The Travel Gear We Never Leave Home Without
Bicycling’s test team has racked up more than a million frequent-flyer and road-trip miles trying bikes and gear. This is the stuff we trust to sail through TSA, survive one-star motels, and never miss a ride.
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This lightweight Evoc bag takes the stress out of packing a bike: All you have to do is remove the handlebar, pedals, and wheels. It’s padded in all the right places, has wheels for easy rolling, and collapses small so it won’t take up a ton of hotel-room floorspace.-Gloria Liu
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With 70 liters of space, this bag is ideal for weekend riding escapes or as a gear-only second bag on longer trips. I really like how the separate, lined compartments for shoes and helmets keep my sweaty, muddy stuff away from my clean clothes. -Louis Mazzante
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This bag is how I cheat airlines’ check-bag surcharges: It’s low-profile, and the roll-top closure means the bag gets longer, not deeper, when you pack it full. So you can slide it beneath the seat in front of you, even when you stuff two pairs of shoes in the exterior cargo net. I’ll keep my $25, American Airlines.-Dan Roe
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Most dopp kits are bulkier than they need to be. This one is better because the slim shape makes it easier to fit into an overstuffed duffel. Plus, it’s made in Colorado and the bright design adds style to even the most tired hotel bathroom.-L.M.
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Whether by car, train, bus, or plane, I can’t hit the road without a water bottle. This one is my go-to; it keeps liquids cold for up to 24 hours or hot for 12, and the cheerful colors just make me happy.-Molly Ritterbeck
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Running out of my phone’s battery is always on my mind. So this charger is clutch: When fully juiced, it can deliver 34 hours’ worth of battery life into an iPhone X. That’s enough to get me through a three-day escape without ever plugging in.-Taylor Rojek
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Travel, like a hard ride, has highs and lows. I get through the doldrums with gummi bears. The sweet pop of energy is what I need to survive hour 10 of a SFO > SYD trans-Pacific flight, or mile 30 of a climb up Haleakala.-L.M.
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These earbuds (an updated version of the $19 option I tested earlier) cost just $49, the sound quality is nearly as good as I’ve heard from $200 options, and they fit in my ear better than most. They may not last forever, but at this price, I’m not too worried about it.-D.R.
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Few cameras beat the simplicity of a point-and-shoot when you’re traveling light. This one fits into a jersey pocket and has a really nice 24-72mm Leica f/1.4-2.8 lens that’s good for portraits and shooting dawn-patrol rides in low-light conditions.-Colin McSherry
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I can survive almost anywhere as long as I have good coffee. This titanium French press is light, virtually indestructible, and holds 24 ounces-just enough for one or two caffeine junkies.-Bobby Lea
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This travel version of my go-to foam roller relieves tight muscles and increases blood flow after several hours spent sitting. Trigger Point is replacing this with a vibrating version, but if you prefer something simple for travel, grab this one while you can.-M.R.
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I’m always writing notes, especially when I travel. These thin, little lo-fi notebooks are great for jotting addresses, restaurants to try, trail names, or just killing time with games of hangman.-L.M.
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This cute, lightweight shirt is exactly what I want when I’m away from home. It has a slim, flattering fit and is incredibly light and soft. The long rear hem keeps your back covered when you ride in it, and the stink-resistant, wicking fabric keeps you comfortable when you go hard enough to sweat.-Riley Missel
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My Blundies go everywhere with me. These real-leather boots are easy to slip on and off for security and go with almost anything. Even better: They’re weather-resistant and have a grippy lugged sole, so they hold up in any condition.-Matt Phillips
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These are the best sunglasses I’ve ever owned. The casual style means I can wear them lounging at pool parties and on hard rides in new places. The trick: Grippy pieces on the nose and temples keep them from slipping.-Gabriel Lodge
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These tough-yet-stretchy pants are made with 2 percent spandex, so they bend and move easier than ones made of stiff denim. That’s something I appreciate when I’m pedaling or folded into super-economy seating. The heavy stitching has held up after months of hard use, and the classic style lets me wear them anywhere.-Matt Allyn
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This handy little ratchet lets you set up, adjust, and maintain a bike no matter where you are. It’s light, durable (I’ve had the same one for five years), and comes in a case that sits comfortably in a jersey pocket or tucks easily into a pack.-M.P.
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When I’m on the road, I live in a zippered hoodie. Mission’s Grandmaster is the best I’ve tried. It’s fitted, fleecy, and made in NYC, with lots of light, stretchy, water-resistant Polartec Power-Stretch Pro fabric. Unlike a lot of hoodies, this one looks right whether I’m sitting at a conference table or around a campfire.-L.M.
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