The Ultimate Mountain Bike Travel Pack

- 2022-03-15

As mountain-biking’s popularity continues to explode globally, dedicated trail hunters are travelling further to seek out wild, less crowded single track. Here are a few essentials you need to setup your ‘bike base camp’ from which to bike out of, so that you can pick just what you need for your sojourn on the trails and come back to a comfortable camp.

As with most packing setups everything starts (and ends) with the Wolf Pack Pro (with foam dividers). Store the bulk of your gear in the Wolf Pack and simply load your daypack with the items necessary for the time and distance you expect to spend on a particular route.

Here is what we always carry out on the trails:

1. Waterproof phone storage

Your cellphone is the single most important multi-tool… provided you have reception. Keep it safe from foul weather, dust, dirt and sweat. Some of the most popular include JOTO's Universal Waterproof Case (which comes in a range of funky colors) and the Helian Waterproof Phone Case. Whichever you choose, make sure that it is screen sensitive so that you can use it without taking it out of the case. Having your phone on hand is not only essential for safety and tracking purposes, but how else would you log that STRAVA segment or capture the pic?

2. Power bank

Here, we would choose the biggest, most powerful unit that fits your budget and leave it in camp, using it to charge up before heading out into the hills. The Dometic PLB40 – a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery that delivers high levels of mobile power.

3. Water bottle or hydration pack

Fill it with quality water you trust from a Front Runner water storage solution, such as the Plastic Water Jerry Can which is made from food-grade polyethylene and is BPA free. Of course, you also need the correct nutrition (electrolyte- and carbohydrate-rich drinks mix) for the amount of time you plan on spending in the mountains, as well as trail snacks of your choice. Food such as bananas and raisins are great sources of slow-release energy and potassium and are often better choices than energy bars and gels.

4. Waterproof windbreaker

The weather up in the mountains can change in a matter of minutes and a windbreaker that scrunches into the size of a fist (or smaller) is indispensable.

5. Spare tube

We ride in an age of tubeless tires, but these still get slashed. Also make sure you have tire levers and either a pump or CO2 cartridge with which to inflate it. These days we also ride with a tire plug tool such as the Sahmurai Switchblade tire repair tool, which includes a reamer and plugging tool among other gadgets in a neat, easy-to-carry package.

6. Multitool

A ‘fix-all’ multitool is a must-have for riders of all levels. As with most bike tools, you get what you pay for, so it’s best not to skimp, look for the best balance between functions and packing size that suit your budget.

7. Duct tape

Fix anything from wounds to broken shoes and slashed tires. Wrap your CO2 cartridges with the tape, this way the cartridges don’t rattle and you can re-use the tape as needed.