Motorcycle Tent & Camping Gear List: What Actually Works After 5 Years of Riding
- James
- Aug 4
- 10 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Lanshan 1 tent and motorcycle at Cocos wild camp
Motorcycle Camping Gear List Quick Summary
Motorbike camping's one of the best ways to actually see a place. Get off the beaten track, find your own spots, end up somewhere you'd never have found in a car or a van.
Took me the best part of five years and lots of different setups to land on the four tents I actually trust now. Here's my full motorcycle tent and camping gear list, everything that goes in my pack on the Royal Enfield, no wish list, no stuff I've been sent to try out. Every bit of this has been bought with my own money, packed away wet more times than I'd like to admit, and still earns its place trip after trip.
Motorbike camping's a different game to campervan camping. There's no boot to chuck an extra bag in if something doesn't fit. Weight and pack size matter, and it's taken a fair few years of swapping bits of motorcycle camping equipment out to land on a setup I'm happy with. A lot of these trips are built around fly fishing and cooking proper food over the fire too, so the kit needs to work just as hard on the riverbank or round a BBQ as it does at a proper campsite. I'll keep this updated as things change.
My Approach to Biker Camping Gear
I'm not into collecting shiny kit just to look good online. Everything here has earned its place through actual use, in real UK weather, on real trips. For me camping's not about surviving the elements, it's about enjoying where I am, getting a bit of peace, and eating well while I'm at it.
Setup changes depending on the trip. Some weeks it's stripping right back, travelling light, tent pitched with the bike parked up next to it. Also depends on how long I'm going camping for.
Wherever I end up, the goal's the same, get out, find new places, track down decent camping spots, and find a proper pub for a pint at the end of it. I try to avoid the supermarkets too where I can, stopping at farm shops for local meat or foraging bits near camp.
Motorcycle Tents: How I Got to My Current Setup
Travel light, keep it simple, don't skimp on quality, that's the aim on the Royal Enfield. Took a few motorcycle camping tents to actually get there though.
First Tent Wingman of the Road
Started with the Wingman of the Road. Great motorcycle camping tent, rugged, well made, handled anything the British weather threw at it without issue. Looks very cool too, proper swagger to it, and the build quality's second to none. Had some of the best nights sleep in it, it's that good I genuinely miss it. But at around 10kg it just got too heavy for the kind of lightweight touring I prefer now. Once you've packed everything else for a trip, that extra weight tips it over what's comfortable to carry on the bike, for me anyway. If they brought a lighter version out I'd buy another one again without thinking.
Wingman of the Road tent setup Wingman of the Road setup in the Cotswolds Wingman of the Road lovely setup
Second one Oxe Bobcat 1
Moved to the OEX Bobcat 1 Ultralight. Compact, quick to pitch, barely noticed it on the bike. Found it too claustrophobic in the end though, not enough room to move once you're in for the night. But it is still a great tent, well worth the money.
What Tents I Use Now
Landed on a combination of the 3F UL Gear Taiji 2 and the Lanshan 1, two of the better motorcycle camping tents I've come across. Both light, both quick to put up, and between them they cover pretty much every trip I do.
3F UL Gear Lanshan 1 (Brown) for wild camping or a quick one nighter. Single pole, trekking-pole style pitch, goes up fast even in bad light. Small pack size, minimal weight, held up fine in rough weather. Good for solo, lightweight trips. I love this tent so much! I could go on and on about it's that good.
3F UL Gear Taiji 2 (Brown) for a proper campsite stay. This tent's massive inside, loads of headroom, and two big verandas either side to sort your motorbike gear out. Two-person space even though I'm usually on my own in it, so there's room to spread gear out and not feel boxed in if I'm stuck inside for a bit. Really easy to put up and down too. Been in all sorts of weather with this one, no leaks, no issues at all. They do a one man version as well that looks great, worth a look if you want something smaller. I actually wish I'd got the brown one, like my Lanshan 1, think it looks better, but they only had white, grey left in stock at the time so went with that instead.
Lanshan 1 setup Kilos Gear sleeping bag with Taiji 2 tent at Wolford Woods Lanshan 1 tent at Cocos wild camp
I've tried a fair few tents for motorcyclists over the years, and this pairing is genuinely the first setup where I haven't felt like I was compromising one way or the other. Got both from Camperlists, a 3F UL Gear dealer, the cheapest place by far. Best to buy through my links above if you're getting one.
My Moto Camping Sleep System
Sleep's the one thing I won't cut corners on. Ride all day, turn up somewhere knackered, and a bad night on rubbish kit ruins the next day too.
Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro (R-Value 4.4) I've tried a lot of mats over the years before landing on this one. It's ultralight at 820g, so it's not adding much to the overall load, and the R-value of 4.4 means it works whatever the season, I'm not swapping mats out depending on whether it's a summer trip or a colder one. The Wing Lock valve is the bit that actually sold me on it. After a long day riding, the last thing I want is to be stood there blowing a mat up by mouth for ten minutes. This inflates and deflates properly fast, so I'm sorted and in the tent quicker.
Kilos Gear 3-Season Sleeping Bag (Green) picked this one for the packability more than anything, but it's turned out to be a lot more than that. Ultralight and compact at 680g, barely takes up any space in the duffel bag. Full length zip opens right out, which I love, I like getting my feet out, and it's handy on a warmer night when you just want it draped over you rather than fully zipped in. Warmer than the weight would suggest too. Never once felt like I'd compromised on comfort just to save on pack size. Packs down really small.
NEMO Fillo Camping Pillow rounds off the sleep system. Packs down into its own little storage bag, so it doesn't go missing at the bottom of the duffel like a normal pillow would. Had a fair few cheap inflatable pillows over the years that give you that horrible balloon feeling under your head, rolling about all night, this one's different. There's a foam and air cell mix inside that actually holds its shape and cradles your head properly. Inflates and deflates in seconds, and you can dial the firmness in exactly how you want it with the valve. Cover comes off and goes in the wash too, worth having after a few nights in the tent. I find it super comfortable even with the stiff neck I seem to get after riding a lot.
Camp Kitchen: UCO Mini Flatpack BBQ & Grill
No room on a bike for a big BBQ setup, so this was one of the more important things to get right. It's earned its place because it doesn't ask you to compromise on that. Fantastic bit of kit.
UCO Grilliput Flatpack Grill sets up in seconds, which matters after a long ride when you're hungry and losing light. Packs completely flat, only 907g including the case, so it slides in alongside everything else without eating into space I need for other kit. Works as a fire pit as well as a grill too, so I'm not carrying two separate bits of kit for two separate jobs, it just does both. Having been a chef, I properly rate this one, it keeps the heat going for a long time and cooks meat really well.
UCO Mini Flatpack BBQ & Grill cooking chicken tikka Smoking hot a great little grill Chicken tikka with pickled onions, chillies and sauces
Other Motorbike Camping Essentials
Helinox Chair One , 890g, packs down small enough that I never think twice about bringing it. After a day riding, having somewhere proper to sit rather than perching on a rock or the ground makes more difference than people expect. A bit expensive but well worth it, the quality's much better than the others out there and it's built to last.
For camp kitchen tools, I keep it simple with an Orblue 4-in-1 Camping Utensils set and a Mini Camping Accessories Kitchen Utensil Set, compact knife and fork, enamel plate and cup, a decent all round knife. Nothing fancy about any of it, just stuff that's proven itself trip after trip and never let me down.
The Flextail Max Pump Plus is an absolute must-have for me. I can't blow mattresses up very well myself, so this does it super quickly and saves me the hassle. Doubles as a lantern too, and I use it at night, the light's fantastic. Charges over USB as well, so it's covering three jobs for the weight and space of carrying one bit of kit, hard to argue with that.
The Carry: Trip Machine Military Duffel
Everything gets kept together in a Trip Machine 24L Black Leather Military Duffel. Bought this one because I wanted something that'd actually last, not some cheap nylon bag that falls apart after a few trips. 24 litres is the right amount, enough for everything above plus the extra bits and bobs that always creep in without you noticing. It's built properly, straps securely to the bike, and I've never once worried about it coming loose or letting me down on rougher roads. Looks cool too, loads of style, and if I'm honest that's really what it's about as well.
If it's a fishing trip I swap to my Wychwood backpack instead, built for a day on the bank as well as camping, keeps the rod and gear organised properly.
The Verdict
This is the setup that works, built up over years of trial and error, swapping bits out when something didn't earn its place. Every item here's been strapped to the bike, pitched in bad weather, packed away wet more than once, and used again the next weekend. Nothing on this list is for show, and nothing's here because a brand sent it me. If it's mentioned, it's because I paid for it, used it properly, and would buy it again tomorrow.
If you're just getting into motorbike camping, don't feel like you need all of this in one go. Start with the basics, a decent tent and sleep system, and build the rest up over time as you work out what actually matters for the trips you do. Took me years to land on this lot, and I'm still tweaking it now.
Full Motorcycle Camping Gear List
Tents: 3F UL Gear Taiji 2 / Lanshan 1: my two go to tents, one for a proper stay, one for quick wild camps, and very light
Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro (R-Value 4.4): sleeping mat that works year round, packs down small
Kilos Gear 3-Season Sleeping Bag: lightweight, warm, full length zip which i love
Fillo backpacking camping pillow, 300g: small pack size, still comfortable
UCO Mini Flatpack BBQ & Grill: packs flat, doubles as a fire pit
Mini portable gas cooker: Fire-maple FMS-X2 Personal Cooking System, quick and easy for morning coffee or a fry up
Helinox Chair One: proper camp chair, barely any weight
Flextail Max Pump Plus: inflates the mattress, doubles as a lantern
Enamel plate and cup: durable, doesn't take up much room
Hunting knife & Swiss Army knife: for all-round camp jobs
Compact knife, fork & spoon set: does the job, packs small
Small chopping board: for prepping food at the fire pit
Mini torch: Gearlite small LED torch essential for the walk to the toilet block at night
Lighter: always carry a spare
Plasters: small first aid basics, worth having
Small lightweight tarp: to cover the bike in rain
Matador ultralight compact quick-dry camping towel: dries fast, packs tiny
Trip Machine 24L Military Duffle Bag: everything just about fits into this bag
Motorcycle Camping Gear FAQs
Does pack size matter more than weight on a motorbike?
Genuinely, yes. A few extra kilos isn't the end of the world, but a bulky bag stacked up high on the back changes how the bike feels, especially in crosswinds or when you're filtering through heavy traffic. Keeping everything low and tight in one duffel rather than piling bags up high makes a real difference to how the bike handles. I'm also not a fan of loads of separate bags and panniers, when I go motorbike camping it needs to be a fast setup and just as easy to pack away again. You don't want the stress of loads of gear to look after on top of everything else.
Is a 1 man or 2 man tent better for motorbike touring?
Depends on the trip. For a quick wild camp I'll take the 1 man Lanshan 1, saves a bit of space. But for a proper campsite stay I go for the 2 man Taiji 2 every time. Motorbike gear gets wet and filthy, and having the extra room and verandas means I can keep boots and a soaked jacket out of the tent itself rather than cramming everything in next to the sleeping bag. If I had to pick one overall, I'd go two man every time, just for the extra room and storage.
What total gear weight should you aim for on a motorbike?
My whole setup, tent, sleep system, cooking kit and the duffel itself, comes in well under 12kg all together. Every bit you can save makes a difference to how the bike rides, especially on twisty roads. It does depend on how long you're travelling for though, obviously. If you're heading off to explore Europe for a long stretch, the setup would change a fair bit from this.
Why doesn't car camping or cheap hiking gear work well on a bike?
Car camping kit's built with zero thought for pack size, it just won't fit in a 24L bag. A lot of cheap hiking gear's the same, bulky insulation, long tent poles that don't fold down small. On a bike you need stuff that genuinely packs flat and light, that's why I've ended up with the setup I have now.
What's the best sleeping bag or mat for motorbike camping?
Look for something lightweight and compact first, pack size matters more on a bike than in a car. A 3 season bag like the Kilos Gear one I use covers most UK trips without needing to swap kit out depending on the time of year, and a full length zip is worth having too, means you're not stuck fully zipped in on a warmer night. Pair it with a decent R-value mat like the Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro (4.4), the ground pulls heat out of you faster than the air does, so a proper mat means you can run a lighter sleeping bag and still stay warm.
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Thanks James | Fishing Field Fork
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