My equipment for 25,000 km
What do you pack if you want to cycle from Alaska to Argentina?
After my test tours to Istanbul and the North Cape, I've learned a lot about bikepacking. Now things are getting serious: the Pan-American Highway awaits, and every gram needs to be carefully considered.
The takeoff weight was 38 kg, but the additional thermal clothing and the extra sleeping bag were immediately removed. A few minor things have changed: I did pack a pair of barefoot shoes, My iPad is also included. The built-in luggage rack couldn't handle the wide tires, so I switched to the Ortlieb QuickRack at short notice. The swimming trunks didn't come along after all. The USB dynamo charger is included, but I still need to install it 😅
The basic principle
My setup is based on classic panniers, but in the smaller bikepacking version from Ortlieb. Why? Less weight, better weight distribution, and more flexibility on different terrain. I also want to be able to ride off-road with my gravel bike.
The golden rule: as little as possible, as much as necessary. Sounds simple, but it isn't. Especially when you have to pack for temperatures ranging from 0°C to 40°C.
More about my Pan-American Highway plan:
Sebastian
Weight
The bare bike weighs 11 kg . Fully loaded, but without water, food, and gas, it comes to 28 kg . With full water bottles and provisions for several days, it quickly exceeds 35 kg. But still lighter than many other cycle tourists (50+ kg) 😏.
The wheel
The Rose Backroad AL (2024) in the Everyday version. This means: a luggage rack, mudguards, and a hub dynamo are already installed. A solid aluminum gravel bike that performs well on both asphalt and gravel.
Sleep
Tent: MSR Hubba NX
The tent is my home for the next 17 months. The MSR Hubba NX offers:
- Quick setup (important if the weather turns bad)
- Freestanding (works even on rocky ground)
- Good ventilation for warm nights, as it can be set up without an outer tent.
Sleeping bag: Nemo Disco -1 °C
A down sleeping bag with enough warmth for cool nights in the mountains.
Sleeping mat: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe
The previous NeoAir Venture was too thin and too small for me. The new one has an R-value of 3.7, fills the entire tent, and is 10 cm high. This was and is important for cold nights to prevent the cold from seeping in from below or to keep my hands off the mattress! The Alaska and Patagonia sections can get surprisingly cold even in summer. The same applies to Baja California and the deserts in winter.
Pillow
Luxury? Maybe. But after 80-130 km a day, you deserve a good night's sleep. Lightweight and inflatable (perhaps with a softer cover).
Cook
Gas stove: Primus Express Spider II
The Spider has a separate burner head with a hose. This means:
- Stable stand for larger pots
- It also works in colder temperatures thanks to preheating.
- Can also be converted to gasoline use.
The gasoline conversion kit has arrived, but I haven't tested it yet. There are no gas canisters available for purchase in Deadhorse, so I need it there. It came with a 300ml gasoline bottle. Now I need to test how long the bottle lasts.
Pot and dish
One pot is all I need. To cook pasta with vegetables and/or sausages, I use a 1.3-liter pot from MSR. My spork (fork-spoon combo) didn't survive the Balkans, so I switched to Decathlon camping cutlery.
Water
- 3x sports water bottles
- Water filters : Essential in remote areas such as Alaska
Clothing
The layering principle is the key to the extreme temperature range:
Base layer
- 2x Merino T-shirts (odorless, still wearable after several days)
- 2x Underpants
- 3x socks (short, long and warm)
insulation
- Down jacket (lightweight and compressible)
- Warm long underwear for cold nights
Rain and wind
- rain jacket
- Rain pants
- helmet cover
- shoe covers
Cycle
- 2x cycling shorts
- A windproof jacket
For after that
- Zip-off trousers
- Swimsuit (Costa Rica is calling!)
Technology
navigation
- Coros Dura for navigation
- Smartphone as backup
Electricity
- Power bank 2x 20,000 mAh
- Charging cables and plugs for everything
documentation
- camera
- Headlamp (with red light for nighttime use)
Packaging system
After several trips, the following packing method has proven effective. "Wet" here doesn't mean the bags aren't waterproof, but rather that if the items are damp when packing, they shouldn't go in the bag with the dry clothes. I'm very happy with my Ortlieb bags.
Fork pack left (dry)
- Clothing
Right fork pack (wet)
- Hand towel
- Washing products
- Swimming trunks
Rear left (dry bag)
- sleeping bag
- sleeping mat
- Sleeping bag liner
- down jacket
- Pillow
Rear right (wet pocket)
- Chair (yes, the luxury remains!)
- Tent with pegs
- Flip-flops
- Tent groundsheet
Frame bag
- Replacement hose
- High-visibility vest
- rag
- Tool
handlebar bag
- camera
- Power bank
- Headlamp
- pocket knife
- sunglasses
- charging cable
- daypack
pannier bag
Perhaps it could be replaced with a bear canister for Alaska and Canada
- Eat
- cooker
What I left out
These items didn't make it onto the packing list:
- Cup: I simply don't need it
- Second pair of shoes: Flip-flops for evenings and the beach. My clipless shoes are for SPD pedals with recessed cleats. I can easily walk around town in them.
Lessons Learned
I learned a lot from the 2025 test tours:
What was missing:
- sponge for rinsing
- A second pair of cycling shorts, even though I'd prefer to do without them altogether.
- A decent lighter
- Reading material for rest days
What has proven effective:
- The chair! Simply priceless after a long day.
- Merino clothing can be worn for longer because it smells less.
- GPS with good battery life (one charge to Istanbul, two charges in Norway)
- The two snack bags are on the handlebars. One for the third water bottle and the second for a cola, trash, or a toothbrush.
What might still come:
- Solar panel or dynamo USB charger to generate electricity on the go
- Keeping my iPad up-to-date for digital work and my home lab
Conclusion
There's no such thing as the perfect packing list. Every cyclist has different priorities and needs. My motto: Better to travel comfortably, for example with a chair, and a little slower, than too fast and uncomfortably.
The trip will show what's really needed and what gets thrown out. There's not much left to get rid of though 😄 Updates to follow!
Do you have any questions about the equipment or any tips of your own? Feel free to leave a comment or write to me!