Gear List for A Little Loop in Western Michigan
In early April 2024, I left on a week-and-a-half loop around western Michigan.
My style of riding was slow and fun, with an emphasis on off-grid camping on public lands. I also stopped to work remotely from some coffee shops and libraries along the way. About half of the route was paved, and the other half was singletrack or gravel.
Gear Choices
My gear is always a mix of things I happen to have, things that survive the test of time, and things I’m testing for gear companies. I’m thrilled to work with brands I love, and I do my best to give accurate and useful feedback.
I started making these gear lists because so many people asked for them! Some links are affiliate links. When you purchase a product from an affiliate link, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Bike and Accessories
Kona Sutra ULTD Now rebranded as the Kona Sutra LTD. This bike is great for off-road travel. The limited gearing is ideal for a lighter, more aggressive riding style. I go heavy and slow and it works fine, but I’d often like to have more gearing options. That said, I genuinely love this bike and ride it all the time. This is the same bike I used in 2023 on the Pacific Coast and Great Divide.
Blackburn Outpost Cargo Water Bottle Cages These have been super useful, but after a few thousand miles the metal has worn down where it rubs against the bottles. Before this trip I covered the metal in tape to prevent additional rubbing.
Old Man Mountain Divide Rack This is a super sturdy rack that fits any bike. I’m a fan!
Race Face Chester Pedals Durable, economical flat pedals.
Selle Anatomica X2 Saddle I wrote about saddle selection for The Adventure Cycling Association: Make it Fit: Saddle Adjustments for Women
Bike Bags
Revelate Designs Ranger Frame Bag Great bag, burly zipper. I use a size large frame bag with my 54 cm Kona Sutra ULTD.
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack I use this inside the frame bag for waterproofing.
Revelate Designs Mag Tank This is where I store battery packs, snacks, and roadside treasures.
Revelate Designs Nook Frame Bag This is a handy little bag that’s designed to strap just about anywhere on your bike frame. Oddly useful.
Revelate Designs Harness I used this harness to carry my BearVault bear canister. I wrote this review for Gear Junkie.
San Util Covert Hip Pack A very comfy, funky hip pack.
Revelate Designs Mountain Feed Bag A useful handlebar bag that integrates well with the Revelate Designs Harness. This was my first time testing this bag for Revelate Designs. I always appreciate this brand’s design considerations and quality.
Old Man Mountain Ponderosa Panniers This was my first time testing out the Ponderosas. I found them to be well-made, durable, and fully waterproof. The ponderosas are designed specifically for off-road bikepacking–they’re relatively small, silent, and the dark color blends into the landscape. Really good quality bags.
Old Man Mountain Juniper Trunk This was my first time testing out the Juniper. Like the Ponderosas, it was well-made, durable, and fully waterproof. A great addition for off-road bikepacking.
Camping/Sleeping
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 tent An economical, rugged tent. Not the lightest, but not the heaviest either.
Thermarest Prolite This thing has been with me for many thousands of miles.
Foam Thermarest cut to core size I use this under my inflatable pad. It provides extra warmth and *some* protection against punctures.
Kelty -15 Degree Down Sleeping Bag This bag is ancient but still works great.
Biolite 750 Headlamp This headlight doubles as front and rear lights for occasional night riding.
Cooking, Food, Water
Solo Stove Lite My absolute favorite stove. I wrote a review for Adventure Cycling.
Solo Stove 900 Pot The solo stove nests directly into the pot.
1 Lighter
Montbell Alpine .5 Liter Thermos I brew hot coffee overnight in this thermos! Read how I do that in this article.
Titanium Long Handled Spoon
Portland Design Works Purist Water Bottle
2 1.5 Liter Nalgene Water Bottles Classics.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter Still my favorite filter. Unfortunately the bags are prone to ripping, so I always carry an extra.
BV500 Bearvault Bear Canister I’ve used my bear canister so much that I’m now a BearVault ambassador! This canister is a simple solution to food storage in bear country. It also doubles as a desk, a chair, a drum, and a bucket. I carry my BearVault on the front of my bike with a Revelate Designs Handlebar harness. This system works on all kinds of terrains, but I think it’s best suited to gravel, pavement, or routes with a low level of technical riding.
Clothing
Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Evo Gloves Pearl Izumi sent me these gloves to test, and I used them throughout the winter. I found them to be super comfy, well-made, and warm.
Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Gloves Sport I used a pair of Showers Pass Crosspoint gloves last year on the Great Divide, and the company sent me their newest “sport” version to test on this trip as well. My take on both versions of the Showers Pass Crosspoint gloves is that they work great in damp weather or as glove liners under a second pair of waterproof gloves. I didn’t find them to be waterproof in downpours, but they’re good in light drizzles and they make an excellent and versatile liner. They’re super comfy and easy to take on and off. The sport version was also touchscreen friendly, which made them easy to use with my phone’s GPS.
Cycling Gloves
Lightweight Hiking Boots (for both riding and hiking)
Alpaca Socks for sleeping
Pearl Izumi Merino Air Socks I used these as sock liners under my wool socks. I’m a fan of sock liners in cold weather!
Thick Wool Socks
1 Pearl Izumi AmFIB Tights Pearl Izumi sent me these to test, and I used them throughout the winter. These are thick, warm, sturdy leggings. They run small, so size up.
1 Long Fleece Pants
1 Short Sleeve Wicking Layer (polyester)
1 VOORMI Long Sleeve Baselayer I take this baselayer everywhere!
1 Mid-weight Fleece
1 Down Jacket
1 Light, Insulated Jacket
2 Sports Bras
1 Underwear
Showers Pass Refuge Jacket Great for cold/wet climates. The more I wear this jacket, the more I appreciate it. It’s not the lightest in class, but it’s durable, fully waterproof, and designed to fit your body while you’re riding. I get more compliments on this jacket than any other piece of gear. I wrote about it for Adventure Cyclist magazine in their spring 2024 print issue.
Showers Pass Transit Pants Great for cold/wet climates.
1 Wool Hat
1 Sunglasses
2-4 Produce Bags I use these as water vapor barriers inside my shoes during rain.
Bontrager Solstice MIPS Helmet
Lightweight Stuff Sack
Communications
Samsung Galaxy A53 phone with:
Mint Mobile Phone Chip An inexpensive and user-friendly phone service through T-Mobile. Great for anyone with an unlocked phone.
Otterbox Commuter Series Lite Case
Supershieldz Phone Screen Protector
Ipad Mini with:
Visible Phone Chip An inexpensive phone service through Verizon.
Otterbox Defender Case (with plastic cover ripped off)
KTC Paperfeel Screen Protector
Peak Design Out Front Bike Mount Phone Holder A great phone holder! I’ve been using this for a while now and I love it.
Waterproof Phone Cover: ziploc bag
Mobile Office
Zagg Flex Universal Keyboard A very useful portable keyboard!
Power and Charging
2 Anker Powercore power banks 10,000 mAh These are compact power banks. They fit nicely in my Revelate Designs Mag Tank, so I can charge my phone while I ride.
GoSun Solar Panel 10 A handy little solar panel.
Various Charging Cords
Camera Equipment
Fuji X100V camera A very functional, compact camera. I wrote about how I use this camera for solo photography in my article Shooting Solo.
Generic padded camera case This bag is the only reason my camera is still functioning.
Kodak 42” Portable Tripod An economical, compact tripod that works great for small cameras.
Repair Kit
Extra Allen Key (with a longer handle, for one specific hard-to-reach spot)
Standard Leatherman Knife
1 Spare Tube
4 oz bottle Orange Seal Endurance Sealant with Injector
Oneup Components EDC Pump This pump worked great with my tubeless tires.
Stans No Tubes Core Remover Tool
Genuine Innovations Tubeless Tire Repair Bacon Strips
Patch Kit with Patches and Adhesive
1 Small Tube Super Glue
Assorted Zip Ties
Upholstery Thread with Multiple Regular and Curved Needles
Duct Tape
2 Tire Levers
Sram Link
Several Extra Bolts
1 Spare Shifter Cable
2 Spare Spokes
Seam Sealer Great for patching tent, bike bags, or sleeping pad. Very useful!!
Some Safety Pins
Tiny Rag
2 Oz Chain Lube
Small Bike Lock
For more information on bikepacking repair kits, this is a good article.
Toiletries
Small Shampoo
Contacts, Contact Case, Solution, Glasses
Sunscreen
Small biodegradable soap
Small Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Nail Clippers
Tiny Brush
Camp Mirror
Shea Butter (moisturizer/lip balm)
Hair Ties
TentLab Deuce Ultralight Trowel
First Aide
IBUprofin
Povidone Iodine Swabs
Benadryl
Some Sterile Gauze Pads
Small Roll Gauze Tape
Small Antibiotic Ointment
Bandages
Alcohol Swabs
Small Roll Medical Tape
Personal Items
Notebook and Pen
Thank You Cards
Casio Watch
Wallet with Cash and Cards
