The Traveling Vagabond Field-Tested Bikepacking. No Fluff.
For riders who are done watching gear reviews and ready to actually go. Everything here is field-tested, not desk-researched.
Built for riders who want practical answers fast — not a 20-minute video to get to the point. Whether you’re loading your first bags or dialing in a long-haul kit, everything here is written from the trail, not a desk.
Your Bikepacking Adventure Starts Here
Four essential pillars that will carry you from your very first overnight trip to confident multi-week adventures. All four are live and ready for you right now.
Bikepacking Basics
First trips, essential mindset, what I wish I knew before I started.
Ultralight Gear
Lightweight setups, packing lists, honest gear reviews.
Routes & Trails
Iconic multi-day adventures, free routes, planning tips.
Slow Travel & Resilience
Mental endurance, tough tours, extreme conditions and what keeps you going.
Latest from the Road
Honest stories and hard-won lessons from actual bikepacking trips — updated as I ride.
Bike Touring Gear for Beginners (Affordable Under-$500 Setup)
It’s the night before your first overnight. Your tabs are open, your cart is half full — here’s what you actually need.
Read the trip report →Minimal Sleep System for Bikepacking: 3 Setups for 3-Season Tours
Chasing a minimal sleep system? The real headache usually isn’t weight — it’s bulk. Here’s how to solve it.
Read the trip report →Bikepacking Bags System: Frame, Seat, and Handlebar Setup (What I’d Choose Today)
Frame, seat, handlebar — picking the wrong bag for the wrong spot ruins a trip. Here’s the setup I’d run today.
Read the trip report →The First Tour Bikepacking Kit
A free, step-by-step course that takes you from “I want to try this” to rolling out on your first real tour — the gear, the bags, the route, and the head game. Built from the same field-tested stuff on this site, in the order you actually need it.
- 6 short modules — plan and pack without the overwhelm
- Real gear picks at every budget, no filler
- Your first-route checklist and a simple resilience plan
Not Sure What Gear You Actually Need?
Skip the overwhelm. The gear guide breaks down every category — bags, sleep systems, navigation — with honest picks at every budget.
Browse the Gear Guide →