I know – it looks like a lot – I mean, a LOT of stuff. And at first glance, it really is. But lets walk through and break it down, shall we?
This first section is gear that I will be wearing every day – so technically these items aren’t part of the ‘packing list’
Macna 3 layer jacket
REV’IT 3 layer Neptune GTX pants
Alpinestar Carbon gloves
Leatt EXT shin guards
Alpinestars Toucan Goretex boots
Macna Talon RTX gloves
LS2 MX436 helmet
Uclear 100plus comm’s
Klim Nac Pak
The second section comprises all the clothing I’ve packed, including what I’ll be wearing out the door.
2 x UA 2.0 Base layer
3pr Merino wool socks
3pr riding shorts
1 x track pants
1 x walking shorts
1pr walking shoes
1 x jeans
3 x T shirts
2 x long sleeves
1 x hoodie
1 x heavy sweater
1 x Coleman rain jacket
2pr sport socks
3pr boxers
This section includes all of my camping gear, and most of it fits into my Redverz Dry bag. The smaller items are carried in my tank bag and my Klim Nac Pac:
MEC Wanderer 2 Tent
Therm-A-Rest Monoking 3D sleeping mat
Microfiber camp towel
Joey camp chair
Chinook Fireside +2/36 down sleeping bag
Mosquito net hat
Small emergency kit
Fleece cover for sleeping mat
Jetboil Zip stove
Bear Grylls Ultimate knife
2 books
Head lamp
LED flashlight
waterproof matches
toilet paper
Freeze dried breakfasts
Larabar protein bars
instant camp coffee
Muskol Mosquito Repellant
MSR HyperFlow gravity filter system
collapsible bowl/cup
Next on the list are motorcycle essentials for any road trip of this duration – though I carry half of them on every ride anyway.
Complete tool kit
Tire repair kit
fork seal kit
Bearing set
Best Rest Cycle pump
First Aid trauma kit
Rotopax 4 litre fuel can
Spot Gen3
And finally, there are my electronics and personal necessities.
Lenovo ThinkPad laptop
Ipod Nano
Sony Cyber Shot camera
GoPro Hero Session
Ear plugs
Sun glasses
Chapstick
Toiletries kit
Some would argue that I am carrying far too much. After all, who needs a folding camp chair when you can sit on a rock, right? And that sleeping pad, really!?!
My response is always the same – “I’ve packed for me, and for my comfort, fully aware of what I need to make a camping trip a GREAT camping trip.”
I just hope that I don’t have to pick up Big Ethel too many times!
Joe
Not so much actually but your Therm a rest is really very bulky and heavy. Your tent too : 4 kg is a lot. Don’t drop your earplugs as someone said : very useful. I have decided not to take a chair neither a stove. Have a nice trip a tell us what you think of your list when you actually are on the road
Hi Passeparici, thanks for your comment. Joe’s on the road right now so may not reply to comments for a day or two. He may even miss some. I can tell you that Joe has taken the same load-out on a few runs now, including the Trans-Taiga and the Trans Labrador. He seems to be happy with it. Joe has hip problems and broke both ankles a few years ago flying over the handlebars – thanks to an inattentive left turning cager – hence, the chair and large sleeping pad. He used to sleep in a Hennessy hammock (1.16 kg)… Read more »
Hi Passeparici,
As James said I have been using most of this kit for a while, and until something wears out and I NEED to replace it, I’m gonna stick with it. A new sleeping pad will likely be the first purchase.
So far I have been riding in a lot of rain, so no camping yet!
I’ve slept on self inflating mattresses for many years but for the last five or so I’ve been using an inflatable from MEC. I found it to be a huge improvement on the space requirement and not much more work to inflate. Best of all I get a great night’s sleep. And I’m not sure what the mattress cover might be useful for.
I am always on the lookout for an improvement with my gear – I’ll have to take another look at MEC when I get back in July.
The fleece cover is for really cold nights 🙂
Hey AdvJoe, you take what works, so in this case, it all works for you. Likely you may shed an item or two along the way or perhaps a pound or two, either way, travel safe and drink the world in.
Thanks Steve. It remains to be seen if it all works for me! I will post progress reports, hahaha
Is that an SSD laptop? Highly recommend SSD for moto travel. I learned the hard way.
It is an SSD laptop – however I opted to leave it behind. If I had brought the laptop I would be constantly thinking that I need to be on it.
ok drop the earplugss and lose a little weight. 🙂 Wish you a safe Journey.:-)
Hahaha, I’ve been trying to shed 20lbs for a while now! That darned gym membership is useless if I don’t go to the gym, lol
As a brand new “old” driver, I dig this!! Did my first motorcycle camping trip last weekend in Algonquin Park as a practice run to know how/what to pack. I opted for a light cot instead of the mat and am very happy about that. 🙂 Looking forward to following you along here! All the best and safe riding!
Thank you Claude. I have been contemplating going with a cot – I’m glad to hear that you’re experience has been good!
As a woman, when I had the miss fortune of dumping my bike a nice man always appears….I’m not sure how it’ll go for you ?
Maybe a lovely lady will happen by and offer to help ?
Sounds about the same as I have packed for a year to Sth America
No bearings though, figure I can find them Ok. Replace jeans with quick drying and lighter travel pants
Everything should be quick/ drip dry
Fuel container, really depends on where you are going, possibly buy a cheap disposable for when you really need it and discard after use
My 2 cents worth
Have a great adventure
Thank you Nick. I actually packed Kuhl quick dry pants rather than jeans, and the Rotopax sits well on my top box. I was on the fence about bringing the bearings – oh well, they’re packed now, haha
Sounds like you’ve got a plan. All seems like pretty essential gear to me.
Would love to see some pics of your set up.
I will post from the road – my camp set up will hopefully be tomorrow’s post!
Like you said packing is an individual preference but I think you have a good rounded pack. You’ll know pretty quick what you forgot 🙂
I already realize that I did not pack a book to read…I’ll squeeze one in somewhere!
I was going to ask you what books you were packing!
Hahaha, yes, it seems I missed my reading material. I think my choice shall be ‘Caribou Island’ by David Vann
Rather apropos it seems.
as long as you got all your shots for some of the future countries – and a water kit for when you need clean water
I have an MSR water filtration kit Sandy – and I’ll be sure to get any necessary shots before I head overseas next year. Thank you for riding along with me!