that said, the Explore Powerweave shoes’ eye-watering $350 price tag undoubtedly puts them firmly in the “upgrade” category. Check out our First Look Dispatch here.

$259 (Explore) at REI

Wolf Tooth 8-Bit System

A few weeks back, Wolf Tooth launched their new 8-Bit System, which completes the toolkit by including a more comprehensive assortment of functions that should help get you out of nearly any sticky mechanical situation out on the trail. The new system is made up of two entirely new tools that pair with the 8-Bit Pack Pliers, available for purchase individually or as the 8-Bit Kit One for all three. We just got our hands on the full kit and the nesting/foldable design is impressive to say the least. The full kit weighs 171g and when nested together measures 146mm x 20mm x 28mm.

$139 at Wolf Tooth

Austere Buckles

After searching for high-quality strap hardware for years, Austere Manufacturing decided to take matters into their own hands and make their own. The end result is an extremely well-designed CNC-machined cam buckle that’s lightweight, impressively strong, and built to last a lifetime. They’re wonderful to handle and grip webbing straps with a bite that’s superior to plastic alternatives. They are like little pieces of beautiful candy that also happen to serve an important purpose for bikepackers. Find the review here.

$25+ at Austere

Art Toolkit

The Pocket Art Toolkit’s minimal, lightweight paint set comes included with everything you need – from a miniature palette, room for a small watercolor notebook, and water brush. As artist Emma Bucke summed up in the review, “At just about the same size as a paperback romance novel, it comes equipped with almost everything you need for painting that beautiful sunrise you wake up to on bike tour, or the mushrooms you found on the trail – and later cooked up for breakfast… Everything stays in place exactly as it should, no matter the trails I’m riding.”

$92 at arttoolkit.com

Drj0n G Funk Handlebar system, Mission Control, and Barnacles

Weighing in at just 61 grams, the G-Funk system combines two 3D-printed DrJ0n products—the DeWidget G-Funk Clamp and DeWidget Strap Deck—to create a secure platform for mounting a lightweight drybag to your handlebars – along with the CNC-machined Mission Control, with its Wahoo/Garmin and light mounts. Building on that, DrJ0n’s Barnacles use a similar design to the G-Funk Clamps, providing a low-profile mounting option for bottle and cargo cages all across your frame and fork.

£55 at Wildcat.cc

EVOC Hip Pack Capture 7L

It’s hard to beat the accessibility and vibration protection of a hip pack for carrying a camera while out on a bikepacking ride. The EVOC Hip Pack Capture 7L is the first purpose-made hip pack we’ve tried and was designed for carrying larger camera gear. This pack easily fits a full-frame mirrorless or DSLR and an extra lens—and then some. Plus, the well-designed vented back and large strap wings make for a comfortable haul. It also has a built-in rainfly. All in all, we’re quite impressed. See more on our guide to carrying a camera.

$100 at EVOC AMZN

Tailfin SFM

We’ve been impressed with Tailfin’s growing range of bikepacking gear over the last few years. The new Tailfin Suspension Fork Mount allows you to carry additional cargo cages, water bottle cages, or even both at the same time on a suspension fork, a duty often placed on hose clamps or gaffer tape hacks. Who would have thought that such a high level of engineering would be directed toward attaching a water bottle cage to a fork! “The Tailfin Suspension Fork Mount is so well executed that it’s hard to imagine a safer or more effective way of carrying H20 and cargo (or both) to the front end of your hardtail or full susser.” Read the review here.

$65 at Tailfin

Hyperlite Ultralight Tarp

When you’re camping in a rainforest—or in my case, Pisgah in summer—having a tarp is a must. Camping in the rain is never ideal, but sitting under a tarp (and not in the confines of a tent) actually allows you to enjoy the forest in foul weather. All that said, making room for heavy tarp isn’t always in the cards. The Hyperlite Ultralight Flat Tarp packs up to the size of a beer can, and at ~250 grams, it adds nearly nothing to your pack weight. It’s not cheap, but if you’re traveling long term in a rainy environment or going on regular bikefishing outings in a rainforest, and have the coin, it’s a worthy addition to the kit.

$389 at HyperliteMountainGear.com

Big Sky Soul 1P Bikepack

The Big Sky Soul 1P tent is offered as a bikepacking version with tiny 12″ folding pole segments, a double wall/freestanding construction, and weighs in at just over two pounds. Miles has been testing it out for the better part of a year and it’s quickly becoming one of his favourite shelters. It packs down small, has lots of room for a one-person tent, and held up to some pretty serious weather on Vancouver Island this fall. It retails for just $280 USD, which is quite competitive, and Big Sky International is working on an updated design that we’ll be getting our hands on soon. Stay tuned for an in-depth, long-term review.

$280 at Big Sky

Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow

A comfy inflatable pillow is a must for many of us. Having that extra cush and support after a long day of pedaling makes for a better night’s sleep. The Sea to Summit Aeros is one of the better options we’ve tried in a while. It’s lightweight, packs small, and has a loftier stature than many other options, and for side sleepers, that makes for less shoulder pressure and ultimately less arm numbness and tossing and turning in the night. The plush fleece facing is also a nice touch.

$45+ at REI Backcountry

BRS 3000T STOVE

Someone pointed out the tiny, light, and $16 BRS 3000T stove and recommended we try it. I’ve been using one for several months now, and it’s pretty impressive for its diminutive, 24 gram size… and the fact that it’s simple and only $16 (only available on Amazon, as far as I can tell) makes it even more interesting. It’s loud, and not the best simmerer, but for the money, it’s hard to beat.

$16 at AMZN

Low-Waste Recipes

Cass and Emma have been adding to the Low-Waste Bikepacking initiative with several new recipes this year, to supplement last year’s popular Energy Balls. Check out the easy-to-make Full Power Vegan Cookie Dough and Emma’s delicious Gracious Granola. If you’re looking to make your own trail food and cut down on plastic waste, roll up your sleeves and dig in here.

JetBoil Stash

The Jetboil Stash is the brand’s lightest and most compact cooking system to date, with the entire kit weighing just over 200g. The all-in-one system includes a 0.8L aluminum pot, plastic lid/strainer, stove, and Jetboil’s fuel stabilizer, all in a nearly rattle-free and unique packable design. Overall, we’re quite impressed with it. Find Miles’ review here.

$135 at REI

Bedrock 3D Cairn Sandals

The new Cairn 3D Pro is the latest step in the evolution of Bedrock’s lightweight, highly adjustable sandals, built for long days of riding, hiking, or whatever else you get up to. Cairn 3Ds were improved over the original version with a grippier and more robust rubber sole. And, the rubber is impressively sticky, even for fishing in slippery rivers. Over in Mexico, Cass has been equally impressed, using them for a full rainy season in Oaxaca, riding, running, wading, and just traipsing about in them every day.

$125 at REI

Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit

The X-Alp Summit is positioned as a shoe for all-day mountain bike adventures. Fully redesigned from the ground up, the X-Alp Summit shoe is $50 cheaper than the X-ALP Elevate, but gets some trickle-down tech from it, including a grippy Vibram ECOSTEP rubber outsole built for hike-a-bikes. Following his positive review of the slightly less burly X-Alp Launch, Neil took the X-Alp Summit on the hiking-intensive Colorado Trail Race and came back with a glowing review. Watch it here.

$113 at REI

Specialized Rime Flat

It’s hard to argue the fact that Specialized makes some of the most well-reviewed shoes on the market. Their new Rime Flat Shoes are the brand’s first riding shoe designed specifically with hiking in mind, striking a balance between on-bike stiffness and off-bike comfort. Rime Flats fall more in line with the “hike, bike, repeat” mantra bikepackers are known for, and we’re incredibly impressed. Find the review here.

$139 at Backcountry

Ibis Exie

Ibis’ new Exie is a cross-country bike with a sub-2,000g (4.4lb) frame, which they claim offers the perfect combination of pedaling efficiency and downhill performance. Designed, built, and tested in their solar-powered Santa Cruz factory, there’s certainly a lot to like about it, and it looks like it might make a great bikepacking crossover bike for those who like dual-squish bikes. Find details here.

Stayer Groadinger OMG

Just when it seemed that gone were the days of do-anything 29 x 3″ rigid bikes, Stayer introduced the Groadinger OMG, a built-to-order semi-custom mountain bike based around a Chromoly Steel frame, rigid fork, and massive 3″ tire clearance. It looks fantastic and we look forward to testing it. Details in our Dispatch here.

Mason RAW

Long in the works and refined based on extensive feedback from world-class ultra-endurance bikepackers such as Josh Ibbett and Angus Young, the team at Mason say the RAW makes for a “fast, engaging, and spirited ride,” with geometry that’s “modern and progressive enough to provide stability at speed and manageable handling on the limit whilst remaining lively and involving at all speeds.” We’re excited to try it out. Find details in our Dispatch.