What Andrew's Packing
Occam's Backpack - The Simplest Solution Is Bring Everything
Prior To Purge
My grom and I are loading up to head out on a holiday-break mountain bike ride. After a few years of mountain biking together we have a set routine to maximize efficiency. I fetch our car from the underground parking and then I'm responsible for hooking bikes onto our North Shore Rack. She gets two helmets, her hip-pack, my backpack, and any change of clothes we've bagged up to bring along.
Our silent routine is broken with a loud grunt and accusatory "What do you have in here?" as she tries to deadlift my EVOC Trail Pro 16 pack off the stairs. She's glaring at me as I protest that nothing has changed in my load since our last ride. Still, I'm probably due for a catalogue and purge.
After some mulleting-magic, I have a Devinci Chainsaw update coming in hot as well. This bike will be showing up a lot over the next couple of months, including in Does The Future Have Fewer Gears, part ten.
The EVOC Trail Pro 16 is ready for a proper purge. It's crazy how comfortable, and rideable, it is both up and down even stuffed.
My HMPL weatherproof phone case is awesome for accessibility and fits any standard pack with hydration-hose routing I've tried it on. It's not a production piece, but I wish it was.
I blame the weather. I was climbing in a T-shirt, in December, so my weatherproof vest had to go somewhere.
I usually carry an extra layer for my kid when we ride, and it regularly gets forgotten in my pack. But when it's needed, it's required kit, so better forgotten in than out.
Some years ago, I bought this used Olympus 4/3 camera and a couple of lenses from the camera shop near my apartment. It's unflappably snapped thousands of shots since.
I usually carry it with this light pancake lens. But I have a 12-40mm as well. This year one of my goals is to get better at shooting action.
The Trail Pro 16 Protector Pack I've been using is both a blessing and a curse. It handles a load so well, climbing and descending, that I let it go too far between purges. The last time I emptied it, I had four different multi-tools, two emotional support jackets (ESJs), and enough snacks to feed a large group ride.
Despite my progeny's protestations, I didn't even have the extra water bottle that I carry most of the year. It's unseasonably warm but we're happy putting a couple hours in on our bikes with a single bottle each, and I carry water purifying tablets if we do need to pull from streams. Also, where's my flask?
I've been thinking about adding a micro-filter or a filtered bottle to my kit for routine use, but I'm frozen by the number of choices on the market so I usually just bring extra H2O from home.
I don't generally optimize my load for different rides. Even on the #1FG rigid bike, I'm carrying a shock pump and all the tools. Photo - Steve & Meg
Frame bags in my backpack? That's where my wallet and keys live. This time of year I always carry a light. The Rocky Mountain neck gaiter is great for cold rides home.
The second weatherproof frame bag holds some painkillers, a lighter, an emergency space blanket, my emotional support jacket (ESJ), a hat, and yet another pair of gloves.
I like to buy small things like this WZRD slingshot to support brands I like.
7 Pairs Of Gloves
To be fair, I was carrying seven pairs of gloves including the ones I was wearing and one pair that aren't mine. Claire also carries her own spare gloves in her hip-pack but when it's truly cold and wet I know that nothing boosts me up like pulling out one more fresh pair. I normally have three pairs, plus the emergency gloves bagged in the bottom of my pack.
Another extravagance in my collection is a hat. It's a super-light silk cycling cap that's exactly the thing for waiting for someone to sort out a mechanical on a cold, wet, ride. I pull on my neck gaiter, my ESJ, and my hat, maybe some fresh gloves and I'm good.
I've stood around on cold wet nights waiting for a mechanical or injury enough times that I carry a spare shell, a hat, a space blanket, and a lighter. And some really old 100% Brisker gloves.
EVOC rain cover! The spare socks are in there from riding to work. One of the two pairs of 100% Briskers in this photo belongs to Claire. The Leatt WindBlock 2.0 is my first line of backup pair.
I wear a smaller medium pair of WindBlock 2.0 gloves more often so those live in a more accessible waist pocket. When it's cold and wet, I'll usually ride up in lighter-weight gloves and then down in these.
When it's mild I prefer very thin gloves. These medium Chromag Habit gloves are just on the right side of sizing perfection. Plastic wrap is all that remains of some AMAZING banana bread from my new friend Angela.
Triple Tire Repair
The multitude of gloves is bad enough, but I'm feeling more defensive about having three options for tire plugging. I do, however, have an explanation. There's nothing faster or more permanent for a small puncture than a DynaPlug, for bigger holes or less time-sensitive repairs, bacon-strips are the most economical option.
Stan's Dart is the most straightforward and one-hitter-effective system for folks without experience plugging tires. I carry it so that if The Clairebarian and I come across someone with a puncture she can sort them out and I can write about it.
My little tool bag and DynaPlug Racer tool have SRAM Eagle logos on them. SRAM does a nice job of recognizing the importance of smaller innovators to the mountain bike industry and supporting brands and products they like with their marketing budget. It doesn't make me want battery-powered shifting, but I'll still tip my hat to them and wish more large companies did the same.
I've been carrying this - easiest in class - Stan's Dart plug tool for months in hopes we come across someone with a tire puncture and Claire can fix it.
For my regular use, I carry a pair of DynaPlug plugs in their simple racer tool and a pound of bacon strips in my Wolf Tooth chain breaker.
Other Tools & Snacks
What's missing from my pack aside from a bottle of water and the small flash I usually have stashed at this time of year? I usually have a stack of Stroopwaffles from the local grocery store, which is much cheaper than packing Honey Stingers. But someone ate them all during their shift wrenching at the bike shop the other day.
Chris from SRAM gave me the tube of Maple Syrup, which is why it says 'Vermont' instead of 'Quebec' on it. Nothing against the good folks from the land of a hundred covered bridges, but if I'm patriotic about anything it's my sirop d'érable. It's a tasty booster though, so I need to figure out the best reusable container to always pack some with me.
I carry an AXS battery even though I don't have a wireless drivetrain. It weighs nothing and someone is going to owe me a massive favour in the middle of nowhere someday.
This little EXT-branded shock pump is the most bombproof I've ever owned. It always works. My SKS mini-pump is tired and at the end of its life but it owes me nothing.
My go-to multi-tool is still Wolf Tooth's 8-Bit Pack Pliers along with their chain breaker add-on. Some riders don't like the loose bits, but this is my 'bike shop in a backpack.' I carry a tick-puller too.
I always have a zip-lock bag to carry out a chain. The little bottle of chain lube is because I occasionally ride with folks who do not love their bicycle and the sound of a dry chain kills me.
Gramma gave my daughter a sweet new hip-pack for a Christmas gift, which has room for Claire to carry more of her own stuff, like a light and weatherproof vest. I'm thinking of adding a length of shock-cord for external layer packing. My wife is on that program too. On my last big loop, I took inventory, and I saw a few riders with backpacks and a couple of riders with no packs, and I stopped counting at twenty riders sporting fanny satchels. At least on the North Shore, bum bags have taken over.
Having done many a ride with all those setups, I've been on the simplicity of the sweaty-back / room-to-pack program for a couple or few years now. I like having a low-compromise collection of the tools, layers, and snacks that I want with me on rides, and find it simpler to have more stuff than trying to guess what issues are most likely to come up.
And yes, Alex, I still need to add a triangle bandage. I'll make room by ditching a few sets of gloves.
Height - Steve Buscemi-ish
Wait - Patiently
Ape Index - T-Rex
Age - The same as DOS
Favourite Trail(s) every week - Pipeline (thank you Ken!) to Lower Crippler (thank you Andy!)
Favourite Song(s) this week - I'm Your Man. Nick Cave (covering Leonard Cohen)
Favourite Colour - Cosmic Lilac
Bar Width - It depends
Reach & Stack & ETT - It depends
Crank Length - 175mm except when it's 170mm
Wheel Size - Hot For Mullets
Comments
mutton
9 months, 1 week ago
I recently discovered I had carried 4 8” spikes around for a month or two.
My new essential is an Emergency blanket - weighs about 50g (?). I was recently blown away by this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8BD7_Zeaek
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
That video is amazing. First off, I’d never thought of using an emergency blanket for anything other than an emergency blanket, which seems a bit daft now?!
Also the presenter somehow reminds me of Kelly Servinski, who, amongst other things is one of owners of Tutti Gravel Inn. So I couldn’t not hear him talking in the background while being overdubbed by the narrator which for some reason is beyond hilarious. So, thanks doubly for that.
.
4x8” spikes! What’s the brand, model, volume of pack?!
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mutton
9 months, 1 week ago
lol. I found a video of him on YouTube.
It’s a Klim NacPac which I use for moto, light building and big bike rides. Those spikes went on a few adventures. Hidden under an emergency shell that lives in a plastic bag at the bottom. Dammit!
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fartymarty
9 months, 1 week ago
Great video. I'm adding an emergency blanket to my riding bag.
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Timer
9 months, 1 week ago
Awesome video, thank you!
There is an entire video series about alpine safety and rescue by the same narrator. Voice in German but with pretty good English subtitles:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVvDUrPM_IwXszYlX8miFPS7KVPg2-2d6&feature=shared
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bighonzo
9 months, 1 week ago
Spare AXS battery for strangers should only be given out after they try 5 miles of singlespeeding.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I have a specific packless friend in mind but I’d help out a stranger too with minimal grovelling and a donation.
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Perry Schebel
9 months, 1 week ago
wow. evidently i am the anti-andrew (from a packing / preparedness perspective). minimalist: it me.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
The worst part is (knock on work bench) my bikes are all in excellent working order. A T-25 and a 5mm Hex are all I’ve needed* for myself in forever. Just to straighten stems or slightly adjust saddle height/tilt.
*shock pump is just there for bracketing the test bike.
But I do regularly use tools etc helping out fellow travellers, which I generally enjoy doing. And I guess I’d feel dumb if I didn’t have the tools/clothes/snacks I need?
But yeah, kid rides aside (snacks & extra clothes being key) I could get away with a tiny tool and the clothes on my back 99.9% of rides. And I do understand the appeal, I even went totally pack free for a short while in 2020.
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Cooper Quinn
9 months, 1 week ago
Multitool. Plugs. Sometimes a pump. Rarely a tube.
That's for local rides, though. If I'm headed far from civilization, I bring everything but the kitchen sink.
Also Andrew, stop overthinking it and just get an MSR Trailshot. Although the bottle-topper Bikepacking.com reviewed the other day is quite interesting.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I haven’t carried a tube since the first time I rode CushCore. I had considered one I could sleeve for Claire’s bike but I can’t imagine her getting a flat we couldn’t plug?!
Multi-tool. I’ve tried all sorts but the 8-Bit does the most things excellently in the smallest package and it’s nice to have a chainbreaker and a knife.
I guess where I’m coming at is I’m not sure where I’d pair down on the tool front other than not having the Dart tool.
.
Claire and I are quite enjoying the sling shot but we don’t take it every ride.
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fartymarty
9 months, 1 week ago
I'm not quite brave enough to go tube free yet. Maybe I need to see someone about this.
I did use one in summer when the bead on an old tyre went...
I managed to limp home with the aid of a few cable ties.
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Karl Fitzpatrick
9 months, 1 week ago
Do you mean tube free in your wheels or in your pack?
I've recently forsaken tubeless again after being tired of the mess and the unpredictability of When Will I Burp? and Will I Manage To Reseat The Bead? etc.
However, my new cheat is tubes with removable cores and put 80ml of sealant in there. I'm even carrying a small bottle of sealant for if I have to user my spare tube mid ride.
No mishaps yet and I'm no slower than I usually am!
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fartymarty
9 months, 1 week ago
Tube free in my pack. I've been tubeless in my tyres for over 10 years now.
I'm tending to run heavier tyres now and have never had an issue with burping.
The sealant + tube would be a good hack on the commuter - easy to change yet with the sealing benefits of tubeless.
Cr4w
9 months, 1 week ago
The burping goes away if you run enough pressure but so does good riding performance. Then you add some ride-flat inserts and you're back to happy pressures and good traction. Unless you tear a sidewall. Short of that you're good to go with a plug kit and small pump.
BarryW
9 months ago
Have you tried the TPU tubes like Tubolito or Aerothan?
Timer
9 months, 1 week ago
I’ve seen too many sidewall tears that plugs can’t fix to ever ride without a tube.
That view may be colored a lot by the types of rocks one is likely to encounter.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Different rocks, for sure. But I also used to kill a lot more tires running lightweight casings without inserts.
With tires like Schwalbe’s Super Trail and the CushCore inserts I run I haven’t even needed a plug in ages. I have theories on how the inserts prevent external tire damage but there again one must know their terrain.
Morgan Heater
9 months, 1 week ago
I got the first hole big enough that all my sealant leaked out instantly and bacon strips couldn't fix it and tested the "ride-out" capability of cush core the other day. It was about 5 miles of rolling terrain, and while not awesome, was much better than carrying my bike. Definitely not superior to a tube, but coincidentally, my mini pump decided not to work so a tube wouldn't have helped!
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Perry Schebel
9 months, 1 week ago
i haven't had a flat in years (modern tires are amazing), so aggressively tempt fate by stating the fact out loud, and being completely unprepared for such an event. i'm down to an edc in my steerer & a small wb in the frame for local laps.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
The only one I’ve had in the past few years couldn’t be fixed with plugs and a mini-pump anyway so I rode home on the flat (CushCore insert).
Riding with Claire (light tires / no inserts) I couldn’t in good parentage not carry a pump and plugs, but if you made me start ditching stuff out of my kit those would be gone before true necessities like my sling shot.
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Perry Schebel
9 months, 1 week ago
yeah those slingshots are awesome.
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Karl Fitzpatrick
9 months, 1 week ago
I ran Cush core for a while and really liked it but it ditched as a byproduct of giving up the tubeless faff.
I've never torn a tyre (touch wood) probably due to my terrain and the fact that i generally dh tyres and all my tubeless mishaps were burp-themed. I know this comes down to experiments/experience but, for now at least, I'm going old school/ghetto for the types of punctures I usually get.
I'll do me etc.
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fartymarty
9 months, 1 week ago
Perry - You're brave even saying it...
If I do ride light and have an issue I'm prepared to walk home however long it takes as punishment.
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BarryW
9 months ago
I'm with you on this Perry. Not one single flat in three years of riding at this point. And that's not just me but everyone I've riden with. Literally tempting fate by how much I comment on it, lol.
I do carry a Tubolito and C02 strapped to the bike, AND Dynaplug in my pack.
But I do run inserts.
In fact after a day at Snoqualmie Pass bike park this summer I counted no less than 13 micro punctures at the end of the day and I had only lost 2 psi. To me sealant is quite literally magic.
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Cooper Quinn
9 months ago
Shouldn't the tubolito go in the pack, and dynaplug somewhere more quickly accessible?
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BarryW
9 months ago
On the water filtration front these are my preference for ultralight:
Sawyer mini
I own a MSR Trailshot and unless I'm in 'heavy' gravity filter mode it sucks compared to the squeeze pouch. Or simply connecting it into your hydration bladder.
All for about $25 US.
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DanL
9 months ago
sawyer mini and the lifestraw/bottle combo have been very versatile for me
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Cam McRae
9 months, 1 week ago
I’m with you Perry. I used to ride like a pack rat, almost like Andrew, but now I love riding pack-free. I probably wear the fanny pouch 40% of the time in winter and a little less in summer.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I’ll do a summer update as well. For solo day rides I sometimes even bring a book!
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Cr4w
9 months, 1 week ago
That's the pack of someone suffering from 1990s MTB PTSD.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I used everything in that pack in the last year except for the tick-puller (and the Stan's Dart, as noted). Granted, not for myself, but it's nice to help out your fellow travelers as well.
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fartymarty
9 months, 1 week ago
I've got a tick twister in my ride bag. I've had a few riding buddies get ticks while out riding altho ironically not while I was there.
Ticks are nasty fuckers.
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DadStillRides
9 months, 1 week ago
Where I grew up in Western Wisconsin finding a latched tick or 3 was a regular occurrence after a day playing outside. That being said, when I saw the tick puller in the pics, I thought Andrew was deburring some frame linkage out on the fire road or something. You'd probably have to shed a few of those glove layers, but fingers do the trick 99.9% of the time. Appreciate everything else about this, especially the battery when you don't use one yourself.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
One of the kids in my daughter’s class last year got Lyme disease (and it was f***ing awful) and it’s something I think about now. Apparently the best way to remove a tick without injecting oneself is with a puller and for the weight of them I figured ‘why not?’
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Cr4w
9 months, 1 week ago
For all that not a lot of first aid kit. I have a SAM splint in my pack because it weighs nothing and adds a little extra protection for my back. I always have a triangle bandage which can solve a multitude of issues, all of which I've actually experienced a few times on a ride on a ride: a big cut that needed stitches or a sling. It's definitely the first aid inclusion that offers the best bang for the buck weight-wise.
For some reason you can't buy triangle bandages at Shoppers Drug Mart. I used to get them from MEC when it was still a co-op but now that they're unabashed capitalists they not longer carry them so riddle me that.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I didn't forget you. So where does one get a magical triangle bandage now?
I do have a first aid kit in the car. But I've never needed anything I couldn't fabricate from spare clothes etc. on the trail. Always open to upgrades to my kit though!
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Flatted-again
9 months, 1 week ago
Y'all probably don't have to worry about it too much, but let me tell you about the sweet sweet relief that tweezers can bring to a cactus to the butt.
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albert03
9 months ago
We have a LOT of cholla to go along with the rest of the cacti near Tucson. A plastic comb is the first tool that natives recommend, and a short hemostat to help pull out any remaining needles. Some needles are hard to grip with tweezers. But yes, removing bits of cactus is a big relief.
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chacou
9 months ago
That's some solid beta, will add a comb to my kit.
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Andrew Major
9 months ago
The idea of carrying a comb with me for cactus relief... just goes to show how many different flavours of the awesome mountain bike experience there are!
Cr4w
9 months ago
I bought some on Amazon but since they're so cheap I bought a pack of 10. I can give you a few. I have one in each pack.
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Andrew Major
9 months ago
Yessssss. Wait, does this count as crowd sourcing?
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AndrewR
9 months ago
I carry the TickCheck tick hooks as it means there is less scope to accidentally squeeze the tick when removing it.
And as much as it creates more expense I have moved to having a basic kit on each bike (in a B-Rad bag normally - although I am having small triangular bags made for my Arrivals) which contain: tubolito tube, tyre lever, zip ties, duct tape, trauma dressing (small), $50 note, space blanket, small zip lock containing; tick hooks, Wool Aid plasters, antihistamines (for bees stings) and a couple of co-codamine tablets).
That way I don't "forget" the basics when switching between bikes, hip packs and back packs.
*if you don't want to pay for a proper trauma dressing then a tampon and a compression bandage will help stop a serious bleed
Every bike also has a bracket holder (normally Jank Components but I am having a custom version made for my Arrival) for my 100 ml EDC pump which contains an EDC tool and a jabber (with cut down ATV plugs as they about 100 times more effective than the brown bacon strips), the chain link pliers and another emergency $50 note. It also contains my clean flat top 12 speed quick link. I tape an 11 speed link and
If I have a pack or hip pack I carry a mini bottle of the remains of my old MucOff C3 lube collection for other riders as anyone that maintenance negligent doesn't deserve my WT-1!!! And, like you, the sound of another bike with a dry chain would do my nut!!
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Andrew Major
9 months ago
I'm beyond curious how you settled on $50. As opposed to say $20, or 2x$20, or $100.
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chacou
9 months ago
Ditto on the SAM splint, very useful to have along with triangle bandages (a must). I love how much stuff I can fit in my EVOC FR Trail Blackline 20 including a fairly stocked first aid kit. Liquid soap (in a small bottle) and spare water (primarily for cleaning) is something I feel like people often overlook. I love these soft flasks, small and you can get a solid stream of water if you need to clean out something deeper, or if anyone needs extra drink https://hydrapak.com/collections/soft-flasks/products/softflask%E2%84%A2-150ml
IME, most important thing when riding with kids is gummy bears and stickers. Often pull out a pack of black forest gummy bears and a random sticker along with the first aid kit. Or use the gummy bears or sticker as a bribe to get up, or down, a feature.
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FlipSide
9 months, 1 week ago
I can see the "old me" in this article. I used to carry so much stuff, including 2x or 3x the amount of water I really need for the whole day.
A rather severe back injury changed that almost 15 years ago. During my recovery, my back was very fragile and I was getting recurring lumbar sprain episodes. My life changed a lot when I removed the bladder from the pack and only used a wager bottler on my bike...which led me to ditch the pack for a minimalist fanny pack (Lab Austere) soon after. Basically, I went from over-prepared to super-minimalistic for medical reasons (which sucks), but I really prefer my new setup.
The only things I carry now in my bum bag: Multitool, bacon strips, car keys...and a little towel (for sweat management). I have a pump on my bike too.
I now only ride with a pack when I'm on big mountains in the Alps or when I ride in cold weather.
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jason
9 months, 1 week ago
Old crotchety rider here. I went to hip packs for only one season, then back to packs. I have 3 packs (each with a different use). First one is really just back armour, but i can still carry multi tool, small pump, spare tire (those light weight orange ones), extra pair of gloves and plugs. The other two are just small and large versions. The larger one is for winter riding so that I can carry my 4 pairs of gloves, food, water, tools, plugs, spare tire, pump, sidewall patches and maybe a ESJ. the smaller does not carry as much water (which in winter is fine) but still has room for one extra pair of gloves and all the rest of the tools, tube, pump etc....
that said I run tubeless DH tires (no inserts) and have not had a flat in a long, long time. so do I really need a tube, probably not. But just last week I needed the chain quicklink breaker, to take of the blown rear derailleur and chain. I should have had a spare derailleur....
I really only use a couple tools on the regular (5mm, 4mm) but am loathe to be without the other tools. but maybe I could ditch the tube eventually. probably need therapy for that...
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I’d get a smaller pack for solo rips if it fit as nicely as the EVOC and still had the back protector. It would have to be much smaller/lighter weight to be worthwhile.
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AndrewR
9 months ago
I find that winter is the time I don't want to wear a pack the most as not sweating is a critical part of winter riding (especially long ride and over nighters). I have a frame bag on my fat bike and use Voile straps to strap an extra dry sack (containing emergency down clothing and 24 hrs worth of energy pars) to the handlebars.
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fartymarty
9 months, 1 week ago
I carry a small bottle of Stans that I can top up once I have plugged the hole. I've had a few times (mainly on the commuter with paper thin Riddlers) where there wasn't enough sealant left after I had plugged the tyre.
I've now realised I'm best to just plug the hole ASAP and not try to use the sealant as the first option to fix the hole.
There is probably a whole article on using plugs and the beet way to fix a hole.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I often wonder about the G-Ones on my commuter but I have gravel CushCore inserts which should help prevent ‘big’ flats so hopefully anything else I can plug.
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Karl Fitzpatrick
9 months, 1 week ago
I've been playing with mostly hip and frame based storage solutions for the last 8 or so years and I'm never without some level of doubt as to whether I have enough.
I've never been caught out thankfully but having a pack I can chuck on no matter the bike or the distance is appealing.
You've really sold the comfort of the Evoc Trail Pro 16 so I might see if I can try one on in a lbs near me.
Thanks Andrew!
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fartymarty
9 months, 1 week ago
My latest trick* is to put my hip pack inside my back pack. I can then always use the hip pack if needed or add a few things to the back pack for a longer / wetter ride.
*which stems from my complete laziness.
Until it really warms / dries up I'm sticking with the back pack.
Edit - I do have a first aid kit in the backpack and spare gloves which are always good to have.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Hahaha. I appreciate you sharing this. Way worse than frame bags in a backpack!
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fartymarty
9 months, 1 week ago
TBH I couldnt be arsed unpacking my hip pack which was fairly well organised hence just stuffed it in my back pack.
I'm not a frame bag fan, too much mud in the UK - they just end up covered in crap.
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AndrewR
9 months ago
I do that sometimes. The 3L hip pack has everything I need for a 3-5 hr ride it is just faster to stuff it in a pack than transfer everything across!
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BadNudes
8 months, 4 weeks ago
I do this too, mostly on my commuter. I have a giant basket bag and I keep my ride essentials (tools, tube, spare light etc.) in a fanny pack inside that bag. Helps for grocery stops when I can wear the fanny pack for a little extra space in the bag (expandable storage!), and great when headed out without the basket bag or on another bike I can easily grab and wear all the essentials. The waist strap wraps tuck away nicely when in tool bag mode so it doesn't become a tangle mess in the big bag.
Another key item in the fanny pack for me is a packable shoulder bag, like a musette or sacoche. Helpful again for grocery stops when you need a little more carrying capacity, but I also like to have one to collect and pack-out trail garbage at some of the more popular firepit spots, and it's come in unexpectedly handy too many times to leave it at home.
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Andrew Major
8 months, 4 weeks ago
I find myself with a sudden urge to start keeping all my stuff in a hip pack, inside my backpack, even though I always wear a backpack?! HAHAHA.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I certainly didn’t set out to write so much about the EVOC. It’s just a great pack and so few riders wear packs now it inspires me to talk about it.
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chacou
9 months ago
I picked up an EVOC FR Trail Blackline 20 on closeout this summer and it's amazing! One of my favorite backpacks (as a pack-hoarder w/ various sizes of ortovox, deuter, arcteryx, gregory, rei, dakine, ...).
However, I often still will just ride with a hip pack on my shorter or solo-rides, I like the breeze on my back. But when guiding/coaching the EVOC is where it's at, comfy and can carry loads of stuff.
I hope to get some bigger rides in 2024 that necessitate using it more
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Andrew Major
9 months ago
I was considering where I'd need a larger pack than the 14 (originally for my review, but it was long enough) and I guess at that point it would be bike packing (not my jam) and I'd add frame bags?
Maybe different if I carried a bladder and it was also taking up space in my back. A 3L bladder eats up a lot of volume.
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chacou
9 months ago
It really came down to cost, the 20L was on such a deep discount that is was considerably cheaper than the 16. My thinking was 1) cost savings, 2) I can fit more if I need it, or just cinch down the straps, 3) IME the only time I've wished for a different size pack is when I need to stuff a jacket in a small pack and it doesn't fit. I also got it primarily as a guide pack for our bike club, so carrying a ton of extra stuff, stocked first aid, etc. Yeah, the 20 its a bit longer and hotter but it also includes that back protector which is nice piece of mind even if I don't see myself needing it on the rides I'm actually wearing it. But that larger size is definitely a factor in not using it as much for shorter, faster paced rides. However it's amazing how well the EVOC can distribute a load and feel very secure while riding, unlike some other packs with hip and sternum straps.
For 2024 I'd plan to do some longer dawn - dusk high alpine rides where the 20L will definitely come in handy, especially with it's helmet carry pocket for hike-a-bike times. I never ride with a bladder, too many times I've ended up with a popped bladder and all my stuff and back soaked and no water to drink.
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Offrhodes42
9 months, 1 week ago
I like the tick remover. I have the https://tickkey.com/ on my keychain. So, if I have my keys I also have that on me.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I ride from home as much as I can and also have different keys whether I’m driving or commuting by bike. Which sort of all comes back to the glory of just having a pack.
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Allen Lloyd
9 months, 1 week ago
I coach NICA and they provide a basic medical kit. At the end of the season we give them back and this year I have felt naked without the kit in my pack. Sooo I just ordered a kit for myself so I will never be without.
A friend laughed at me last week when he saw how many gloves were in my hip pack. 3 pair all different weights all worn in the past month. There is absolutely nothing like pulling out a dry pair of gloves if your hands get wet on a ride.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
"There is absolutely nothing like pulling out a dry pair of gloves if your hands get wet on a ride."
'When' your hands get wet... but yes, 100%
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chacou
9 months ago
Learned this from my PMBIA training, spare gloves are impromptu "cones" you can pull out for drills. The brighter and uglier to better, and they're usually cheaper too.
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Andy Eunson
9 months, 1 week ago
What? No chapstick?
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Andrew Major
9 months ago
I live in the forest!
Visiting Moab? Definitely.
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earle.b
9 months ago
I still ride with a pack, feels naked not riding with a pack.
Switched up to a lighter trail running style pack a Deuter Ascender 7 for the usual Fromme From Home laps. A larger Deuter Freerider Lite 25 (ski pack) for when more space is needed.
Tool kit is nicely contained and organized in a Deuter tool pouch. It zippers and unfolds with pockets for everything. Nice to be able to grab the kit and switch between packs as needed. It holds pump, shock pump, tube, set of mini Knipex wrench pliers, knife, chain tool, zip ties, spare shift cable, and likely some stuff I am forgetting.
In a little 1L dry sack I keep spare gloves and a Patagonia Houdini jacket as my emergency layer, there are old buff neck gaiters stuffed in the bottom of the pack collecting dirt but happy to have it when needed.
There is almost always an old tie strap in there to use as a tow strap to pull the small kiddo up hills. Graduated from two straps as I no longer need to tow two kids. The larger pack will get stuffed with rain gear for three, sometimes the kids will carry their own but inevitably when they take off a layer it ends up in my pack. Cold wet rides we usually also pack a thermos of hot chocolate or chai latte for kid warming motivation. And then snacks snacks and more snacks. Probably more I am forgetting right now...
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Andrew Major
9 months ago
I used to think that my snack game was on point but then this past year at Easter, Penny brought homemade cookies and brownies that were both still chewy and I realized that I need to start baking if I want to make that claim.
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earle.b
9 months ago
Do you guys have an air fryer? A small bake pan done in the air fryer is much faster and you do just a few at a time so always fresh. If you time it right and pack it right you could one up Penny on a ride and bring fresh baking that is still warm on a ride.
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Andrew Major
9 months ago
Ha, no. In our less is more world we choose to not even have a microwave.
We do have a pasta maker... Maybe fresh homemade ravioli this year at Easter could get me the one up?
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Pockets.the.coyote
9 months ago
Ravioli Dolci for Easter
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NotMeAtAll
9 months ago
That EXT branded pump is just a rebranded Giyo pump.
to be fair, I own the exact same model, from Giyo, and it really is bomb proof. I own some other mini pumps fron that brand, and they are all very well built.
And because of that, I can not justify exotic and premium pumps, not even silca.
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Andrew Major
9 months ago
I mean, it's not 'just' a Giyo pump. I imagine most every shock pump I've had has been made by Giyo with the exception of a German-made SKS one I have in a wooden box for home use (that I always forget I have and end up using this 'EXT' branded one anyway). And most of those pumps maybe lasted a year.
Anyways, this EXT-branded one is the only shock pump that's seen half this much use and still been good to go. And I know I've jinxed it now, but I think it might be magical.
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DanL
9 months ago
haha, awesome, I was lusting after that WZRD slingshot as well. Now that's a gearshot!
I'll get my coat / vest
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Tim (aka DigitBikes/DirtBaggies)
9 months, 1 week ago
I hope nobody is ever desperate enough to need a space blanket. I once huddled in a sheltered place with one for a while, from what I could tell it was about as useful as thoughts and prayers.
I still have one in my pack, but it's very much a last resort, doesn't take much space, I have one so why not sort of thing. I'm secretly hoping to find a 100lb burrito in the forest which needs to be wrapped and taken home.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Yeah, it’s not part of any plan. I carry one for when things go right off the rails. Weighs nothing.
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DanL
9 months ago
SOL sacks combo'd with the blankets will give you a better and drier shelter in place, but add in hand warmers too if you're doing that
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LDG
9 months ago
Which waterproof jacket is it? good ventilation?
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Andrew Major
9 months ago
Which jacket, sorry? Jackets galore! The EcoLyte (now a vest) has massive pit zips (more like body zips) and a rear vent (works well sans pack), so it works better than most. Of course, as a vest it’s much more breathable than a jacket.
My ESJ isn’t waterproof or breathable. But it helps warm me up inside and out. It’s a Pearl Izumi. Very lightweight and packable.
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LDG
9 months ago
The yellow one. Looking for a waterproof one with great venting
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Andrew Major
9 months ago
I've actually never worn the EcoLyte as a jacket as I had the sleeves hacked off right away. It has amazing venting as a vest!
I think it would be great, or at least as great as a 3-layer weatherproof garment can get, as it does have huge underarm openings and the rear exhaust port.
It is very much a cycling cut, not a multi-purpose piece. Which I always warn people of as it seems most folks want a jacket that fits in a riding position and looks normal standing straight up. It has a dropped back and a short front. It's also not as thin and silky as some of the more expensive riding jackets (7Mesh for example) which I mention because it's feedback I've had from folks I know who read my review and then tried one on at MEC.
I know that's a lot of caveats, but I had tons of rides under my belt in it and I think it's a fantastic piece - again as a vest - https://nsmb.com/articles/showers-pass-ecolyte-elite-weatherproof-vest/
Oh, hood is easily attached/detached but very secure as well.
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