evening everyone , I'm new to bikepacking and just looking for some advice on kit , I have a bit of kit from when myself and the young fella used to have multiday climbing trips , got a vaude ul tent but looking at bivi bag and tarp set ups as might be able to store easier on the bike , need anew cooker as the trusty trangia is a bit large to get into the bar pack , sleeping bag at the moment is only a summer affair so looking for suggestions on a compact winter one and whether or not a frame bag is needed (have a ortlieb 16l seat pack and 15l bar bag) cheers in advance
stuart

Welcome!

Have a read through Stuart's writings in the "Review" section to get an idea on things.

If you are used to a Trangia then making your own beer can stove is the cheapest way to get a compact one. Failing that then there's the 8g and 22g versions available in the shop (yes that's grammes!).

Sleeping bag: you can go a couple of ways here. Either get a decent 3 season bag. By decent I mean relatively light and compacts well. Just what rating you get depends on how warm/cold you sleep. The other option is to get an over bag or quilt to wrap your existing bag. Some prefer one way, some the other.

Bivy bag - I've the Alpkit Hunka XL which is big enough to get inflatable sleeping mat, sleeping bag with quilt wrapper and me inside. Also check Alpkit for their tarps.

A frame bag is useful for heavier items so that the bike's centre of gravity isn't upset too much. You don't have to use one though.

cheers whitestone , already have alpkit tarps and hunka booked marked on the eldests computer as Christmas ideas ,you have to give these 20yr olds a hint you know had alook at the afterburner stove the other day on here think it may be the one

had alook at the afterburner stove the other day on here think it may be the one

Just hang fire, there's a new stove in the pipeline ... you might like it.

not a problem stu , not in any rush to get the kit sorted as long as I can start to get out end of jan /feb all will be well , getting severe claustrophobia since me and the boy had to stop climbing , being out for day rides are grand but I miss the nights out , I'm a big kid really and still like making dens

I'm a big kid really and still like making dens

Amen.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

I'm a big kid really and still like making dens

Amen.

Aye never mind the cycling, this is what it's all about!