One Night. One Bag. Just Enough Chaos.
Overnight bikepacking trips are where you taste freedom without fully committing to the lifestyle of a dehydrated lentil evangelist. It’s you, your bike, one night(maybe two) under the stars, and probably some instant noodles. Just pure bike adventure perfection.
Tobias’ All-inclusive Bikepacking Checklist
This list is dialed for folks doing 1–2 nights out, maybe on forest roads, gravel trails, or rail-to-trail routes. You’re not hauling the kitchen sink, but you are carrying enough to not hate life at 2AM when the rain hits.
🚲 Core Bike & Ride Stuff
- ✅ Helmet — Always.
- ✅ Sunglasses — Trail squinting is a bad look.
- ✅ Bike lights (front + rear) — Assume you’ll be riding into the dusk.
- ✅ Flat kit
- Tubes, levers, CO₂ or pump, patches
- Plug kit + sealant (if tubeless)
- ✅ Multi-tool + chain breaker
- ✅ Quick link
- ✅ GPS device or offline map — Getting lost isn’t “romantic” in the dark.
- ✅ Lock — For peace of mind at the taco stop or trailhead.
Sleeping Setup
- ✅ Sleeping bag (lightweight, compressible)
- ✅ Sleeping pad — Your back will thank you.
- ✅ Tent / bivy / tarp — Up to you and your commitment to bugs.
- ✅ Headlamp or camp light
- ✅ Lightweight pillow (or hoodie in a stuff sack, let’s be real)
🍝 Camp Kitchen + Food
- ✅ Stove + fuel canister (Jetboil or similar)
- ✅ Lighter + backup (yes, two)
- ✅ Spork or utensil
- ✅ Mug or small pot
- ✅ Instant meals, ramen, or freeze-dried fuel
- ✅ Electrolytes + water purification tabs or filter
- ✅ Snacks for riding + camp chilling
- ✅ 2+ liters of water carrying capacity
- ✅ Coffee setup (Tobias insists: coffee or mutiny)
🧼 Personal + Emergency
- ✅ Toothbrush + tiny toothpaste
- ✅ Baby wipes or camp soap
- ✅ Trowel or toilet paper — Leave No Trace, my dude
- ✅ First aid kit (band-aids, meds, blister pads)
- ✅ Sunscreen & bug spray
- ✅ Chamois cream — one saddle sore can ruin vibes
- ✅ Trash bag — Pack it out!
🧢 Clothing (1-2 Nights)
- ✅ Riding kit
- ✅ Sleep clothes (dry, clean base layer = luxury)
- ✅ Rain jacket or shell
- ✅ Extra socks (always)
- ✅ Buff or hat
- ✅ Gloves (weather dependent)
- ✅ Puffy jacket or fleece (nights get cold even in summer)
🧰 Bonus / Optional
- ☐ Power bank
- ☐ Paper map or cue sheet
- ☐ Tiny journal or pen
- ☐ Flask or trail beer (optional, but spiritual)
- ☐ Book or e-reader (if you’re a campsite philosopher)
- ☐ Zip ties, duct tape, spare bolts
- ☐ Camp shoes (crocs gang rise up)
Get the Overnight Bikepacking Checklist PDF
Let us send the list in PDF format straight to your inbox so you can print it out, or have it at hand digitally while you’re getting ready for your next overnight bike adventure.
It’s just one or two nights. Pack smart. Ride free. Sleep wherever looks the best(a swamp is not that place).
Catch y’all out there,
— Tobias