Packing List
So this is mostly for future racers, but if you’re interested in seeing what I’m taking here is what fits in my 60L backpack and my day pack! *sidenote: It’s possible a couple items may not make the cut!
Big items
pillow (with compression bag)
sleeping bag & coolmax sleeping liner
60L outdoor master hiking backpack & rain cover
REI airporter
20 L outdoor products daypack & rain cover
camp solutions 2 person tent (I used this for only 2 nights when I actually went camping, that’s it. The WR is transitioning to where racers shouldn’t have to bring tents)
Thermarest luxury sleeping pad (it’s huge but super comfy, but I only used it 3 months of my race, if I had known this I would have chosen something smaller)
Toiletries
1 dry fit face towel & 3 regular face towels (wish I brought 2 dri fit)
2 dry fit body towel (you only need 1)
comb & bobby pins & hair bows
travel face wash & scrub
travel toiletry bag with hook
bar soap & travel shampoo & 8oz coconut oil (for conditioner/deodorant)
toothbrush & travel toothpaste & toothpicks with floss
melatonin & midol & laxative & ibuprofen (in bags w/ label)
1 oz body spray, 1 large deodorant stick, 2 travel size deodorant
mascara & eyebrow filler & concealer
2 nail clippers & 2 tweezers
1yr supply contacts & 3 cases & 5 travel-sized solutions
2 pairs glasses
1 month supply pads & 1yr supply tampons & woman’s itch cream
a handful of q-tips
3 chapsticks
Clothing
bagallini mid-sized purse (I bought a small backpack instead because walking all day with a side purse made my shoulders tired)
1 dry fit headband, 3 headbands, 2 bandanas
jewelry that matches a lot
2 small nail polishes
rain jacket & fleece jacket
1 appropriate swimsuit
Nike athletic shoes & cute Croc flipflops & B.O.C. walking sandals (I’m not a chaco/teva person although for Asia I did buy sandals for the rain)
2 athletic shorts, 2 long athletic shorts & 1 jean shorts
2 thin jean pants
1 knee length leggings
1 black skirt
22 undies, 6 are dry fit (mine didn’t wear out like many said, 10 would be enough) here’s a helpful video for folding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPDKDeR9k6U
6 dry fit socks
2 sports bras, 1 regular style dry fit bra, 1 cami bra (looks like you’re wearing a cami underneath)
2 T-shirts, 2 tank tops, 3 dri fit v-necks
plastic bag for dirty clothes
lots of dryer sheets, in every bag of clothes and more!!
Electronics
mp3 & camera & computer & chargers
3 headphones & split jack
flash-drives (instead of a hard drive I’m taking a 64gb, 32gb, 16gb, 16gb. Google Drive also has 2 years free of 115gb) I didn’t own movies before the race, but since I’ve bought a few on Google Play. I take lots of pics and videos on my phone and used about 50gb of space for the 11 months.
speaker
HP chromebook & case
outlet charger splitter & adapters
portable power bank
solar powered power bank (didn’t need)
Other
snacks
1 small seasoning container & salt/pepper packets
lactose pills & probiotics & tums
lots of ziplock bags
passport & 6 copies (scattered throughout bags)
drivers license
yellow fever card & 2 copies
AIM insurance card & 2 copies
wallet with some cash & USAA international credit card (no fees)
small pliers & screwdriver
lots of baby wipes, in both backpacks (you only need a few)
1 sunscreen & 1oz bugspray & Kleenax & 1oz aloe vera
unbreakable mirror
night earplugs & earplanes (a small cold + altitude = the worst pain! I used these a ton driving in the mountains in South America too)
notebook & pens
addresses & thank you cards for hosts
kindle & compact large print bible
luci light & tiny flashlight & headlamp
2 sunglasses & compact umbrella
small sewing kit with safety pins
first aid kit in ziplock in both backpacks
card games
scissors
vegetable peeler (didn’t need)
32oz water bottle & holder
Update: Almost everything you see made it in my bag. Instead of packing my tent altogether I separated the tent, raincover, and footprint, stuffed the footprint and raincover in my thermarest bag, and folded up my tent inside my backpack. I also split my coconut oil into two 3oz containers, and one 1oz. For my contact solution I decided to only bring 5 small travel sized instead of a big one, because the small were easier to stuff in last minute. I decided not to bring my Spanish English new testament bible either.
Post race: I’m very happy with what I brought, but here’s some helpful notes.
– I went to south america, southeast asia, and eastern europe and I personal didn’t really have months where i was “roughing it”, so don’t go crazy with camping gear.
– My umbrella worked in all but 2 situations where a rainjacket would have been necessary but i used a $2 poncho instead which did the job.
– I’ve been provided a real bed and towels almost everywhere, so buying the mattress wasn’t as necessary as I had thought. I used my bed 3 months of the race and my towel 5 months.
– If you are tall or not small (guys included) it will be difficult finding clothes, especially in asia. If you are a small short girl like me you will be an XL.
– I haven’t used my solar powered power bank or needed my vegetable peeler. My underwear isn’t worn out at all, I could have brought half.
– I bought a small north face backpack month 3 because I wanted something sturdier than my drawstring bag for hiking or going around town, even though at home I always use a purse.
– As for clothes my wardrobe for most part was 3 v necks, 1 t shirt & nike shorts to sleep in, 2 tank tops, 1 dressy shirt, 1 jean pants, 1 knee length dress, 1 long skirt, 2 flowy pants, and 2 long athletic shorts. All of my shirts except my t shirt can be nice or casual, which is why i’m really glad i mostly brought solid colors. You don’t get tired of seeing them in pics as much as patterned shirts.
– I am a pretty conservative spender, but I didn’t want to be as conservative as far as activities and exploring. I also had to eat out way more often than I would have liked due to travel day, debriefs with no kitchen, etc. I spent about $1,300 of my personal money on sight seeing, some souvenirs (only months i knew I could send them home), and food that wasn’t necessary like eating out for fun, expensive fruit smoothies, etc.
– I spent about $1,400 on hygiene items, necessary clothes, and food that budget didn’t cover so keep that in mind when you’re fundraising. Keep a good amount in your bank account if possible for the food that budget won’t cover. My squad and I believe that AIM does not provide enough for travel days and debriefs, it was impossible to eat a normal amount of food under budget in those situations.
