How I packed for bikepacking the Heaphy Track

So I can remember for next time.

Backpack

7kg in total according to the scales at the airport. I could not really feel this on my back while wearing it.

  • Main compartment:
    • Bottom, in big pack liner: sleep system, and dry clothes (puffer jacket and sleep thermals) in a sea to summit dry bag, toiletries, and headlamp and power bank, sleeping mat
  • Top inner pocket: more snacks
  • Top outer pocket: phone, loo paper, baggie with hand sanitiser, deet, sunscreen, etc, the things I might have needed to grab in a hurry.
  • Vertical side pocket: Tent poles, tent pegs, trowel
  • Hip-strap pocket: snacks
  • Outer pocket: spare inner tube
  • Outer storage area: water bladder

Saddle bag

Food: all freeze dried and sealed, it got a little wet but was fine.

Handlebar bag

I ended up putting the tent and tent fly in here (about 1.5kg), my tools, another spare inner tube, and my wet weather gear – my jacket and Helter Skelter over trousers. As I wore the wet weather gear from much of the ride it made the handlebar bag a little lighter.