Any time I plan a hike of more than a few miles, I make a spreadsheet.
I lay out everything I've planned to bring.
I argue with myself and trim out the extra weight.
I check things off my spreadsheet because forgetting things really sucks.
This pack is for an upcoming 10 (+/-) mile with high temps, high humidity, and a lot of elevation gain. The only thing missing is food and my hat. The only thing still up for debate is my water filtering kit - it might be essential or it might be useless but I think I'm bringing it either way. I always end up bringing at least one thing (besides a first aid kit) that doesn't get used.
(part 3 of 5) I'm gradually going through past trip notebooks and jotting down all my packing lists down in one place. I'm writing out my packing list for an upcoming trip now so I figured I might as well copy and paste it onto the blog as well...
In 2022 I went on a multi-week vehicle-supported stay-in-hotels tour: a ~1200 mile ride through Vietnam and Cambodia with TdA Global Cycling. Typically for this type of trip there’s a support van that transports one large duffel bag to the next night’s hotel for you, freeing you to just carry daily essentials on the bike.
The extra capacity combined with our more remote travel including gravel/dirt roads led me to pack heavier. My packing list for this type, climate, and length of trip (retroactively revised based on what I wished I’d had, or brought but didn’t use):
Clothes:
In general, I packed enough clothes to do laundry every six days (this bike tour was organized so we’d ride at most five full days in a row between days off), plus overnight hotel-room-sink laundry for crucial fast-drying items, and wool Ts I can wear multiple days.
Bike clothes:
(3-4x) padded bike shorts [two pairs is enough if washing in the sink each night, but when it’s raining or there isn’t an easy place to hang it to dry it’s nice to be able to take a day off laundry]
(6x) socks
(2x) shorts with pockets (“mountain bike style”) to wear over padded shorts, also fine to walk around town in
(2x) light merino wool t-shirts to both bike and walk around in
(1x) synthetic souvenir jersey from some past trip (conversation starter!)
mesh t-shirt to bike in on the hottest days (there isn't much I find comfortable to bike in on 90-100F sunny + humid days, but the AeroTech Delta Cooling T-shirt was pretty good)
lightweight cycle cap
bandana (can soak in water to cool down on the hottest days)
sun sleeves
arm warmers, leg warmers, leg sun shields [never needed, omit in this climate]
fingerless gloves
[tbd future] full finger waterproof gloves– there was one cold and rainy day at elevation they would have been appreciated
general-purpose bike-and-walk shoes
backup pair of shoes (in case first get wet and don’t dry by the next day)-- this only came up twice after very rainy days, but I was glad to have them. I save an ancient worn-out pair of shoes just for this.
flip-flops / crocs
[tbd future] hiking shoes with better arch support, or insoles [would be bulky, but on one many-hour hike on a rest day I was wishing I had these]
[tbd future] bike helmet brim (e.g. Da Brim) [wished I had more of a helmet visor some days, and this was great on the past Utah MTB dirt tour – on the other hands, it also catches the wind if biking faster]
[tbd future] hi-vis biking vest, especially for days with some dark road tunnels
Other Clothes:
gym shorts to change into after ride
(2x) long pants (one lpermethrin treated since I was in a malaria zone)
(3x) light t-shirts
(2x) long sleeve button up shirt (one quick-dry hiking style, one ‘dressy’)
bathing suit
brimmed hat
light pack towel in case of roadside swimming holes [didn’t end up carrying daily or using, may omit]
Wet Weather Gear
hi-vis yellow rain coat
[tbd future] loose rain poncho for rain in hot + humid weather, instead
rain pants and shoe covers [ineffective and sweaty after hours of riding, getting wet in a warm climate is OK, omitting]
Documents + Paper:
photocopies of passport ID page, visas, vaccination cards, travel insurance in a ziploc bag (I carry copies on me, leave originals in hotel bag)
high-level maps for the regions I’m going through
pocket phrase guide or one-page printout of common phrases and menu items
Since we’d be out in rural areas without easy access to bike shops, I packed additional parts in my hotel bag, as on a supported tour there was an emergency vehicle in case of a major breakdown):
(2x) spare tires (I did end up using one of them, when one tire accumulated multiple larger punctures)
(5x) spare tubes (managed to use 3 plus some patches on a month-long tour with moderately rough roads)
bicycle lube (Boeshield T-9 or other), double-bagged in two ziplocs in case of leak (the bottle did leak once-- I'm glad I bagged it)
rag for chain
(2x) spare brake cables and housings
(2x) spare shift cables and housings
(2x pairs) brake pads
(1x) spare set of pedals (likely unnecessary, omit next time)
(4x) spare spokes (the right length for the front wheel and drive and non-drive sides of the rear wheel– I had to chat with the original bike manufacturer to double-check these)
8mm allen L-key (stiffer than multitool, for pedals / seat during bike unpacking)
spare chain and master link
extra moist towelettes
zip ties
duct tape
Food
This kind of supported tour generally offers a midday lunch / snack popup by the side of the road, and periodic towns where we could buy snacks, but I packed about one snack for every two days just to have some familiar options (peanut butter and dried pineapple) as well as some hydration salts.
Electronics:
(2x) outlet adapters
(2x) USB chargers
cables
small USB battery pack (enough to charge everything for one night-- occasionally a hotel didn't have enough working plugs)
bike computer / GPS
backup distance-only bike computer [didn't use, the phone is already my backup for my GPS, omit]
bright daylight-visible taillight (I like the Cygolite Hotshot Pro series)
bike headling
headlamp [somewhat redundant with headlight and phone, may omit]
waterproof camera [nice for taking photos on rainy days while keeping phone tucked away in a plastic bag, but may omit next time]
[tbd future] ipad or tiny laptop, if part of a longer trip where I may want to do some work or writing
Bags:
duffel bag (I've been happy with my 100L Patagonia Black Hole)
hip pack (for extra water (Evoc Hip Pack Pro = 1.5L), snacks, toiletries on bike [may omit now that I have a small frame bag]
day pack for hikes (don't need both this and hip pack)
single pannier for carrying clothing on rainy or cold days (usually not needed) or if going on a DIY side trip -- omit on next trip to simplify and allow me to remove bike rear rack as well
stem bag (for sunglasses, sunscreen, extra water)
top tube bag (snacks)
Other Misc
backup pair of glasses
glasses wipes
sunglasses
[tbd future] clothesline for hotel room / balcony: paracord + binder clips + two carabiners
[tbd future] ultralight sleeping bag liner (for a niche problem: there were a few days when it was too hot to sleep under a comforter, but the hotel didn’t provide a top sheet, and bugs or aggressive breeze from the hotel fan on my skin were distracting when trying to sleep, maybe this would help)
Weight:
Not counting the bike and helmet or the clothes I wore onto the plane, the original version of this packlist came to about 48lbs (22 kg) in the duffel bag. Once I was riding with some of it on the bike (hip pack, bike bags, tools, snack bars, and so on), the duffel that was transferred between hotels weighed about 40lbs (18kg).
The revised version of this packlist for a future trip (removing the strikeout items and adding most of the "tbd future" items) also came to about 48 lbs as checked on the plane total including the bike bags, or about 43 lbs / 19.5 kg once some items were carried on the bike. Not quite at my goal of 18kg but close... I could pack lighter and with fewer separate sub-bags, but I like being organized and bringing a few new pieces of clothing/gear to try each trip.
(part 2 of 5) I'm gradually going through past trip notebooks and random Google Docs and jotting down all my packing lists in one place.
For a week-long ride like Berlin->Copenhagen which is self-contained but involves staying in hotels every night and is not far from civilization, I pack fairly light, since I have to carry everything on the bike and don’t have to carry camping gear or significant food or bike repair tools. This type of trip often involves a few days after the riding in a city, so I want clothing I feel comfortable walking around or going out to a restaurant in.
A good list for me for what I can fit in two small panniers (in addition to the tools / accessories / etc already on the “always on the bike” list):
Clothes:
(2x) padded bike shorts, to wash alternate pairs in hotel sink each night (3x is more convenient in case one doesn't dry in time)
(2x) quick-dry boxers (also to wash in sink)
(6x) socks
(2x) wool t-shirts to bike + walk in (assuming moderate climate)
(1x) long shorts (to wear over padded shorts, with pockets)
(1x) basic sleeping t-shirt
light gym shorts (to change into immediately at end of ride to “let everything breathe”)
small pack towel, mostly for impromptu swimming stops (since hotels will have towels)
bathing suit (redundant a bit w/ gym shorts)
flip flops
bike cap
rain shell / windbreaker
jeans (wore on plane, then packed away and saved to dress more presentably in the evening or on "city days")
one light + fast-drying long-sleeve shirt
one warmer button-up shirt (worn onto plane, then does dual duty as warmth or "looking more presentable in restaurant")
I just ride in regular shoes that are good for walking as well
Electronics + Paper:
outlet adapter
phone charger + cable
bike computer + microUSB cable
front and rear lights (also microUSB rechargeable)
noise-canceling headphones (a luxury, helps with sleeping on international flight, may skip next time)
larger USB battery pack (enough to recharge everything overnight in case of a hotel without enough working outlets for me + travel partner)
notebook and two pens (having your own pen is frequently useful at border crossings)
kindle or paper book
phrasebook
passport / ID / vax certificates / etc depending on trip
Other:
panniers (ideally with external pockets or ability to ride open-top to hold bulkier items like bottle of olive oil / wine / beer, loaf of bread, etc)
dopp kit
several days of my favorite pick-me-up snacks
safety pins (quick garment repair + clean out debris in phone port), duct tape, zip ties
map
masks
a few Covid rapid tests
earplugs
extra ziplock bags
two trash bags (for double-bagging possessions in panniers in heavy rain)
backup pair of glasses
Sometimes I add:
waterproof pants and shoe covers (useful in rain, but I also find they get sweaty easily, and in the heaviest rain I find water still finds a way in after a few hours, and they take up a lot of space). A blog reader suggested looking up "Rain Legs"
full-finger gloves for cold days
other warm clothing as needed, though I find I rarely want legwarmers or other base layers beyond the above
instant coffee / a few teabags, in case of a very basic hotel or airBNB that doesn't provide them or has late breakfast hours
bug repellent
Looking back this seems like a long list, but this all (barely) fit in the two small panniers above, and those panniers fit in the small tote bag below that I used to carry or check them as "one item":
I'm gradually going through past trip notebooks and jotting down all my packing lists in one place.
For pretty much any tour, whether supported or self-contained, camping or hotel, there’s a minimum set of gear I carry on the bike. These fit in the combination of an under-seat saddlebag (tools/medical/jacket), and a small top tube or stem bag. A typical example:
My standard list:
Bike Tools
Wide tire levers
Bike multitool with a chain tool. Often one without a knife if I’m flying somewhere, since I kept forgetting to check tools and losing them to airport security
Spare master link for chain
Valve core tool (such as the Lezyne "CNC TLR", a valve core tool that doubles as a valve cap and can just permanently live on one of my wheels)
Spare tube
Vulcanizing rubber patch kit (I've found these last much better than the "sticker" patches)
Pump (I usually splurge and carry a mid-size travel pump with fold-out footpeg like shown-- fixing a flat on a distant road is annoying enough without struggling with a tiny pump). I currently carry the Road Morph G, but the Mountain Morph would probably be a better fit for the larger tires I've drifted toward.
Two straps– for attaching unplanned roadside finds to the rack in a pinch
Medical + Personal
Sunscreen
Medkit mostly aimed at minor accidents: bandaids, gauze+tape, alcohol wipes, antibacterial ointment, moleskin, antihistamines, ibuprofen, thin rubber gloves (useful both for medical safety and handling greasy bike parts), a few "dry soap sheets", tweezers (useful for splinter removal or removing glass from a tire)
Bike Clothes that come on and off over the day:
Gloves
UV blocking sun sleeves
Sunglasses
A light breathable reflective layer regardless of the forecast– acts as an extra layer for warmth, visibility if out after dark, and slight rain protection
Bandana (many uses, like the towel from The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy: protect your head from the sun, cover your mouth in a dust or gnat storm, evaporatively cool yourself off by soaking it in water and wearing it under the helmet...)
Other:
Heavy ziploc bag (for phone in case of rain)
Mini USB battery pack (just enough to get a partial phone charge)
Aplicativos e listas para preparar mala de viagem/Apps und Listen für die Vorbereitung eines Koffers/Apps and lists for preparing a suitcase
Aplicativos e listas para preparar mala de viagem/Apps und Listen für die Vorbereitung eines Koffers/Apps and lists for preparing a suitcase
A pandemia vai acabar um dia e quem gosta de viajar vai voltar a “perambular” por esse vasto mundo.
Devagarinho começamos a fazer planos de viagem para quando a pandemia terminar, refletimos sobre quais lugares gostaríamos de conhecer ou que locais gostaríamos de retornar.
Sendo assim, voltaremos a preparar malas e se preocupar com o que levar.
Quando se fala de bagagem, o melhor é levar o…
I recently had a friend of a friend reach out with a list of questions about the Camino. Before she embarked on her journey she wanted to know, among other things, what I packed (surprisingly it all fit into my small pack and weighed 15lbs +/-.
So here it is…
What I packed
A day pack – Gregory 25L
I had one of the smallest packs on the Camino that I saw. It definitely fit everything, but my stuff just fit. Which means it was an effort to pack it perfectly every morning. I suggest something slightly larger so you can pack quickly and rearrange to shift weight based on what part of your body may be hurting that day.
Two quick dry moisture wicking t-shirts
Of the many I tried on, I liked Nike and The North Face best
Two pair of inexpensive running shorts from Target
I didn’t find it necessary to spend a lot of money on my shorts, rather I optimized comfort
One non-walking outfit
Not everyone brought this, but I got to say I really enjoyed changing into something “else” after a long walk and a shower. I opted for a simple slip on cotton dress. I actually found it in the pajama section of Target, and it had a built in bra, which was perfect!
One pair of pajamas
Also noticed a lot of people didn’t bring these, but I enjoyed sleeping in something clean.
Three pairs of hiking socks
I opted for Smartwool and Darn Tuff
One sports bra and three pair of quick dry undies
I opted for Ex-Oficio underwear
A pair of trail runners
I decided not to go full hiking boot. A pair of Brookes Trail Runners was sufficient.
A pair of sandals
At the end of a long day of walking, one of the BEST feelings is taking off your hiking shoes. And trust me, you don’t want to put them back on again until the next day. A saw a lot of flip flops, but was happy with my pair of Tevas. They allowed me to air my feet out with providing much needed support while exploring the towns and cities I passed through.
A raincoat or Poncho
It only rained 1 or 2 days out of 32, but it was also the only “warm” thing I carried with me, so it got some use on brisk windy days in the mountains.
One quick dry towel
I only brought a medium sized towel and it worked great.
One sleeping bag
I brought a very lightweight bag, because I knew it was going to be hot. It was important for me to be able to unzip the bag down, because I like to sleep with my feet out… that’s just me.
A head lamp
You may, as I did, find yourself walking in the dark. Especially as you go further West and the sun rises later. Also useful for finding your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
A hat
Visor, baseball cap, Fedora, whatever you fancy
A 2L Camel Pack
It added weight, but it was totally worth it. I never ran low on water.
A small Nalgene
I brought this to use electrolyte tabs in (I used FIZZ)
Toiletries
a. Soap: I brought 3oz bottles of conditioning shampoo and body wash that lasted me almost the entire trip.
b. A small first aid kit: Bandaids, Compede, Neosporin, Benedryl, a needle in thread for draining blisters
c. A big ole bottle of sunscreen: The sun is strong in Spain…
d. Chapstick
e. Sanitary items, for the ladies: I thought I would save space and bring a Menstrual Cup… it was okay, but I don’t recommend it. All of the bathrooms are shared and you have to find a quiet moment to clean it in a public space.
Technology
a. A phone: I kept my phone on airplane mode but used it as a camera.
b. Euro phone charger
c. A fit bit: Not necessary, but I liked having a watch, especially one with a vibrating alarm to wake me up in the morning when my phone was charging across the room and I didn’t want to wake anyone else up.
Other
a. A good guide book!
b. A journal and pen: I brought a very small notebook and it was perfect
c. A plastic zip-lock bag: to keep your Camino Passport and Journal dry/safe
d. A swiss army knife: That I never used
e. A deck of cards
f. A Plastic Sfork/knife: for eating on the go
g. Electrolyte tablets: I was the only one I met on the Camino who had these, but I was so grateful for them!
h. A whistle (the guy at REI wouldn’t let me leave without buying one)
What I bought along the way
Walking sticks
At ten euro a pop, these things saved me. I had never used sticks before, but after I climbed my first hill with them, I gave each one of them a kiss. They made things a lot easier, especially on my back and knees!
Other: A knee brace, muscle cream, and lightweight pants
What I wish I had brought
A bathing suit!
There were lots of pools and swimming holes along the way to swim in. It’s nice to not have to go in your underwear, especially when you need your underwear dry the next day.
