Editor’s Dozen: Neil’s Favorite Gear and More from 2024

As with all of our year-end Editor’s Dozen lists, I recently sat down to reflect on the past 12 months and figure out the most impactful 12 things out of the countless products I tested this year. If you missed our 2024 Gear of the Year Awards, be sure to check them out, as a handful of my top picks are highlighted there, and you’ll also find favorites from the rest of the team. You can watch my video roundup below and then read on for links and details about each.

PB Swiss T-Handle Hex Driver Set 2.5-6mm

Made in Switzerland / $130 at DRPN

Bike tools can be undeniably pricey, but a solid set of hex keys is a necessity for any cyclist—especially those who love to tinker as much as I do. My old, well-worn Park Tool T-wrenches have served me well since I first started working on bikes in 2012, but an upgrade was long overdue. Enter the PB Swiss T-handle set, recommended by my friend Thomas from Angry Catfish in Minneapolis. I had no idea what I was missing. The beefy sliding T-handles make high-torque adjustments feel smooth and controlled, while the bar securely locks in both center and end positions, adding great versatility. The set includes 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6mm sizes, each with precision-machined tips for a perfect fit. They’re far from cheap, but for just over $130, they’re worth every penny.

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Rockgeist Ultra PE Dry Bag

88 grams / Made in USA / $90 at Rockgeist

Advanced dry bags have become increasingly popular for bikepacking, especially with the rise of handlebar harnesses and racks as gear-hauling favorites. Still, durability and waterproofing can be issues, as many bags wet out or develop seam failures over time—far from ideal when you need to keep your gear dry. Living in a dry environment hasn’t spared me from sudden downpours on trips, and this year was no exception. Thankfully, I regularly used the Rockgeist Ultra PE Dry Bag, a welded, single-entry bag made from ALUULA fabric, a high-performance material gaining traction in wind sports, sailing, and outdoor industries.

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The Ultra PE Dry Bag has proven to be exceptionally tough and durable, keeping my belongings dry all year, including during a rain-drenched Colorado Trail Race on Alex Schultz’s setup. While it’s a bit noisy, its durability inspires confidence. Sourced and handcrafted in North America, it’s available in black or white from Rockgeist for $90. Note that it’s out of stock at the moment as Rockgeist suffered nothing short of a catastrophe from Hurricane Helene. They’re currently operating with a skeleton crew of one or two employees. If you’d like to help, you can donate here or shop their in-stock, ready-to-ship inventory here.

Cane Creek Visco Set

Made in USA / $100 at Cane Creek

Ever experienced that unsettling moment when you take weight off your handlebars and they start wobbling uncontrollably? This was the exact issue an e-bike manufacturer encountered when mounting a battery to their bikes, leading them to Cane Creek for a solution. It’s a common problem when adding weight to a bike, and the ViscoSet headset offers an elegant fix.

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Though it looks like a standard headset on the outside, save for a slightly taller stack height (~6mm) and a bit of extra weight, the internals tell a different story. The top cartridge features 12 interleaved plates connected to the frame and steerer tube, with damping grease providing smooth, friction-based resistance to minimize handlebar oscillation. I’ve used it on several bikes, and even on an unloaded rig, the slight steering resistance boosts confidence at higher speeds. Available in medium or firm tunes, it’s priced from $100 at Cane Creek or local bike shops. Also, be sure to check out Logan’s review here.

Katabatic Gear Palisade Quilt

505+ grams / Made in Colorado / $339+ at Link

For me, a good night’s sleep is essential for keeping everything running smoothly, whether at home or on the trail. It’s even more critical while bikepacking, though it’s often harder to achieve. Over the past two seasons, I’ve learned that quilts can make a huge difference, offering versatility and comfort across a wide temperature range. The Katabatic Gear Palisade 30°F Quilt is one of the best I’ve used thanks to its standout Pad Attachment System, which keeps the quilt securely wrapped around your sleeping pad.

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It also features continuous baffles that deliver excellent warmth when temperatures drop toward its 30°F rating. Made just over the pass from me in Salida, Colorado, the quilt is available in various fits and sizes, ensuring a custom-like feel. While it narrowly missed a spot in our Gear of the Year roundup, another Katabatic quilt claimed top honors in 2022, proof of the brand’s exceptional craftsmanship. Prices for the Palisade start at $340.

Nemo Fillo Elite

~85 grams / Made in China / $49 at REI

Speaking of camp comfort, I can’t believe I waited this long to get a camp pillow. Considering how compact and lightweight they are, it’s a small and worthy investment for proper head support at night. In the past, I’d stuff extra clothes into a bag, but having a dedicated pillow like the Nemo Fillo Elite has been a total game-changer, delivering the quality sleep I crave after a long day on the saddle.

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The Fillo Elite features a three-baffle system with an adjustable valve, letting sleepers fine-tune its firmness, and it comes with a removable, washable cover for when the drool stains inevitably appear. It’s also quiet, so it doesn’t make any annoying crinkling sounds when shifting around at night. When it’s time to pack up, it compresses into itself, making breaking camp in the morning a breeze. Priced at $60 and available in various colors, it’s an upgrade I’m glad I made.

Wolftooth EnCase 40cc Pump

95 grams / Made in Taiwan and Minnesota / $65 at Wolf Tooth

New from Wolf Tooth this year, the 40cc pump is incredibly lightweight at just 95 grams and measures a compact 141mm long. Its small size makes it easy to stash in almost any nook, cranny, or small bag you bring along for rides. Featuring Wolf Tooth’s Enviro-Lock technology, the pump is fully sealed to keep out dirt, water, and grime, even when mounted on the bike with their robust mount.

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Despite its size, the EnCase Pump offers minimal resistance with each stroke and feels ergonomic in hand. The pump head fits securely between your fingers, while the large, textured handhold at the top ensures smooth operation without pinching. It attaches firmly to all Presta valves I’ve tried, avoiding the common annoyance of thread-on pumps that sometimes unscrew valve cores. True to Wolf Tooth’s ingenuity, the pump also accommodates their EnCase tools, such as the tire plug kit with its ultra-sticky bacon strips, which I’ve used with great success. Find our full review here.

Tread Labs Redway Sandals

620 grams / Made in TBD / $130 at Tread Labs

Another comfort staple I relied on this summer was a pair of Redway Sandals. A podiatrist visit last year revealed I needed shoes with proper arch support due to my flat feet, which led me to Tread Labs’ Redway Sandals while searching for arch-supportive alternatives to Bedrocks. The Redways proved to be just what I needed. I love Birkenstocks for the same reasons, but I wanted sandals I could wade in the water with, pedal around town, and strap to my bike.

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Lightweight at 620 grams (worn and dirty), the Redways checked all the boxes: proper support, decent aesthetics, and versatility, though I think a stiffer sole for cycling would make them even better. Priced at $130 and available in various colors, they’ve become a reliable go-to. On a related note, Tread Labs insoles have also been a revelation for my Blundstones and other cycling shoes, keeping my feet happy no matter the activity.

Panniers!

Ponderosa Panniers and Poco Panniers

Some of you might be surprised—others not so much—that I started using panniers for the first time late last year. As a minimal bikepacker, I’ve tested plenty of lightweight soft bags over the years—my first trip was on the Colorado Trail with a Revelate Designs Viscacha seat pack, if that says anything. However, the transition from bikepacking bags to panniers, such as Mountain Laurel Designs Poco Panniers and Old Man Mountain Ponderosa panniers, was a revelation. Ideal for commuting or trips requiring extra storage, panniers simplify packing; no more cramming your entire sleep system into a tiny bag.

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While panniers aren’t suited to every bikepacking scenario, they shine in situations where space is tight or additional gear is essential. A word of caution: organization is key—learning the hard way with a beer-soaked sleeping bag reinforced this point. Panniers are a situational win, providing space without sacrificing practicality.

Bontrager Gunnison Pro Tires

1,000 grams / Made in Taiwan / $50 at Bontrager

Tinkering with tires can completely change how a bike rides, but why are they so expensive? Earlier this year, I was at my local bike shop looking for tires for my partner’s bike when one of the mechanics showed me a new 2.6″ option. I’m already a fan of this size, but then I saw the name. The Gunnison Pro is named after the town where I live, and I instantly fell in love with the tread pattern. I walked out with a pair of tires for $100 and no tires for my partner. Whoops!

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That impromptu purchase has been totally worth it. The balanced tread rolls better than other popular tires I’ve tried while hooking up in the corners just as well, delivering a ride that’s both inspiring and relatively budget-friendly. The Gunnison features Bontrager’s Pro XR construction, a 60 TPI casing, soft side knobs, and a medium-firm center. It weighs just over 1,000 grams per tire. It’s a lot like the Maxxis Forekaster but significantly cheaper and slightly lighter.

BRS Outdoor BRS-3000T

26 grams / Made in China / $17 at BRS Store

After Joe Cruz showed me his tiny BRS-3000T stove last year, I was instantly sold. This ultralight 26-gram stove is perfect for bikepackers who mostly use a stove just to boil water. But what really blew me away was the price; you can find it for as little as $5 to $17, depending on where you look, making it the cheapest stove I’ve come across. It features three fold-out arms that create a compact platform for your pot, and while the platform is smaller than options like the MSR Pocket Rocket 2—making it a bit tricky to balance larger pots—it’s ideal for a personal 600 or 750ml mug. If space is an issue for you, the BRS-3000T is standout option for minimalist setups.

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Black Diamond Mojo Lantern

77 grams / Made in China / $25+ at REI

Headlamps are a bikepacking necessity, but as I mentioned in my glampacking video, adding a lantern to the kit brought extra convenience and comfort to camp life. It’s great to have a light that illuminates your surroundings, not just what’s in front of you. This summer, I’ve been using a Black Diamond Mojo lantern, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite additions to my pack list. It weighs very little and has both magnetic and hook attachments for versatile hanging or placement.

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With multiple settings—lantern, torch, colors, and a regular light—it’s perfect for use in a tent, around camp, or even during tasks like oil changes or car repairs. The lantern comes in two versions: a replaceable AAA battery model for $25 or a rechargeable option for $45.

Ornot UV Sun Hoodie

169 grams / Made in USA / $85 at Link

The Ornot UV Sun Hoodie has gotten plenty of love from the team here at BIKEPACKING.com, and it’s hands-down my favorite layer. It even beats out last year’s top pick, the Cotopaxi Sombra sun hoodie. Why? Simple: it’s lighter, more breathable, and fits better. Constructed from an Italian-made, Oeko-Tex-approved recycled fabric and crafted in the USA, it offers 30 UPF protection. That’s slightly less UPF than most sun shirts, but I wore it for hours under the blazing Colorado summer sun, and it kept me protected while feeling cool and breathable. I went with a small, and the fit was spot on; it’s well-fitting and provides ample arm coverage without excess fabric. Available for $85 in Black or Fog, it’s a worthwhile upgrade despite the lighter color showing dirt quickly.

My Favorite Shot of 2024

My favorite photo of the year is from a ride near my home with Evan Christenson when he was visiting. It’s not the most technically perfect or spectacular shot of 2024, but it stands out to me as a memory of showing a guest a place I love. Our public lands are so vast, especially in Colorado. I’ve lived in Gunnison County for over 15 years, and I’ve only scratched the surface after tens of thousands of miles of pedaling here.

But right now, it’s hard to think about these lands as free and wild. Instead, they feel at risk—threatened by incompetence and a backward agenda pushed by some of our elected officials. It’s not just the land we love that’s at stake; it’s the future. I worry that my son and daughter won’t be able to enjoy these lands as I have. The risks of wildfires, flooding, and the eventual collapse of our planet seem more imminent as misguided leaders roll back efforts to protect this amazing planet.

If you’re interested in purchasing any of these products, please support your local bike shop and buy from them when possible. If you can’t, or they’re only obtainable online, we’ve provided links to manufacturers and stores where they are currently available; some of these retailers offer a modest referral fee, which helps support this platform. This has no bearing on the review or selection.

Further Reading

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