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Bikepacking Bags New Zealand: Your Ultimate Guide
Bikepacking Bags New Zealand: Your Ultimate Guide
New Zealand is a bikepacker's paradise. (I might be biased) but I will hold New Zealand up against any other country for its jaw dropping scenery, quiet back roads and evergrowing cycle network. To fully immerse yourself in this adventure, you'll need the right gear, and the heart of your setup is your bikepacking bags. With a plethora of options available, choosing the perfect bag can be a bit overwhelming. This guide will explore the world of bikepacking bags, focusing on our homegrown New Zealand brands and providing tips for your next adventure.
Understanding Bikepacking Bags
Understanding Bikepacking Bags
Bikepacking is all about carrying essential gear directly on your bike, eliminating the need for bulky panniers. Bikepacking bags come in various shapes and sizes to fit different bikes and loadouts. Common types include:
Frame bags: These fit inside your bike's frame and are ideal for carrying slightly heavier items like tools, tubes, and food.
Handlebar bags: Mounted on your handlebars, these can hold larger but lighter items like clothing or sleeping bags.
Seat packs: Attached to your seatpost, these are great for carrying bulky items like a sleeping bag or tent.
Rear racks: Attach to the back of the bike and offer more room and stability than a seat pack.
Top tube bags: Small bags that fit on your top tube, perfect for quick-access items like phone, GPS, or snacks.
Handlebar bags: Additional pouches or straps to expand your carrying capacity for more snacks!
The Importance of Quality Bikepacking Bags
The Importance of Quality Bikepacking Bags
Investing in high-quality bikepacking bags is crucial for several reasons:
Durability: Bikepacking involves exposure to harsh elements, so your bags need to withstand rain, mud, and rough terrain. A gear failure whilst out on a multiday trip can make for a very uncomfortable trip.
Weight: Every gram counts when bikepacking, so lightweight bags are essential for maximizing your riding efficiency. With weight saving comes a compromise on durability and that comes down to personal preference and goals.
Organization: Well-designed bags help you keep your gear organized and easily accessible.
Comfort: A properly loaded bike with well-distributed weight is more comfortable to ride meaning you can ride longer and have more adventures!
New Zealand Bikepacking Bag Brands
New Zealand Bikepacking Bag Brands
New Zealand boasts a thriving bikepacking community, and several local brands offer top-notch gear. Let's explore some of the standout options:
Known for their innovative designs and commitment to quality, Robo-Kiwi offers a range of bikepacking bags tailored to the New Zealand riding environment. Designed by a bikepacking racer their products are renowned for their durability, weather resistance, and clever features.
Highlight: All of Robo-Kiwi’s equipment is ultra-lightweight and have the smaller details taken care of. A superb design process.
Stealth Bikepacking produces minimalist and lightweight bags that blend seamlessly with your bike's aesthetics. Their focus on simplicity and functionality makes them a popular choice for bikepackers seeking a clean setup.
Highlight: Stealth Bikepacking's Heaphy Harness are known for being particularly robust and designed with rough mountain biking in mind.
This New Zealand-based brand offers a range of handmade bikepacking bags crafted with attention to detail. Paper Roads Aotearoa focuses on creating functional and stylish gear for adventurous riders. They are especially thoughtful with maximizing space for the smaller rider (Amy the founder knows these struggles)
Highlight: Their Bento Box Bar Bag is a versatile option for carrying essentials within easy reach.
Wanaka based bike bag manufacturer that focuses on using repurposed and recycled materials but without skimping on quality.
Highlight: Giving new life to materials that would end up in the trash whilst also making beautiful, functional and customisable gear.
Cactus is famous for being sturdy, lightweight not so much but if you are looking for durability then Cactus Outdoor are your go to.
Highlight: Cactus has a lifetime warranty so expect to hand down your bikepacking bags to the grandkids.
Specializing in custom durable gear, Southern Lite Packs cater mostly to custom backpacks but still make bikepacking bags too. Their products are designed to withstand the rigors of New Zealand's backcountry.
Highlight: Southern Lite Packs' stem bags are well made and come with a great variety of colours and fabrics.
Choosing the Right Bikepacking Bags
Choosing the Right Bikepacking Bags
Selecting the perfect bikepacking bags depends on various factors and a fair bit of trial and error, on our bikepacking course you can try a variety of setups and bikepacking bags to see what suits you. But here are a few parameters to help narrow your search :
Type of bikepacking: Are you planning multi-day expeditions or shorter overnight trips?
Bike frame: The geometry of your bike will influence the type and size of bags you can use. A full suspension or E-bike will have limited space in the frame for example.
Gear list: Consider what you need to carry and prioritize items accordingly. For a gearlist template join our Newsletter and we will send you our recommended gearlist/ checklist to stop you forgetting the essentials.
Budget: Determine how much you're willing to spend on bikepacking bags. If you are just wanting to try out bikepacking without the commitment can you rent or borrow some? Or bodge something together and make your own?
Terrain: There is a big difference from riding on road or rough singletrack, have a think how much of each you will be riding and take that into account.
Additional Tips
Additional Tips
Pack light: The less weight you carry, the more enjoyable your ride will be.
Pack with priority: Organize your gear efficiently thinking about when you will need certain items,it’s never fun unpacking your entire bag to get to your inner tube in an emergency!
Keep weight low: Heavier items should be lower on the bike to keep your centre of gravity low, this will help you grip and balance easier.
Test your setup: Load up your bike with gear and take it for a test ride to ensure comfort and balance.
Consider bikepacking accessories: Items like dry bags, straps, and repair kits can be invaluable and add more options.
Conclusion
Conclusion
With the right bikepacking bags, New Zealand's stunning trails are yours to explore. By carefully considering your needs and exploring the offerings from local brands like Robo-Kiwi, Stealth Bikepacking, Paper Roads Aotearoa, Southern Lite Packs, Cactus Outdoors and Fernway Fabrication you can create the perfect setup for your next adventure.
If you want to try some of these brands and learn from our 10000km of bikepacking experience you can join one of our 3 Day Bikepacking Courses. All bikepacking gear is included and we spend an entire morning discussing and trying different setups before going for a test ride and then an overnight trip.
Remember, the key to a successful bikepacking trip is to pack light, don’t forget snacks and embrace the journey!
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