So, I have been talking about writing this blog since day 1 of the race. I collaborated with some other racers and used their wisdom to write the best world race packing blog yet… well at least for people who are organized and like clothes 🙂 I’m girly and I love fashion. Everyone that heard I had to pack in a backpack for a year laughed. So here I am… trying to help out anyone else that might have been laughed at with the prospect of packing in a backpack.
I was lucky enough to fly through the states after month 4 and I pretty much dropped most things and started new. Then my parents came to PVT month 8 and I dropped and got other new things. Not gonna lie… switching out clothes every 4 months was key to my sanity 🙂 So this is my updated packing list!
Bag: I started with an Osprey 75L backpack but switched to a rolling duffle bag after month 4
– ***Advice*** if you do the backpack then make sure it has a top loading and front loading compartment and I would go with a 65L. Also, you honestly can go the rolling duffle route. It is one of the best decisions I have made on the race especially for my backs sake. I went with a 28-inch drop compartment duffle.
Airporter- I would definitely bring one! Your pack goes through a lot on travel days. I went with the Sea to Summit one and it has worked really well. I even put my rolling duffle in it on travel days.
http://www.rei.com/product/804454/sea-to-summit-pack-converter-duffle-bag
***ADVICE*** make sure your packed pack fits into the size you bought! Some people on my squad didn’t do this and their packs didn’t fit when they were completely packed
Equipment:
– Tent: REI Quarter Dome (this was a little more expensive but it only weighs 3 pounds)- I can stuff the tent, footprint, and rainfly into a XS compression sack (sea to summit)- I used mine 4 months on the race (this was more than most people on my squad but I was so glad to have it when i needed it)
http://www.rei.com/product/862423/rei-quarter-dome-2-tent
– REI Flash sleeping bag (mine is down and rolls up really small)
- ***ADVICE*** if you are on a hot route then make sure your bag is made for warm weather 🙂 I used mine 8 months of the race!
– Sleeping bag Liner– sea to summit cool max adaptor with insect shield
- I stuff my sleeping bag and liner into a small waterproof compression sack (sea to summit makes good sacks)
– Sleeping Pad (camp bed 2.5)- Mine is huge but I love it! I have to attach mine to the outside of my bag but I don’t mind. It is actually comfy and I don’t feel like I am sleeping on a raft. I used mine 6 months of the race (some beds don’t really have mattresses and it was nice to add my sleeping pad for extra padding)
http://www.rei.com/product/870756/rei-camp-bed-25-self-inflating-sleeping-pad
– Pillow– Quixote Goose Down Pillow. I love this pillow but there are times that I wish I had brought my real pillow from home
http://www.rei.com/product/814887/quixote-goose-down-pillow
– Eno Hammock and hammock net– bring this only if you have room! I love my hammock but sent it home month 8 because I didn’t use it a ton and it took up extra room
Clothes:
***ADVICE***
- If you don’t wear it in real life, then don’t bring it on the race. Be yourself! If you wear jewelry, bring it. If you wear makeup, bring it. If you like to look cute, bring cute clothes! You are still a real person. I seriously can’t stress this one enough. BE YOURSELF on the race!!!
- Don’t pack a wardrobe full of dri-fit. Seriously… don’t
- If you are on a hot route- the last thing you want are clothes that cling to or even touch your skin. Bring thin and flowy! So therefore, pack based on YOUR route and the seasons you will be there.
I packed a ton of clothes and my team laughs about it but I love it! I will list everything I packed and what I packed them in!
– 1 large packing cube: (trick- I put my clothes in gallon sized Ziploc bags to make them waterproof and compress them down a little. Also I roll my clothes and they pack much smaller)
- Jeans– they make you feel like a normal person. I even wore them in the heat of Haiti (I actually ended up buying another pair and have 2)
- Jean shorts– so glad I brought these!
- Cute regular shorts
- 1 over-sized comfy T-shirt
- 1st Ziplock bag
- 8 thin cotton shirts (they are all thin and flowy and roll up small)
- 2 nice shirts (I wear these on off days and to church)
- 2nd Ziplock bag
- 6 tanks (mine can all be worn with workout shorts and with my jean shorts to feel normal)
- 1 thin Komono
- 1 cami
– 1/2 sized packing cube:
- 2 pair running shorts
- 1 pair longer shorts
- 1 pair of leggings
- 2 pair thin pants
- 2 maxi skirts (I wish one was a knee length skirt)- I actually dropped these after Africa to make room for the 3 dresses I bought in Asia
- pajama shorts
– Small compression packing cube:
- 14 pairs of underwear (Bring the underwear that you wear at home. The world race does not mean you have to be a grandma. Ladies, if you wear thongs then pack them. ***BONUS*** exoffico underwear is totally worth it!) I actually brought 24 pair but the other 10 were packed away to open after month 6!
- 3 sports bras
- 2 bras
- 3 pairs of socks (bring colored socks- white ones get so nasty)
– Shoe Bag (I just used a bag that TOMS come in)
- Flip flops (havaianas)
- Birkenstock sandals
- Tennis shoes
- ***ADVICE*** Do not buy chacos if you don’t wear them already. They are expensive, heavy, and can be very smelly.
– Rain Jacket (I have a thin North Face one)
– Bathing suit (in quart size Ziploc)- Bring a bikini top! You can wear them if you have to bathe in rivers or are at the beach without hosts.
– Sarong- I bought one in the DR and use it all the time as a bathing suit cover up and towel
– Sunglasses- If you usually don’t loose stuff then I would bring a good pair of sunglasses. I listened to the other blogs and brought the cheapo sunglasses and regret it.
Toiletries:
– Specter Quick Trip toilet bag and what doesn’t fit in the bag I just put in ziplock bags
***ADVICE***
- Pick a few items that you can’t live without and bring a few of them. I chose deodorant (I’m picky about the kind I use), face lotion, and my venus razor with extra blades. Honestly, you can find everything else you might need. I promise that other cultures use shampoo, conditioner, soap, bug spray, sunscreen, etc.
- If you wear contacts- solution can be hard to find and is expensive. Start with a big bottle
- If you are picky about your tampons then I would stock up. I found the brand I use in Central America but haven’t seen it since
- Seripods for your toothbrush are a must! You can find them at REI
- Bring teeth whitening! My teeth have never felt so gross. Brushing with bottled water just isn’t the same as using a sink. I have mine saved until Christmas!
- Oil sheets, makeup remover wipes, baby wipes— they are the best! You can find these in the countries though!
- Dry Shampoo- this can be a lifesaver… especially in Africa!
- REI unbreakable mirror
- Makeup- I am so happy I brought some and at times wish I had brought more than mascara, blush, and eyeliner
- Bring fingernail clippers and nail polish. It is always fun to have nail painting parties
- Wet Brush
- I wish I had brought a travel size hair dryer!
- Rubberbands and Bobby Pins
- Headbands- I brought 5! My whole team wears them all the time! They are great for when the water is turned off for a few days in Africa.
Medicine:
***ADVICE*** don’t bring medicines that you don’t take at home… you aren’t going to start them on the race (example- vitamins).
- 11 months of birth control
- 4 Z-packs (traveler’s diarrhea)
- 3 months of malaria medicine (doxycycline) ***NOTE- doxy makes you really sensitive to the sun.
- Vitamins (centrum silver) (Note- this is for older women but it doesn’t have iron in it so it won’t hurt your stomach as much)
- Probiotics (acidophilus)
- Essential Oils are amazing! Research and bring a few!
- Tea Tree Oil- all sorts of amazing uses
- Lavender Oil- you put a little behind your ear and it keeps the mosquitos away
- Other random meds that I brought: Pepto-Bismol, Ibuprofen, Mucinex, Anti- diarrhea, Prescriptions
Electronics: Mine are all packed in waterproof bags or cases
– Laptop (in waterproof bag)- I have a MacBook Air (I am so glad I brought a laptop. I just think it is easier to use then anything else. ***If you are a team treasurer, bring one- I couldn’t imagine using anything else to update spreadsheets. It has also been great to have one for CnCs as a team leader***
– External hard drive– loaded up with movies, TV shows, and books— seriously load it up with these things. If you can’t load it up b/f you leave, have no fear you will meet tons of people along the way who will be more than happy to let you steal things off of their hard drives.
– Iphone
– Old Iphone- I use this as an Ipod
– Converters (apple world adaptor kit)
– Chargers (iPhone, computer, camera, gopro)
– Headphones (3 pair)- if you have a good pair then I would bring them (mine drown out all other noise and this is amazing on long bus rides)
– 5 way headphone splitter
– 1 jump drive
– GoPro (I am obsessed with my go pro! It is so small so it isn’t as noticeable as other cameras. I have taken great footage with it!)
– I brought my Nikon D40 originally but sent it home after month 4. The only time I have regretted sending it home was when we went on a safari. I usually just use my iphone and gopro.
Day Pack: Patagonia Refugio 28L
– Bible
– Journals (2)
– Sketch pad
– Tons of pens, markers and highlighters
– Mini File folder
- 6 extra passport photos
- Copies of passport, vaccines, and license
- Yellow Fever Vaccine Proof
- 14 Thank you cards (to write to our hosts)
- 8 blank cards (to write notes to teammates)
– Mini File Folder
- Notes from friends and family. My sister surprised me with this the day b/f I left. I have 2 notes from a friend or family member to read each week of the race! It has been amazing!
– I also have an emergency packing cube for plane travel days. I have my 10 extra pair of underwear in here and then usually throw in shorts, a shirt, a bra, and socks.
– I also pack my toiletrie bag in my day pack on plane travel days
– Rain Cover for your day pack is a must! I leave mine attached to the outside and it has come in handy so many times on the race!
Purse:
***ADVICE*** Bring a cute purse if you want! I dropped the patagonia sling purse I originally brought and bought a cute leather bag in the Philippines (SO MUCH BETTER!)
A Few Random Items I brought:
– Headlamp- this is a must
– Twinkle Eno lights- They sell them next to the Eno hammocks at REI. I hang them in my tent or around my bed! 3 people on my team have them and we love them!
http://www.rei.com/product/866994/eno-twilights-led-light-string
– Extra Batteries
– Sprok (metal kind) and collapsible bowl (I use both)
– Carabiners (I have lots of different sizes and they always come in handy!)
– Travel locks (I use them for my tent and for my day pack in certain situations)
RANDOM ADVICE:
– Charles Scwab card- Get one! No, but seriously… get one! There are no foreign exchange fees (do be careful though- it takes 3 business days to transfer money)
– Don’t get sucked into the REI salesmen as convincing as they might be!
– Don’t skimp out on music and steal it from your little sister thinking it will be sufficient for a year. Music will become your alone time. You will listen to it on planes, trains, buses, etc.
– ITunes gift cards are a great thing to ask supporters for! Load up on ibooks, tv shows, podcasts, movies, and music
– Bring an eyemask!
– Bring extra Ziplock bags (quart and gallon size)
My biggest piece of advice is to be yourself on the race! Pack what you like to wear at home! Seriously!!!
flowy tanks and jean shorts are my favorite on the race!
Big, thin pants and over-sized flowy tees are my next favorite race wear!
