GEAR FOR
LONG-HAUL RIDES
π After 68,000 miles with Gloria, I've learned that weight is the enemy and whatever you don't use in the first month, you never use. This is my real list β only road-tested functionality.
The gear I carry on my motorcycle after 68,000 miles of travel.
No brand deals, no sponsors. Only what genuinely works when you travel months on a motorcycle.
Loading the bike is the task you dread before departure, but it's the one that determines your quality of life on the road. I've seen motorcycles that look like removal vans and riders suffering because they skimped on the essentials. The secret is balance: carry only what you need, but make that stuff the best quality possible.
You won't find brand affiliate links here. What you see is what's in my panniers. If it's on this list, it's because it survived torrential rain, desert sand, and endless vibration.
CAMPING GEAR
Tent
Go lightweight (under 4.5 lbs), compact when packed, wind-resistant with a double-wall rain fly. Even if you travel solo, choose a 2-person tent β the extra space is for your most valuable kit.
Sleeping bag
Choose based on minimum temperatures on your route. Mummy-style for lowest volume. Must compress into a small stuff sack. Don't cheap out here if you're heading somewhere cold.
Inflatable sleeping mat
Lightweight, compact, fast-inflate valve. The difference between actually recovering overnight or getting up with a destroyed back.
Camp stove
Interchangeable gas canister system or solid alcohol as a backup. Prioritise weight and compatibility with canisters you can source en route.
Tarp (multi-use groundsheet)
Non-negotiable. Use it as a tent porch, improvised rain cover, clean groundsheet, or shade. Light, tough, reinforced eyelets.
Paracord
Carry multiple thicknesses: thin for washing lines, thick for securing loads or improvising solutions on the road. One of the most versatile materials you can carry.
OTHER CAMPING ACCESSORIES
Headtorch (essential for cooking and pitching in the dark), water purification tablets, lightweight titanium cutlery, and reusable zip-lock bags.
CLOTHING & TEXTILES
EVERYTHING IN MERINO WOOL
It regulates temperature, doesn't hold odour, and dries fast. It's the only fibre that justifies its price on a long trip. Forget jeans: they're heavy, don't insulate, and take days to dry.
- 01. 4 Merino wool t-shirts
- 02. 4 Merino underwear
- 03. 4 Pairs merino socks
- 04. 1 Windproof jacket
- 05. 2 Lightweight trousers
- 06. 1 Pair all-terrain trainers
- 07. 1 Swimsuit/board shorts
- 08. 1 Pair flip-flops
ELECTRONICS & DIGITAL
Your primary tool. Navigation, communication, backup camera, trip management.
For editing content, managing the blog, quality video calls, or simply watching a film at the hostel.
Compact, waterproof, with helmet or handlebar mount. Prioritise long battery life and stabilisation.
A small flexible mini-tripod is enough for most situations. Takes up almost no space and opens a lot of creative options.
Only the essentials. A multi-port charger cuts down the number of plugs you need.
TOOLS & ACCESSORIES
You don't need to be a mechanic to carry tools.
In fact, if you know nothing about mechanics, that's even more reason to carry them. When you break down on a road and someone willing to help shows up, what determines whether you ride on or stay stuck is whether you have the right tools for that person to work with. You don't need to know how to use them. You just need to have them.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE_
Study what bolt types your bike uses (metric, imperial, Torx, Allen) and carry ONLY the tools you need to strip it completely. No dead weight.
A GIFT FOR BEING HERETHE ADVENTURE OF LIVING FREE
Do fear or doubt paralyze you before starting any project? You're not alone β every one of us has been there.
As a thank-you for visiting my site, I'm giving you my book "The Adventure of Living Free" (Spanish PDF). A manual built to bring some light through the shadows and show you the philosophy that has let me ride the world for years.
* PDF STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX. NO SPAM.
