Bikepacking on a Budget: The Secret Third Option
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- Опубликовано: 21 апр 2024
- Don't let Bikepacking.com or the Radivist know about this.
I wanted to share an experience with setting up my bikepacking bike using a bunch of military surplus bags, something that not many in that space know about.
Websites like The Sportsman's Guide or even Ebay are treasure troves of random surplus that you can use for bikepacking. Take a look! 
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There is also a fourth option if you have the time/ want. Make your own gear! A lot of people in the bikepacking community like to make their own bags because usually the designs are pretty simple and you can custom make them to suit your needs like water proofing. Sewing machines aren't too expensive and it's a really useful skill to have.
Definitely a useful skill! One I'm not very good at whatsoever.
THIS!! I made saddlebags with dog food bags, duct tape and straps from an old backpack. They were absolutely waterproof and served me well for 2 trips through Patagonia.
With a sewing machine that I bought for 50 dollars I sewed a framebag made with fabric and zippers from 2 old shoulderbags, I've been using it for 5 years.
With leftover vinyl canvas (the kind used to cover loads in trucks) and cyanoacrylate, I made an 8-liter waterproof bag for the rear luggage rack. I've been using it for years. I only had to stick a couple of patches on it where it rubbed against the frame.
With straps from the old backpack I made a harness for the handlebars that works perfectly.
They are not the lightest or most elegant materials, but they fulfill their function perfectly, and they have not prevented me from traveling wherever I want.
Yep! i’ve made a few front roll bags in wax canvas and many feed bags all hand stitched zero machines! they are on my surly take a look 🙂👍🏻
I got a sewing machine this last winter and did just that. There is a learning curve, but, what fun! Now I make all my own stuff with no hesitation. I also like seeing this video for implementing pre-made stuff. It's all about creativity. All good! Enjoy!
If it does not rain, your idea is okay. Itˋs still pretty heavy and there is no attachment system in them anyway. So, why not get a simple dry bag and strap it onto your bike? Would be waterproof and light and cheap.
Fantastic video. Other places to look: people selling lightly used gear on private Facebook groups for bike packing or biketouring. Also bike co-ops or Bike thrift shops for cheap racks and baskets. For the bike itself, almost any used bike touring or 90s hybrid or 90s MTB with rack mounts can do the job. Every Trek 520 ever made, for example. On a used bike, look for a steel frame, tire clearance (more than 35mm), rack mount points, and a comfortable rider position that is not 100% upright. Almost everything else can be tweaked or upgraded w used parts or a few careful purchases.
Loved that mate, people forget it aint about the gear, never was.
There's additional options:
1. Cheap
2. Bespoke
3. Branded (Ortlieb, Arkel, etc)
4. Military Surplus
5. Jandd pannier kit or bag/backpack conversion (DIY).
Even children's backpacks are viable as pannier or top rack/handlebar bags with some modification, plus they tend to come in bright or interesting designs and minimalist in terms of design/pockets which is typically ideal. It's pretty easy to sew on some nylon webbing with box stitches and add hook and loop material or work in some Jandd hooks.
Get'em doggos!
Subed! Im glad I'm not the only one to finally figure this out
... AND put it out to the world on YT with complete information. Thank you!
The Swiss military had a cycling division and made bicycle purpose "bread bags" that are panniers. I have one I found for $10 at a flea market. I made the rest of mine and my wifes from military bags and 3D printed hooks I found on Etsy. They are really great. Clip right on 10mm tube racks. Which is what most are.
Instructions unclear, attached bike to an ALICE frame and am now carrying it on my back.
You're ready for the Grand canyon portage section of the Arizona trail race, then!
"In Soviet Russia, bike ride you."
I appreciate your perspective. For my first 350 mile bike camping ride at the age of 16 I had a used 10 speed from the early 196y0's I used home made panniers made out of canvas. I cut the parts and told my mom where to sew. Probably the best time I ever had with mom. I am not quite sure she really knew where I was going with those bags.
I would mention that unless one needs a specific type of bag, with a specific function, you can literally pack everything inside 4-6 medium sized roll top drybags and strap them to your bike. Yes it's nice to have a custom frame bag or front/rear rack (which can be inexpensive), but shorter non-touring-around-the-world outings are very doable with minimal expense.
Totally agree with the general sentiment.
A lot of the "surplus" nowadays is sadly in reality very cheaply made stuff produced directly for the military aficionado market.
There is genuinely well made gear though. A lot of it is heavy and a bit overbuilt, but there are gems amongst it.
Here in Europe we have Decathlon and other large consumer brands targeting cyclists. They still sell overpriced stuff, but often also have cheap options that work really well. The feed bags/water bottle holders they sell are less than 10 Euros a piece for instance.
I exclusively use bags that weren't purpose built for bike packing and it works great, especially if you have racks.
Not sure of European distributers. But there are a ton of different websites available in the US to get genuine surplus. Very interesting perspective.
It's all just bike camping! Glad to see you getting out!
Exactly!
Glad it's back up!
Here to boost the algo after this vid got put back up 💪💪💪 in case anyone didn't know, some soyboy from bikepacking tried abusing the copyright system to take this vid down over a product image shown for a few seconds in the video
I think you seem to be only looking at influencers posing in photos and look at me types , when I cycled for six months across France I seen everything from old milk crates and plastic Jerry cans to Turkish suitcases strapped to the back of bikes .
I feel like an idiot. I wish I had seen this and thought this way a year ago. I got lost in the hype of stuff. But as things wear out I'll definitely be looking into alternatives like this. Thanks so much for the video.
Thank you for the video! To give back I found a funny - get the large rucksack for $15 and it comes with 2 sustainment pouches.
Been using military surplus MOLLE gear for some time now. Learned real quick that you might want to consider spraying them down with water repellent once or three times. Also, if you decide you can't get enough into those sustainment pouches the small (25 - 30L) MOLLE packs work well, also. A bit more expensive, yes. But, again, they work.
Thank you so much. While I fall in the middle of the Venn diagram I never thought to connect the dots. Now I know what to look for with the examples you provided. Thank you again
I use a MOLLE II Waist pack for a handlebar bag.
Carry a One Wind Tent Footprint (for a tarp), an inexpensive hammock, some titanium cook kit and alcohol stove, or a Stanley stainless steel cook kit w/ a brass alcohol stove (with a nesting cup, or a collapsable/folding cup), a fuel bottle, lighter, and a Ramen or 2, instant coffees sticks, etc.
Great use for the sustainment pouches.
Had never thought of that.
Thank you !!!
Keep up the great work !!!
great video thank you for the info. I already knew about military surplus but ive never thought about what I can actually get with it
I have a Moostreks frame bag, the 12L version, and it's been great for 6+ years on several bikes. I think that brand hits the sweet spot between price and performance. Defintely a great value for the money. It's stupid how much some companies charge. The Kada/Defiance Seatpack is another quality value-for-your-dollar bikepacking product. I've had that piece for just as long and used it on several bikes as well. You don't have to spend a bunch of money on this hobby to have a good time.
Thanks for point all of this out. Great information about the Army Surplus stuff.
EDIT: Bushwhacker Bags are another value-priced, quality bike bag company. I own a full set of front & rear panniers + a trunk bag and a handlebar bag from them. All of which havee been used countless times the last 8+ years. I had the handlebar bag installed year-round on one particular bike for 4+ years and it's only a little bit faded on top. Still plenty serviceable. I would get Lone Peak bags if I was going to upgrade to larger panniers.
Definitely a good idea and option 👍🏻My Surly is on the heavy side so lighter bags were what i wanted…using revelate nano on the rear with roll bag that i hand stitched myself on the bars resting on a front rack for support….
I’ve a few other revelate bags but also have thrift store bottle bags i’ve converted and some i’ve made myself…feed bags are super easy to stitch using mostly anything ….🙂👍🏻
I’ve been running two surplus canvas map bags as painters on my grocery/commuter bike for years. They work great! Plus they look awesome
subbed. Also military cycle infantry like Bersaglieri in Italy used to be supplied bike specific packing gear. Like frame bags. Now I guess only people into restorations and antiques have them.
great video- the sustainment pouch is really a great idea, and milsurp in general seems like a great idea for finding modular bags that can strap onto eachother
Good stuff man, you're right on the money. I've built up a collection of expensive bikepacking specific gear over many years or so of doing this stuff so I guess I sold out to the trends eventually, but my early years of traveling by bike were made possible by milsurp bags and camp gear, worn out bungee cords, and beater 10-speeds. Wasn't pretty, and I have to admit there was a lot more fucking around trying to keep things attached to the bike, but I had a blast...kinda miss those days.
There's a lot of consumerism in this scene, and I think a lot of people are driven off by the idea that it's gotta cost thousands of dollars to play the game. But if you're willing to get creative and not worry about what Instagram says you need to have....you can def do this dirt cheap and have a great time.
Thank you for this video. I don't know why I hadn't thought of this before. Military surplus is not as big in Aus but they are around. For those in Aus who don't know. Start at Aussie Disposals
Thanks again.
"Fanny packs" from thrift stores also strap all over a bike.
Great video & yes I didn't think about using army surplus bags but I think they look better than standard panniers. I'm actually just thinking of strapping a backpack on luggage rack & get a front bag too. I'm right at the very start of getting into this hobby. I've got a mountain bike that I'm kitting up & very excited.
Good start then. Just a mountain bike and a destination, everything else is whatever you want it to be.
That had not occurred to us, dude. Nice video.
The plane has crashed into the mountain?
Thanks, I actually already tried some of my military bags but you made me think that I even have some side pouches of my dutch backback lying around.
Anyone remember Ken Kifer's web page? I was inspired by him and drew up patterns and learned to sew just to make my own full set of bags for touring. Sized the rear bags so my feet wouldn't hit them and they'd be the right size to fit my stuff. Used them for years until I wore them out at the zippers. Bags with just flaps and buckles will last longer. That and I probably could have sewn them in better.
Spot on! There's lots of great gear out there for really low prices.
For example, it's hard to beat a British Army surplus GoreTex bivvy bag and a tarp, compared to a dedicated bikepacking tent at hundreds of bucks.
Cheers
I've seen some cool containers made out of square 40 pound cat litter or laundry detergent containers. The lids are just about totally water proof. They are super strong.
Thank you so much for this video!
Im doing my first ‘bikepacking’ trip soon and my plan is to strap a milkcrate to my rear rack. Guess I’ll find out if there is a reason why I can’t find anyone else doing it this way.
Some of us do - it's where the dog sits :-)
I’ve been using 4 sustainment pouches on $20 racks for years, Alice butt pack( more space that stays attached through the ride) or molle butt/waist pack as handlebar bags (if I need a bag that is removable and don’t need as much space) or the third option a paratroopers Italian rubberized bag if I need a big bag, all of which cost around $10-15.
Cheap amazon handlebar extension and a dry bag means you can buy those voile straps and have almost half of the rig for under £50.
Love the part of the clip where all the dogs enter the picture 😂
In America… it’s all about esthetics. If it’s “ugly” people don’t want it. It’s an ignorant and sometimes stupid way of looking at the world. Function and quality is what it’s all about! THANK YOU for sharing this.
I use these exact same surplus bags on my rig. So cheap and get the job done.
Exactly! Your final point, those websites don’t make money unless they are showing advertising (which are often the articles and gear lists and bike reviews)
It funny i have many bikepacking bag some a expensive as 300$ custom made was looking for a soloution for carrying more gear for remote no resupple point ie 14 days .. 8 months ago i decide on a 18$ old miltary backpack fits perfect works brillant
Thanx for this, super helpful indeed! Your best line: "salty crap that's got blood on it".
My pannier 'racks' are old oven grill racks on swivelling clamps set off a seatpost rack.
I also use Plce pouches as pannier bags and mounted a gas stove onto the main rack for fast brewups but in camp the rack comes off and becomes a kitchenette kinda thing with either or all fire/twin gas stove/gasifier/actual fire/suspended actual fire/gasifier options,
Ey am how you say?
Nyot nyormall.
😂
Brilliant thanks!
I use a mix of stuff, all 4 panniers i bought were good quality and under £40/£50. I got the drinks pouches up front £6 each. I have 4. A day back of 30 litres cost £7 on eBay and I took off the straps to make a bag on top on the rear rack and up front on the bars, another bargain that was a utility belt pack with mollie and zip pockets each end held to the bars with a bungy cord. 2 Bar bags to finish off that hold bike tools and bathroom gear in one and navigation and gps phone on the other. I'm 220 miles in so far not counting local jaunts.
Sounds great! And they would match my bike better than everything baggy with clown's colors. Thanks!
how do you strap to your rack snuggly? the back straps look like they can't be cinched down and would bounce around in gnarly trails.
Great video, never heard of sustainment pouches. Just to be devil's advocate, I bought some Nashbar waterproof panniers 20 years ago and still have them. Don't tour much, but last time my buddy had canvas bags and all his stuff got wet.
I bought a ton from Nashbar back in the day too!
In the beginning there was biketouring then someone needed to carry his bike on his back, maybe crossing a river or up a steep trail or on a race so he started using smaller bags that did not pertrude or interfered with his carrying his bike and he called this bikepacking, copied from backpacking. Then for some reason this got to be hip and everyone started using the same type of bags, no matter how inconvenient to carry stuff, even though they toured mainly on pavement and never had the intention of carrying their bicycles on their backs. In short, everyone now is a bikepacker when in reality they're just tourists/adventurers travelling by bicycle with smaller bags. Having said this I do agree there are many ways to acquire panniers, not just the flashy brands. Army surplus seems to be one cheap way, thanks for the tip, but it is not the only one. There are hundreds of companies, in China, US or Europe that make cheaper, good quality panniers. I have one such pair, made in England and they've lasted me many years, €100/pair. One last thing, just about every product we consume, good or bad quality, is made in China. One should not associate only bad quality with China.
thanks for sharing
Brilliant. “But what about the waterproofing?!?” I can hear them say it. Would it be too cold to post a link to 2gallon freezer bags?
Brilliant! I’ll be raiding the local military surplus store soon.
And those gear layout pictures definitely are the worst 😂😂
Check The Sportsman's Guide. Their website is a great source of surplus from all over. That's where I snagged most of the pictures and examples.
I always look in the military surplus places for gear and such, yet in my area, the surplus stores are expensive, too. Several years ago I got a swiss army doctor's coat in perfect condition for 35 bucks, US. A similar coat now is over 200. bucks CA. 2nd hand goods flippers are getting in the midst and screwing us over, here. Maybe trying online surplus would be better.
Nice video mate 🫡
You gave me an idea for a basket bag. Have long wanted to get one but they're absurdly overpriced. Great dogs!
I think people may be going for the lightweight and waterproof stuff. How does Army surplus do in those areas? I'd gladly go in that direction! Thanks
Sustainment pouches weigh less than most panniers I researched. Obviously weight is going to be a factor, as is environmental conditions. When putting together a bike setup, definitely take everything into consideration.
They aren't waterproof, are they? How do you deal with that, if at all?
Awesome thanks
You got any experience with these bags in very rainy conditions? I assume if this is military stuff it should hold up in the rain. It’s not like soldiers can stay inside whenever the weather disagrees with them. I find myself bikepacking in some pretty horrible weather more often then I would like so that would be great to know.
Sustainment pouches hold up but won't keep your stuff super dry unless you treat them with Scotch guard. But they have a rivet hole for drainage at the bottom.
Are any of these mil-surp canvas bags waterproof?
Resistant with a drain hole. But some scotch guard on them does wonders.
Love this!
It's such an underrated method, using this since a while as well haha
But I gotta ask.... The money you saved, went to Maxxis tires, didn't it? ;p
They're two-season old XC tires. This bike basically only gets hand-me-downs! Gotta save it where you can!
Buen video, mi loco.
organic vegan bike bag makers hate his man
As someone who made and sold about 10bags last year I feel personally attacked 😂
I hope I can find 10 people who didn't watch this video this year to justify my huge industrial sewing machine and the workshop I have to rent to house it😅
I had one of those MOLLY bottle pouches and it fell off the bike as soon as I hit a big bump.
All the bike specific ones use velcro one wrap, not these snap buttons. One wrap is cheap enough. You could use OneWrap instead of the snap buttons. Maybe even cut em off for weight savings.
Honestly though, the Chinese gear is pretty good. There are a lot of cyclists in Asia, and they do it in inclement weather too. The biggest bike factories in the world are in Taiwan.
Another place to check out flea markets thrift stores I found some really nice bags at places like that
interesting approach, thanks for the video.
Off topic: was that wonky installed insulation in your garage mandatory in the region where you live? I mean why is it not covered with some layer to stay put, and what’s the general purpose esp while that large garage gate is not at all insulated? looks like a large waste of resources to me.
Not sure! Bought this place a few years ago. I'll likely cover it, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Heyy are those waterproof?
@@mufa.7646 not waterproof. Drain rivets are stitched into the fabric, and using a little wax or scotch guard makes them pretty resistant.
MOST people don’t want to have to think critically to find a way that isn’t already paved. People want the plug and play option.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve been galled by the price of on bike carrying and was resorting to learning to sow my own custom bags. My wife is a seamstress so I’ve had a good teacher but this option is a literal 100hour time saver. (I also LOVE military surplus.
Excellent, tous ces mecs avec leur '' matos'' commencent à me donner la nausée, bien dit mon gars !
😮
Another weirdo here, cheers! 🤟😝
5:25 That backpack is done in the style of British, WWII webbing, buckles and material. Mine says Made in China!
This one's definitely czech canvas. British WW2 webbing gear is neat though. I think I have a few pouches for their old no4mk1 stripper clips .
I'm pausing at 3:07 to guess "military surplus"
Ding ding ding!
The lesson here is waterproof gear costs more.
You can water proof canvas with tin wax from Filson or make your own out of beeswax. I think they called it duck cloth back in the wagon days. It's where Redhead got their start making wagon canvas's.