Yamaha WR250R Adventure Setup
August 13, 2024 No Comments
Our Lightweight Motorcycle Camping Gear: What We Actually Use on the Road
Our motorcycle camping setup is very simple. We try to carry as little unnecessary and heavy stuff on the bikes as possible, always aiming for a balance between:
- Weight
- Durability
- Comfort
- Price
We’ve used this gear for years on long overland motorcycle trips, in all kinds of conditions — so you can be sure it’s been properly tested. While there are a few items we might upgrade in the future, this setup works well for us and has proven reliable.
Below is our full list of our current motorcycle camping gear, along with short reviews.
Motorcycle Camping Gear List
| Item | Weight | Approx. Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Spartan 3 Tent | 2.9 kg / 102 oz | $169 |
| Malachowski Sleeping Bag | ~700 g / 25 oz | $670 |
| MT500 Air Mattress | 510 g / 18 oz | $70 |
| Helinox Chair Zero | 531 g / 18.7 oz | $140 |
| MSR Whisperlite Stove | 441 g / 15.6 oz | $140 |
| MSR Water Bladder | 250 g / 8.7 oz | $55 |
| 1.75L Cooking Pot | 116 g / 4.1 oz | $16 |
| Collapsible Bowl & Cup | 180 g / 6.3 oz | $50 |
| Long Spoon | 28 g / 1 oz | $15 |
| Ultralight Spork | 57 g / 2 oz | $12 |
| Utility Knife | 150 g | $33 |
Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
We only recommend gear we’ve tested and trust.
Tent & Sleeping Gear
Sleeping gear can be one of the bulkiest things in your bags, so we always try to choose not just lightweight but also compact options. That said, we like having a bit more room in our tent — so we usually go with a 3-person model. (If you’re riding solo, a 2-person tent is ideal — roomy enough for you and all your gear without feeling cramped.)
Compression bags are a game-changer for packing. We use them for both the tent and sleeping bags, and they save a surprising amount of space.
Our whole sleeping setup — the tent, footprint, two sleeping bags, mats, poles, pegs, and two camping chairs — fits into one Shad Zulu Duffle Bag.
Explore Planet Earth 3-Person Tent
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable & weather resistant
- Excellent value
Cons
- Not freestanding
- Not ideal for cold climates
- Footprint not included (buy separately)
Spartan 3 Tent - Short Review
We’ve used this tent on all our trips and in all kinds of conditions — hot weather, below-zero nights, heavy rain, and strong winds. It’s surprisingly light for its size and holds up well considering the price. It’s not a freestanding tent, although we’ve pitched it without pegs once or twice — not ideal, but doable when necessary.
After years of use, the poles and pegs have bent slightly, but it hasn’t affected the tent’s performance at all.
Being an Australian tent, it’s not really built for cold climates. The inner fabric is thin, and the mesh doors make it quite breezy. That said, we’ve camped in below-zero temperatures with it — not by choice — and with a footprint and proper sleeping gear, it held up fine.
Overall, this is a very solid option. We’ve struggled to find anything else that offers the same performance and packability at this price point.
- Producer: Explore Planet Earth
- Price: 3 people version – 270 AUD + 60 AUD footprint
- Inner tent: 63D 190T breathable polyester
- Flysheet: 75D polyester, PU 4000mm Waterhead rating, UV50+, fire retardant coating
- Floor: 150D Oxford polyester, PU 5000mm Waterhead rating
- Poles: Anodised aluminium alloy 7001 Ø8.5mm
- Mesh: Super-fine 40g polyester
- Weight: 2.9kg
- Dimensions (m): 3.2 W x 2.15 L x 1.15 H
- Warranty: 2 years
Where to Buy
Malachowski Ultralight Sleeping Bag
Pros
- Ultra Lightweight
- Great Quality
- Possible customization
Cons
- Expensive
- Only mummy shape
- Size (double check the specs)
First of all, we’ll always recommend down sleeping bags over synthetic. They’re lighter, warmer, and pack down smaller — and if you invest in a good one, it’ll last a lifetime.
We’ve used sleeping bags (along with jackets and vests) from Malachowski, a Polish company that’s been around since the late 1970s. They use top-quality materials built to last — this might well be the last sleeping bag you’ll ever need to buy.
Their Ultralight Collection includes some of the lightest sleeping bags available, with models weighing as little as 500g and compressing down impressively small.
It’s definitely not a cheap item, but if you’re going to use it often, it’s absolutely worth the investment.
- Producer: Malachowski
- Price: ~450 Euro
- Temperature Range:
- Comfort: 0°C (32F)
- Limit: -6°C (21F)
- Internal dimensions:
- Length: 188 cm (M); 200 cm (L); 212 cm (XL).
- Width at shoulders: 70 cm (M); 75 cm (L); 80 cm(XL)
- Weight: 700g
Where to Buy
Forclaz Sleeping Mattress
Pros
- Very affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Surprisingly comfortable
Cons
- Low R-value (1.5)
- Doesn't self-inflate
While our sleeping bags may be luxurious, our sleeping mats definitely aren’t. We used to travel with Exped Versa mattresses for a while, but surprisingly they broke down quickly — not what we expected from a premium brand. So, we switched back to the more affordable mats from Decathlon.
The MT500 mats are light, compact, and — despite looking thin — surprisingly comfortable. We’ve never had any issues with air leaks, and we’ve used them across Australia, Japan, and South America.
That said, they’re not made for cold weather. With an R-value of 1.5, they’re best suited for nights above 8°C (46°F). We’ve pushed them below freezing a few times, and they held up — but only because we added extra insulation from the tent footprint, tent floor, and a good down sleeping bag.
This is a great budget option for riders who don’t need an ultra-thick mat to sleep well — just enough comfort in a small, reliable package.
- Producer: Forclaz (Decathlon)
- R Rating: 1.5 (up to ~ 8°C (46°F).
- Weight: 510g
- Dimensions:
- L Size: 180 x 52 x 5 cm
- XL Size: 195 x 60 x 5 cm (this version is a bit heavier and bulkier)
Where to Buy
Cooking Gear
We only take the bare minimum when it comes to cooking gear — neither of us is big on elaborate outdoor meals. Sure, it sounds nice, but in reality, it means carrying a lot of extra stuff we’d rather leave behind.
MSR Fuel Stove
Pros
- Runs on unleaded fuel, kerosene or white gas
- Easy to repair
- Durable
Cons
- Stinks
- Gets dirty fast
- Limited heat control
For long international travels, we highly recommend getting a petrol stove. We use the MSR Whisperlite International stove with the medium fuel bottle. Unlike gas cartridges, petrol is easy to find almost anywhere. And if you’re ever low on fuel, you can even pour a bit into your bike—those extra 500ml can sometimes be all you need to get to the next gas station!
Petrol stoves aren’t without their downsides. They stink and get dirty fast. Plus, they don’t offer much in terms of heat control – everything cooks fast, but it’s easy to burn your food if you’re paying attention.
That said, the MSR stove is a workhorse. Clean it regularly and it’ll last forever. We only had to replace the pump once—after accidentally setting it on fire.
- Minimum Weight 309 g / 10.9 oz
- Packed Weight 441 g / 15.6 oz
Where to Buy
Trangia 1.75 L Cooking Pot
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
Cons
- Prone to denting if dropped
One pot to make it all—boil water, cook pasta, make soup—you name it. We’re not chasing Michelin stars out here, just trying to get enough fuel to ride the next day.
Trangia pots strike a good balance between price and quality, with a decent range of sizes and coatings. We use the ultralight aluminium version—cheap and does the job. But if you crash, expect a few dents.
Size depends on how many you’re cooking for, but material matters too. We’d go with hard-anodized ultralight aluminium, titanium, or Duossal (Trangia-specific)—light, reasonably tough, and easy to clean.
- Brand: Trangia
- Weight: 116 g (4.1 oz)
- Material: Ultralight aluminium (other options available)
- Dimensions: Ø181 × 77 mm (7.1 × 3.0 in)
- Size (people): 3–4
- Volume: 1.75 L (59.2 fl oz)
Where to Buy
Sea to Summit Collapsible Bowl & Cup Set
Pros
- Compact & lightweight
- Packs neatly inside our cooking pot
- Bowl bottom doubles as a cutting board
Cons
- Silicone may trap some smells
- Can be tricky to hold when hot
- Not as durable as some other options
At the time we bought it, the Sea to Summit X-Series set seemed like the best option given its compatibility and lightness. Plus, both sets fit neatly inside our cooking pot, which is great for further space-saving.
One thing to note: the silicone tends to trap smells. If you use the cups for instant soup, you might not want to drink your coffee or tea in them afterward. Some people also find it tricky to hold boiling hot liquids at first, since the sides get very hot, but honestly, it wasn’t a big issue for us. Another bonus is that the bowl’s bottom can double as a cutting board.
The version we use now is no longer available, but the new Frontier series looks promising. It’s improved in durability and lightness, so we’d probably go for that next time.
X-Set (Bowl & Mug)
- Brand: Sea to Summit
- Capacity: 600 ml (20.3 fl oz, X-Bowl) / 480 ml (16.2 fl oz, X-Mug)
- Packed Dimensions: Collapses to 1.5 cm (0.6 in) height / 15.5 cm (6.1 in) diameter
- Weight: 180 g (6.3 oz)
- Material: Food Grade Silicone and Nylon (BPA Free)
New Frontier Series (Cup & Medium Bowl)
- Brand: Sea to Summit
- Capacity: 400 ml (13.5 fl oz, cup) / 680 ml (23 fl oz, bowl)
- Packed Dimensions: Collapses to less than 2 cm (0.8 in) / 15.1 cm (5.9 in) diameter
- Weight: 53 g (1.9 oz, cup) / 62 g (2.2 oz, bowl)
- Material: Glass-reinforced Nylon and Food Grade Silicone Rubber
GSI Outdoors Long Spoon
Pros
- Lightweight
- Silicone ending
- Sturdy
Cons
- Silicone may trap some smells
- Doesn't fit into our pot for packing
Not much to say—it’s just a spoon for eating and stirring. But having a long spoon makes camp cooking much easier. This one from GSI Outdoors is especially nice because it’s lightweight and has a silicone covering, so you don’t have to worry about scratching your pot.
- Brand: GSI Outdoors
- Dimensions: 25 cm long / 9.9 in
- Weight: 28 g / 1 oz
- Materials: Nylon & Silicone
Where to Buy
Sea to Summit Ultralight Spork
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
Cons
- Spoon is too shallow
For cutlery, we wanted something super lightweight, so we went with these ultralight sporks from Sea to Summit—they weigh just 9g (0.3oz). The only drawback so far is the spoon being too shallow. In other words, get ready to drink your soup straight from the pot.
- Brand: Sea to Summit
- Dimensions: 3.9 cm length/ 1.5 in
- Weight: 9 g / 0.3 oz
- Material: Aluminum
Where to Buy
Opinel Utility Knife
Pros
- Super sharp
- Sturdy
Cons
- The side tools rusted
This knife was a gift, so we’ve been carrying it around ever since. We mostly use it for cutting cooking ingredients, so we can’t comment on how it handles other tasks. The two wire cutting notches as well as Philips and flat-head drivers are a nice touch. Unfortunately, after years of use, the screw heads have rusted (though the blade is still in great shape, and we haven’t had to sharpen it yet). There are certainly better options out there, but this one is cheap, lightweight, and versatile—always a bonus for motorcycle gear.
- Brand: Opinel
- Blade Length: approx. 8.0 cm (3.15 inches)
- Material: Stainless Steel &
- Overall Length: approx. 17.15 cm (6.75 inches)
- Weight: approx. 56.7 g (2 oz)
Where to Buy
Additional Gear
Here are a few additional items that usually make it to our motorcycle camping setup. While our chairs are definitely a luxury item, gone are the days when we could camp and sit directly on the ground. The water bladder is a situational item that we don’t always take with us, but it was a must when riding around Austrlaia for example.
Helinox Chair
Pros
- Lightweight
- Packs small
- Sturdy
Cons
- Bit expensive
- Sinks easily into softer ground
- Can be a bit wobbly
- Gets blown away fast in strong winds
This is certainly a luxury item in our setup but quite frankly we cannot imagine travelling without it now. It’s among the lightest outdoor chairs, and it is certainly the most compact one when packed, hence a rather steep price.
- Brand: Helinox
- Dimensions when Packed: 10 cm x 35 cm x 10 cm (4 in x 14 in x 4 in)
- Weight: 531 g (1 lbs 2.5 oz)
- Capacity: 120 kg (265 lb)
- Materials: aluminum alloy (frame), 100D aramid polyester ripstop (seat)
Where to Buy
MSR 6L Water Bag
Pros
- Heavy-duty material
- Easy to store when not in use
- Easy to attach/hang
- Versatile
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Some users report plastic taste
This water bag was indispensable during our trip around Australia. We much prefer it over water bottles—more compact and easier to strap to the bike. It’s tough, doesn’t puncture easily, and packs down small when empty. The built-in lacing points make it easy to hang for a gravity pour and to secure when riding. The cap has three pouring modes, and the whole bag is compatible with MSR filtration systems.
Some reviews mention a plastic taste, but we haven’t experienced that. It’s not cheap, but for us, the durability, compatibility, and convenience make it worth the cost.
- Brand: MSR
- Capacity: 6L (other sizes 4L and 10L)
- Weight: 250 g (8.7 oz)
- Width: 28.7 cm (11.3 in)
- Length: 52.3 cm (20.6 in)
- Material: Abrasion-resistant 1,000D fabric, laminated with food-grade polyurethane
Where to Buy
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