Bikepacking & Panniers
Bikepacking is the idea of turning a simple day ride into a long distance adventure, courtesy of some pretty inventive well-placed luggage choices to distribute your kit around the bike. This inventive sub-genre of bicycle touring focuses on keeping the overall luggage weight low, a concept illustrated by the fact that a bikepacking set-up will always finish lighter than even the barest rack and bicycle pannier combinations.
A lower overall weight allows the rider to cover great distances over much more varied terrain (bikepacking is a little bit "what's over that hill? I'm checking it out!"). Having boomed in recent years as highly technical fabrics have facilitated greater weight savings, bikepacking has found a firm place in the downy sleeping bag of many an adventurer around the globe.
For those who prefer the classic touring set-up, racks and panniers offer a solidly reliable way to haul your gear and are ideal for trips which will mostly occur on roads, as well as for commuting and other urban riding.
