The Ultimate Kit Grid

Everything I packed for North Cape 4000

This time next week I’ll have (hopefully) arrived in Rovereto, rebuilt my bike, and will be stuffing my face with all the beautiful Italian carbs I can get my hands on. The following morning I’ll be starting my 4,000km journey towards the Arctic Circle.

All of this means that I am currently in the midst of what people refer to as the ‘panic-packing’ phase; continuously walking between rooms and forgetting why I’m there and what I’m doing. It’s probably to find that absolutely must-have, essential item that needs to come with me, but I’ve forgotten what that is too.

So whilst my living room (and most other surfaces in my apartment) are strewn with various “things”, I decided to pull them all together and create a neat kit grid 1) so I can reassure myself that I have everything I need and 2) because I am super nosey and love analysing other people’s kit to see what cool gear I’m missing out on, so I thought you might too!

So, here it is: a comprehensive list of everything I’m packing in order to embark on an eight-country bikepacking race over ~20 days:

Clothing

• Merino base layer (DHB)

• Summer base layer (Kostüme)

• Short sleeved jersey (Kostüme)

• Bib shorts (Kostüme)

• Merino arm warmers (DHB)

• Merino leg warmers (DHB)

• Long sleeved thermal jersey (DHB)

• Waterproof jacket (Goretex shakedry)

• Waterproof trousers (Decathlon)

• Down jacket (Rapha)

• Hi-viz harness

• Merino socks (Endura)

• Waterproof socks (Endura Humvee)

• Merino glove liners (Assos)

• Waterproof gloves (Q36.5 Anifibo)

• Shorts to sleep in (Decathlon)

• Merino buff (Albion)

• Insulated burner (Albion)

Sleep system

• Sleeping bag (Sea to Summit FM1)

• Sleeping pad (Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite)

• Sleeping bag liner (Sea to Summit Silk Blend Liner)

• Bivy (Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy 3000)

Lights

• Front light (Exposure Strada MK11)

• Rear light (Exposure Blaze MK2)

• Spare front light (Halfords 1600 lumens)

• Spare rear light (Cateye)

• Helmet light (Brightside)

• Headtorch (Petzl)

Electronics

• Fast charging power bank (CUKTECH)

• Spare power bank (Anker)

• Fast charging plug (Minix)

• Headphones (Shokz)

Toiletries

• Sun cream sachets (Lifesystems)

• SPF Lipbalm (Lifesystems)

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Wilderness wash (Sea to Summit)

• Chamois cream (Bum Butter + Chamois Butt’r)

• Skin repair gel (Assos)

• Hand sanitiser

• Wipes (Rawganic)

• Contact lenses

• Eye drops

Tools

• Portable torque wrench (Topeak)

• Chain breaker

• Quick links

• Cable ties

• Tyre levers

• Pedal spanner

• Patches

• Inner tubes

• Penknife

• Lube

• Electrical tape

• Spare mech hanger

• Valve core tool

• Tyre boot

Misc.

• Musette (Apidura)

• Cafe lock (Hiplock)

• Photochromatic sunglasses (Van Rysel)

• Electrolyte tabs

• Memory foam saddle topper (B-twin)

Bike bags

• Tailfin rack and bag + 5L mini pannier

• Top tube bag (Apidura)

• Frame bag (Apidura)

• Handlebar bag (Rapha)

• Downtube bag (Tailfin)

Game-changing gear

• Suspension seat post (Redshift Shockstop Endurance PRO)

• Suspension stem (Redshift PRO)

I’m always open to hearing kit suggestions so go ahead and drop a comment with your favourite ‘must have’ item, or something that’s been a complete game-changer. I’m all ears!