Best bikepacking pedals: the perfect options for long days on a loaded bike

Look bikepacking pedals
(Image credit: Look)

The best bikepacking pedals play an integral part in your loaded bike setup - probably more than you'd think. 

A loaded bike on rugged terrain tends to mean lots of on- and off-the-bike moments - that's just the nature of bikepacking. It is also more prone to hitting the deck without much provocation, and being able to put a foot down to avoid a fall or crash is crucial. 

In many ways, choosing the right bikepacking pedals for you is much the same as choosing the best mountain bike pedals. You need something that works with your shoe choices, whether that's going clipless or flat. Perhaps your bikepacking involves long days on gravel roads, and you need something more akin to a road shoe. Will you choose a pedal that lets you bring only one pair of shoes - or will you be bringing camp shoes? It all comes down to what bikepacking means to you.

Whatever you need in a pedal there are plenty of options out there. Your style of riding might require a supportive platform and a double-sided clipless system, or it might be the best MTB flat pedal that lets you dismount easily and start pushing the bike. 

We've rounded up our best suggestions for whatever problem you need to solve. Keep reading for our recommendations or jump down for ideas of what to look for when shopping.

Best bikepacking pedals

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Garmin Rally XC200

(Image credit: Garmin)

Garmin Rally XC200

Riding with power isn’t just for going fast

Specifications

Weight: 444g
Colors: Black
Cleat: SPD

Reasons to buy

+
Super detailed pedaling analysis
+
Adjustable release tension

Reasons to avoid

-
 High stack height 

Most of the time when people think about riding with power, it's often relegated to those who compete or race. There's no doubting that if you want to be a fast rider there's no better upgrade than opting for one of the best MTB power meters - but power can also help with pacing, not just performance. 

Bikepacking isn't about all-out speed and pacing is vitally important. Adding a power meter to your bike can help you arrive at your destination feeling less drained. 

When it comes to deciding how to add power, the Garmin Rally system is one of the most flexible options. Start with the single-sided option then upgrade to double later. Plus, if you want to use it for road cycling it's easy to convert to a three-bolt road cleat system. 

Look X-Track Pedal

(Image credit: Look)

Look X-Track

An all-round off-road pedal with a great balance of platform size to weight

Specifications

Weight: 400g
Color: Black, red
Cleat: SPD

Reasons to buy

+
Two colors available
+
Adjustable release tension
+
Inexpensive

Reasons to avoid

-
 No pedal wrench grip 

Bikepacking likely involves long days in the saddle. You are going to want plenty of support for your foot even for clipless pedal designs. On the other hand, not everyone wants a super-specific pedal just for bikepacking. The Look X-Track pedals fall into this space perfectly. 

If you've used a Shimano SPD pedal then the retention mechanism of the X-Track is exactly the same. What's different is the design around that mechanism. A wider platform makes for a more comfortable all-day design and the X-Track offers extra width. At the same time, it's still small enough to avoid rock strikes no matter how rowdy you want to get. This is a pedal that will serve you well on any off-road ride.

Shimano M9120

(Image credit: Shimano)

Shimano XTR PD-M9120

A large platform that’s wide open for easier mud-shedding

Specifications

Weight: 398g
Colors: Black
Cleat: SPD

Reasons to buy

+
Available multi-release cleats
+
Adjustable release tension
+
Excellent mud-shedding
+
Low maintenance

Reasons to avoid

-
 No pins in the platform 

Pins or no pins; that is the question, especially on a clipless setup. Depending on the shoe-to-cleat interface, it could be a help or a hindrance. If you feel like you want a nice wide platform without pins then Shimano has an excellent option with the M9120 pedal. 

The wide-open nature of the platform means better performance in the mud. There's support for your foot over a long day of riding and plenty of room to stomp down when you just need to get moving before clipping in. No pins might make for a slippery platform but it also means there's nothing to interfere with float or clipping in and out. 

Understandably XTR may be beyond some riders' budgets, however, Shimano offers all its SPD pedal levels with an extended pedal body version.

Crank Brothers Mallet E Limited Edition Oil Slick

(Image credit: Crankbrothers)

Crankbrothers Mallet E Limited Edition Oil Slick

A gorgeous bit of bling with an alternative to the Shimano cleat system and a wide q-factor

Specifications

Weight: 424g
Colors: Black/silver, black/blue, oil slick
Cleat: Eggbeater

Reasons to buy

+
Tons of tunability between cleats and traction pads 
+
Excellent mud-shedding

Reasons to avoid

-
 Traction pads are plastic 

The Crankbrothers eggbeater is a system with a well-earned reputation for mud-shedding and ease of entry, thanks to its minimal design. The Mallet range of pedals takes that same design and adds a wide platform around it. 

The Mallet E has adjustable pins and replaceable plastic traction pads, a combination that allows you to perfectly tune the connection between your shoe and the pedal. Add to that four different cleat options for changing release angle and float, then on top of everything you can choose the LS (long spindle) or non-LS version to adjust stance width. Whatever your preference, there's an option to suit it. 

Shimano PD-EH500

(Image credit: Shimano)

Shimano PD-EH500

Ride all day clipped in then switch shoes at camp and head out unclipped

Specifications

Weight: 383g
Colors: Black
Cleat: SPD

Reasons to buy

+
Adjustable pins
+
Low-maintenance
+
Light Action SPD makes clipping in easier

Reasons to avoid

-
Pins screw in from above and could get stuck
-
Powerful riders will want a more secure clip-in mechanism

The Shimano PD-EH500 is a pedal with two personalities that lets you clip in on one side and ride with flat shoes on the other. 

During the day stay clipped in while you cover the long miles, then at night, you can change into your comfortable camp shoes and pedal just as well. They also use Shimano's Light Action SPD step-in for an easier clip-in action, perfect for riders who aren't as confident using clipless systems. 

Traction pins on the flat side provide a more assured grip with your shoe when you aren't clipped in, and if you find the pins unnecessary, unscrewing them will make it comfortable enough to even wear flip-flops. 

Crankbrothers double shot 3

(Image credit: Crankbrothers)

Crankbrothers Double Shot 3

The same adjustability and mud-shedding of the Mallet without needing to clip in

Specifications

Weight: 403g
Color: Black, red
Cleat: Eggbeater

Reasons to buy

+
Adjustable pins
+
Two available colors

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacking the swappable traction pads of the Mallet

For those who are using an eggbeater pedal with other bikes, the last thing you want is having to swap to a different cleat for your bikepacking setup. If you like the idea of easily switching to a camp shoe after a long day of riding but you want to stick with the eggbeater design, the Double Shot 3 is for you. 

It features the same 57mm wide q-factor as the Mallet E LS and the Double Shot 3 adds adjustable pins on the flat side compared to the Double Shot 2. You also get more platform support on the clipless side compared to the double-sided Shimano EH500. 

Look Trail Grip

(Image credit: Look)

Look Trail Grip

Style and grip in a unique take on the flat pedal from a leader in the industry

Specifications

Weight: 530g
Colors: Flat out red, neon lime pop, black stealth, crazy camo mix
Cleat: None

Reasons to buy

+
Customizable for style and tread
+
Lots of traction
+
Switch covers to take your bike from bikepacking to city setup

Reasons to avoid

-
Plastic body could become damaged from pedal strikes 

Not everyone needs aggressive pins; they may offer grip but they can also shred shoes (and shins) over time. Look is an innovative brand when it comes to pedals, responsible for introducing the first clipless system back in 1984, and the Trail Grip pedals are as innovative as the Vibram lug tread they employ. 

The Vibram company created the first rubber-lugged soles and it's built a reputation on traction, so it only seems natural for Look and Vibram to work together on a pedal design. The Trail Grip version of the Look flat pedals features a composite stud and rubber lug tread in the Vibram-designed cover. If you want to swap to a less aggressive cover it's an easy change, and they even come in different colors.  

Fyxation Mesa MP Subzero

(Image credit: Fyxation)

Fyxation Mesa MP Subzero

If you have to subject yourself to winter bikepacking, at least grab the right tool for the job

Specifications

Weight: 355g
Colors: Black/black, black/blue, black/orange, grey/black
Cleat: None

Reasons to buy

+
Pedal wrench or hex wrench installation
+
Chamfered front of pedal to help with pedal strike 
+
Pins screw in from opposite side adding protection

Reasons to avoid

-
 No grip if you remove the pins 

If your style of bikepacking is filled with short days underscored by rain and snow, Fyxation has your back. The design goes back to the standard Mesa MP which is a thin, 14 mm platform pedal with a nylon body and sealed bearings. 

For the Subzero edition, Fyxation takes the replaceable pins and swaps them for a stainless version. It's already a great design but a small change means there's no need to worry about rusty pedal pieces. Fyxation does sell the pins if you want to use them on other pedals, but the Mesa MP is a well-designed, comfortable, and affordable flat pedal that's well worth grabbing. 

What to look for when shopping for bikepacking pedals

1. Why are clipless pedals called clipless?

If you are new to pedals you might be very confused by the names. Pedals started out flat, a simple platform that the rider pushes down on to propel the bike forward. The next bit of technology in the progression was toe clips that used straps to hold the foot in place. For many years that was the best way to optimize power transfer for racing. Then in 1984 Look introduced a new system that drew on experience from ski bindings and it no longer required a toe clip, hence the 'clipless' moniker. 

2. Clipless vs flat pedals

Now that you have an understanding of the technology we can dive deeper. In today's marketplace, there are two basic design styles. Clipless pedals require clipping into the pedal and they form a solid connection between the foot and the pedal. Flat pedals do not have a way to attach the foot to the pedal and they work because of friction between the pedal and the shoe, usually aided with metal pins in the pedal body. 

The question of which to choose is age-old. There are significant forces on either side and which system to choose is somewhat up in the air. Traditionally the idea is that a more rounded pedal stroke recruits leg muscles for both the downstroke and the upstroke. Therefore more power in more phases of the pedal stroke creates efficiency.

There are other benefits to having your foot attached to the pedals though. Even if you aren't creating more power on the upstroke the connection makes for the same connection to the pedal all the time. You can also use the cleat location to promote better bike balance

Alternatively, there are advantages to flat pedals. Without special shoes needed you can choose the shoe that's right for your needs without worrying about attaching a cleat. If you need to put a foot down to balance or save yourself from falling, it's easy to do. Bikepacking can also involve a hike-a-bike or walking element as well, an area where flat-soled shoes often excel. 

There's also another option. Dual-sided pedals allow for clipping in on one side and riding a flat pedal on the other side. It can be the best of both worlds if you don't mind checking which side the pedal is on (and once you're used to it, it doesn't actually require much checking). 

There's no need to solve the equation and declare one solution the winner. What's important to understand is that it's less clear than some may think and the choice of footwear is dictated far more by the terrain and rider's preference. If you like flat pedals, go ahead and use them. If you'd rather use clipless pedals, that's a great option as well. 

3. Don’t forget the shoes

Choose flat, clipless, or a combination pedal without worrying about anything more than what you like. Whatever you choose though, understand that it's impossible to talk about the pedal without considering the shoe. Clipless pedals require a compatible shoe. Flat pedals let you choose any shoe you want but they still rely on the shoe to work. A flat pedal with an overly flexible sole makes for a sore foot. A flat pedal without a grippy sole might make for a lot of slipping. There are tons of options for whatever you need and we have guides to help you choose. Consider the shoes and pedals as a system that will work best together. Check out our guides below for more information about finding the best shoes.

Josh Ross

Josh Ross is our American tech writer. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest of the United States he lives cycling and the culture that accompanies it. Josh is most happy when talking about the finer details of how bicycle parts and components work, and enjoys putting his thoughts to words for Bike Perfect. He is a road cyclist at heart but can often be found taking the gravel road less travelled. Although he rarely races these days, he still enjoys a good Zwift session and race but will always choose the real world over pixels when given the choice.
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 137 lb.
Rides: Look 795 Blade RS, Cannondale Topstone Lefty, Cannondale CAAD9, Priority Continuum Onyx