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).