The Ultralight Challenge

What if you could tour with just what fits in a single dry bag? No panniers. Just the essentials. On this episode, we take this as a challenge - borrowing from the ultralight backpacking folks, we cut off our toothbrush handles and weigh every gram for the ultralight bikepacking challenge!

"What if you could tour with just what fits in your handlebar bag? No panniers. No rack. Just the essentials."

Why: curiosity, simplicity, nimble handling, testing limits for overnighters or credit card touring.

Rules: one mid-size drybag (say 10–12L). No extra frame or seat bags.

Trip assumptions: 1–2 nights, shoulder season, mild weather but possible cool nights.

Riding style: paved/mixed surfaces, moderate daily mileage.

Shelter

Options to debate:

Tarp + bivy sack (light, cheap, minimal bug protection).

Minimal trekking pole tarp (if you carry a pole or can use the bike).

Emergency bivy + bug net (super small but spartan).

UL single-wall tent (if you can compress to fit — ~1lb tents exist).

Hammock

Where I land:

Shelter Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp 5.2 oz Dyneema, no floor; packs to fist size

Groundsheet Polycryo sheet (cut to size) 1.5 oz Cheap and super compact

Bug Net Sea to Summit Nano Pyramid (solo) 2.9 oz Optional if mosquitoes likely

Stakes 6 titanium shepherd hooks 2 oz Can share with tarp

Guyline 2 mm reflective cord 1 oz Multipurpose (also for repairs)

Total Shelter Weight: ~12 oz (340 g)

Sleep Kit

Pad: short closed-cell foam (Z-lite cut down) vs ultralight inflatable (NeoAir Uberlite).

Quilt: 40°F down quilt packs to a grapefruit.

Sleep Clothing layering: puffy jacket + base layers to extend quilt rating.

pillow (there are some ultralight inflatables too)

Where I land:

Sleep Pad Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite (small) 6 oz Packs smaller than a soda can

Quilt Enlightened Equipment Enigma 40°F 13 oz Compresses to a grapefruit

Pillow Exped Air UL pillow (small) 1.6 oz Optional luxury

Sleep Clothes Lightweight merino top + boxer briefs 6 oz Doubles as camp wear

Total Sleep Weight: ~27 oz (765 g)

Cooking vs. No-Cook

No-cook: bars, wraps, cold soak jar.

Minimal cook: Esbit/solid fuel stove + titanium mug.

Coffee strategy: instant packets vs small UL brewer.

Space/weight trade-off: ditch cook kit for luxury (camera, extra clothes).

Where I land:

Cold Soak System Plastic PB jar 2oz

Utensil Long Ti spoon 0.5 oz

Mug (if separate) MSR Titan 2.4 oz

Food for 2 days Wraps, instant oatmeal, nuts, bars, jerky, instant coffee ~24 oz

Water 1 L Smartwater bottle (frame-mounted)

Total Cooking/Food Weight (excluding water): ~29 oz (820 g)

Clothing & Tools

No change of clothes on this one… one base layer, puffy jacket layer.

Rain shell  = big payoff for little space.

Simple wool hat

Micro tool kit: multi-tool, chain link, tiny pump, patch kit instead of spare tube.

hygiene: Dr Bronner's in smallest travel bottle, small camp towel, travel toothbrush.

Where I land:

Rain Shell Patagonia Houdini or OR Helium 6 oz Ultralight but reliable

Insulation Layer Montbell Plasma 1000 puffy 5 oz Packs to palm size

Extra Base Layer / socks Wool top + socks 5 oz For camp

Toiletries Toothbrush, mini paste, Bronner's, wet wipes 3 oz Minimalist hygiene

Headlamp Nitecore NU25 1 oz USB rechargeable

Total Clothing/Personal Weight: ~20 oz (570 g)

Multitool Lezyne RAP II-12 3 oz Compact essentials

Mini Pump Lezyne Pocket Drive 3 oz Mount to frame if possible

Chain link / tape / zip ties / patch kit Small zip bag 1 oz Field repairs

Phone + powerbank 10 000 mAh Anker 6 oz Also powers headlamp

Map / ID / Credit Card — negligible "Ultralight credit card touring" insurance

Total Tools/Misc Weight: ~13 oz (370 g)

Packing Tetris

Bottom: sleep system (quilt/compressed pad).

Middle: shelter/tarp.

Top: food/clothing.

Outside: light rain shell/camp shoes?

Safety & Bail Out Options

Emergency bail plan: credit card, rideshare, motel.

Weather veto: if forecast turns ugly, change trip.

My Packed Total

Category Weight

Shelter 12 oz

Sleep 27 oz

Cooking/Food 29 oz

Clothing/Personal 20 oz

Tools/Misc 13 oz

Total ~6.31 lb (2.86 kg) inside dry bag

Conclusion

Who this works for: weekenders, credit card tourists, fair-weather minimalists.

Who it doesn't: long winter trips, remote routes with no services, the comfort-oriented

The psychological side of going this minimal: what you gain (freedom, simplicity) vs. what you lose (comfort, margin).