Want to know what to bring mountain biking? Use this trail checklist to tick off the basics for a few hours of riding. If you’re going for a longer rip, pad your kit with extra items to cover minor fixes farther from the trailhead.
Use common sense – for remote areas (or any trails where hike-a-biking out would be more painful than usual), start with the 10 essentials checklist and build your mountain bike kit from there.
Mountain bike gear essentials
- Bike
- Helmet
- Backpack
- Hydration bladder or water bottle
- Water or energy drink
- Energy bars and food
- Trail app, map or guidebook
Repair kit items for every ride
- Bike multi-tool with Allen keys. Some also have chain tools, spoke wrenches, Torx drivers, and flatheads and Phillips screwdrivers built in.
- Spare tube, even if you’re tubeless (bring 2 if you’re planning to be out for a while)
- Patch kit
- Tire levers
- Mini bike pump or CO2 inflator with cartridges
Additional repair items for longer rides
- Shock pump
- Chain tool (if it’s not on a multi-tool)
- Master chain link, like a PowerLink or Quick Link
- Zip ties
- Duct tape (mini roll)
- Derailleur hanger and mounting bolts
- Big backcountry epics are beyond the scope of this checklist, and you’ll want to be totally self-sufficient for those
Clothing and armour
- Bike shorts with or without padded liner shorts
- Riding jersey
- Bike shoes
- Bike socks
- Cycling gloves
- Lightweight packable shell and extra layers
- Body armour
- Eye protection/sunglasses
Personal and safety stuff
- Phone, plus a portable charger in waterproof case
- First aid kit
- Bike light or headlamp in case a mechanical leaves you out after sunset
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Compass or GPS
- ID and cash (a $5 bill can also be used as a temporary patch for a sidewall slash)
- GoPro or camera (optional)
- Change of clothes, a towel and cold drinks stashed in your car for post-ride
