My Complete Cycle Touring Kit List for Epic RTW Adventures

The essential bike travel gear list for long-distance bicycle expeditions anywhere in the world

My cycle touring kit list is compiled from a decade of adventures around the world. It’s a handpicked collection of essential bike touring gear from RTW cycle touring expeditions. I’ll be the first to admit that while I have a Spartan attitude to what’s needed to complete a successful bike tour, there are a few essential items that can make a long-term bike adventure more comfortable by orders of magnitude. In this bike travel kit list, I’ll share some of those discretionary purchases alongside the absolutely must-haves that cost little but are everyday lifesavers.

A Bootrappers Cycle Touring Kit List for RTW Bike Adventures

In the past, I’ve bootstrapped my equipment from scratch to pull together a ramshackle set-up that gets one from A to B. Second-hand bikes, borrowed panniers, gifted vintage cycling shirts. It’s been a motley collection of things that have graced the early endeavours. Over time, though, like all serious enthusiasts, I got hooked. The desire for longer journeys, more exotic locations and higher mountains took hold, and the perceived need for better kit quickly followed.

Read my Ultimate Guide to Bicycle Touring

Buy Cheap, Buy Twice

When Adrian and I put together the plans for our charity bike ride challenge to cycle 20 countries in 100 days we were persuaded by friends to request support and funding from businesses and manufacturers. We agreed and consequently reached out to a great many of the big names to add essential items to our stash. That advice worked out well for us. It was the heady days of 2011, and applications from would-be adventurers were few. We essentially took receipt of heavily discounted equipment from a handful of generous sponsors. This kit has lasted A VERY LONG TIME. It’s the same kit that I used for my solo journey from Vietnam to the UK along the Hippie Trail by bike.

I guess the lesson is that the expensive kit is expensive for a reason – it’s well-made and lasts many years even under heavy use.

This list reflects my current kit for bike adventures in any location. There are particular quirks associated with certain terrain and climates (I don’t have much experience with extreme cold, for example), but the basic setup is one that I use on my annual adventures around the world. I’m a seasonal cyclist, so I tend to follow the weather and choose destinations where I can cycle in hotter climates. It’s more enjoyable for a shorter trip of two to three months.

Take this as a guideline for what you could use for your cycle tour. You’ll likely have specific requirements and no doubt original ideas about what is needed. This is merely an example of how it could be. Be your own guru!

The Really Big Bicycle Touring Kit List for a Long-Distance Bike Ride

Bike

When we bought our bikes in 2011, there were fewer choices than there are today. Our tour was to take place in Europe, which meant that spare tubes and wheel size were less of an issue regarding spares. We opted for a classic British bike – Dawes Ultra Galaxy (discontinued). It was a toss-up between that and the Surly Long Haul Trucker. We got a chunky pre-order discount from John at Spa Cycles. It’s a steel frame with hand-built wheels, the two main considerations when buying a decent touring bike.

I’ve loved this bike. It’s done everything I’ve asked of it and survived many years across varied terrain. It’s still my main touring bike.  

That said, if I were to go in for a replacement, there’s a good chance I’d go for the Surly Troll. I rode a friend’s custom build recently, and it felt very comfortable and had the benefit of a flexible frame/wheel/tyre size and stays options. Either that or Toms Expedition Bike.

Panniers

Ortlieb Roller Plus* front and rear. Ortlieb Messenger bag*. Call us old-fashioned, but we like to keep things simple in the luggage department with specific bicycle touring racks and panniers. We often throw a 30l Ortlieb Messenger bag across the top of the rear rack with the tent, Therm-a-rest and sleeping bag in (they fit super neatly and free up valuable space in the panniers for better weight distribution). Tubus Racks front and rear are our preferred spec.

We wouldn’t be without a cycle touring handlebar bag. Snacks, phone, wallet – in that order! All the daily essentials reside in the bar bag. The Ortlieb* is a fine choice for its capacity and waterproofing.

Bike, Tent & Luggage Setup

This is the foundation of my touring rig — solid, waterproof, and built to go the distance. From the saddle to the shelter, every piece earns its keep.

Item	Brand	Link	Notes
Touring Bike	Dawes Galaxy	View Bike	Steel frame with wide tyre clearance, racks front and rear, rim brakes, bombproof build.
Saddle	Brooks B17	Buy Saddle	Tried and tested. Comfort improves the more you ride it.
Rear Panniers	Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic	Buy Rear Panniers	Fully waterproof. Massive capacity. Bulletproof.
Front Panniers	Ortlieb Sport-Roller	Buy Front Panniers	Great for balancing your load. Mount low for stability.
Handlebar Bag	Altura Dryline	Buy Bar Bag	Quick access to phone, snacks, camera, passport. Detachable for town stops.
Rack Pack / Dry Bag	Ortlieb Rack-Pack / Alpkit Airlok	Buy Drybag	Strapped on top of rear rack. Good for tent, sleeping bag and camp mat
Tent	Nordisk Oppland 3 SI / MSR Hubba Tour / Big Agnes	Buy Tent	Spacious, lightweight, and fast to pitch. Big enough to stash panniers inside.
Bike Locks	Kryptonite / Abus Cable Lock	Buy Lock	Lightweight combo locks for campsites + city café stops. Two locks minimum.
Front Rack	Tubus Tara Low Rider	Buy Tara	Perfect weight distribution, low ride for better handling
Rear Rack	Tubus Logo Classic	Buy Classic	Built to last and carries everything like a horse. Recommended every time.

Camping Kit List for Long-Term Cycle Touring

The Best Cycle Touring Tent in the World?

For both our longer journeys, we travelled with a Hilleberg Nallo GT2. In preparation for our charity bike ride, we sought sponsorship and Hilleberg were generous in giving us 1/3rd off the retail price. Even with this discount, the tent still costs more than most other leading brands. That said, it has been fantastic. We still use it today for all our adventures, and the tent shows only small signs of wear and tear.

Read my Hilleberg Nallo GT2 Review

The plus for this tent is that it’s very well made, robust in all conditions and for the weight (circa 2kg) offers spacious accommodation. Room enough for two to share and to stow luggage inside the porch. A great choice for proper wild camping in big nature. A true mountaineering tent.

Club Tropicana – There’s a Hammock for Everyone

The downer is that it’s not well suited to hot climates. The ventilation just isn’t there. Once its hot, its hot! The Nallo GT2 is not a freestanding tent. This can make pitching in more unusual settings challenging. I did find a workaround for this; I used two heavy panniers at one end and fastened the bike to the other. In calm conditions, this worked well when using the tent on hardstanding

Given the chance, I prefer to sleep in a hammock. I’ve used the Hennessy Hammock* with great success on shorter trips. So long as there are trees, this has been a great alternative to the confines of a canvas tent.

Camp Sleep System – One Camp Pad To Rest Them All

We used the Therm-a-rest ProLite Plus*. It’s compact, lightweight and comfortable. Combined with the chair adapter*, this is one of our must-have luxuries for a tour of any length. I love that the seating position puts you at ground level with all the cooking things. Makes meal times a joy. Stretching the legs out after a long day in the saddle is a major win.

Sleeping Bag – Down or Washable?

We secured a Rab Neutrino 200 for our trip. It’s a super lightweight down bag that shrinks into a neat and compact size. Pros: lightweight, compact, well-made. Cons: it’s not machine washable and needs dry cleaning, the material rips if it gets caught ion a zip.

Read mt Rab Neutrino SLeeping Bag Review

We used a silk sleeping bag liner* to mitigate against dry cleaning. The liner was often enough on its own in hot countries and made for an easy way to keep the sleeping bag as clean as possible during the long months without washing.

My Clothing Packing List for Long-Term Bike Travel

You don’t really need any special clothing for cycle touring. That said, I do like to use certain combinations of things for maximum utility, comfort and simplicity. In good weather I’l wear, from top to bottom, a soft fabric, wide-brimmed hat customised with a string and spring stay to hold it in place, an XXXL long-sleeved shirt with velcro or button pockets on both sides, an old pair of lycra cycling shorts (not padded) with a pair of baggy casual shorts over the top (if it’s really hot I’ll leave the lycra), SPD sandals, sadly my favourite LOOK ones are discontinued – I adored them – they fell to bits after prolonged use and multiple repairs.

Short shorts, long sleeves

I usually get through a shirt/shorts combination after three to four months of daily use. I hand wash kit, usually every three to four days so the material gets a pretty rough ride. Cotton shirts tend to disintegrate with heavy use, the sleeves likely will rip apart and holes will appear in the back where the most sweat concentrates. The shorts fare a little better since they can be more modern fabrics that are more durable and stretchy.

Top tip: take it easy when ringing out the wet clothes and hang them up to dry as soon as you’re off the bike.

These items reflect my cycle touring kit list for a long or short trip. Packing for all eventualities in the lightest possible way ends up with a core of reliable items.

At times, I wore everything I owned at once. In the foothills of the Himalaya of the north east of India, in January, it’s quite chilly, and so I ended up having to combine my whole bike touring wardrobe.

Layered, lightweight, and built for life on the road — here’s what I wear when touring across continents.

Bicycle Touring Packing List – Clothing

Item	Brand	Link	Notes
Hummvee Cycling Shorts (x2)	Endura	Buy Shorts	Rotate daily. Fast drying and comfy for long hours in the saddle.
Long-sleeved shirt (x2)	Columbia	Buy Jerseys	Lightweight, breathable, and stink-resistant.
Thermal Jersey	Alpkit Valli	Buy Jersey	Packs down small. Doubles as a pillow or camp layer.
Waterproof Jacket	Rab Downpour	Buy Shell	Essential in wet or unpredictable weather. Keep near the top of your pannier.
Waterproof Shorts	Endura Hummvee	Buy Hummvee	For riding in heavy rain or keeping warm at camp.
Base Layer T-Shirt	Icebreaker / Decathlon Merino	Buy Merino Tee	Can be worn for riding or sleeping. Anti-bacterial and soft.
Merino Long Johns	Icebreaker	Buy Leggings	Warm and breathable. Great for layering.
Cycling Gloves	Endura	Buy Gloves	Take one pair fingerless + one full-fingered for cold weather.
Waterproof Overshoes	Vaude	Buy Overshoes	Keep your feet dry during long rainy days.
Buff / Neck Tube	Buff / Decathlon	Buy Buff	Multi-purpose: sun protection, dust filter, neck warmer.
Merino Socks (x2–3)	SealSkinz	Buy Socks	Quick drying, odour resistant, and warm when wet.
Off-bike Shorts / Trousers	Craghoppers	Buy Camp Wear	For camp life, shops, and towns. Doubles as backup if your main kit is drying.
Helmet	Endura / Decathlon	Buy Helmet	Choose one with plenty of airflow. Lightweight + comfortable fit.

Personal Accessories & On-the-Road Essentials

These are the small items that make a big difference. From sun protection to hydration, this kit keeps me comfortable and riding strong.

Item	Brand	Link	Notes
Sunglasses	Julbo / Rudy Project	Buy Sunglasses	Protects from UV and road glare. Polarised if possible. Wraparound style preferred.
Waterproof Gloves	Endura	Buy Waterproof Gloves	Crucial for cold, wet days. Keep hands dry and functional.
SPF 30 Sunscreen	Piz Buin / Nivea Sport	Buy SPF	Non-greasy formula recommended. Sweat-resistant for long rides.
Flip Flops	Havaianas / Decathlon	Buy Flip Flops	Perfect for camp, showers, and town stops. Lightweight and easy to pack.
5L CamelBak with Rucksack	CamelBak Mule	Buy Hydration Pack	Ideal for hot climates or dry stretches. Doubles as daypack for hikes or town runs.

Cooking – An Optional Extra for the Bicycle Touring Kit List

 

I take a fairly rustic approach to cooking. If I’ve learned anything on my long journeys it’s that the best snacks are salami and chocolate and there’s always a local treat that’s readily available. With that in mind, I’ve designed this bicycle touring kit list to reflect that.

Read my Camp Cooking Tips For Long DIstance Bike Touring

Fruit is the obvious choice where there are people and trees. Sandwiches can be prepared anytime, anyplace with a minimum of fuss and the time, effort and energy to cook, clean and pack away the kitchen take hours from the days. However, there’s nothing quite like a hot brew in the morning. So, when I’m feeling luxurious, which is mostly in the deep wilderness and the whole thing is slow and tranquil and rather stunning, I’ll kick back with the full culinary camp experience to prepare a delicious feast.

Camping Gear and Cookware for Long-Distance Bicycle Expeditions

This setup keeps me warm, dry, and well-fed after a long day in the saddle. Everything packs down tight and earns its spot in my panniers.

Item	Brand	Link	Notes
Tent	Nordisk Oppland 3 SI	Buy Tent	Roomy, reliable, and stands up to rough weather. Big enough for two + gear.
Sleeping Mat	THermarest XLite	Buy Mat	Warm, comfortable, and compact. A dream after long days riding.
Pillow	Sea to Summit Aeros	Buy Pillow	Inflatable, but soft. No more stuffing jackets in a drybag (unless you want to).
Sleeping Bag	Rab Ascent	Buy Bag	Comfortable and light. Game changer for long tours.
Cook Stove	MSR Multifuel	Buy Stove	Runs on gas or petrol. Reliable and field-repairable.
Cookware Set	MSR Alpine 2-Pot	Buy Cookset	Durable nesting pots + frying pan. Lightweight, easy to clean.
Cutlery	Titanium Spork (x2)	Buy Spork	Light, strong, never goes blunt.
Water Carrier	MSR DromLite 4L	Buy Water Bag	Essential for wild camps and dry stretches. Doubles as a camp shower.
Headtorch	Petzl Tikka	Buy Torch	Compact with adjustable beam. Carry spare batteries or use USB rechargeable.
Knife	Leatherman	Buy Knife	Has a blade, scissors, and bottle opener — what more do you need?
Tool Kit	Sea to Summit	Camp Clean Kit	Clean kit, dry clothes. Don’t forget a mini bottle of washing-up liquid.
Water FIlter	Sawyer	Buy Pump	Use it whenever you have need. Tap water anywhere can be ready to drink in minutes

Bicycle Touring Food Preparation Tips

MSR Whisperlite Multi fuel stove* – recommended for long journeys in any terrain. Many fuels can be used, making it a practical choice. Cleaning of the device is a dirty chore. The things is compact and efficient (provided it’s well maintained)

Beer can stove – I used this for the first three months of my long trip across Europe. The fuel is easily available from pharmacy’s, there’s zero maintenance and it’s the lightest most compact stove there is. Take a look at Tom’s video to learn how to make your own.

I carried a selection of utensils: Opinel No.8*, half wooden spoon, knife, fork, spoon (Alpkit titanium – superb), small Tupperware of salt, pepper and any local spice or herb that came my way – like a cyclists side mix. I had a sponge/scourer, a tiny washing up liquid, a lighter and a medium-sized pot to cook in and a large Alpkit titanium mug for quaffing enormous cups of tea.

Sawyer Squeeze* hand pump water filter was very handy in the high mountains where decent water could be found in the rivers and in big cities such as Delhi where tap water could be filtered.

Still hungry for more? Read my Camp Cookware Review

Tools, Spares and Accessories you could include on your bicycle touring kit list

I have a very laissez-faire approach to bicycle maintenance. If it ain’t broke, keep it rolling. This cycle touring kit list takes my ‘reluctant mechanic’ into consideration. However, I did carry enough tools and had the knowledge and experience to make necessary repairs should the need arise.

Read my Bike Travel Multitool Review

Bicycle Touring Checklist for Tools and Spares

There are some things that you simply cannot fix yourself for lack of tools – I sheared off a braze-on that secures the rack to the frame by bunny hopping a fully loaded bike over some really sweet speed bumps in Meghalaya – the next day the rack fell off on one side. Happily, the village I happened to be staying in turned out to be the gate fabrication capital of north India. I got a replacement nut and bolt welded through the rack onto the frame before the sun came up for less than 50p. This is why a steel frame is recommended for long term bike travel.

This full list of tools and spares is for a long term trip where you’re likely to require the replacement of major components using specialist tools. For a shorter journey, this list can be trimmed to a leaner toolkit as required. i.e. a spare tube, patches, tyre levers, pump and a multitool. For a long term journey, the following kit list for cycle touring is considered essential.

RTW Bike Trip Checklist – Tools & Spares

This kit keeps me rolling when the road throws a mechanical at me. It’s lean enough to fit in a pouch, but thorough enough for most roadside repairs.

Item	Brand	Link	Notes
Multitool	Topeak AlienX	Buy Multitool	Includes Allen keys, Torx, chain breaker, screwdrivers.
Pump	Joe Blow Mini MOrph	Buy Pump	Mini floor-style pump with gauge. Fits in a pannier pocket.
Puncture Repair Kit	Park Tool / Rema Tip Top	Buy Kit	Always carry one, even with spare tubes. Include fresh glue!
Spare Tubes (x2)	Schwalbe / Continental	Buy Tubes	Match your tyre size and valve type.
Folding Tyre	Schwalbe Marathon Tour Plus	Buy Tyre	Optional, but handy for remote areas. Packs flat.
Tyre Levers	Pedro’s / Park Tool	Buy Levers	Plastic = light and rim-friendly. Carry at least two.
Chain Links	SRAM / KMC Quick Links	Buy Quick Links	Make a broken chain a 2-minute fix.
Spoke Key + Spare Spokes	DT Swiss / Park	Buy Spoke Tools	Light, essential for wheel truing on the go.
Cable Ties	Generic	Buy Cable Ties	Fix racks, secure cables, build things MacGyver-style.
Gear / Brake Cable	Shimano / Jagwire	Buy Spares	One of each. Lightweight and can save a tour.
Chain Lube	Muc Off	Buy Lube	Keep it small and use a leakproof container.
Chain SPlitter	Park Tool	Buy Tool	For tricky cable ends, odd bolts, or tent zippers.
Misc. Spares	Bolts, nuts, tape, cord	Build Your Kit	Bits n bobs you’ll want in your tool kit

Tech for Bike Travel

An Analogue Bicycle Traveller

When I began bicycle touring, it was a carefree time before social media and high-profile sponsored expeditions. The perfect ride for me still includes a paper map, a flask of tea a weekend to explore wthout distraction.

When I cycled RTW, I carried an old iPhone for GPS, a basic waterproof camera for photographs and paperback books and a wireless radio for entertainment. 

These days, I’m more involved in the production of content and the advancement of this website, so I have a ‘bike travel tech stack’. Here’s what I carry to document my bike trips:

My RTW Bike Travel Tech Stack

Stay charged, stay found. These gadgets help me navigate, document, and power through the long haul — all while keeping weight and bulk to a minimum.

Item	Brand	Link	Notes
Smartphone	iPhone / Pixel	View Phone	Main tool for maps, music, camera, notes, and comms. Offline apps are key.
Navigation App	Komoot	Visit Site	Download maps for offline use. Great for route planning and rerouting.
Power Bank	Anker 10,000–20,000mAh	Buy Power Bank	Reliable juice for phones, lights, GPS. USB-C recommended.
Camera	GoPro	Buy Camera	For documenting epic rides. Small, durable, high quality.
Kindle	Amazon Kindle Paperwhite	Buy Kindle	Long battery life, weighs nothing, holds your entire travel library.
Drone	DJI NEO	Buy Drone	The ultimate content creation kit. Under 250g legal to travel with in most countries
Mini Speaker	JBL BOOM	Buy JBL	Fits in a bottle cage, sounds epic. Be a rock n roll cyclist
Wall Travel Charger	Anker / Belkin Dual USB	Buy Charger	A dual-port charger with fast charge is a campsite essential.
Earphones	Wired or Bluetooth	Buy Earphones	For podcasts, calls, and meditative playlists under the stars.
SIM / Local eSIM	Airalo / Local Provider	Buy eSIM	Cheap data access. Download before you travel or grab a local SIM at arrival.
Backups	MicroSD + USB Stick	Buy Storage	Backup photos and documents. Keep one copy hidden just in case.

Bicycle Touring Gear and Weight Considerations

Now that you’ve got all the essentials gathered together, it may be prudent to weigh them. While there’s no perfect weight for cycle touring kit, the general rule is that lighter is better. This is a cost-benefit exercise. I’ve heard of some long-distance cyclists cutting the labels from clothes to save weight. Personally, I like a few luxuries; however, I found that when I set off on my solo bicycle tour, I was carrying too much kit. Offloading a few non-essential items, such as a laptop and a heavy-duty bike lock, felt good. I immediately felt relieved to be rid of these items. Neither had enough use to warrant a place in my bikepacking kit list. My bicycle touring gear weight was reduced, and I felt happier for it. Shed a load, hit the road.

Bicycle Touring First Aid Kit

When I got my yellow fever vaccination, the nurse and I got to talking about my trip. As the conversation unfolded, the nurse decided I needed a bunch of sterilised medical supplies and kitted me out with a hefty package that included sharps, a scalpel, stitches, saline solution, bandages, wipes and scissors. I managed to stuff all this bicycle touring first aid kit and emergency gear into a 3l Tupperware. The only thing I needed to use was the saline solution to wash my eyes after a particularly dusty week in Cambodia. It’s stuff you take but hope you never need.

God bless the NHS!

I took along a couple of boxes of malaria medication, a very common antibiotic called Doxycycline. This can be used to treat other ailments however, it does make you sun sensitive while taking it. I did a week’s self-prescribed course to help clear a savage bout of dysentery in Myanmar and got very sunburnt. While not strictly essential to the cycle touring kit list, these items were pretty handy to have on board.

Don’t forget your toothbrush!

Ready to print your cycle touring kit list? 

Download Bike Touring Gear List (PDF)

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