/Gear

 

Gear to Consider

 

Getting Gear There

AerialKnotics helps our team reduce or avoid airline luggage fees and round trip shipping.

  • If you’re flying, AerialKnotics has a ‘rent to own’ program for gear that’s impractical for airline luggage.  Large items on this list can be rented for 1/3 cost each year.  Rent it 3 sequential years with AerialKnotics and you own it, yours to reuse or sell.  We obviously aren’t doing this to make money… just another way we help each other.  
  • If you’re driving and bring large items from this list and are planning sequential years, we might be able to store some of your gear in the Freightliner.  The only bikes we can store are Priority Coast or equivalent.  Most  beach cruisers are too heavy to hang from the truck’s ceiling.
  • We might be able to help with drop shipping.  Plan ahead, send Amazon items to Seattle and we will bring it to Nevada.

 

1-Speed Beach Cruiser with 66lb/30kg Fender Tube Amp

Burner Bike

Don’t bring a fancy-ass mountain bike… playa dust gums up complicated gears & cables and will destroy a bike chain.  The best playa bike is a simple one-speed with coaster brake, comfortable seat, 26″x2.25″ tires that are the correct width for playa dust and small dunes – a beach cruiser.  

This is a personal preference, but consider a Step-Through frame regardless of gender.  You’ll be stepping on and off your bike very frequently and a Diamond frame is a bit less convenient.  

The most common Beach Cruiser is the Huffy Cranbrook – a disposable bike guaranteed to rust and fall apart.  We don’t recommend it.

An excellent choice is the Coast Beach Cruiser by Priority Bicycles.  No chain to rust or jam, these are belt drive with sealed wheel bearings for reduced maintenance, aluminum frame and stainless-steel components.  Consider a light-colored seat (or seat cover) in blazing sun.  Buy it through Costco and save $50.  

A rear rack is very useful – bungee your water pack to it.  Priority Bike has a $50 optional rear rack that’s guaranteed to fit (silver matches Priority Coast trim).  Also consider a pair of fold-out side baskets for your rear rack – for hauling ice from Arctica every couple days.  We recommend the Wald 582 in silver, sold individually – you’ll want a pair.

Remove your bike’s fenders before leaving home – they are worthless on playa and just get in the way.  If the playa has any water on it, playa mud quickly fills the fenders and then you’re seriously stuck.  Without fenders you can kick all the mud off the tires.

Electric bikes are becoming popular but we think they’re a bad idea – more parts to break and the playa has a 5mph limit.  We suggest putting energy into decorating a simple beach cruiser.  Speaking of which, it’s essential to light your bike like crazy.  Outlining the frame and wheels with color LEDs is more fun than a boring headlight, and helps identify your bike when you’re trying to find it among an ocean of other bikes at night. 

Wheel Lights by Activ Life are good quality and essential for nighttime visibility.  Brightz CruisinBrightz Disco Lights throw colors all over the playa in front while you ride.  Search Amazon and you’ll find a ton of options to light-up a bike frame.  Some burners add fur and other stuff which can be fun – just make sure it’s not something that will fall off and create debris.  

Some have found wearing a headlamp on their forehead works great at night.  Some do not.

We have had good results with the Master Lock 8370D 4 digit 5 foot “set your own combination” cable lock.  For additional convenience but less security, the RockBros 1.83 foot lock will lock just the back tire.  Never park a bike without locking it, and pick a landmark.  If you’re riding with someone, locking your bikes together is the worry-free solution.

CLothing & Sun Protection

Bring sunblock.  We’ve found a great choice is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 70 UVA/UVB spray – expect to go through 2 or 3 cans per person.  Also check your sunglasses for UV protection.

Bring a wide-brim hat so your face doesn’t fry… maybe keep a spare in your tent.  Get one with a neck string for windy rides.  And you thought neck strings are just for kink. 

Plan for hot clothes in hot sun, gorgeous evenings with excellent weather, and chill nights that can get surprisingly cold.  Many burners wear awesome bizarre clothing – here’s your chance to also be out there.

To be practical consider an oversize loose fitting light color shirt, other things that flow well with heat and sun. 

Bandannas, neck gaiters, other ways to cover your face in minor dust clouds are a good idea. 

Shoes. Playa dust is very alkali – you might get away with sandals but the majority have found those cause painful cracked feet.  Advice is all over the map but many have found lightweight boots work best.  Bring extra socks.  Kendra’s worn a cheap set of playa dust-color Ugg-type boots several years on the playa – they look too warm but actually work great and are comfortable. 

Illuminated clothing is fun and also functional for visibility in the desert at night.  Or add lights to your hydration pack.

If you’re helping with setup and teardown, please bring work gloves.  

Food Cooler

AerialKnotics’ kitchen has a very limited amount of cold food storage for planned meals – we will share available space but you should plan your own food storage.  Each 10 pound (5kg) block ice is $5/bag at the Arctica camp.  A bicycle that has a rear rack with fold-out side baskets can haul four blocks of ice.   

Everyone enjoys a nice chest.  NYT Wirecutter tested 50+ ice chests and their top pick is the RTIC Ultra-Light.  If that’s too expensive, get an Igloo at Costco.  If you have any questions about food storage, food supplies, food prep and planning, or have a food allergy, talk to zoot. 

Hydration & Dust Protection

Any time you’re more than a short walk from camp you’ll want a small backpack with water, dust respirator and goggles.  Sounds unnecessary in clear weather but we have seen perfect afternoons turn into a serious dust storm within an hour.  

When you choose a hydration pack, consider something with enough space for a respirator, goggles and other essentials.  Toss in a neck gaiter or bandana for lighter dust clouds.  And don’t forget a small amount of toilet paper (ziplock bag works great) – many porta potties run out of supplies.

You’ll want a Honeywell 770030 Respirator and at least a couple sets of North 7580P100 Filter Cartridges. Honeywell 770030M (medium) fits most people, or choose 770030S (small) or 770030L (large).

Phone & Radio

You’ll want the iBurn app, updated with the latest data file before arriving.  In addition to storing an electronic Playa Events guide, iBurn navigates with GPS – very handy in a dust storm.

Something else you’ll want to do before traveling to Nevada: download offline maps for your mapping program.  Many sections of 2-lane roads in this part of the US do not have a phone signal.

Consider a charging brick or other device that can recharge your phone if you’re out all day.

Playa Rope

Assume any rope you bring to Burning Man will never be the same.  Not just awesome memories but embedded with unavoidable playa dust.  Nylon rope is washable.

Tent

Many burners say the best tent is a Kodiak Canvas or a ShiftPod.  These expensive heavy tents are overkill in a camp where all tents are located under a shade structure with wind blocking.  A Coleman Instant Tent will work with one minor modification (seal-off the small upper vents).  Don’t bring a tent with a large overhead mesh screen that doesn’t zip shut.  Most tents with large mesh panels under a rain fly won’t work – the unsealed mesh lets all the dust in.  

Tent size.  We recommend a 9×10 foot “6 person” as the minimum for one person – to provide space for clothing and other stuff you’ll need.  A 10×14 foot “8 person” works well for two people and is a bit taller inside.  

We suggest a queen size air mattress.  You can borrow our rechargeable air pump.

Whether you’re partnered or single, a pair of matching standard (rectangular) sleeping bags work great – zip them together to form a nice sleeping sandwich.  And of course your pillows, bath towels, etc.