Touring gear refresh - I've been shopping
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2026 5:04 pm
I've been shopping 
Up and coming Alps tour at the end of this month is my first tour for a while, and the first time I'm not going with t'other half (going with mates instead).
Most of our touring gear is set up for two, so I've been busy getting solo stuff together.
Not to mention the fact that I last toured on a bigger bike, so I needed less/smaller/lighter stuff, and to set up luggage etc.
So, so far, my gear acquisition is as follows:
Givi rack for bike, plus (adapted for the bike by previous owner) Givi monokey plate and topbox.
Puig screen to make the peage etc runs to/from the chunnel a bit more bearable.
Coleman Phad X2 tent. We used to have a Phad X3, and they're a piece of piss to put up, plus incredibly lightweight.
They also don't make them anymore
but t'other half found a 'used once' one on FB marketplace for £50, and it's in bloody excellent nick. I've left it up all week in the rain to make sure it doesn't leak and it's good to go 
Trespass Lull single sleeping bag - I need space for my legs to fidget, so I can't get away with a mummy one, but it compresses well in my existing Sea-to-Summit compression drybag
Trinordic ultralight inflatable sleeping mat with built-in pillow. Packs down incredibly small, and only takes about ten breaths to inflate I'm hoping it'll be comfortable enough.
Cardo Packtalk Edge - I have a Cardo Freecom, but apparently we can all talk to each other, so I've upgraded. Not sure they'll want to hear my singing, but
Hears earplugs. Apparently more comfortable over long rides than my Loop ones (fingers crossed), and way less faff than my moulded ones, which also bother me on long rides.
Oil. Turns out ragging small engined bikes eats oil
Probably some other stuff too, but I think those are the main things. What am I missing?
Up and coming Alps tour at the end of this month is my first tour for a while, and the first time I'm not going with t'other half (going with mates instead).
Most of our touring gear is set up for two, so I've been busy getting solo stuff together.
Not to mention the fact that I last toured on a bigger bike, so I needed less/smaller/lighter stuff, and to set up luggage etc.
So, so far, my gear acquisition is as follows:
Givi rack for bike, plus (adapted for the bike by previous owner) Givi monokey plate and topbox.
Puig screen to make the peage etc runs to/from the chunnel a bit more bearable.
Coleman Phad X2 tent. We used to have a Phad X3, and they're a piece of piss to put up, plus incredibly lightweight.
They also don't make them anymore
but t'other half found a 'used once' one on FB marketplace for £50, and it's in bloody excellent nick. I've left it up all week in the rain to make sure it doesn't leak and it's good to go 
Trespass Lull single sleeping bag - I need space for my legs to fidget, so I can't get away with a mummy one, but it compresses well in my existing Sea-to-Summit compression drybag
Trinordic ultralight inflatable sleeping mat with built-in pillow. Packs down incredibly small, and only takes about ten breaths to inflate
I'm hoping it'll be comfortable enough.Cardo Packtalk Edge - I have a Cardo Freecom, but apparently we can all talk to each other, so I've upgraded. Not sure they'll want to hear my singing, but
Hears earplugs. Apparently more comfortable over long rides than my Loop ones (fingers crossed), and way less faff than my moulded ones, which also bother me on long rides.
Oil. Turns out ragging small engined bikes eats oil
Probably some other stuff too, but I think those are the main things. What am I missing?
