Every bikepacking or cycle touring trip starts with an idea. A two-wheeled dream. And then comes the planning. A key part of the plan is honing down the kit list. But how do you choose where you’re going to sleep? Here’s our guide.
Bikepacking can be a minefield. There’s so much to consider. Do you want comfort? Storage? Canvas over your head? Are you racing and saving every gram you can? Are you battling arctic winds or pootling along serene, summer lanes? We’ve boiled it down to four key questions:
And with the answers to these questions, you can pick the features you want from your tent.
Bikepacking and cycle touring tents are probably the heaviest thing you’ll carry on your trip. They tend to come in at a weight of 1-2kg – unless, of course, you’re sharing your trip and your kit with a friend. That probably makes the tent the heaviest item you’re carrying! But the lighter you go, the further you can travel, and the more you can see.
That’s why experts home in on every gram. It’s all part of the fun. A modern bike is likely to weigh between 9kg and 13kg. We recommend a combined weight of between 5kg and 10kg for all your camping gear, meaning your two-wheeled fun isn’t weighed down by your camping kit. We’ve put together a few weight-saving tips over the years:
It’s up to you! Will you be sleeping at a campsite or wild camping? Going for a round-the-world adventure or a weekend away? Will you pitch up for a few days and explore the local area? Depending on how much space, protection and comfort you want, you can make a decision about what your kit list will look like. Here’s the rundown of our one-person sleeping options.
|
What is it? |
Weight |
Pack Size |
Ultralight bivvy bag |
285g |
20cm x 12cm |
|
Bivvy bag |
330g (490g) |
⌀ 13cm x 15cm (⌀ 16 x 23 cm) |
|
Hooped bivvy bag |
900g |
39 x 11cm |
|
Ultralight 1-person tent |
1200g |
42cm x 12cm |
|
Inflatable 1-person tent |
1200g |
28cm x 13 cm |
Ultimately, choosing what your tiny home is going to be like on your big adventure is up to you. Whether it's an inflatable tent, a lightweight bivvy bag or a one-person tent, outdoor sleepouts are all part of the two-wheeled dream.