Recommended Gear, Services & Gadgets
Our guests are constantly asking our advice on the best active travel clothing, equipment, services and gadgets, so we have compiled a list of some of our favorites.
Bike Equipment & Nutrition
| Bell Sports | Co-motion Cycles |
| Burley | Specialized |
| Clif Bar | |
Active Apparel & Cycling Clothing |
|
| Capo | North Face |
| Champion System | Patagonia |
| CycleSkirt | prAna |
| ExOfficio | SUGOi |
| Hincapie | Terry |
| Icebreaker | Voler |
Outdoor Gear, Sunglasses & Accessories |
|
| Alps Mountaineering | Smith Optics |
| Leki USA | Thule |
| Mountain Hardwear | Yakima |
Footwear & Socks |
|
| Keen Footwear | Smartwool |
| Merrell | Teva Sport Sandals |
| Sidi | |
Travel Gear & Bags |
|
| CamelBak | Mountainsmith |
| Eagle Creek | Ortlieb |
| Lonely Planet | Osprey |
Quality camping and mountaineering gear, great prices
Backroads guests enjoy Alps Mountaineering products on our North American camping trips.
Biking helmets, safety lights, and more
Bell helmets have played a vital role in protecting cyclists for over 50 years. Their quality helmets set the standard for the industry and all Backroads guests are provided with a Bell helmet to use on trip.
The leader in manufacturing the highest quality bike trailers and trailercycles for children
The Burley d'Lite trailer used on Backroads Family Trips is recognized the world over as the safest, most durable two-child trailer available. The Burley Piccolo is the best performing trailercycle available.
Quality hydration systems for any activity
CamelBak has spent over a decade helping people maximize their performance, comfort and health by providing the highest quality hydration systems available. Originator of the hands-free hydration packs, CamelBak focuses on technically innovative, high-performance systems that fit your active lifestyle.
Cycling Apparel and Accessories
Founded in 2004 as a premier brand of cycling apparel and accessories, Capo's products are designed to deliver technical performance, progressive design and proven quality. Backroads is proud to outfit our European bound leaders in Capo Cycling Jerseys.
Quality Custom Clothing, Cycling Clothing and Custom Clothing Design
Outfitting professional teams throughout Europe, Champion System is enjoyed by our leaders on and off trip. Determined in taking an entirely new approach to custom teamwear, they are incredibly flexible when it comes to any event or occasion.
The natural energy bar
Clif Bar and Company started on a bike ride. Our founder, Gary, took a bite of another energy bar and thought to himself: "I could make a better bar than this." Today we still want to make things better. Our food. Our company. Even our planet. When it comes to feeding your body, nothing beats real food made from real ingredients. With a mix of whole grains, protein and fiber, CLIF BAR gives you sustained energy for your workout, you workday or your weekend adventure.
American Made, Oregon Made, Handmade Bicycles
At Co-motion Cycles we've built our reputation on constructing cleanly designed and elegantly executed bicycles since 1988: Bicycles that serve a real purpose for cyclists who expect real performance without unnecessary hype. From tandems to touring bikes, we are driven by our innate passion to find and implement ways to make better bicycles.
The cover up after you ride
CycleSkirt: The colorful affordable skirt to wear after you ride. If you're tired of walking around in your bike shorts, these little skirts are for you. All solid colors to coordinate with the many biker jerseys. These skirts roll up and fit right in your jersey so you can slip them on after any ride, long or short.
Durable luggage, duffels, backpacks, organizers and more
Packing gear and products for all your travel needs. All Eagle Creek products are manufactured with the highest standard of workmanship and the best quality of materials available.
Adventure clothing and accessories
Since 1987, Seattle-based ExOfficio has created adventure clothing with state-of-the-art technical features and performance benefits that focus on one goal—enhanced comfort for travelers.
Custom Cycling Jerseys and Premium Cycling Apparel
Ricardo Hincapie developed a passion for cycling when he started racing bicycles in his native Colombia. He introduced his sons, George and Rich to the sport he loved as soon as they were old enough to turn the pedals. Hincapie Sportswear was created to meet the need for quality custom cycling clothing for teams and clubs.
Merino wool appareal from New Zealand
Icebreaker represents the premium expression of 100% pure merino clothing. Sourced from our team of over 80 New Zealand growers, your Icebreaker starts with raw fiber, straight off the sheep's back. Not only is Icebreaker merino a natural and sustainable choice in our age of plastics, it is naturally odor and flame resistant, warm when wet and comfortable in every climate and activity. Put simply, nothing performs or feels better in a wider range of temperature or activity than Icebreaker.
Your original hybrid footwear resource
With a heritage in waterproof sandals, KEEN's collection now features five categories of footwear, including trailhead, waterfront, Blvd, Market street and kids—offering innovative hybrid designs, advanced technology, performance, quality and fit.
Hi-tech skiing, hiking and trekking poles
Leki USA is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of adjustable nordic walking poles, trekking poles, ski poles and mountaineering poles.
Travel Guides and Travel Information
Born from a honeymoon trip few people thought possible—crossing Europe and Asia overland, all the way to Australia—Lonely Planet has been in the business of sharing travel adventures for over 30 years. They are a trusted resource for all Backroads guests.
Quality performance footwear for outdoor enthusiasts
Merrell Outdoor Footwear product line includes footwear for all types of activities and environments—both natural and urban. From all-leather hiking boots to plastic telemarking boots to the moc, they've got your feet covered.
High-end mountaineering and outdoor equipment, apparel and accessories
The company puts "Radical Thinking" into product design, using advanced, unique technologies, fabrics and construction. Established by a group of outdoor industry veterans, Mountain Hardwear has won numerous awards since its inception in 1993.
Designers of high-level Performance Backpacks, Lumbar Packs, Travel Storage, Camera Bags and Luggage
Mountainsmith's commitment to innovation began in 1979 and continues to the present with a full line of active lifestyle products. The quality and comfort of all Mountainsmith products—technical backpacks, travel storage systems, luggage, camera bags, as well as the lumbar pack icons—set the standard for the worldwide outdoor marketplace.
Over 40 Years of Innovation and Exploration
Named for the coldest, most unforgiving side of a mountain, The North Face is proud to have helped explorers reach the most unfathomable heights of the Himalayas. More than 40 years after its humble beginnings in San Francisco, The North Face delivers an extensive line of performance apparel, equipment, and footwear. We are proud to outfit our leaders in The North Face Nimble Jackets.
Quality Packs and travel gear that will last you a lifetime
From its humble beginnings building custom backpacks in Santa Cruz California, to its current recognition as an industry leader, Osprey has always flown its own course. Their mission is to create innovative high performance gear that reflects a love of adventure and a devotion to the outdoors and the environment. Osprey defines success when it meets the demanding expectation of its most discerning customers. Based in Cortez, Colorado, Osprey has over thirty-five years of experience outfitting hikers, bikers and travelers with packs that are guaranteed for life.
Quality Outdoor Gear
Stay dry while out on your bike with Ortlieb! Founded in 1982, Ortlieb builds waterproof, functional, reliable, and durable products that enable people to explore the outdoors, rain or shine. Ortlieb's commitment to excellence can be seen in the materials, design and construction of the product
Active clothing and luggage—committed to the core
Let Patagonia take care of you on your next adventure, whether you're cycling across the West or trekking in the Khumbu. Their active clothing and luggage is built with the goal of creating the best possible products while doing the least possible harm to the environment, like a jacket made from recycled polyester and shorts that are 100% organic cotton.
Yoga, climbing and activewear for everyday life
From the inside out, and from the ground up, prAna's aim has always been to promote balance and harmony between our inner and outer worlds. In doing so, prAna's clothes become an extension of the body and a vehicle for the spirit.
Leader in Cycling Shoes
Born from a family business high in the Italian Alps in the tiny village of Maser, adjacent to the historic Bassano de Grappa climb, Maestro Dino Signori began creating what today is one of the best high performance footwear in the peloton. Trusted by hundreds of professions Sidi shoes are backed by decades of research and craftsmanship.
Extraordinarily Comfortable Socks & Apparel
For over 17 years, Smartwool has been comning in the latest in innovative design, technology and construction with the best wool nature has to offer, and it's the expertise and experience combined with our passion for mountain sports that makes Smartwool's products so unique.
Goggles and performance sunglasses
Smith Optics created the first goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam. Today, Smith is as well known for its diverse line of fashion and performance sunglasses as it is for its goggles. Their devotion to excellence, innovation and style is what has made Smith goggles and sunglasses the choice of action-sport athletes worldwide.
Bicycles and bicycle components
Excited in 2012 to be forging a partnership with Specialized, Backroads will introduce a professional high performance line of road bikes to the fleet. Ride in style on trip and continue to enjoy the smooth and innovative design of the Roubaix and Ruby bikes with Specialized.
Fueling Personal Bests
SUGOi's mission is to fuel personal bests. How? Inspire confidence through incredible athletic products. SUGOi's soul lies within the walls of our Vancouver, British Columbia headquarters, a large portion of Sugoi products are made with passion by people who love your sport as much as you do. Wallaroo is SUGOi's super fine Australian performance wool and it's especially well adapted for high exertion activity in a wide range of temperatures and conditions.
The first and last name in women's cycling
Terry sets the standard for women's bicycle design, and offers the most comfortable men's and women's saddles for touring and an extensive line of fashionable women's cycling apparel.
Cool footwear for the outdoor athlete
The original sports sandal that combined the spirit of a sandal with the soul of a shoe. Whether you're rafting, hiking, running, boating or beaching, Teva has a shoe for you. With performance features, new technologies and improved functionality, Teva is the natural evolution in footwear for the outdoor athlete. Check out their infant and kids line, too!
Bike, Ski, Snowboard, Watersport, Luggage & Multipurpose Roof Racks
Established in Sweden in 1942, Thule is a premium brand used globally for a wide assortment of products, solving the problem of how to take your equipment with you when you're on the go. Whether it's a bike rack for your whole family or a roof box to carry all your ski equipment to the snow, Thule has what you're looking for.
Cycling Apparel: Jerseys, Shorts, Bibs, & Accessories
Jacques Deyo, founder of Voler, was an extreme windsurfer and avid cyclist. His love of the sport and the outdoors, along with a genuine desire to create quality products that people would use in the pursuit of their own passions, led him and the company into the custom cycling clothing market.
Equipment racks and adventure gear to get you to your destination
Yakima rack systems can stand up to practically anything—like a rutting moose or an alien spacecraft tractor beam. And they get you and your gear to the outdoors and make sure you look great on the way.
Have you discovered any other travel sites that you think Backroads guests would find helpful? Use our Backtalk online form to let us know.
