Here at Gravelstoke our dedication to finding, testing and sharing the best gravel cycling gear and bikes remains at the core of who we are. 2019 was a busy year for us on all fronts, with new opportunities and connections that push us to continue creating original and inspiring content for the adventure cyclist. We’re excited to share with you our top 10 gravel cycling gear picks from 2019. As always, thanks for sharing and subscribe here for more content like this in the weeks to come.

10. Tubolito Tubo Tubes

Just when you thought the tube was dead, Tubolito enters the market with a completely new and timely product. The Austrian based company launched the Tubo in late 2017, and 2 years later this alternate tube technology is still something we bring along on every gravel ride. The biggest benefit is certainly size, taking up about half the space of a standard tube. Added durability gains and being significantly lower in weight make the product an easy sell, despite costing about 4x as much as the traditional alternative. For gravel we recommend the new Tubo Gravel Tube, good for tires 700 x 30-40c. For 650b we carry along the compatible S-Tubo MTB Tube for tires 27.5 x 1.8-2.4”. A Tubo Flix Kit is also available, as standard patch kits are incompatible with the Tubolito material.

Tubo CX/Gravel Tube (700 x 30-40c) | $34.95

S-Tubo MTB Tube (27.5 x 1.8-2.4”) | $37.95

Tubo Flix Kit | $4.95

9. Splats Sunscreen

Something you’ll also find in our saddle bags are small pink packets of sunscreen made by Splats Sunscreen. This product is not only a compact solution for sun protection on-the-go, but the SPF 29 formula doesn’t feel oily and stays on even when wet or sweaty. Mainly used as a backup in case we forget to apply sunscreen at home, or used mid-ride on long adventures. Each 9ml pack has proven to contain enough sunscreen for two people. While a successful kickstarter got Splats off the ground just last year, you can now find their product online in packs of 10 or 3.

Splat Packs (Box of 10) | $19.99

8. Donnelly Strada USH Gravel Tires

After giving the WTB Venture 47 tires a thorough testing we stepped up to something slightly wider but with a comparable tread pattern in the Donnelly Strada USH in 650b x 50mm. The tires not only look great, but have proven to be extremely durable against sidewall tears and punctures while running Orange Seal Tubeless Sealant. These tires also performed surprisingly well on road despite their bulky appearance, as proven by a strong finish at the 2019 SBT GRVL (Blue Course / 100mi) event in Steamboat Springs, CO this past August. The raised side tread performs great on loose dirt corners, while the smoother center tread minimizes resistance on road. Overall the Donnelly Strada USH are a welcome addition to the ever expanding gravel tire market, and a great choice for mixed-terrain rides and gravel races alike.

Donnelly Strada USH 650b x 50mm | $70

Donnelly Strada USH 700c x 40mm | $70

7. Squirt Lube

For years chain lube was a real mystery, even frustrating at times as standard oil-based lubricants easily collect dirt, turn black and are a pain to clean. About a year ago I began experimenting with wax-based products and a friend introduced me to Squirt, the South African based chain lube brand. Where other wax lubricants fell short, Squirt performed under a variety of conditions. As advertised Squirt Chain Lube is clean, long lasting and environmentally friendly with its unique wax/water emulsion. If you’re looking for a chain lube that just works, definitely recommend giving Squirt a try.

Squirt Chain Lube 4oz | $12.71

6. Orange Seal

You may have noticed a myriad of new tubeless sealants entering the market as running tubeless has become nearly ubiquitous, especially for gravel. Along with hydraulic disc brakes, the introduction of tubeless setups largely facilitated the modern day gravel movement. What endeared me first to Orange Seal was the simple injector with refill bottle that makes installing new tires and topping off old ones a breeze. And besides wanting to be as cool as Payson McElveen, the stuff works well and lasts long.

Orange Seal Endurance Tubeless Sealant (16oz) | $20.89

5. Omata One

Number five is easily one of my favorite products from 2019, but admittedly a difficult one to convey here. The OMATA One GPS Bike Computer is a remarkable piece of work. The entire end-to-end experience is mesmeric, yet not distracting. In our exceedingly digital world, the OMATA One is more often the perfect amount of tech to match an activity where I’m trying to escape. Pricey yes, but by comparison there are good reasons why a Land Cruiser is more expensive than a Sequoia.

The unique GPS device shows five data sets on four beautiful rotary dial faces including speed, distance, ascent, time and battery level. With a forthcoming firmware update, owners will also be able to capture and record data from ANT+ sensors, like power, heart rate and cadence. Additionally, OMATA did an outstanding job with their iOS Utility App, easily one of the best mobile experiences for any cycling GPS on the market. Thoughtfully included with every OMATA is a USB-C cable for charging and data transfer, as well as a compatible K-Edge Pro Mount.

OMATA One MPH White | $550

4. Topo Designs Travel Bag

Colorado based Topo Designs continues to deliver well crafted bags that look great, for all kinds of adventures. We got our hands on their latest creation, aptly named the Travel Bag. This 30L version comes in a few different colors, this one in Olive. The Travel Bag is perhaps the most versatile backpack available today with three ways to carry, loads of compartments and well placed straps. We found it useful as an every day pack, airline carry-on or as a dedicated cycling gear bag. We can't wait to see what Topo has planned for 2020!

Topo Designs Travel Bag 30L | $129

3. Ritchey WCS XC Pedals

No stranger to adventures on dirt, Tom Ritchey has more gravel clout than just about anyone. Many know Ritchey Design for well designed components like the VentureMax handlebars and SpeedMax gravel tires, but don’t overlook their pedals for a critical contact point with your drop bar bike. In our experience, the Ritchey WCS XC pedals are lighter and more durable than comparable products from Shimano. The team carefully designed around the off-road experience, dialing in platform width, engagement and release, and mud clearance. The result is a great looking pedal that performs on gravel, road and singletrack alike. And while we may have snagged one of the few remaining sets in this silver colorway, Ritchey WCS XC pedals are now available in black at a hard-to-beat price. And in case you are wondering, these are not compatible with SPD cleats, but do include a Ritchey specific set.

Ritchey WCS Pedals | $122.95

2. Alba Optics Stratos

Often over-designed or poor fitting, a good pair of sunglasses can be elusive. A relatively new brand, Alba Optics, looks to offer athletes a solution with retro inspired design and modern technology. The result could be perfection, as we couldn’t find a single thing not to like about their Stratos design. The Stratos features the VZUM lens with carefully placed central vent, unobstructed vision and a unique telescoping post system for a secure fit. Alba also offers the Delta and Anvma designs, all original looks compatible on and off the bike. The Stratos frame is available in black or white, with 8 different VZUM lenses to choose from, all offering durable protection against wind and strong light. We appreciate the brand’s careful attention to the cycling experience and authentic approach to marketing. US customers can now find Alba at AUDAX and a handful of local retailers.

Alba Optics STRATOS BLK VZUM POU | $185

1. Velocio Trail Shirts

Wrapping up our top ten 2019 gravel cycling gear picks even surprised us. With the modern gravel experience still in its infancy, apparel choice is just about as diverse as the bikes we ride. Comfort, construction, versatility and design rank high on our priority list for any piece. And while the traditional cycling jersey may still dominate the field, there may be little reason it should. With a plethora of on-the-bike storage options and cargo bib shorts becoming the norm, freeing up weight off the back and opting for a more casual look is more attractive than ever.

Case in point are the all new Trail Collection shirts from the New England based apparel brand Velocio. The Delta Long Sleeve is extremely comfortable and seems ideal on both cool and hot rides, providing additional arm coverage while actively cooling. Layer with their Merino 160 SL Base Layer for additional warmth. Also built from the same Polartec® Delta fabric, the short sleeve Radiator Trail Tee is similarly lightweight and slim fitting. Tested during a recent gravel camp in Downieville, it was easy to leave the jersey behind for these lightweight and functional alternatives. Velocio was already easy to like with their intense focus on quality, sustainability and community. It’s good to see that their products live up to these perceived standards. If you’re looking to diverge not only from the road, but from the clothing typically found there, definitely give the Velocio short and long sleeve trail shirts a try.

Men’s Radiator Trail Tee | $79

Men’s Delta Long Sleeve | $99

Men’s Merino 160 SL Base Layer | $79

If you enjoyed this list please consider sharing with a friend, and let us know your favorite gravel cycling gear products from 2019 in the comments below.