Since his early days in adventure racing, Jay Petervary has always been a gear tinkerer—modifying, making, and obsessing over the little details that make a big difference on the trail.

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After a decade immersed in adventure racing, Jay showed up at the 2007 Great Divide Race (now Tour Divide) with something no one had seen before: the first full soft bag bikepacking setup, made by Jeff Boatman of Carousel Design Works. That ride didn’t just turn heads—it sparked innovation. Jay came back with feedback and ideas that were quickly integrated into Jeff’s next designs. Many of those elements are still seen in bags today.

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Jay is drawn to the simplicity and function of bike bags—the small, often overlooked details that make long-distance rides just a little bit easier. In his words, “Perfect is good enough.”

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Since that first Tour Divide, Jay has quietly shaped the evolution of bikepacking gear. He’s collaborated with both boutique makers and big-name brands, tested countless prototypes, and even helped bring custom one-offs to life. His influence is everywhere, driven by a passion for gear and a relentless pursuit of small gains over thousands of miles.

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He’s also helped bring racks back into the ultra-endurance scene—not for nostalgia, but because they simply work better. In fact, one of his favorite setups, paired with a Tailfin rack, weighs the same as many oversized seat bags.

And now, after years of experience, feedback, and refinement, Jay is offering his favorite pieces of kit to the public.