After the whirlwind that was MADE, I took a little detour on my way back to Japan. I’m ERI, a photographer for our web shop, and I spent my time in Portland snapping tons of cycling-related photos! I brought plenty of gear along for the trip, but today I’d like to introduce the items I’d absolutely recommend for anyone heading out on a long excursion.
WELLDONE ChipsBag
I packed my 13L and 30L ChipsBags with everything from rain jackets and drinks to snacks and camera gear, and headed out for a "Super Chill" volcano hike, thinking, "Yeah, this is just the right amount of stuff."
The best part is that it has plenty of outer pockets, making it easy to access things you want to grab quickly, like snacks, your phone, or a water bottle. Since there’s no padding on the back, it can be folded down compactly, making it easy to carry as a secondary bag while traveling. I love that it’s versatile enough for any scenario—cycling, hiking, travel, or everyday use.
You might see a handkerchief hanging off the side of the ChipsBag, but a hand towel is also an absolute must-have!
BEDROCK SANDALS
These might not need an introduction, but Bedrock Sandals are a classic for any outdoor activity. If you want to seamlessly enjoy the beach, the city, and the mountains, these are all you need. They fit perfectly into the outer pockets of the aforementioned WellDone ChipsBag, making them easy to carry and a must-have for any trip, regardless of the season. You can even enjoy them longer into the fall and spring by pairing them with Tabby Socks!
ORTLIEB Valve Dry Bag
Having two or three of these is incredibly useful for travel and business trips. The version with a valve is even more convenient because of the compression feature.
Even when I'm not traveling with a bike, they're indispensable items for carrying spare clothes or keeping wet gear separate.
It’s also great to use them as makeshift panniers by strapping them directly to a front or rear rack using straps!
BIVO
The item I can safely say was the best purchase I made this summer is the BIVO insulated cycling bottle.
In Japan, we're used to convenience stores and vending machines being everywhere, and tap water is generally drinkable. However, the situation is different in the US and other countries, so people often carry mineral water with them. In many places, the tap water isn’t really drinkable, and you can’t just buy water from a vending machine when you get thirsty, because... well, there are no vending machines.
Also, the BIVO series comes in both a silicone-coated design and a raw finish, and I’m sure many of you have a hard time deciding which one to choose.
[Silicone] You don't have to worry about rattling sounds when it's in your bottle cage. The silicone coating is quite durable; even when I dropped it on some rocks, the damage was minimal.
[Raw] Since it has no surface coating, it’s slick and easy to slide in and out of backpack side pockets. It’s also perfect for sticker bombing.
Both have their advantages, so try to find your favorite!
On long trips, you always realize, "Oh, I should have brought that," or conversely, "I didn't need this at all." But through trial and error, your packing skills just get better and better.
Do any of you have your next trip planned? Enjoy your travels with your favorite gear!
