How to ride without a backpack on an MTB?

Do you do short rides of less than 2 hours or after-work sessions? Are you planning to take part in an Enduro competition? Or do you simply want to ride light with total freedom of movement?

There are solutions for integrating essential tools, nutrition and personal effects onto the bike or on yourself to optimise your short MTB rides. Here is how to find your way around.

Why ride without a backpack?

The backpack is a useful, even essential, accessory for long rides (over 2 hours), for touring and rides in changeable weather conditions, and to make carrying protection easier. Despite its many advantages, the backpack also has drawbacks such as weight, inertia, average thermal regulation and ease of access. Sometimes it can be seen as a hindrance to precise handling and comfort.

In all cases, it is important to adapt the equipment to the rider's needs and the type of ride. For a short ride, the current trend is to head out well equipped with tools that can be integrated onto the bike or worn on yourself.

The inventory of essential products

Before every ride, it is essential to take stock of the equipment needed to deal with various situations. Here is the list of essential accessories and tools:

• An inner tube
• Tubeless plugs
• A mini pump or a CO2 cartridge with puncture tool
• A multi-tool with Allen keys and Torx keys
• Rilsan cable ties
• A set of tyre levers
• A quick link
• A chain tool
• A container for water or an energy drink
• Energy bars, gels and/or sweets
• ID, bank card or cash, car/house keys

Tips for riding without a backpack

DIY tricks (such as adhesive tape) are certainly economical but have their limits over time and can damage equipment. Besides, there is no need to keep bodging things together hastily, because today brands are increasingly developing specific products to be fixed or integrated onto the bike or worn on your person, to give you maximum simplicity and comfort while riding.

Tools to integrate onto the bike

Many tools and accessories are available on the market today for simple and quick integration.

To install on the saddle

Saddle rails can also be used to carry a bag or accessories.

• The saddle bag Micro Pack A from ZEFAL is minimalist but offers an interesting integration for carrying small accessories.

To install on the frame

If you have bottle cage mounts, you can fit a bottle and a mini pump.

• There are also straps or Velcro ties to attach the inner tube directly to the frame, such as the ONE UP Gear Strap B or ALL MOUNTAIN STYLE Ostrap C.
• Mounts for fitting CO2 cartridges, such as the ZEFAL Air Adaptator D, will be useful for saving space and speeding up use.
• At TOPEAK, the Ninja Mountain bottle cage H also integrates a multi-tool to optimise space.
• There are also tool bottles J such as the LEZYNE Flow Caddy.

To install on the handlebar

• And to deal with punctures, you can equip yourself with tubeless plugs using the SAHMURAI SWORD E kit.
• You can integrate a chain tool into your handlebar with the TOPEAK Ninja C F.

To install in the fork steerer

• At ONE UP, you will find the EDC multi-tool G to install in the fork steerer (or in the brand's EDC pump).

To install in the bottom bracket shell

• The ALL IN brand offers a multi-tool I to integrate into the bottom bracket axle with a magnetic mount.

Accessories to wear on yourself

The hip bag

The current big trend is to ride with a hip pack. More compact, lighter and more stable, this bag allows you to keep total freedom of movement and enjoy optimal back ventilation. You can slip in all the necessary accessories: mini pump, tyre levers, cable ties, energy bars... depending on the capacity of the product.

Ultra-practical clothing!

Shorts and baselayer shorts

Most shorts have pockets, but look for models with zipped pockets so you don't lose your belongings while riding.
Various baselayer short models include pockets for carrying ID, a phone... such as the C5 Trail model from GORE WEAR.

Bib shorts

The EVO Sport from FOX also gives you several pockets to keep your belongings with you in complete safety.

Protection vests

During demanding riding, wearing a protection vest with a back protector is essential for safety. In order to protect you without sacrificing practicality, brands RACER and ALPINESTARS have developed sleeveless vests integrating a back protector, a space for a hydration bladder and pockets.