Motorcycle Camping Gear and Essentials: How to Build a Complete Camp Kit

A complete motorcycle camping kit has two halves: what you wear on the bike and what you sleep, cook and survive in at camp. Build the riding half first, since it protects you every mile, then add a camp half sized to what your bike can carry. We sell the riding half in leather. We don't sell tents, sleeping bags or motorcycle luggage, and this page says where each piece comes from.

Key takeaways

• Riding kit: helmet, jacket, pants, gloves and boots. Gear protects best when it covers the whole body.
• Camp kit: shelter, sleep system, cooking, water, light, first aid and repair. The NPS "Ten Essentials" list makes a good backbone.
• Luggage: load low, balanced and over or in front of the rear axle.
• From our store: leather jackets, pants, chaps, vests, gloves and boots. No tents, sleeping bags, saddlebags, tank bags or helmets.

The full checklist

The motorcycle camping gear checklist lists every item, grouped into riding kit, camp kit, tools and documents. It also has a printable version. Start there if you are packing for a trip this week.

What to wear: the riding half of the kit

Camp trips mean long days, changing weather and walking around camp in the same gear. Whole-body coverage is the baseline. Two points matter more on a camping trip than on a day ride:

• Rain. Leather is water-resistant only for a short time and is not waterproof. Pack a rain layer. Breathable waterproofs let sweat escape; PVC or plasticised nylon keeps rain out but does not breathe.
• Cold. Riders who get cold may become less alert and react more slowly. Windproof and insulated layers help.

A riding vest worn over a hoodie or under a jacket adds a flexible layer. Chaps go over jeans and come off when you reach camp. For how to choose each piece, see how to choose proper motorcycle riding gear and our motorcycle riding gear hub.

What we don't sell, and what to look for instead

Our men's handbags range includes duffle and travel bags, but they are described for weekend trips, not as bags that mount on a motorcycle.

Load it on the bike

Keep the load as low as you can, over or in front of the rear axle, as the Alberta motorcycle handbook advises. Balance the weight between both sides. Elastic cords with more than one hook point per side hold better than rope, and nothing goes on the front fender or the handlebars. Stop and check the load regularly.

At camp: two rules that don't bend

Never run a stove, heater, lantern or grill inside a tent. Opening the tent flaps does not stop carbon monoxide from building up, according to the CDC. Camp at least 200 feet (61 m) from lakes and streams.

Road trips without a tent

If you're staying in motels, you need a lighter packing list. See the motorcycle road trip packing checklist and the motorcycle touring hub.

Build your riding kit

There are no ready-made camping kits or bundle offers yet . Build the riding half piece by piece from the Leather Collection motorcycle riding gear range: jackets, pants, chaps, vests, gloves and boots, made to order with custom sizes.

FAQ

What is the most essential camping gear?

Shelter, a way to stay warm and dry, water you can drink, light, first aid and food. The NPS Ten Essentials list adds navigation, sun protection, fire and a repair kit. On a motorcycle, add the riding kit you wear to get there.

What are some good camping accessories for bikers?

Pick items that pack small and solve a motorcycle problem: a repair kit and tools, a headlamp, a water filter and elastic cords with more than one hook point per side. Carry a breathable rain layer too, because leather is not waterproof. A filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller removes parasites but not viruses.