The Best Motorcycle Camping Gear UK (UPDATED)

The Best Gear for Motorcycle Camping UK

Motorcycle Camping offers a unique opportunity to access remote places that other people wild camping would not be able to access if they were simply on foot.

However, knowing what to pack can be a bit of an issue, do you need a sleeping bag? Do you need a 2 man tent or a 3 man tent? These are the questions we will try to answer in this article and guide you on the perfect gear to take when motorcycle camping in the uk.

What Features Should Motorcycle Camping Gear Have?

Durability

Generally, the weather here in the UK is not always conducive for good riding conditions. It also doesn’t help that from time to time you’ll be travelling on rough country roads; which will probably be filled with potholes, stones, and other debris that can pose a challenge to your journey.

The weather can also take a turn for the worst when you least expect, meaning you should be prepared for heavy rain, stormy winds, a scorching sun, etc.

The best way to do this is to carry hardwearing camping gear that can withstand tough outdoor conditions. So, you want to consider qualities such as “weatherproof”, “waterproof”, and “dustproof”, etc. when buying your camping gear.

Material

Normally, the strength and durability of any camping gear are greatly influenced by the type of material used in the construction. For fabrics, try looking for 100% ripstop nylon or its ballistic counterpart to get superior durability from your camping equipment.

The fabric is double-woven, which allows it to block harmful UV rays and resist tear and wear.

Additionally, it is machine-washable for easy maintenance and packs easily when you’re not using it. Other materials to look for include polyester, polymers, and other plastics.

Lightweight Motorcycle Camping Gear

This is another important feature that you should keep in mind when selecting motorcycle camping gear for your trip. As much as you’ll be carrying the luggage on your bike, you don’t want it to weigh down on your vehicle to the point of causing mechanical inconveniences.

Furthermore, you should remember that the more weight the bike carries, the more fuel it will require.

So, before you throw your camping gear onto the motorcycle carrier, consider the carrying capacity of the vehicle and factor in the rider weight when doing so to confirm that you aren’t going beyond the limit. In summary, the more lightweight the individual camping gear, the better!

Size

Try to look for camping gear that packs down to the smallest size possible. This will allow you to maximise the amount of space available in your storage bag without making it too bulky.

When the luggage you’re carrying is too bulky, it not only interferes with your balance on the motorcycle but also restricts your movement in the smaller-than-usual roads that you’ll be riding on in the wilderness.

What should I pack for a motorcycle camping trip?

MSR Hubba Hubba NX

So..What is the best tent for motorcycle camping? The Hubba Hubba NX by MSR definitely makes a strong claim for this!

The first thing to consider when preparing a motorcycle camping gear list is a tent! This is where you’ll be spending most of your time in the outdoors and what will shelter you from the elements.

Not to mention storing all your camping gear. It doesn’t get better than the MSR Hubba Nubba for those searching for a practical motorcycle camping tent.

MSR is a well-known brand in outdoor gear and the Hubba Nubba NX is one of the brand’s flagship tents. This is a very lightweight tent yet still manages to offer a 3-season tent performance. It comes with a dome design to enhance the amount of space inside, meaning there is enough room for you and all your camping gear.

One of the best features of this tent is that it is free-standing, so you don’t have to reinforce it with pegs during setup. This makes for an easy and time-saving installation process.

It also features a removable flysheet that allows you to gaze at the stars as you wait to fall asleep while the mesh tent fabric makes for a well-ventilated interior when the weather gets hot.

GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper Cookset

If you’re going to be staying for multiple days and nights in the outdoors, chances are you’ll be cooking. As such, you’ll need a practical cooking set like the GSI Outdoor Bugaboo Camper.

Each item in the set is made out of flexible food-grade polypropylene plastic, which results in a lightweight and packable cooking set. The Bugaboo Camper features every single cookware that will be required whenever you feel like preparing a meal during your stay in the outdoors.

The items include everything from insulated mugs, polypropylene plates, sip-it lids, mugs, pot gripper, and frying pan to stuff sack. With this, you’ll be good to prepare any type of meal that comes to mind.

Additionally, all the items are built to be rugged enough to cope with the demanding camping conditions. Another attractive thing about this set is that all the items are colour-coded, to prevent any mix-ups.

The food-grade polypropylene plastic used to create the cookware is pretty flexible to allow for easy stacking and convenient carrying. This does a great job of reducing the bulk of your load.

Meanwhile, the mugs are fitted with EVA foam sleeves to keep you from getting while drinking a hot cup of coffee. The material is also a non-conductor, so all the heat is maintained to keep your coffee as hot as you want it.

Lastly, dual-port sip-it tops serve to prevent spillage during meal times. Overall, the GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper Cookset is an essential motorcycle camping gear that will ensure you’re self-sustaining as far as matters of the stomach are concerned.

TETON Sports Trailhead +20F Ultralight Mummy Bag

After a long and tedious day of hiking the trails and exploring the great outdoors the Teton Sports Trailhead sleeping bag will be waiting to make sure you get a warm and cozy night’s sleep. The sleeping bag features a double-brushed P5 Poly lining and a strong 75D ripstop shell to offer durable performance.

It is a great choice for campers looking for a 3-season sleeping bag for a camping trip. Innovative insulation is applied to the Trailhead to offer needed warmth without adding any bulkiness. This is thanks to the silky soft linen while the full-length draft tube provides you with the freedom to wriggle around when searching for the perfect sleeping position.

The zippers close and open smoothly, making for effortless entering and exiting whenever you want to use the sleeping bag. You’ll have a comfortable time packing and carrying this mummy bag with the included stuff sack.

This packs down small and easily fits inside the drawstring stuff sack for convenient portability. In summary, the Teton Sports Trailhead will keep you warm and toasty on the coldest camping nights.

Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight

You can never be too careful in the outdoors, especially after nightfall when it gets pitch dark. For this reason, a flashlight is necessary to find your way in the dark and keep away from any hazards (wild animals). It uses 6 different power settings to provide a remarkable 1000-lumen beam that can illuminate to a 656 ft distance.

The Fenix PD35 TAC camping torch uses Cree XP-L LED to give off 1000 lumens on turbo mode and as low as 8 lumens on Eco mode, ensuring that you get just the right amount of lighting for the conditions. You also get a strobe light mode that will come in handy when you want to send a distress call in case of any contingencies.

Another useful feature of the Fenix flashlight is the memory circuit, which automatically records the last-used output level. This means you get the right mode the next time you turn it on, saving you the trouble of resetting. The light is also compact and very lightweight with an ergonomic design that can’t easily slip off your grip.

The torch can last as long as 140 hours on a single charge cycle, which is enough to cover you for the entire expedition if you manage it well. It is powered by a rechargeable 18650 battery and two CTR123A batteries. It is also water-resistant and can be submerged under 2m of water without getting damaged.

Nelson-Rigg Traveler Tour Trunk Bag

The Nelson-Rigg Traveler Tour Trunk Bag weighs 6 pounds but offers enough space to carry all the gear you’ll need for the motorcycle camping trip. It is an essential piece of camping gear that should be at the top of your priorities. The bag is made out of high-grade UltraMax fabric to ensure durable performance in the face of an unforgiving environment.

This robust design guarantees all the essentials you’re carrying inside are protected from any form of damage.

The bag is not only waterproof but also resistant to elements, meaning you’ll be able to travel with peace of mind even when you when it starts to rain unexpectedly. It comes with strong straps that hold it securely against the motorcycle carrier rack to keep the contents from moving around.

The bag is spacious enough to accommodate two helmets comfortably, meaning you get enough room for most of your gear. Also, secure locks are included to firmly hold your items and prevent them from falling when the trail gets bumpy and rocky.

RAVPower Solar Charger

If you want an emergency power solution for when your flashlight or phone runs out of charge, the RAVPower Solar Charger offers 20000Mah of power that you can harness to recharge an iPhone at least six times every time it goes off. It is one of the best motorcycle camping gear when emergencies occur.

Unlike your phone or flashlight, you won’t have to worry about the RavPower running out of battery; it comes with a versatile design that includes both a solar and wall outlet. As long as the sun shines, you can charge the solar anywhere you find yourself.

This also means that any electronic gadgets you carry will always be on. Aside from your phone, the rav solar charger can also charge a smartwatch, tablet, digital compass, and any other device that comes in handy during a camping adventure. It will be safer to charge the Solar by DC adapter, which regrettably is not included in the package.

This means you’ll have to get on separately. In case of any defects and premature faults, the RavPower Solar Charger comes with an 18 + 12-month warranty to secure your investment. You also get a micro-USB charging cable, as well as a user guide when it’s delivered.

Jetboil Flash Camping Stove Cooking System

Unless you’re going to gather firewood and make a fire outside the camp, you must find a reliable source of energy that allows you to access a flame as soon as you need one.

The Jetboil Flash camping stove ensures that you get instant fire for all your cooking needs. It will particularly be a godsend when you need hot water.

The stove can boil water in just 100 seconds, which is faster than any other camping stove in the market. It features a compact and lightweight design that will take very little space in your bag. An igniter on the unit makes for user-friendly operation, making it easy to use even for first-timers.

A FluxRing cooking cup is included in the package, and this is insulated all around to maintain the heat inside and keep your water hot. The Jetboil Flash fuel-efficient and is compatible with other Jetboil accessories like a coffee press, skillet, or hanging kit. It only weighs 13.1 ounces, so it will barely add weight to your load.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

You can never be sure of the water sources you come across in the outdoors during your camping adventure. However, you might find yourself going to them when you run out of the water you carried from home. To ensure that you don’t get exposed to the risk of harmful bacteria and parasites, the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is just what you need.

This can filter up to 1000 gallons of contaminated to make for safe drinking. It does not contain undesirable chemicals such as chlorine or iodine and promises to eliminate 99.9% of germs in the water.

The LifeStraw weighs 2 ounces and is small enough to fit inside the pocket of your pants.

A high flow rate allows you to drink the water right from the source as long you’ve added the LifeStraw. Ultimately, this is literally a lifesaver and it is one of the best motorcycle camping gear you can carry.

ALPS Mountaineering Air Pad

A sleeping bag may not guarantee a comfortable night’s sleep on its own, you’ll have a better chance pairing it with an sleeping pad or mattress like the ALPS Mountaineering. This comfortable sleeping pad comes from one of the best brands in the market when it comes to producing the best motorcycle camping gear.

The ALPS was designed to offer you a comfortable resting place after a long day.

It featured ample padding inside while the pillow inner is lined with several layers of jet stream foam to protect your head.

Meanwhile, the outer shell is made out of plush and durable polyester ripstop fabric to prevent easy tear and wear. The material is water, wind, dust, and weatherproof to hold up well against the rugged outdoors.

With dimensions of 20 x 72 x 1.5”, the sleeping will accommodate every part of your body comfortably so that there is no overlapping when you sleep on it. The package also features a range of repair tools, as well as a compression strap, to let you fix any issues that may arise. The strap will tightly secure the rolled-up sleeping pad when not in use for easy storage.

Leatherman Free P4 Multitool

The Leatherman Free P4 Multitool earns a deserved spot in our list of the best motorcycle camping gear for its multipurpose application.

This tiny yet essential camping equipment will come in handy anytime and every time. It features a total of 19 tools, including knives, scissors, wire cutters, etc. that you can instantly access where necessary.

The tools flip out when you want to use them and are pulled back in magnetically once you’re done, making for a user-friendly design. The magnetic also holds them in place so that there are no cases of unintentional flip outs and subsequent accidents.

Conclusion

If you’re going to have a fun time in the great outdoors during a camping trip, then you must make sure that you are fully stocked for the duration you’ll be away from civilisation. While there are so many supplies that you can carry for a camping adventure, the article above lists the best motorcycle camping gear to prioritise on your upcoming expedition!

FAQ

What Do I Need for a Motorcycle Camping Trip?

There are endless items that you can carry when planning a motorcycle camp out. However, some things are just more essential than others. Hence, you want to begin with the following:

• Motorcycle camping tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Cooking set
• Mobile charger
• Water purifier
• Pocket stove
• Cutlery and crockery
• Flashlight, etc.

How Do I Carry Camping Gear on a Bike?

The best way to go about this is to divide your luggage into hard, leather, and textile luggage. Start by packing the hard luggage (which can be held by a mounting system), then put some items in a leather bag and place the bag above the hard luggage. Lastly, complete the packing with any textiles that are waterproof so that there is little chance of rain damaging any of the items you’re carrying.

How Do I Carry a Tent on a Motorcycle?

The tent can go to the back of the motorbike, along with the other stuff you’re carrying. Ideally, you want to place the tent at the top of all the other camping essentials so that it doesn’t disfigure in the course of the journey. All you need to do is roll it up nicely and put it at the top while securing it with the appropriate straps.

How Much Gear Can I Carry on a Motorcycle Trip?

First, you have to find out the amount of space that’s available! This is done by calculating the volume of each bag you plan to carry for the trip.

Technically, you are not looking for a mathematical figure, rather, trying to visualise how many items you can fit inside each bag. Once you have all your bags in place, think of all the things that you’d want to carry while prioritising the most essential gear. Ultimately, you’ll have to make some compromises; just make sure you carry everything that will make your adventure more comfortable.

How Long Can a Motorcycle Camping Trip Last?

The number of days you spend in the outdoors camping will determine the kind of camping gear you carry for the adventure. For instance, if you’re only going to spend a weekend outside, you don’t need too much stuff.

You might not even require cooking gear as you can carry enough packed food to last you for two days. However, a week-long expedition dictates that you have adequate reserves. So, depending on the duration you’ll be staying, decide what is necessary and what you can do without.

Where Can I Go Motorcycle Camping?

Before you pack your bags and leave, you have to decide where you’ll be pitching the tent for the adventure. Consider the current weather patterns and check what the meteorological department is saying.

Another thing to consider is the nature of the ground where you’ll be setting up camp, especially when it comes to illegal wild camping. This is because some surfaces are harder than others, which may force you to bring a hammer or crowbar to simplify the installation process.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_touring