Bikepacking gear recommendations for 2023

Bikepacking season is here! Over the past few years, bikepacking has exploded in popularity, with search volume growing more than 2x since 2017. For this year, our Verde brands have rounded up a handful of products that are good considerations if you're gearing up to head out on your own trip, or write about new products for this popular adventure sport.

If you’d like media samples of any of the products here or if you have any questions, please reach out to us.

Shelter & Sleep

MSR Hubba Hubba Tent

Stop compromising between comfort and weight. Redesigned and lighter than ever, the best-selling 3-season Hubba Hubba ($549.95) is one of the most livable lightweight tents available. You will love the generous 40 inches (1.01 m) of headroom and the true rectangular floor (no taper) that is spacious enough for all your gear. The tent body is a blend of mesh and solid fabric that provides airflow, privacy, durability and weather protection. No-curve tent doors feature zippers that are easy to use with one hand. They also zip closed to a single point so you always know where to open the door, even in the dark. New tech-friendly pockets feature cable ports at the corners for headphone and charging cords. Overhead gear loft pockets are perfect for headlamps, sunglasses and other quick-access items.

Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT ($199.95 - size regular) makes the best even better with new technology and increased comfort. The XLite NXT uses a refined ThermaCapture technology, now integrated into the Triangular Core Matrix™, that is six times quieter than the current pad for a better night's rest. At three inches thick (a half inch thicker than the current XLite), the XLite NXT delivers exceptional support and comfort on the trail. The Triangular Core Matrix delivers industry leading warmth-to-weight ratio at a 4.5 R-value, making the XLite NXT perfect for any season and any adventure. The ultralight pad weighs in at 12.5 ounces (regular) and packs down as small as a one liter water bottle. The 30D Ripstop Nylon, with durable TPU laminate, offers greater protection from punctures, and the easy to use WingLock™ valve allows the pad to inflate three times faster thanks to a larger opening and one-way valve. As with all Therm-a-Rest pads, the NeoAir XLite NXT is made in-market to ensure quality and minimize environmental impact. To learn more about the NeoAir XLite NXT, visit the Therm-a-Rest YouTube page.

Therm-A-Rest Vesper 32F/0C Quilt

Built to provide a featherlight pack weight and high-performance warmth, the Vesper 32F/0C Quilt ($350 - $370) thrives during ultralight, backcountry adventures. The quilt uses thermally-efficient box baffled construction to ensure warmth and comfort in an ultralight package. Designed with high-quality materials and Therm-a-Rest performance features, a snap neck closure, perimeter side baffles and an insulated footbox provide warmth and comfort in the backcountry. When compared to sleeping bags, the Vesper quilts save weight and pack smaller by utilizing the warmth of your insulated mattress.

Hydration

Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter

The Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter ($49.95) system draws upon decades of expertise in filtration and hydration to provide adventurers the best user experience of any fill-and-squeeze water filter on the market. The easy-to-use system comes in two parts: the durable and taste-free 1L QuickDraw reservoir and the hollow fiber filter cartridge. Weighing just 3.3 oz (95 g) and filtering up to 3L per minute, the QuickDraw system ensures quick and easy access to clean water on any adventure. You can either shake-to-clean the hollow fiber filter or perform a tool-free backflush to ensure the fast flow rates will stick around for the duration of your trips. With its inside/outside (I/O) dual-thread design, the QuickDraw filter cartridge securely adapts to smartwater® bottles and other Platy bottles and reservoirs allowing you to develop your ideal system to confidently explore the wilderness. See a video overview, here.

MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier

The Guardian Gravity Purifier ($299.95) has your bikepacking group covered with safe water, removing viruses, bacteria, protozoa, sediment and microplastics hands-free. Simply hang it while you go about your tasks at camp and its 10L reservoir supports the daily water needs of multiple people. Originally designed to protect service members in the field, this rugged purifier handles the abuse of travel and meets the NSF P248 military testing standard.

Fuel/Nutrition

Backpacker’s Pantry Meals

Backpacker's Pantry freeze-dried meals ($8-12) are an ideal choice for a bikepacking trip thanks to them having a long shelf life, being lightweight, and easy to prepare. These meals are designed to be nutritious, delicious, and simple to make, requiring only boiling water and a few minutes to rehydrate. They come in a variety of flavors and styles, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, making them suitable for different dietary needs. Additionally, their compact packaging makes them easy to store in your saddle bag, offering a convenient and reliable solution for breakfast, dinner or dessert - since after a long day of biking you definitely deserve Dark Chocolate Cheesecake to celebrate your accomplishments!

MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Kit

The perfect stove kit to pair with easy freeze-dried meals is the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Kit. Sized for two but light enough for one, the kit comes equipped with MSR’s pressure-regulated, fast-boiling PocketRocket Deluxe stove that perfectly nests in the kit’s ultra-compact Trail Mini Duo Cook Set. Minimalist bikepackers will appreciate the stove’s push-start ignition, consistently fast boil times (even when fuel and temperatures are low), and broad burner for more versatile cooking and simmering. The 1.2 L pot is the ideal capacity for boiling water for two pouch meals or cups of coffee, while the included bowl adds a second eating/drinking vessel for sharing with a trail partner.

Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel & Recovery

Bikepacking is a true endurance activity and no matter the distance or intensity of your ride each day on your trip, proper fueling and hydration is essential for a good day out on the bike. Durango-based Tailwind Nutrition offers Endurance Fuel and Recovery Mix powders for every type of cyclist. Endurance Fuel blends electrolytes with calories so you don’t have to worry about gulping down hard-to-chew energy bars or strangely viscous gels. The eight flavors (four caffeinated and four non-caffeinated) are designed to taste good and be easy on the stomach. After a long day in the saddle, mix up a bottle of Recovery Mix to take advantage of the right mix of carbs, protein, electrolytes, & accomplishment so you’re ready to take on whatever the next day has in store.

Safety

RECCO Reflectors

Bikepacking often takes riders into remote backcountry locations. The threat of injury or getting lost is always looming. Well-known in the snow sports world, RECCO has been making recreationalists more searchable for 40 years now. In recent years, the introduction of the RECCO rescue helicopter system has expanded the possibilities for rescuing summer recreationalists as well.  

Helicopters that are outfitted with a RECCO helicopter detector can search a larger area more quickly, making them a great tool for finding missing bikepackers, cyclists, or any other trail user. The RECCO system is composed of two parts. The detector is used by search and rescue professionals to pick up a reflection from the RECCO reflector. RECCO reflectors are embedded into common items from hundreds of outdoor brands and are also sold separately as units that can be affixed to helmets and backpacks. Integrated POC helmets and clothing from Rocky Mountain Bicycles are two main examples in the bike world. Rescuers use the reflection to find missing people via air or land. Visit RECCO.com to learn more about the technology and RECCO’s partner brands.