Being caught in the rain is never pleasant, no matter the outing. But while in the city you can quickly go home, change, and warm up, bikepacking is a very different situation. On a long route, wet clothes and shoes quickly become not only a source of discomfort but also a cause of cooling, fatigue, and loss of energy.
That's why bikepacking gear is not about style, but a real element of comfort and safety on the road. Well-thought-out attire helps to better manage weather changes, avoid overheating on climbs, suffer less from the cold during breaks, and stay comfortable for long hours in the saddle.
Table of Contents:
Why everyday clothes are not suitable for bikepacking
Layering principle
Essential bikepacking gear
Shoes for bikepacking
What to pack for a short bikepacking trip
Conclusion
This article will be useful for anyone planning longer routes than a simple urban commute: from short gravel rides to multi-day trips. The experts at Routes and Roads explain how to equip yourself correctly for bikepacking and what criteria to consider. The store offers a wide selection of clothing, cycling shoes, and accessories from the biggest brands in the cycling world, for all practices and budgets.
Why everyday clothes are not suitable for bikepacking
On a short city trip, the difference between regular attire and cycling gear is often not felt. However, a cotton t-shirt retains moisture, an overly warm jacket promotes sweating, and uncomfortable seams start to irritate the skin after a few hours of pedaling. In addition, everyday clothes generally take up more space in bikepacking bags and are less adaptable to weather changes.
That's why bikepacking trips require technical clothing designed for intense movement, temperature variations, and prolonged effort.
Cycling jerseys quickly wick away moisture and dry fast, keeping skin dry
Layering principle
When cycling, the weather can change very quickly. A cool morning, a warm day, then a drop in temperature in the evening after rain.
For this reason, cyclists rarely use a single "universal" jacket. It is much more practical to adopt the layering principle, which consists of superimposing several garments that can be easily added or removed throughout the journey.
This approach primarily allows for quick adaptation to the weather and the intensity of effort, without overheating on climbs or getting cold during breaks.
There are three main layers:
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The base layer serves to wick away moisture. This is generally a technical synthetic base layer, in the form of a t-shirt or long-sleeved jersey, capable of quickly wicking away perspiration and drying fast. This helps prevent cooling down during stops.
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The mid-layer retains warmth. This can be a light fleece, a vest, a jersey, or a compact thermal jacket that is easy to store in a bag.
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The outer layer protects from wind and rain. A windbreaker jacket or a lightweight waterproof membrane jacket is sufficient in most cases.
For half-day or longer rides, it is advisable to bring a windbreaker or a membrane jacket
Essential bikepacking gear
Base layer
The foundation of effective bikepacking gear is clothing that can wick away moisture and dry quickly. Cotton should therefore be avoided: cyclists prefer technical t-shirts or cycling jerseys made of synthetic materials.
A cycling jersey remains comfortable even after long hours in the saddle, and its back pockets provide easy access to a snack, gloves, or a light jacket, without needing to open the bags at every stop.
Many cyclists also choose long-sleeved jerseys for summer bikepacking. This type of clothing not only wicks away moisture but also protects the skin from the sun during long hours of pedaling.
A long-sleeved jersey and bib shorts form an ideal combo for riding in hot weather
Bib shorts with a chamois pad also play an essential role. Over long distances, they reduce pressure points and limit chafing. On a multi-day trip, the difference from classic sports shorts is usually felt from the very first day.
Synthetic socks are also more suitable than classic models: they dry faster, wick away moisture better, and reduce the risk of blisters on long rides.
Protection against wind, cold, and rain
Even in summer, light weather protection is essential for bikepacking. A long descent, an early start, or a headwind can quickly cause the perceived temperature to drop.
A compact windbreaker jacket or a lightweight vest is often enough to significantly improve comfort when the weather becomes unstable without taking up too much space in the bags.
Rain protection is just as important. The weather can change abruptly in a few hours, especially in the mountains or near the coast. A waterproof membrane jacket helps to stay dry and avoid getting cold after a downpour.
In colder weather, an additional insulating layer is usually added, such as a vest, a light fleece, or a compact synthetic jacket that is easy to store in a bikepacking bag.
The layering system allows adaptation to all weather variations
Accessories
Even small accessories have a significant impact on comfort. Cycling gloves reduce pressure on the palms and allow for better bike control on gravel. A buff or a light hat protects from the wind and helps to better withstand temperature differences during early starts or cooler sections in the evening.
Shoes for bikepacking
In bikepacking, shoes influence both pedaling efficiency and walking comfort. During a trip, it is sometimes necessary to enter a store, go down stairs with your bike, or simply walk.
That's why, for gravel bikepacking and bike touring, many cyclists prefer shoes with a sole stiff enough for efficient pedaling, while remaining comfortable for walking.
Very stiff, competition-oriented shoes are not suitable for all trips. For mixed terrain and multi-day routes, MTB or gravel models with recessed cleats are often preferred. They make it easier to walk on stones, dirt paths, and wet asphalt.
Cycling shoes with cleats can be uncomfortable for long walks
If the route mainly involves fast sections on the road, sole stiffness becomes more important. Conversely, when a trip includes many stops, walking phases, and varied terrain, it is better to prioritize walking comfort over maximum pedaling performance.
What to pack for a short bikepacking trip
Even a short outing can end in rain, strong wind, or a drop in temperature at the end of the day. That's why it's always advisable to bring some extra gear:
- a compact rain jacket;
- spare socks;
- a light insulating layer;
- gloves;
- a vest or windbreaker jacket.
These clothes take up little space but help to better manage weather changes and unforeseen conditions on the route.
Even minimal but well-chosen equipment can make a ride more comfortable
For long bikepacking routes, the equipment list is more comprehensive:
- a technical jersey or synthetic base layer;
- bib shorts with a chamois pad;
- technical socks;
- a vest or windbreaker jacket;
- a compact membrane jacket;
- an insulating layer for cold weather;
- gloves;
- a buff or a light hat;
- glasses;
- comfortable shoes for both cycling and walking.
Conclusion
In bikepacking, equipment has a direct impact on comfort, fatigue levels, and the overall travel experience. Appropriate clothing helps to better manage changing weather, avoid overheating on climbs, and retain warmth in bad weather.
The experts at Routes and Roads help you choose clothing and shoes suitable for the season, the type of route, and your practice: gravel, touring, or long-distance bike travel, from short rides around Paris to grand routes across France.
