GEAR
Cycle touring
Bicycle
Survived the entire journey.
Good bags overall, but the rack attachment system could be improved. I like their visibility, but I wouldn't choose the Cordura version again. The waterproof fabric exterior stays wet longer after rain.
Extremely versatile for cycling and flying. I'd buy it again.
Could be better. The strap came loose, and I had to glue the magnets back in place. The transparent top layer is getting yellowish due to the sun (understandable).
Very comfortable. The mosquito net and ear flaps were especially useful.
Perfect fit. I ended up buying three pairs.
+ Spare parts
+ Clothing (all seasons)
+ Reflective vest
+ Accessories
+ Personal care
+ Health care
+ Money
+ Documents
+ Travel insurance
electronics
+ SD Cards
Nearly professional image quality for both photos and video in a pocket-sized camera. Survived every bump. A bit of dust got inside the lens.
+ Spanish monthly plan
+ Local eSIM
Excellent performance for photos, video, and GPS. The eSIM feature was a game changer.
Essential for solo cycling, especially on the Pamir Highway where there was no phone signal. Never triggered an SOS.
A little underpowered, but excellent value and sufficient for charging the phone.
2 TB (x2)
Essential for backing up my work. Lightweight and survived every bump.
+ Earphones
+ Watch
Camping
Replaced my first tent. Very lightweight and waterproof, although a little narrow for my taste.
Replaced my first sleeping bag. Essential for winter wild camping below freezing.
Very comfortable when used with the sleeping pad. No moisture issues.
Steep learning curve, but very reliable. Carrying spare parts is recommended. Performed flawlessly at 4,500 m.
The simplest and lightest water filtration system I found. Completely reliable.
+ Soft Flask
+ Ortlieb 4 L water bag
+ Shower valve
+ Cooking set
+ Spare 750 ml fuel bottle
+ Pocket knife (x2)
+ Kitchen knife
+ Spoon and fork
+ Lighter (x2)
+ Food
Art Material
Watercolor and Ink
+ Watercolor tubes
Excellent quality and color match. My favourite watercolors.
I love the use of genuine pigments, but I wasn't happy with the binder behavior.
Once you master how to use it (steep learning curve) it's an excellent synthetic brush.
Creates beautifully unique ink marks.
Waterproof and perfect for fountain pens and refillable brush pens.
+ Glycerin
+ Paraffine
Pens and Pencils
Professional-quality pigments make them ideal for museum sketching. Never broke despite all the bumps!
I wouldn't buy it again. The pigment separated from the binder and often wasn't ready to use.
Good pencils, but the graphite has a slightly greyer tone than I prefer, even in the softer grades.
+ Sharpener
SKETCHBOOKS
Excellent cotton paper in a bound sketchbook. Beautiful, expressive dry-brush texture.
- #1 Moleskine Sketch A6
- #2 Moleskine Watercolor A5 Landscape
- #3 Hahnemühle A5 100% Cotton Portrait
- #4 Stillman&Birn Gamma A6
- #5 Hahnemühle Nostalgia A6 Landscape
- #6 Lokta paper
- #7 MUJI #1
- #8 Takeo #1
- #9 MUJI #2
- #10 Takeo #2
- #11 MUJI #3
- #12 Hahnemühle Deckle Edge 100% Cotton A5 Landscape
- #13 Fabriano 1264 Sketch A5
- #14 Flying Tiger A5