Our Top 12 Most-Watched YouTube Videos of 2025

As the year comes to an end, I want to thank everyone who watched, commented, and supported the video side of BIKEPACKING.com. None of this works without you, the viewers, so thank you for being part of 2025, which ended up being our biggest year yet.

This year felt a little different, and that’s a big reason the channel grew the way it did. We leaned more into event coverage, including Sea Otter and MADE. It was a lot of fun but also a ton of work packed into a short window. We also reviewed a wide range of products—bikes, bags, components, and more—most of them long-term, detailed reviews, which is something BIKEPACKING.com continues to prioritize across the board.

On top of that, we mixed in various types of videos, from trip reports to interviews and smaller gear highlights. One thing we’ll always keep doing is sharing the work of talented filmmakers. This year, we hosted several award-winning films, and it’s something I’m so excited we can share with our community.

Thanks again for watching. And if there’s anything you’d like to see more of in the new year, let us know in the Conversation below! In the meantime, just for fun, here are our top-performing videos published during the 2025 calendar year:

1. Canyon Grizl Escape ECLIPS Review

Back in the summer, Canyon dropped the new Grizl Escape ECLIPS, and it was a full-on love letter to bikepacking. Packed with thoughtful details—right down to a gummy bear graphic on the seat tube—it’s clear they didn’t just design this bike for adventure; they designed it for us. Find the written version here.

2. True Cargo Bikepacking

In my last bike roundup from Sea Otter, it felt only fitting to chat with the one and only Erik Binggeser, who has pedaled tens of thousands of miles across North America on his Omnium cargo bike. We talk about his rig, why he sold everything to pursue bike travel, and much more.

3. Rigs of the 2025 Tour Divide Breakdown

After we published our Rigs of the Tour Divide, I dug into all 116 submissions, plugging the need-to-know info into a spreadsheet to get a clearer picture of the bikes and gear used in this year’s event. In this video, I break down the data and highlight some interesting stats—including where folks are from, what bikes, tires, drivetrains, gearing, and cargo setups they’re running, and a whole lot more.

4. 2025 Gear of the Year

After a long year of testing gear, some we loved, some we’ve already forgotten, the team here at BIKEPACKING.com shared our picks for the best gear that was either new this year or simply new to us. In this video, I dug into the gear tested that made the cut, highlighting each award by category. Find the full 2025 Gear of the Year Awards here.

5. Clik Valve Review

The new Clik Valves are another attempt to replace the Presta standard, but unlike other options, the Clik Valve was designed from the pump head down to the valve core. This video covers all the details, including how it works, compatibility, and the realistic chance it has to replace the Presta.

6. Surly Straggler Review

Surly’s cult-classic, drop-bar, do-everything bike got a thoughtful refresh this year. I put the 2025 Straggler through all types of day rides, light touring, and chunky gravel to see if the updates—new axle setup, revised sizing, and fork options—modernize it without losing that Surly weird-in-a-good-way charm. This review covers what works, what doesn’t, and all the nitty gritty details.

7. Surly Bridge Club Review

There’s not much that screams reliability more than long-term testing, especially when a bike becomes your daily driver. That’s exactly what happened over the last 20 months with the Surly Bridge Club. This video covers why it just might be my favorite bike, along with a closer look at its features, how it rides, and more. Find the full review here.

8. How I Pack My New Hardtail

After many requests for gear lists, I kicked off the year with a few, including this hardtail packing list. Following a week on the Fool’s Loop with my new custom bike, this video gathered thoughts on how I packed it.

9. 13 Small Game-changing Gear Choices

Not every piece of gear has to be expensive or overbuilt to make life at camp easier. In this video, I shared a handful of small, functional, and affordable ultralight items that have earned a spot in my kit. From cooking to sleeping to staying clean, these little things just work.

10. Tailfin Aeropack Cargo Review

I took a close look at the new AeroPack Cargo Bag, an alternative to the original AeroPack system that launched back in 2018. After years of refining their full range of bags, Tailfin has finally introduced a new option for those looking for a different take on their rear rack system. Find all the details, including how it differs from the original, standout features, how to swap between bags, and more.

11. What’s With The Bivy?

Two of my riding companions were using ultra-minimal sleep setups on a bikepacking trip to Arizona, and in this video, I asked Joe and Willie to share their bivy setups and the reasoning behind their choices.

12. Justin McKinley’s Tour Divide Setup

In this one, I caught up with Justin McKinley in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado, to chat about the Tour Divide as a whole, its challenges, the preparation for his third race attempt, his new bike and gear choices, and much more.

My Personal favorite

Finally, my personal favorite video of the year. Over the last decade, I’ve learned a thing or two about bikepacking and the frustrations that come with it. While most of you are familiar with those challenges, others might not be. Here are a few common frustrations, some context on why they happen, and how to prepare for and overcome them.