Bike Bag Essentials
Why I use it: A lot of packs bounce around on chunky descents and hit you in the back of the helmet. You need a pack that stays glued to your body and keeps the water weight low on your back so it does not throw off your center of gravity. This one is breathable, fits all my essential tools, and most importantly, stays put when I am riding aggressive trails.
Hydration Pack
Why I use it: You can never forget it because it is literally stored inside your bike. Plus, it does not rust the same way a standard tool does when it sits at the bottom of a sweaty hydration pack. If you have been riding for a few years, you already know the struggle of pulling out a crusty, rusted multi tool right when you desperately need to fix something. This solves that completely.
In Frame Multi Tool
Why I use it: Tubeless plugs are great, but sometimes a tear is just too big to seal. When that happens, a physical tube is the only way you are getting back to the trailhead. I am not linking one here because you need to buy the exact size that matches your specific wheels and tires. Just double check your wheel size before you buy one. As a bonus, a spare tube makes a fantastic emergency sling. I learned that the hard way when I broke my arm last year. I highly recommend carrying the actual first aid gear I am recommending in this post so you do not have to wear a rubber tube around your neck, but versatility is key!
Spare Inner Tube
Link: None provided. Buy the exact size for your wheels.Why I use it: Keeping your energy up means replacing what you sweat out. I linked a few different options here depending on what flavor profile I can actually stomach on a long race day. Just like the salt tablets, I never bring the whole tub. You can buy individual single serving packets or just scoop some powder into a ziplock bag. Be aware that if you get caught in a downpour, not all of those individual paper packets are waterproof. Throwing them in a sealed plastic bag is always your safest bet.
Electrolytes
Why I use it: Mountain biking means spending hours deep in the woods, which means ticks are inevitable. You need a dedicated tool to pull them out safely without leaving the head buried in your skin. This tool is also absolutely critical if you ride with your dogs. If Pippi or Emma gets a thorn or splinter lodged deep in their paw and I have no way to pull it out, we are both going to have a completely miserable walk back to the truck.
Tick Puller and Tweezers
Tire Levers
Why I use it: Do not buy cheap, flimsy plastic levers. When you are trying to pry a stubborn Downhill casing tire off a rim, the cheap ones will literally snap in half and leave you stranded. These are incredibly durable, give you the right amount of leverage, and easily snap together so they do not get lost at the bottom of your pack.
Standard Backpack Multi Tool
Why I use it: If you do not want to drop the extra cash on an in frame setup, a classic multi tool is a totally valid choice. But do not just buy the cheapest one you find. You need to make sure it actually has the essentials to save your ride. At an absolute minimum, look for one that specifically has a chain breaker, a spot to hold spare chain links, and the correct hex wrenches for your specific pedals and axles.
Tire Boot
Why I use it: If you slice your tire open on a sharp rock, a plug will not work. If you try to just put a spare tube in, the tube will literally bulge right out of the hole and pop immediately. A tire boot goes inside the tire to reinforce the sidewall and keep the tube protected. It weighs absolutely nothing and completely saves your ride when a massive tear happens.
Fold Up Splint
Why I use it: Remember that broken arm I just mentioned? A spare inner tube is a terrible sling. A fold up splint weighs next to nothing, packs completely flat, and is an absolute necessity for properly stabilizing a broken bone on the trail.
Sunscreen and SPF Chapstick
Why I use it: Being out in the elements all day will absolutely fry you. Not only will a sunburn hurt while you are riding, but you will feel it for days afterward. Your lips are incredibly easy to burn, and if you are out for more than an hour or two, whatever sunscreen you applied at the truck has completely sweated off. Am I always perfect about reapplying? Absolutely not. But having it in your pack means you actually have the option to save your skin. Get the travel sizes so they fit easily in your hip pack or backpack.
Zip Ties
Why I use it: The ultimate trail fix. They weigh absolutely nothing, take up zero space, and can hold broken cables or loose parts together long enough to get you across the finish line.
Tubeless Tire Plugs
Why I use it: If you get a puncture that your tubeless sealant cannot fix, these are your saving grace. They are essentially sticky bacon strips that you jam right into the hole in your tire to seal it up. It takes two seconds to use on the side of the trail, and it can save you from having to rip your wheel off and put a tube in.
Mini Hand Pump
Why I use it: CO2 canisters are great right up until you mess up the inflation and run out of air on the side of the trail. A hand pump provides infinite air and saves you from walking home.
Salt Tablets
Why I use it: When it is blazing hot and you are sweating heavily, water alone will not cut it. These stave off full body muscle cramps when you are completely depleted on a massive climb. Do not bring the entire container with you on the trail. I usually just throw a few tablets into a small ziplock bag to save space and ensure they stay completely dry.
Sealed and Rolled Gauze
Why I use it: Crashes happen, and sometimes they involve a lot of blood. Having sterile gauze on hand allows you to pack and compress a wound fast so you can get back to the trailhead safely without bleeding everywhere.
Spare Derailleur Hanger
Why I use it: If you smash your derailleur on a rock and snap the hanger, your bike will not shift and your race is over. Every single bike frame uses a highly specific hanger, so you cannot borrow one from a friend. Buy a spare for your exact bike and keep it in your pack.
Link: None provided. Buy the exact one for your frame.Race Day and Remote Adventures
These are the items I add to my pack when I am racing Enduro or doing massive backcountry loops where walking back to the car is not an option.
Duct Tape
Why I use it: You do not need to carry the whole roll. Wrap a few thick layers around your hand pump. It will temporarily fix everything from a torn shoe to a cracked helmet visor in an absolute emergency.