Camping Gear and Outdoor Equipment
One of our GoRUFFLY motos is “Take only what you need to thrive!” Sounds good but what does that mean?
We balance the size and weight of our gear with the real-world utility and pleasure that it gives us.
For example, you want to get the smallest, lightest sleeping pad possible but don’t go smaller at the expense of a good night’s sleep. If you’re miserable camping, you’ll do it less, you won’t ride safely, and you’ll seek out a motel at every opportunity.
Click on the name or ▼ below to for some information and our feedback about the gear we use.
CAMPING GEAR
Three-season equipment is sufficient for most nights of motorcycle camping. So we don’t want to carry the weight for extreme weather gear that we will rarely or never use, such as a four-season tent or 0º sleeping bag.
But here’s a trick we use: we have a 12ft waterproof tarp that we place over the tent as an extra rainfly. This additional layer adds vital insulation on extremely cold nights.
Jess is an avid campsite gourmet, which means we get enormous value from a complete cooking set like the GSI Pinnacle. Also, the MSR Dragonfly stove is our choice because it uses a variety of fuels, including gasoline. This means our cooking fuel is emergency fuel for the bikes and our bikes provide extra fuel for the stove in a pinch.
Lastly, while a collapsible table might seem frivolous. The Table One is a major reason we can be comfortable and happy wild camping instead of going to improved campgrounds.
Kelty Far Out 3
The Kelty Far Out 3 Tent is lightweight and easy to pitch with a two-vestibule design.
We had the last three versions of the Far Out Tent so, yeah, we’re big fans of this ‘everything you need and nothing you don’t’ backpacking tent. –Greg
Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20
The Cosmic Ultra is the ultimate in a lightweight, 3-season, mummy sleeping bag.
It stuffs down great, pluffs up huge and keeps my whole body warm right down to the tiptoes. –Jess
Kelty Cosmic SI Sleeping Pad
The Cosmic Sleeping Pad is a mummy-shaped sleeping pad that puts air and cushion between you and the ground.
We don’t use those ultralight air pads because we don’t want the crinkling noise and waterbed-like nausia – and we don’t want Moxie to put a claw through it. The Comic is more durable, more comfortable, and rolls down small. –Jess
MSR Dragonfly Stove
The MSR Dragonfly Stove uses a variety of fuels and provides precision flame control and a stable platform for large pots and pans.
A multi-fuel stove is essential for international travel because isobutane or propane can be hard to find. We use normal gasoline with our Dragonfly. It burns loud but strong and clean. It also means the fuel cannister provides backup gas for the bikes in a pinch. –Jess
Helinox Table One
The Helinox Table One provides superior stability and support while remaining exceptionally light and packable.
It’s an unnecessary luxury if you use improved campgrounds. But if you prefer wild camping like we do, it makes wild camp cooking so much easier and more enjoyable. –Jess
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper
The GSI Ourdoors Pinnacle Camper is a fully loaded four-person campsite cooking and eating set.
I started with this incredible set, stripped it down to only what I need for Greg and me, and now I have the perfect set for gourmet wild camp cooking. Also, the Teflon non-stick coating is incredible and hugely reduces how much water it takes to wash the cookware. –Jess
REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair
The REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair is a strong, highly packable camp chair.
ISuper comfortable and it has a backrest. I can sit by the fire all evening at the wild campsite, enjoy a cigar, a drink, and the stars in total comfort. –Greg
Tilley Mashup Airflo Hat
The TMH55 Mashup Airflo Hat is an eco-friendly hat that incorporates leftover yarns and sustainable materials.
Best. Hat. Ever. Super comfortable and it flattens down so it takes up almost no luggage space. –Greg
HYDRATION
Hydration gear is essential for traveling on remote roads and wild camping. There’s no better large storage water bag for travel and camping than Giant Loop’s brand new Cactus Canteen. We fill it will tap water or river water and then use the Steripen to purify the water for drinking.
The HydraPak soft bottles are incredibly convenient for travel because they collapse down as the water gets used up. They are also make a great travel dispenser for other liquids like sunscreen and cooking oil, and powders like coffee creamer and pancake mix.
We have searched long and far for the perfect travel espresso maker and we think we’ve finally found it in the Outin. It actually heats the water for you, which means we have can a piping hot latte anytime, anywhere without taking out your cooking stove.
Giant Loop Cactus Canteen
The Giant Loop Cactus Canteen is the best durable and collapsible water storage bag, available in 1 and 2 gallon sizes.
It’s super durable and easy to strap to the motorcycle. I also love that the pour spout is built in and easily accessible at all times! –Greg
Outin Mini Electric Espresso Maker
We Outin-presso every morning whether at a wild campsite, hotel, or AirBnB. It has saved loads of $$$ by keeping us out of expensive cafes and it lets us taste different beans and roasts everywhere we travel! –Greg
HydraPak Stow 1 L
The Flux+ 1.5L features an integrated filter that removes bacteria and protozoa from approximately 1,500 liters of water at a rate of >1L per minute.
We collect water from streams and rivers, filter it through the Flux+ for daily drinking and to fill our large 8L water storage! –Greg
HydraPak Stow 1 L
I hate buying plastic bottles and I can’t stand the luggage space you lose when the bottle is only half full. Problem solved! –Greg
HydraPak Stow 500 mL
In addition to water storage, we use it as a collapsible shaker. We just removed the spill-proof insert and fill it with Moxie’s hip supplement powder to shake on her food. –Greg
HydraPak SoftFlask 250 mL
It’s great for water but we discovered that you can fill it with any liquid and press the bite valve to dispense. So we filled it with olive oil for cooking and it works perfectly! –Greg
RUFFLY My Pup Goes Camping Mug
Generic is boring. My mug has a ‘Where’s Waldo’ jungle story scene of Queen Moxie lording it over all the beasties we have encountered at home and throughout our travels. –Greg
GoRUFFLY Around the World Camping Mug
It supports the around-the-world adventure and our Girl Up fundraiser! –Jess
Katadyn Steripen Ultra UV Water Purifier
It won’t filter our floating debris but it’s a super light, simple, and convenient way to purify tap water or river water for drinking. –Greg
TRACKING
We use the GSatMicro to track our route in realtime and the GSatTrack application to share it live. Both the app and the device are used for complex asset tracking, which means we keep the folks at GSE entertained but not overworked!
The Spot X sends satellite-based text messages so that we can communicate or send an S.O.S. even when beyond cell coverage.
The Tractive Dog GPS provides peace-of-mind in case Moxie decides to wander off. Better even than that, we check the active tracker every day to make sure she gets plenty of exercise on travel and work days.
GSE GSatTrack
GSatTrack is a web-based satellite and GSM tracking solution that manages the positions of every device in one location and through a unified, user-friendly interface.
The GSatTrack platform lets us track our route and share our location in real time. When you visit the interactive map on the GoRUFFLY Around the World page, that’s powered by GSatTrack. –Greg
GSE GSatMicro
The GSatMicro is a powerful GPS tracker that includes an accelerometer, onboard sensors and processor, waterproof exterior, and connects to your phone by Bluetooth. At barely the size of a golf ball, it’s even more powerful than it is tiny.
This incredible GSatMicro GPS tracker rests in my tank bag and charges by USB as we ride. It allows us to share our location so you can follow where the adventure is happening in real time! –Jess
Spot X
The Spot X is a compact GPS tracker that provides 2-way satellite messaging to communicate with friends and family, or with Search & Rescue services in a life-threatening situation.
Most wilderness and motorcycle travelers know that the Spot is a must for extreme adventures. The Spot X takes GPS tracking to another level by allowing us to communicate with friends and family even when far from cell coverage. And it lets us alert S&R if there’s a problem, although that’s one critical feature I hope we never use! –Greg
LIFESTYLE
Take only what you need to thrive – that’s what these minimalist essentials are all about. Just the basics so that we can get around town, run errands, and enjoy the experience of travel.
RUFFLY Stow and Go Tote Bag
I leave Greg and Moxie with the bikes, I take my Stow and Go into the grocery and shop for the food we need for the campsite or for the work days when we’re off the motorcycles. –Jess
RUFFLY Woven Change Purse
Only and exactly what I need – cash, cards, license, and a spare sim card. –Jess
RUFFLY Woven Crossbody Bag
The Woven Crossbody Bag is for going far and light, whether hoofing around town, through thunderstorms, or across continents.
It has a water-resistant inner liner and a rolltop closure to keep moisture out. Yes – absolutely yes – that has come in handy on many rainy occasions! –Jess
RUFFLY Knotted Wristband
It took us a lot of work to innovate the inner elastic so it fits perfectly and there’s no snap, latch, or hook. I’m super proud of this gorgeous accessory. –Jess
RUFFLY Knotted Keychain
It’s soft in my hand, doesn’t scratch my motorcycle paint, and matches Moxie’s collar! –Jess
Quad Lock Sports Armband
The Quad Lock Sports Armband makes it easy to take your smartphone on a run without worrying it will fall off.
It’s the first and only armband that doesn’t suck. There’s no film over the screen and I can mount and remove my phone easily to change tunes and check distances as Moxie and I take our morning run. –Greg