What to pack for a gravel race

The complete race-day checklist — tools, food, clothing, documents, and the extras most first-timers forget.

A full race-day checklist — tools, food, clothes, documents, and the small extras most first-timers forget until they need them.

What to Pack for a Gravel Race (Complete Checklist)

The complete gravel race packing list: on-bike tools, hydration and food, clothing for any weather, race-day documents, and the small extras most riders forget.

For races under 4 hours with aid stations, two bottles plus on-bike storage is usually enough. For long or remote events, a hydration pack (1.5-2 L) is worth carrying for water, extra food, and a light shell.

What tools should I carry on a gravel race?

A multi-tool with chain breaker, two tubeless plugs, one spare tube matching your tyre size, two CO2 cartridges + inflator (or a mini pump), tyre levers, and a quick link for your chain.

Plan ~60-90 g of carbs per hour and 500-750 ml of fluid per hour in warm weather. Carry one extra gel and one extra bar beyond your plan — aid stations sometimes run out of your preferred flavour.

What's the one thing most first-timers forget?

Chamois cream, sunscreen, and a small zip-lock bag for your phone and ID. They take five seconds to pack and rescue your day if it rains or you bonk.

2 CO2 cartridges + inflator, or mini pump

A short length of duct tape wrapped around a tool

2 x bottles (one water, one electrolyte mix)

60-90 g of carbs per planned hour (gels, chews, bars)

1 emergency bar + 1 emergency gel beyond your plan

Hydration pack (1.5-2 L) for long or remote routes

Kit you've raced or trained in — nothing new on race day

Light rain shell if rain is even a possibility

Emergency contact written on the back of your bib

GPS / head unit with the course pre-loaded