The Gear Library Index
Need Gear? We can help!
Planning a first bikepacking trip can seem daunting when needing to find the right bike, the right gear, and without the opportunity to try any of it first. Especially when this is a first bikepacking trip and you don’t have experience using any of the many options available. How do you choose?! A lot of this gear comes with a hefty price tag, after all.
Fortunately, there are community gear libraries that make it easier to try out or “test drive” gear, to help you find what suits your needs best without having to spend a fortune. Gear libraries are there to help people experience bike packing for the first time, with ease!
What kind of stuff will a Gear Library have?
Typical gear list you’ll be looking for when thinking about bikepacking- rack, bags, some form of shelter (tent, hammock, bivy), sleeping bag/pad/pillow, water, food, mug, utensils, general repair kit, tire repair, clothing/layers, electronics/extras (cables, battery, headlamp, gps) and a first aid kit
Gear libraries can have a wide variety of equipment but you will need to supply a few items for yourself. Generally if it needs to be sized, like clothing, you will need to provide it for yourself. The outlier here is bikes, as some do have bikes available in limited sizes.
Who can use the Gear Libraries?
Everyone! Whether you are totally new and have never gone bikepacking or you are a seasoned Bikepacker looking to try some different types of gear you can use a Gear Library.
The primary goal of these libraries is to provide opportunities for new riders to experience bikepacking. So if you are already an experienced bikepacker, just don’t hog all the gear and give back. Help clean the gear, donate some of your old gear, and help spread the word to more bikepacking curious people.
SO WHAT’S THE FIRST STEP?
One of the most important things to remember is that any bike you have can be turned into a bikepacking rig. Just tailor your first ride to what your bike is capable of. Bikepacking is full of exploration, wonder, and yes, sometimes, frustration, but there are lots of welcoming bikepackers ready to help you figure it out.
One option is to send your local gear library an email. Here is an example of what you could send:
“Hey Gear librarians,
I’d like to try bikepacking and am looking for some help outfitting my bike and finding a route to try. Do you have time to meet and talk about what you have available or do you have any intro to bikepacking classes coming up?”
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