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Bikepacking: the continuation of a trend

14-3-2023

Translation: Eva Francis

Bikepacking has become more and more popular in recent years. What is it? A self-sufficient way of travelling by bike and with light luggage.

Once a year, sports enthusiasts get together at the world’s largest sports trade fair in Munich. At ISPO, almost 100,000 visitors come to see the latest products from around 3,000 exhibitors across 120 countries. But ISPO is also – or even more importantly – an event that showcases trends.

All things outdoor: comfortable ...
Source: Patrick Bardelli

... or a bit less luxurious. — All things outdoor: comfortable ...
Source: Patrick Bardelli

Outdoor lifestyle megatrend

One of these trends is the outdoor lifestyle. Adventure travel has been booming for years. And the pandemic, lockdowns and potentially viral crowds have intensified people’s desire for freedom and nature. Brands such as Mammut, The North Face and Salewa offer the right products for any adventure and own the largest slice of the cake that is the outdoor market. This year, the industry expects around 320 million francs of turnover in Switzerland and growth rates of over ten per cent annually in the years to follow. According to the forecast, a market volume of 475 million francs will be reached in 2027.

Bike bags are available in countless sizes: these bags by Jack Pack are extra-small and attach to the handlebars.
Source: Patrick Bardelli

Meanwhile, a new term has emerged – bikepacking. It originates in North American long-distance mountain bike races, so-called «self-supported races». These races can’t be completed in a single day. In addition, getting help from others is forbidden – that’s where the «self-support» aspect comes from. Participants in such races must transport all their own overnight equipment and food. To avoid losing manoeuvrability and speed, they strap their gear directly to the bike instead of lugging it around in wobbly side panniers or backpacks.

From self-supported races to bikepacking

So, if you’re a bikepacker, you’re self-sufficient. More and more adventurous people are drawn to the outdoors and travel by bike with bags that are attached to their vehicle. It doesn’t need to be in the context of a competition. That’s how self-supported racers turned into bikepackers. It also explains why gravel bikes have become the number one trend bike alongside mountain bikes in recent years. This was very obvious at ISPO – almost every second exhibitor showcased a gravel bike with travel bags to go with it.

Bikepacking is trendy.
Source: Patrick Bardelli

Trendy? Yes, very trendy. — Bikepacking is trendy.
Source: Patrick Bardelli

Seriously? Seriously! For example, biking to the ski slopes.
Source: Patrick Bardelli

Familiar and new faces

There are bike bag solutions for handlebars, saddles, forks and frames as well as various sizes with a range of packing volumes. Every need is catered for. And various suppliers, such as Vaude or Evoc, offer these products. In addition to the old familiar faces, however, more and more new faces are entering the market. Jack Pack, a Polish company that launched its first collection in 2019, is one of these young brands.

On the other hand, there are companies such as Fixplus that take a different approach and produce simple plastic tension straps that allow you to strap objects onto the bike. How suitable are Fixplus products for everyday use? I don’t know. The Germans company’s marketing is a matter of taste – I’m not a fan.

Sex sells: goes for Fixplus products, too.

The straps aren’t quite as «sexy» as the marketing. — Sex sells: goes for Fixplus products, too.

Header image: Patrick Bardelli

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Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

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