>>1982445>Newbie here. What's the difference between touring and bikepacking anyway?Nothing. The cycling industry just likes to pretend it's invented stuff again so that consumers can feel like pioneers.
There's kind of a distinction with the gear.
A traditional touring setup uses racks, panniers and 30-40mm tires.
Typically a bikepacking setup uses bags that strap directly on the bike, and 50-60mm tires.
Bikepacking gear is lighter, more aerodynamic, more secure, and the bike should be more capable offroad.
On the other hand you have way less gear capacity and packing it is more annoying.
So bikepacking is more suited to doing serious efforts and going fast, and touring is more suited to long term travel.
There are a number more things you might roughly throw into either category but in reality the crossover is enormous and most people's setups and days riding crossover between the two.
