eSkatepacking Setup, Gear, Suggestions and Advice

tech.shit · May 11, 2025, 1:25am

Primer: e-Skatepacking is more doable than ever and is cool AF

With more dense batteries and more efficient drivetrains than ever before, and with the prevalence of ebikes/escooters and therein charging spots, it’s very feasible to skate, charge, skate, camp, and keep skating to cover some great distance and get to some remote areas.

I’m getting a skatepacking Setup together, I’ve been testing the gear out for little overnighter a but I’m planning to do a week long skatepacking trip up to Pender for the Attack of Danger Bay event. I won’t be able to get new stuff by then but any upgrades to the kit will be ordered as soon as I get back.

The Board:

The Humility, an 18s2p shitbox with great electronics and drivetrain on a crappy mountainboard.

The Backpack:

Deuter Transit 40 w/o extra bag or sling strap.

The Sleep System:

Tent: NightCat Hammock Tent with mesh, Forest Camo

Pad: Woods closed cell thermal pad with reflective coating, cut off 2 sections so I can use that as a small sit pad or add it to my sleeping setup

Sleeping Bag: TREK 5°C summer square bag, vacuum packed into a dry bag that can double as a water bag

Pillow: stuff sack with clothing in it

The Cook System:

Container: Aluminum 750ml Pot+Lid

Stove: DIY paraffin tuna can stove + isopropyl alcohol

(Been testing this one, going to make a new one for the trip)

Water Filter: Platypus QuickDraw (probably will be unnecessary)

The eSk8 Tools:

Charger: ~2A 75.6V charger I got with my battery.

Wera 1/4 Mini Ratchet

Wera 3mm 1/4 Driver Bit

Wera 1/4 square to hex adapter

Wera 8mm 1/4 Socket

Unknown Taiwanese 14mm 1/4 Socket

The Spare eSk8 Parts:

1x Inner Tube
1x 06B Master Link
E-tape
String
Extra Battery

I have more stuff I could pack, different tools, bits or wrenches, extra master links. Please chime in of you’re doing or have done the same kinda stuff. Looking for suggestions, tips, tricks, advice and other skatepackers.

Paging @SirVesa and @MikeInTheWoods if anyone knows what his username on here is

CarelessAquarist · May 11, 2025, 4:44pm

This is really interesting, I wonder if the occasional backpacker will overlap hobbies annd get into electric mountainboarding.

I use 2 lipo chargers and 2 server power supplies to charge 16s8p @ 1.3kw (kinda like a stooge or something) for a few reasons. The byproduct is I can charge usb things or theoretically charge from a 12v battery and power any 1-35v appliance up to 42 amps. You get all sorts of 12 or 24v stuff but I know lots of it might be too big to be worth carrying.

Not sure if it’s helpful to know about these versatile little things (ToolkitRC M8P and similar) or not I mostly have it for soldering at friend’s and family’s houses but I thought it’s worth saying.

fessyfoo · May 11, 2025, 6:33pm

I love this little guy so much I have also given it as gift.

I ahve the M6Ds super useful little chargers.

also the toolkit rc MC8. 8s voltage checker, servo&ppm monitor/output, phone charger is nice too.

fessyfoo · May 11, 2025, 6:34pm

I learend the hard way why thermal pads exist. went out naive camping in what turned into 32f/0c weather. … you could feel what it was like to be connected to a heat sink. (the ground)

DougM · May 11, 2025, 9:19pm

There’s the old trope about organic sports vs. orgasmic sports:

cross country vs. downhill skiing
sea kayaking vs. whitewater
and now hiking vs. mountain boarding.

There is no doubt that if I ever go camping I’ll take a mountainboard with me. I take a board on every car trip already. I routinely do trips with friends where I take a board and they either bike or hike. It works out really well.

Dnollie · May 11, 2025, 10:46pm

What is the charging sitch in trips like that? Just really big batteries? Or multiple to switch out?

tech.shit · May 12, 2025, 4:43am

2 battery packs, hit every charging spot, get huge anxiety about battery level… Etc.

tech.shit · May 15, 2025, 12:42am

In Pender Harbour, right by the Marina.

tech.shit · May 16, 2025, 11:44pm

So far I’ve noticed some issues with my packing.

The thermal pad needs a cover of some kind. I’m thinking some Typar or old ripped tarp. Just something to keep the mud off.

Speaking of mud, mudguards would do some serious work here.

Definitely should have brought a second pair of socks. Rain pants wouldn’t be a bad idea either as long as they’re light.

I’ve noticed the bag I’m using is a lot bigger than I need it to be, but it’s already really heavy with that spare battery. A smaller bag with chest pockets to move some weight to my front would be a lot better. And being able to grab my tools/charger/usb cable or snacks while my bag is still on would be a huge bonus.

Looking at a real stove. Single use DIY stoves are great once, then they suck.
Looking at the BRS-3000T canister stove with a 100g gas can and a FireMaple FMC-XK6 as a reliable and efficient cook system, assuming the tiny china stove works. I’ve heard it’s either great or just doesn’t fire. If it fails me I’ll just get another MSR Pocket Rocket 2, best stove I’ve ever used.

Burned a lot of tire off these QIND 200x50 scooter nylons. I definitely want real reinforced rubber tires with a square profile for future trips. Gonna be looking into those fo sho

Rear binding keeps popping open whenever I do a jump turn as well, I definitely need ratcheting bindings.

Egtscs · May 21, 2025, 1:09am

I’m not entirely sure you can call what I do “eskatepacking” since all I’ve ever done are day trips but I do enjoy a long day trip, here’s my setup:

Board:

Boardy McBoardface 12s7p p42a which generally gets me about 25-35 miles. (I need to upgrade my 20a BMS if I want to get the most out of my charger)

Backpack:

I don’t know what it’s called but it looks like this:

Charge stop setup:

I’ve got this insulated lunchbox with enough space for a decent meal:

I’ve got my Camp chair which folds up pretty small and can be clipped to my bag with a carabineer

My charger is a ningning EUC charger, which I believe is based off a Huawei 4850 power supply, it’s kinda big but it can do >2kW which is much more than I need, and has a voltage range that can charge anything from 10-32s.

Also it can take 220v which means I can use EV chargers with this

Repair kit:

Bag looks like this, can be mounted on my battery enclosure

I’ll switch between my 37Wh and my 74Wh portable chargers depending on need.
And I have this if it gets dark:

What about @Pecos and @MichaelWA
Y’all do long rides, what are you packing?

mulletboardermobbin · May 21, 2025, 1:24am

I haven’t gone on a esk8 trip just yet but ive had it stuck in the back of my head.

Many many nights out in the wildy tho, so I can offer some support there.

If you’re worried about weight I would get rid of the hammock and get a lightweight tarp.

Disclaimer, im a taller person 6 foot 2 inch (~188cm) so ive always been a tent hater, too small and cramped for anything made for backpacking imo

I carried a heavy blue 10x14 poly tarp for a long time and it always did me well, but for my personal tarp I went for a smaller 10x10 nylon tarp(which is still huge shelter wise for 1 person) it allows me to be able to keep everything underneath on the bad weather days.

10x10 is about 12oz, waterproof and havent gotten any holes yet.

Last big trip we got almost 2 ft of snow but tarp held up great, even after getting walked all over with crampons lol.

If bugs are a main concern just look at a cheap bug net liner. They are unnoticeable in the weight department and do what they need to.

For a groundsheet I carry a tyvek sheet 7’x4’ and its big for what it seems. But worth the $30 or whatever you can get them for

Stove honestly is great, a little heavy but reliable asf. I carry a white gas fuel stove still to this day, worth the weight in gold, although I would imagine it being a little hard to get it dialed in heat wise without a regulator like I have on mine.

Reach out of you want some pointers on the camping stuff, I lived out of a backpack for a decent amount of time, and im going to be doing so later in the year.

tech.shit · May 21, 2025, 1:59am

Not sure what that is but kerosine is the gold standard these days afaik.

SternWake · May 21, 2025, 2:09am

White gas is USA speak for Naptha.

In my order MSR multifuel stove, Naptha/white gas was by far the most preferable, kero and diesel messy, stinky and finicky.

tech.shit · May 21, 2025, 2:11am

Ahh yeah I’ve looked at those Multi fuel stoves. My dad had a setup from MSR when I was a kid, I think it was called the dragonfly or something. He used to have to pump up his fuel, then heat up his stove before he could light it.

I much prefer the simplicity and reliability of canister stoves. And they’re about 1/2 the price and like 1/5 the weight (not including fuel)

SternWake · May 21, 2025, 2:27am

I travelled extensively with the pump up MSR multifuel stove.

It still works reliably, even with ancient white gas, but there is a technique involved, that might confound those who grew up with a smartphone in their paw, and achieving a slow simmer heat was and is all about bottle pressure, rather than dial precision.

I once had no other option but to use gasoline. Leaded at that. Better than not cooking though.

I’ve No experience with canister camp stoves. I think I scoffed at the price of disposability.

tech.shit · May 21, 2025, 2:47am

It’s really not that bad with one of these and refilling from a 450g can every trip

And in skatepacking, the weight cost is far bigger of a concern.
More weight = less range

MichaelWA · May 21, 2025, 3:01am

Pretty much the same as what you listed. But I have yet to do long rides on esk8 again. But on EUC I don’t rl have to carry tools or extra parts aside from an allen set, but somehow my backpack was still like 25-30lbs.

Pecos · May 21, 2025, 3:39am

For a 4 hour run (40- 60 miles) ive got my trusty clapped out crome messenger bag. It’s just really convenient to dig through without taking it off. Nice man purse vibes and im into it. I have 25L backpack for when i need to carry more but i try not to. Messes with my flow to have too much to have too much in my pack

Always bring:

tool kit with good pliers, Alan keys - axle nut bit - tape - electrical and or fuzzy tessa - extra tube - mini air pump - often the leatherman but honestly it doesn’t get a lot of use and will probably swap it with just a knife soon. Lenses wipe - cheap clear and sunglasses - two flash lights and extra batteries, too many and gonna slim it down as my newest light runs off my spare 21700 cells and has a massive run time - 16oz water bottle and a second empty one i often decant bottles or cans into. Little bike bell that i can wear like a ring - ding ding freaks out bikes and peds less and generally gets me some smiles when they see im not a bike

Often bring: 12v buc that plugs into my charge port and runs a usbc fast charger board and a split cable to charge usbc or iphone or micro usb devices from the board battery. Good bike flasher light and a cheap little one. Always a cardo but it’s a glorified Bluetooth - wish i had just gotten a nice Bluetooth for the money saving - discord makes a great coms alternative in good coverage areas. Lighter, sunscreen stick

longer or all day/night rides: guli fast charger, cords, ev adapter, snacks, bigger bag, fast charger wall wart(100-240v capability), additional shortie usbc charger cables, extra layer depending on season, balaclava, something nice to drink or an edible or two. Ultralight chair

Carve: more charge adapters and a couple more tools than just the ones for my board. Need to get another ss s beaner - used my last one up breaking off a chunk to make a motor shaft key on the side of the road.

BenjaminF · May 21, 2025, 9:55am

I think yall are missing out on one of the main aspects of bikepacking: using the wheeled vehicle to your advantage. You have a huge opportunity to get weight off your back and onto your esk8. If I were doing this, I’d be strapping as much of my crap to my board as I possibly can.

That spare battery? Strapped to the board. Charger? Strapped to the board. Tool kit? Strapped to the board. Sleeping mat? Strapped to the board. If it’s dense and heavy, it’s going on the board. If it’s light but bulky, it’s going on the board.

The less shit you’re physically carrying the better your mobility will be, and the less fatigue you’ll have at the end of a long ride. There’s nothing that will ruin your ride quite like blundering through a bunch of forest trails with a heavy bulky pack on your back. A good test: if you cant easily step off your board and run out from at least 5mph over uneven terrain with your backpack fully loaded, then you’re setting yourself up to eat shit when your board gets hung up on a root.

glyphiks · May 21, 2025, 10:34am

I’ve always dreamed of cross-country esk8ing and the dream has always involved an elaborate trailer setup.