{"id":802071,"date":"2026-10-14T07:02:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T07:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/802071\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T07:02:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T07:02:31","slug":"the-cut-list-vol-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/802071\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cut List (Vol. 3)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Miles<\/a><\/p>\n

By Miles Arbour<\/a><\/p>\n

Associate Editor & Events Manager<\/p>\n

2,563 Posts<\/a><\/p>\n

In the third installment of The Cut List, Miles shares a dozen items he once relied on but, after a decade of experimenting, testing, and bikepacking, would be okay with never using again. Find a curated list of items and strategies he has turned his back on in The Cut List Vol. 3 here\u2026<\/p>\n

The concept for our newly launched Cut List series began when I ran an idea by the editorial team: \u201cThis might be a bit controversial, but what are your thoughts on an opinion piece about me being over Dyneema tents?\u201d After some discussion, we expanded the approach and determined that individual roundups of equipment and habits that have fallen out of favor could be interesting. After all, we spend so much time talking about what works well that we rarely give energy to the gear, ideas, or strategies that have fallen by the wayside.<\/p>\n

Long-term readers have likely noticed trends and changes among the editorial team and the broader bikepacking community. My bikepacking setups and how I approach bikepacking trips have changed, as anything in life does; we\u2019re always evolving. Some changes come from personal shifts in habits and lifestyle, but outside factors also play a role, such as the environment, technology, and trends. Over the last 10 years or so, I\u2019ve been lucky enough to try a lot of bikes and gear and ride in many places. It feels fitting to look back and reflect on my experiences.<\/p>\n

My Cut List includes ideas, equipment, and approaches I once revered but have slowly (or in some cases, suddenly) moved away from. As a reminder, these roundups are purely personal, and I look forward to discussing them further with our readers in the Conversation below. <\/p>\n

Dyneema Shelters<\/p>\n

Dyneema, or DCF for short, also known as Cuben Fiber, is seen as the Rolls-Royce of tent materials, despite being relatively new in the outdoor gear space. DCF has been around for a while, but the story really began in the 1990s with the development of a new sailcloth material. Outdoor brands and makers, including Dan Durston, Hyperlite, Mountain Laurel Designs, and Zpacks, began experimenting with DCF in the early 2000s. DCF is praised for its strength and tear resistance, 100% waterproofness, and the fact that, unlike nylons or silnylons, it doesn\u2019t stretch or sag in wet weather.<\/p>\n

\"hyperlite<\/a><\/p>\n

\"miles<\/a>
\n\"durston<\/a><\/p>\n

I remember learning about DCF early on and thinking, \u201cDamn, that has to be the best tent material in the world.\u201d I figured it was reserved for the most serious outdoor enthusiasts, and nothing beat it. I lusted after DCF, and I\u2019m not ashamed to admit it. I\u2019ve tested a few DCF tents over the years, and although their weight and durability are always impressive, their pack size isn\u2019t. Most brands say DCF shouldn\u2019t be stuffed, and while there is little actual research available on this, that\u2019s pretty much a non-starter for me. These days, I\u2019m much more interested in silpoly fabrics, which might weigh a little more but can be crammed over and over again without risking damage. I think there\u2019s a time and place for DCF shelters, including backpacking, but when traveling on two wheels, I\u2019m not as allured by them these days.<\/p>\n

Non-Solar GPS Devices<\/p>\n

This might be a little unfair, because solar-powered GPS devices are fairly new, starting with the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar in 2022, but I can\u2019t imagine going back to a non-solar one. The more electronic gadgets you\u2019ve got, the more batteries you\u2019ll need to keep charged, and I distinctly remember stressing over how many AA batteries I\u2019d need for my Garmin eTrex to make it through many trips. I\u2019ve always taken a \u201cless is more\u201d approach to navigation, and once I find something that works, I stick with it. I thought I had a good thing going with my Garmin 540, until I tried the Coros Dura. <\/p>\n

\"Garmin<\/a><\/p>\n

Solar-powered GPS devices reduce the need for lengthy resupply stops, bulky cache batteries, and dynamo systems. They work surprisingly well, or at least the Dura does, and I can usually go several weeks without plugging in as long as I get a few hours of sun each day. A few innovations really changed how I bikepack, and solar-powered GPS devices take a top spot.<\/p>\n

Drop Bars with Giant Tires<\/p>\n

Everyone has their own unique interpretation of what a bikepacking bike looks like. I remember test riding a Salsa Cutthroat when it was released, and an All-City Gorilla Monsoon a few years later, and I figured that was about as good as a bikepacking bike could get. At the time, I wasn\u2019t mountain biking much, so those feelings were justified. <\/p>\n

\"Chumba<\/a><\/p>\n

\"curve<\/a>
\n\"kona<\/a><\/p>\n

As my riding style and preferences have evolved, I\u2019ve become less and less interested in drop-bar bikes with big tires. I generally prefer flat bars, and when the tires are 2.4 inches wide, I almost always want the control and stability a flat-bar setup provides. I\u2019ve always been a bit confused by big tires and drop bars, and some recent bike reviews have only confirmed those inklings.<\/p>\n

Rigid Seatposts<\/p>\n

Some of my first review bikes came with dropper posts, but I usually swapped them for rigid seatposts to make packing easier. At the time, the Porcelain Rocket Mr. Fusion was my go-to seat pack, with its mini rack and removable dry bag, and dropper post bags were just entering the scene. <\/p>\n

\"Central<\/a><\/p>\n

Dropper post bags evolved quickly, making bikepacking with a dropper post more realistic and, in turn, making singletrack and technical terrain more comfortable to ride. The surge of lightweight rear racks makes a strong case for never using a seat pack again. Today, I consider a dropper post essential on pretty much any bike I ride, even if it\u2019s just to make stopping at traffic lights a little easier. I\u2019ve said this before, but if I had to choose, I\u2019d take a dropper post over front suspension. <\/p>\n

Accepting Frustrating Things<\/p>\n

I can think of dozens of things I once accepted because that\u2019s the way it is. I\u2019ve accepted that BC Ferries are regularly delayed, that shipping takes longer and costs more, and that flying rarely goes as planned. However, there are a few things in the bike industry I used to accept as the norm, but I\u2019m done doing so. <\/p>\n

\"King<\/a><\/p>\n

One example is accepting tiny screw heads for rack and bottle bosses on bike frames. I don\u2019t know when we started thinking 4mm hex screws were okay, but I\u2019m over it and find myself oddly excited by larger-than-average screw heads. Not only is a nice oversized cap head screw easier to use, but it\u2019s also much less likely to strip compared to tiny, low-profile screws. Another one is loud hubs. The industry likes to tell us that loud buzzing rear hubs are cool\u2014they make a statement\u2014but I\u2019m no longer interested in accepting them as the norm. Nothing\u2019s worse than trying to have a conversation with friends while yelling over the sound of your 1,000-point high-engagement hub. Another one is ridiculously expensive bikes. I see no need for $6,000+ bikes, and in most cases, a well-specced, thoughtfully designed $3,000 bike offers the same riding experience. I have more, but to summarize, I\u2019m done simply \u201caccepting.\u201d <\/p>\n

Electric Components<\/p>\n

Everyone has flaws; mine is my memory. I blame it on too much partying in university, but I think it\u2019s just part of who I am. I lose my wallet twice a week, sometimes for several days, but I\u2019ve learned not to stress about it.<\/p>\n

At some point, the bike industry told us electronic components and gadgets are better than their mechanical counterparts. At first, I was excited. Wireless dropper posts are great for swapping between bikes, and modern electronic drivetrains are some of the smoothest out there, but unfortunately, I can\u2019t remember to keep these components charged. Every few months, it disrupts a ride. The batteries generally last a long time, but when I\u2019m jumping between bikes and already looking for my misplaced wallet, I can\u2019t also think ahead to charge my derailleur battery. And don\u2019t even get me started on electronic tire pumps. <\/p>\n

\"Wireless<\/a>
\nUnderbiking<\/p>\n

When I was just getting into bikepacking, I fully embraced underbiking. For years, I enjoyed rolling up to trailheads on less-than-ideal steeds, getting glances from riders on full-suspension mountain bikes, and getting the side-eye for my big-tired gravel bike. Just last week, someone mentioned I might have a hard time riding some local trails because I was on a hardtail, not a bigger bike. Underbiking is the ultimate \u201cF You!\u201d to the bike industry. <\/p>\n

\"Trek<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Hudski<\/a>
\n\"budget<\/a><\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve ridden more, I\u2019m starting to feel that underbiking isn\u2019t nearly as fun as it once was. Take \u201cgravel\u201d riding in British Columbia, for example. I can\u2019t think of any of the 10+ gravel bikepacking routes I\u2019ve created in the province that I\u2019ve scouted on a gravel bike. Give me wide, flat bars, front suspension, 2.4\u201d tires, and a dropper post. I understand that riding terrain on something less capable encourages a distinctive way of riding, and there\u2019s a certain amount of flow that comes with riding through technical singletrack on a rigid gravel bike, but for anything more than a day ride, I\u2019m sold on overbiking.<\/p>\n

Needing to Travel to Find Adventure<\/p>\n

For a long time, I prioritized bikepacking trips far from home, and while I still enjoy a trip now and again, it\u2019s not because I lack adventure. A lot of the time, it just means tweaking your perspective on what an adventure is and what it can be. I\u2019m still inspired by riding on Vancouver Island, just a ferry ride from my front door, and I also forgot how fun it is to re-ride routes after several years of avoiding them. Emily and I had a blast retracing our lines on the Powell River Sampler route this fall after scouting it six years ago. <\/p>\n

\"BC<\/a><\/p>\n

\"cut<\/a>
\n\"cut<\/a><\/p>\n

I think there\u2019s something to be said for close-to-home adventures that don\u2019t involve a night out. On a recent cross-country ride, my friend Keenan introduced me to mushroom picking (it somehow took me over six years to do it), opening up a whole new world of pedal-powered adventure I\u2019d like to do more of. The other day, I ran with a new running club in town on some trails just down the road from where I live. Damn, it was beautiful! <\/p>\n

Titanium Pots<\/p>\n

Titanium pots are sought after for the same reason as titanium bikes: their strength-to-weight ratio is hard to beat. The only hitch is that while titanium bikes offer a unique ride quality, titanium cookware serves no real purpose over other metals. In fact, titanium isn\u2019t great for cooking. Because of its poor thermal conductivity, titanium heats up slowly and creates hot spots where your stove flame hits. Unless you\u2019re exclusively boiling water for simple meals, it\u2019s about the worst pot material you can use. If you ever tried melting snow or cooking a meal in a titanium pot, then you\u2019ve likely experienced this. <\/p>\n

\"Four<\/a>
\n\"miles<\/a><\/p>\n

For a long time, I was obsessed with piecing together the lightest possible cook kit, which ultimately directed me to titanium pots. After a few burned meals, I\u2019ve concluded I\u2019d be okay using a good aluminum pot from now on. Titanium mug, now that\u2019s a great use of space metal!<\/p>\n

Packing \u201cSilly Light\u201d<\/p>\n

For years I carried only the essentials. I used a strategy where I carried just clothing I could layer, with no spares. So, in theory, at its coldest, I\u2019d wear everything I packed. No spare camp shorts, no extra riding shirt. I\u2019ve shared one-person tents, tried to sleep on thin foam pads, and frozen my ass off at night in an attempt to save weight. A notable attempt at bikepacking with minimal gear was during the Julian Bikepack Challenge in California in 2018. With nothing more than a 5mm closed-cell foam pad, I shaped the sand underneath me into an ergonomic profile. I didn\u2019t sleep much.<\/p>\n

\"Julian<\/a><\/p>\n

\"the<\/a>
\n\"2025<\/a><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a fine line between packing strategically and just being silly, and I always seemed to cross it. I\u2019ve gotten over the idea that my bikepacking setup might be light and come to terms with riding and pushing a heavy bike. The difference between having a few extra pieces of clothes and not is so small that I can confidently say I\u2019m done with packing silly light. More recently, I\u2019ve been reaching for a wide sleeping pad, a warmer sleeping bag, and twinkly lights to set up at camp. Life\u2019s good.<\/p>\n

Rushing Routes<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve often felt a sense of urgency while bikepacking. I find myself wanting to follow \u201cthe line\u201d perfectly, knock it out quickly, and leave no time for side quests or unexpected interactions. When the riding is good and the views keep coming, it\u2019s addictive, and it\u2019s easy to keep pushing forward. I\u2019m also highly motivated by food that isn\u2019t in my frame bag, so if it means digging deep to reach a resupply point (let\u2019s be real, probably a gas station), I\u2019ll usually do it. <\/p>\n

\"kootenay<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been purposefully more relaxed on a few recent trips, with shorter distances and opportunities for exploration, and I\u2019ve loved it. Finding the right balance between covering ground and moving efficiently without feeling anxious about making it to the next spot is difficult. Most of my recent trips have been with groups, which naturally slows things down, but I\u2019m eager to bring some of that to solo trips as well.<\/p>\n

29 x 3.0\u2033 Tires<\/p>\n

At the risk of being canceled, hear me out. The OG Surly Krampus, with its steel frame and 29 x 3.0\u201d tires, was the epitome of bikepacking. It was my gateway drug, and I continue to crave it a decade later. At the time, I really did see 29+ as the go-to wheel size for bikepacking. The idea was simple: 29+ will virtually never let you down. <\/p>\n

\"Rider<\/a><\/p>\n

\"cut<\/a>
\n\"Central<\/a><\/p>\n

Over the years, I\u2019ve been naturally weaned off 29 x 3.0\u201d tires to the point that I no longer yearn for them the same as I once did. Maybe it\u2019s simply because there are fewer true 29+ bikes available, and even fewer new models, but I find myself completely satisfied with 2.4\u201d and 2.6\u201d tires, and the occasional 2.8\u201d front tire when the terrain is really soft. Looking forward, I think I\u2019d be fine leaving 29 x 3.0\u201d tires behind for good. <\/p>\n

Thanks for checking out my Cut List. I invite any comments, reflections, or questions in the Conversation below!<\/p>\n

Further Reading<\/p>\n

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info…<\/p>\n

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Miles Arbour Associate Editor & Events Manager 2,563 Posts In the third installment of The Cut List,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":802072,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[173302,173298,173299,173303,50635,173300,50634,4985,101,173305,173301,387,56,54,55,173304],"class_list":["post-802071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-adventure-cycling","tag-bicycle-touring","tag-bike-touring","tag-bike-tours","tag-bike-packing","tag-bikepacking","tag-cycle-touring","tag-cycling","tag-sports","tag-stealth-camping","tag-touring-bikes","tag-travel","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom","tag-world-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802071","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=802071"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802071\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/802072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=802071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=802071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=802071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}