Bikepacking is a form of bicycle touring where luggage is attached directly to the frame, handlebars, and saddle – without traditional racks and panniers. The term is a combination of "bike" and "backpacking" : lightweight, off-road travel by bicycle with minimal luggage, often on unpaved or remote routes.
Unlike traditional cycle touring with racks and heavy panniers, bikepacking relies on compact, specialized bags that attach directly to the bike. This lowers the center of gravity, improves handling on gravel and trails – and simply looks better.
Bikepacking vs. classic cycle tourism
Bikepacking
Classic cycling tourism
luggage attachment
Frame, handlebars, saddle
Luggage rack, lowrider
baggage allowance
Minimum (5–15 kg)
More possible (15–30 kg)
Off-road capability
High (gravel, trails)
More or less paved paths
Types of bicycles
MTB, gravel, also e-bike
Touring, Trekking, E-Bike
Comfort on the go
Restricted
Comfortable
Typical overnight stay
Tent / Bivouac / Hut
Campsite / Hotel
The most important bikepacking bags
Frame bag
It attaches to the main triangle of the frame and is the largest bag in the system – 4 to 12 liters depending on the frame size. Ideal for heavy items (tools, energy bars, camera) as the weight sits centrally and low.
Handlebar bag (Roll)
Attached to the handlebars, often as a cylindrical roll for a sleeping bag or sleeping mat. Volume 5–15 liters. Important: Do not overload, as this will compromise handlebar stability.
Saddlebag (Seat Bag / Saddlebag)
Attached under the saddle – the second largest bag after the frame bag. Volume 5–16 liters. Suitable for clothing, tent, or light equipment.
Top Tube Bag
Small bag on the top tube, accessible while riding. Ideal for snacks, mobile phone, map, sunscreen. Volume 0.5–2 liters.
Fork Bags / Anything Cages
Rollers or bags attached to the fork legs. Ideal for tent poles, water bottles, or camping equipment.
Which bicycle is suitable for bikepacking?
Basically any bicycle with enough attachment points for bags. The most common are:
Gravel bikes: Lightweight, fast on gravel, many eyelets for bags
Hardtail mountain bikes: Off-road capable, robust
Trekking bikes: More leisurely, but more comfortable for long stages
E-bikes for bikepacking
E-bikes are gaining popularity in bikepacking – especially for tours with greater differences in altitude, longer daily stages, or for riders who want to enjoy nature without pushing themselves to their performance limits.
MYVELO's e-folding bikes are an interesting special case: While not typical for classic bikepacking, they are ideal for intermodal travel – the folding bike is taken on the train, unfolded at the destination and used for multi-day tours without needing a car.
The biggest obstacle to e-bike bikepacking is battery management : the range limits daily stages more than with a regular bike. Charging options along the route must be planned – campsites with electrical hookups ( like those on our top 10 list ) or hotels with e-bike charging facilities.
Route planning for bikepacking
Apps and platforms
Komoot: Germany's most popular platform for bikepacking routes; route suggestions based on terrain and difficulty; community highlights show interesting sections.
Bikepacking.com: International route database with user reviews; especially for well-known routes such as the Silk Road Mountain Race route or the Transalp.
Trailforks: For MTB-heavy bikepacking tours with detailed trail information
Popular bikepacking routes in Germany and Europe
Transalp: A classic route across the Alps from Munich to Verona or Riva del Garda; 400–600 km depending on the route; a combination of road, gravel and trails.
Gravel Sepp (Bavaria): 580 km through the Bavarian Alpine foothills; well signposted, many places to stop for refreshments
Dirtbaggerz North Sea (Schleswig-Holstein): Coastal gravel tour along the North Sea; flat, windy, picturesque
Via Claudia Augusta: Historic Roman road from Donauwörth to Venice; 700 km; mix of cycle path and gravel
Equipment: What do you need to bring, what can you leave behind?
The principle behind bikepacking is: as little as possible, as much as necessary. A rule of thumb for a summer tour: total weight of luggage (excluding the bike) under 10 kg.
Indispensable: - Tent or bivouac sack (ultralight options from 700 g) - Sleeping bag suitable for the season - Sleeping mat (inflatable: lightweight and small) - Rain gear (jacket + overshoes) - Patch kit, tire levers, multi-tool, spare inner tube - Power bank or charging cable for navigation and lights
Omit: - Cooking equipment (except on very remote routes) - Several spare clothes (Merino wool dries quickly and doesn't smell for a long time) - Heavy locks (hardly relevant on remote routes)
Bikepacking and wild camping
Many bikepacking routes leave populated areas – and thus the proximity of campsites. The question of wild camping arises on almost every multi-day tour. The rules vary considerably from country to country:
Germany: Wild camping is generally prohibited, exceptions in individual federal states (Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in certain areas)
Sweden, Norway, Finland: The right of public access (Allemansrätten) allows overnight camping in nature, provided no damage is caused – a paradise for bikepacking.
Austria, Switzerland: Similar restrictions to Germany; tolerated in alpine regions, but not legal.
Bikepacking is the most modern form of bicycle touring: minimalist, off-road capable, and flexible. It doesn't require expensive specialist bikes – the right bag setup and good route planning make almost any bicycle suitable for bikepacking. For e-bike riders, it offers the opportunity to explore even technically challenging terrain without having to wait for non-motorized companions – provided the charging strategy is sound.
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Platten am E-Bike? So wechselst oder flickst Du den Schlauch an einem Rad mit Steckachse: Schritt für Schritt für Vorder- und Hinterrad, mit Hinweisen zu Motor, Kabel, Scheibenbremse und Drehmoment.
SUV e-bikes are the all-rounders among electric bicycles. They combine the robustness of a mountain bike with the everyday practicality of a trekking bike – and at the same time offer enough comfort and range for longer journeys. Anyone looking for an e-bike for everyday use, leisure, and touring will sooner or later come across this versatile category.
