Overlanding by motorcycle poses a unique challenge: With very limited cargo capacity, you have to strike a balance between how much stuff you can bring, the size of the items, what they do and your needs once on site. Small size is key, and it helps if one item can do multiple things in order to save precious space and weight.

Fortunately, decades of adventure riding experience has given product makers time to innovate, refine and test everything from tents to tools to cooking gear. These are some of the best bits we’ve found that should find their way into your riding kit.

Givi Outback Case And Luggage Rack Kit

Hard bags or soft? Each has pros and cons, so selecting moto luggage is mainly a matter of preference., but you’re going to need something to carry your gear. Be sure to take into consideration what sort of riding you’ll be doing, load limits, ease of use and installation requirements when shopping for a luggage system for your bike.

Many long-distance riders like the impact resistance and look of aluminum cases (often called “panniers”), and the Givi Outback Case And Luggage Rack Kit is built for rugged travel. The top case and panniers all lock using the same key to keep things simple. This complete kit includes everything you need to mount the panniers and top case on your adventure bike.

MSRP: $489.00 – 1,036.00 depending on size, number of cases, mounting requirements, and more.

READ MORE: Three Wheeled Adventures in the Ultimate Overland Moto

Givi GRT720 Canyon 25-Liter Soft Luggage

Soft luggage offers literal flexibility that hard panniers don’t. You can often squeeze in a bit more gear since they can expand, or they can be made “smaller” with compression straps if you’re just heading out for a quick weekend jaunt. Plus, if your bike tips over, they can act as a sort of cushion (so keep breakable bits like cameras and such in a top bag or backpack). Plus, they are usually easier to grab and go once your bike is parked and often weigh less than hard cases.

The GRT720 Canyon Side Bags from Givi are designed to stand up to the abuse of off-road riding. They are Monokey compatible and feature side loops to attach additional storage pouches and other gear. Constructed from rugged 1200/1680D textile deniers, they are UV-treated to resist fading and include a flexible waterproof roll top closure system, load compression straps, and waterproof inner dry bags. Built-in side plates help them keep their form and can mount to generic rack mounts. Carry handles make transporting them easier off the bike. Larger and smaller sizes are also available.

MSRP: $659.99

Sea To Summit Telos TR2 Plus 2-Person 3-Season Tent

Almost nothing is more important than proper shelter when motorcycle camping. Good sleep (and protection from various critters) is key to waking up refreshed and ready to ride the next day. The Sea To Summit Telos TR2 tent is a two-person, three-season tent that sets up quickly, can be used staked or freestanding, and will withstand wind, rain, sun, and even light snow while keeping you dry and secure. Zip the top shut to seal in some heat on those cold nights, and when it’s time to get going, the tent packs down into a strappable 20 by 5-inch bundle that weighs under four pounds.

MSRP: $509.00

Stockton Roadside Tool Kit

Despite the high level of refinement and reliability of today’s adventure motorcycles, things still come loose, need adjusting or require outright repair. The Stockton Roadside Tool Kit includes a wide selection of commonly needed tools and bits to help get you back on the road. From zip-ties to fuel lines, fuses, and bits for those oddball Torx fasteners, this “roadside” kit works great out on the dusty trail as well. The kit includes:

• Combination Wrenches
• Allen Set Ball End
• 3/8″ Drive Sockets
• Torx Wrench Set
• Locking Pliers
• 6″ Adjustable Wrench
• 3/8″ Drive Ratchet Wrench
• 3/8″ Drive Socket Extension 3″, 6″
• 3/8″ Drive Spark Plug Socket (Thin Wall) 16mm, 18mm, 21mm
• Pliers
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Mechanics Safety Wire
• Electrical Wire
• Tire Gauge
• Electrical Tape
• Blade Fuse 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30amp
• Mini Blade Fuse 3, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20amp
• Cable Ties
• Fuel Hose
• Tool roll and towel

MSRP: $49.95

CruzTools Roadtech Brand-Specific Tool Sets

Different motorcycle brands often require specific or special tools for some parts or adjustment and CruzTools has thankfully put together several sets tailored for most major adventure bike makers, such as this set for BMW motorcycles. A tool kit that’s missing a key tool for your specific bike is next to useless, so consider stepping up to a tailored tool kit to cover pretty much any eventuality.

MSRP: $99 to $129

Storm 450 Multi-Mode Headlamp

A headlamp is essential for after-dark camp setup, finding your way to the potty in the middle of the night, and generally being able to make repairs or do things hands-free. In a pinch, it can even work as a headlight. The Storm 450 is small and tough but highly versatile. It can run for hours on good ‘ol AAA batteries or a rechargeable lithium pack. Despite the small size, it packs three LEDs including a 450-lumen focused beam, a broad soft light and a night-vision preserving red LED.

MSRP: $59.95

READ MORE: Editors’ Choice: Campsite Gear & Accessories

HydraPak Seeker Collapsible Water Containers

Staying hydrated while riding is critically important. Off-road riding is a workout, and since most riders wear heavy protective riding gear, the level of exertion is high. Mix in a lot of heat and humidity, and things can get pretty sweaty. Yet, water takes up a lot of room on a motorcycle, and it’s heavy. And beyond quenching thirst, it’s also needed for cooking and sanitary concerns, and there’s no guarantee there’s going to be any nearby at the end of the day, so you’ll need to carry a fair bit of it.

Hydrapak’s Seeker Collapsible water containers are built tough, and since they’re flexible, they can tucked into panniers or packs more easily than rigid containers. Available in multiple sizes, we like the four-liter models for their size and capacity. A top-mounted handle makes pouring and carrying easier, and if you are stuck with a suspect water source, they will work with Katadyn BeFree filters. The containers are BPA and PVC-free and can also be used as ice packs (when frozen) or hot water containers.

MSRP: $31.00

BioLite CampStove 2+ Complete Cook Kit

Food really does taste better when you’re out on the trail – as long as you have something better than a smoky campfire and a stick for cooking. BioLite’s innovative Campstove 2 Plus kit is wonderfully versatile. The heart of the system is their patented wood-burning CampStove 2+, which uses cyclonic airflow for a clean, hot fire to warm you – and some weird science to convert some of the heat energy to electricity to charge your tech via USB.

The kit also includes the KettlePot for cooking and boiling water, a small fold-flat portable grill, and even a vitally important coffee press. A small LED flex light plugs into the CampStove battery for some illumination while you cook. The CampStove and other bits pack into the KettlePot for transport, and again, the CampStove can run on small wood chips and burns very clean.

MSRP: $249.95

Alpineaire Pasta Primavera with Grilled Chicken

It’s one thing to be able to cook on site, quite another to rustle up some decent grub out in the middle of nowhere. And again, with space at a premium, it’s not like you can hit Costco on the way out of town. Dehydrated food has come a very long way over the years, and Alpineaire’s Pasta Primavera with Grilled Chicken is a protein-packed delight that just needs some water and a container (see item above) to manifest a real-deal meal from a slim, 6-ounce package – which means you can bring quite a few on your ride. Just remember to bring some salt and pepper in your saddlebags.

MSRP: $14.95

Battery Tender Jump Starter And Power Bank

We love how many things this small chunk of battery power can do. It can jumpstart your bike (or a car!) over and over again if need be, charge your phone wirelessly, charge your other tech via USB-C, and light up the vicinity with two built-in LED lights. It is spark-proof and equipped with reverse polarity protection and includes three fast-charging ports. Yet it’s small, lightweight and durable. Don’t leave home without it.

MSRP: 89.96

Big Agnes Lost Ranger 3-In-1 Sleeping Bag

Getting good sleep on your ride is key to better enjoyment, safer riding and just personal well-being. There are countless dirt-cheap sleeping bags out there that will have you waking up with your teeth chattering in the middle of the night. Do yourself a favor and invest in a high-quality sleep system like the Big Agnes Lost Ranger 3N1 15 Sleeping Bag.

Available in regular and tall sizes, the Lost Ranger is an innovative “two bag” system that works well in summer or winter, and is rated down to 15 degrees. It’s a roomy and comfortable sleeping bag that is designed for more movement at night, resists bunching up, and can strap onto a sleeping pad (not included) so you don’t end up on the hard ground at 2 a.m. Packed up, it’s 8 x 17.5 inches very light weight.

MSRP: $399.99

Therm-a-Rest Corus HD Sleeping ‘Quilt’

Don’t skimp and cheap out on your sleeping bag. Investing in a purpose-made camping sleeping bag means more warmth, improved comfort and most importantly, better sleep. But in the warmer months, leave the sleeping bag at home and try the Therm-a-Rest Corus HD Quilt. It eliminates the bottom of a sleeping bag to save space, and while it is not as warm as a regular sleeping bag, it is rated down to 32 degrees, so it’s perfect for summertime sleeping. The quilt straps to your sleeping pad to stay in place and provides the best of both worlds for sleep in warm summer air or to compliment a light-duty sleeping bag. Plus, it packs down into a 10-inch stuff sack for easy storage in a pannier or tail bag.

MSRP: $269.95 – $289.95

Thermarest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad

Inflatable sleeping pads are pure luxury after a long day of riding – as long as they stay inflated. When they deflate during the night, they are a hassle to re-inflate and interrupt your precious sleep. For the ultimate in insulation and comfort, there’s the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite. The innovative Winglock valve is as easy to use as a water bottle cap and seals tight but also allows for rapid deflation. When it’s time to ride, the XLite packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle.

MSRP: $179.95 – $229.95