A big hello to future world racers, this blog is mainly for you but everyone else is more than welcome to find out what I carried with me for 11 months. Everything in this blog is my own opinion and what I learned along my journey. This is what I currently have in my backpack, at month 11 of my world race. I’ve dropped a lot, and I’ve kept a lot. Some things I sent home with my parents at PVT during month 9, and some things I decided weren’t worth keeping. Keep in mind whatever you do bring may get worn out, stolen, or broken. So make sure you don’t bring anything you’d be devastated without. Take what you want, leave what you don’t. Up to you, it’s your race. Alright y’all, let’s get started.
3 things to keep in mind when you’re deciding what to pack:
1) Is it durable?
2) Can you compact it? How much space does it take up?
3) How heavy is the item? Is the item worth the weight?
EQUIPMENT:
Backpack
Everyone’s will be different because everyone is different. I got mine from REI. Make sure you get measured for your pack. I’m quite small so I got a pack suited for my size. (Kids REI Co-op Tarn 65 Pack)
Tip:
- Try to look for a backpack that is a front, top, and bottom loader. It will be very nice when you don’t want to go through your whole backpack to look for something.
Daypack
I got mine from REI as well. I made sure there was a compartment for my laptop because I didn’t have a case for my laptop. Some people just got backpacks that looked like school backpacks. Up to you. Mine is a (Women’s REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack)
Rain-cover
This isn’t a must but is nice if you’re in an area that rains all the time. My daypack came with a rain cover which was super helpful when it was pouring down rain and my phone was in there. You don’t really need a rain cover for your backpack, your airporter will kind of be one.
Tent
I brought a tent on my race. I know some people who didn’t. That is totally up to you. Make sure you have a rain cover (should come with the tent). Make sure you also get a footprint (mine didn’t come with the tent, had to buy separately). Definitely need a tent for training camp. During my training camp, it rained. It was kind of a practice round to see if your rain cover works and if you actually want to bring that tent with you for 11 months. I got a REI Co-op Quarter Dome 2 Tent & Footprint.
Airporter
Definitely a must in my opinion. An airporter is basically a huge duffel bag that you put your huge backpack in. It protects it when your traveling on planes, trains, buses, etc. The airporter will take the beating instead of your backpack. You’ll either love or hate your airporter so make sure you pay attention which one you buy instead of just randomly choosing. I got a REI Co-op Pack Duffel Bag. Love love loved it. Totally recommend.
Tips:
- Make sure your airporter has a long strap like a regular duffel bag that you can throw over your shoulder. Keep in mind your backpack will be 40+ pounds, so make sure wherever your strap is on your airporter that it’s doable.
- Get an airporter that looks different than everyone else’s. You will be traveling to each country with your whole squad (30+ people, that’s a lot of bags to look through). Make sure you can spot your airporter in a pile of bags. Some people put bandanas on their straps, others put colorful duct tape.
- Get an airporter that is a little bigger than your backpack. Some people got airporters that perfectly fit their backpack. Don’t do that. Throughout the race, you’ll end up just stuffing some stuff in the airporter but not actually in the backpack (because you’ll get lazy). You’ll end up using it a lot like a duffel bag, putting some stuff just in between your backpack and airporter because you may not be able to fit it in your backpack lol. You won’t be able to do that if your airporter is a snug fit in the first place.
Headlamp
This isn’t a must but is nice to have. You will definitely use this at training camp. I gave mine away month 6 of my race. You can survive without one. Either a teammate will have one or you’ll use your flashlight on your phone.
BEDDING:
Pillow
This isn’t a must but nice to have. Some people brought actual size pillows, others brought blowup ones. I actually didn’t bring a pillow at all. I brought an airplane pillow, the ones you put around your neck. It’s decent and does the job. Up to you and what you’ll be comfortable with dealing with.
Sleeping bag
I got mine from REI. Women’s Marmot Trestles 30 Elite Sleeping Bag (I don’t recommend getting mine though. It did the job and kept me warm but was big and didn’t compact very well, plus I didn’t like the mummy style of the sleeping bag). I researched the temperatures I’ll be in for each month in each country. I get cold quite easily, so I got one that will keep me warm in colder temperatures. Some people didn’t even bring a sleeping bag, they just brought a sheet & a blanket. I didn’t do that because I don’t like being cold when I sleep. Up to you, you know yourself.
Tips:
- Make sure you get one that compacts pretty well and doesn’t take up much space.
- Don’t get a sleeping bag that’s mummy style. It feels like you’re confined.
- Get one that you can unzip all the way.
Sleeping bag liner
I don’t think this is a must. A sleeping bag liner goes inside the sleeping bag and is used to keep your sleeping bag clean. I’ve used this as a bed sheet when I wanted something thin to cover me while I’m sleeping. (Cocoon Microfiber Mummy Liner)
Sleeping pad
This is nice when your living situation looks like sleeping on a tile floor or sleeping in your tent for the month. Definitely a must in my opinion. Saves your back and makes sleeping a little more comfortable. Women’s Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus Sleeping Pad (I don’t recommend getting mine though. It did the job but did not compact AT ALL).
Packing cubes
Definitely a must. This helps compact clothes and keep your clothes more organized. Loved these. Didn’t know how I packed before these things.
Stuff sack
In my opinion, a must. This helps keep your stuff more organized instead of your stuff all over the place in your backpack.
CLOTHING – just an idea, will vary. Also depends on which countries you’re going to. I went to Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Malawi, Zambia, Swaziland, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. I launched August 2018.
- Tip: pack clothes that you normally wear in the States. If you’re a jean and t-shirt girl like me, don’t hesitate to pack those jeans. If you love wearing dresses, pack as many as your heart desires. Don’t change your wardrobe just because of the world race, as long as it’s in the dress code – pack it.
- Tip: turn your clothes inside if you paint or do any activity that would ruin your clothes.
Shirts:
2 t-shirts
4 shirts
1 tank top (make sure its world race appropriate, no razorbacks)
2 “dressy shirts”
Pants:
2 athletic shorts (1 to sleep in & 1 that was world race appropriate)
2 long pants (pair of blue jeans & pair of black jeans)
1 pair of jean capris
1 pair of Bermuda jean shorts
1 long skirt (in Africa I had about 4 long skirts but set them home with my parents after Africa)
Spandex (to wear under dress and skirt)
1 dress – if you’re a dress person, bring more. I’m not a huge dress person so I only have 1 dress for church or nice occasions)
Rain jacket – make sure it’s a rain jacket not a windbreaker
Hoodie – it gets cold on airplanes & buses, travel days
Bras – 1 regular & 3 sports
Underwear – as many as you can fit in your backpack
Socks – if you like wearing close toed shoes frequently, pack multiple. I brought too many pairs. I wore my Chacos 98% of the time on my world race
Shoes:
Chacos – love love love my Chacos. I think they’re perfect for the world race
Close toed shoes – I brought Nike tennis shoes (need them for manual labor and such)
Flip flops – I used my flip flops as shower shoes
Bathing suit
Towel – I actually have 2 towels:
A normal towel – for showering
A microfiber towel – for travel days (microfiber towels compact very well and dry quickly)
Dirty laundry bag – this is nice to have. I used the bag my sleeping bag came in. Some people used a packing cube. Whatever works for you.
Hat – if you wear hats often, bring one. If not, don’t. I don’t really wear hats but I brought one on the race. Gave it away month 6.
ELECTRONICS:
Laptop & charger – I brought my laptop for blogs. Some people brought iPads. Up to you and what you’re willing to bring
Headphones – as many pairs as possible. I brought 3 pairs.
Adapter/converter
Power strip – nice to have, not a must
Portable charger – this is the item that I would say must!
iPhone, charging cord, & cube – I brought 2 charging cords and 2 cubes
TOILETRIES:
- Tip: Don’t over pack in this area. You will be able to find these items abroad.
Bathroom bag
Travel-size bottles – a lot of people didn’t do this, but I liked these when it came to travel days. I put shampoo, conditioner, things I needed to shower. (just in case if I got parted from my pack on long travel days).
Razor
Feminine products – tampons are difficult to find overseas (stock up). Other girls did a diva cup or used birth control. You know your body.
Baby wipes –you will realize that you won’t go anywhere without these
Soap
Shampoo & conditioner – or shampoo/conditioner bars (the bars are lighter than the liquid and last longer)
Toothbrush/toothpaste – I brought an extra toothbrush
Dental floss
Hair ties/clips
Hairbrush
MISCELLANEOUS:
Bible – bring the one you currently use. I brought a smaller size than I normally use that’d be easy to travel with and I regret it. I wished I brought my study bible.
Collapsible bowl
Spork and knife
Pocket knife
Wallet
Washcloth
Banking card – make sure you notify your bank of all the countries you’ll be traveling to and how long, otherwise they might freeze your card
Water bottle – I brought a life straw & water bottle, but dropped it after month 5 because it was leaking. Some people brought a Hydro flask or a Nalgene
Blanket – take from first international flight
Mosquito net – (depends) I dropped mine after month 1. Up to you.
Hammock & hammock straps -I got a(ENO Sub6 Hammock) and (ENO Helios Hammock Suspension System) straps. Don’t recommend either.
Carabiner clips
Nail clippers
Passport – be aware of when your passport expires and how many blank pages you have left
Writing utensils
Journal – to process your world race
6 extra passport pictures for visas
Driver’s license
A folder of letters from home
Scissors
Patagonia/purse/sling bag – this is nice when you’re out and about or on an adventure. You don’t want to lug your backpack around with you.
Copies of documents in a big Ziploc bag
Yellow Fever card
The most important thing to remember is that this is your race. You don’t need everything on this list. Pack what you think you’ll need, and if you forget something, you’ll either learn to live without it, a teammate might’ve brought it, or you’ll find it on the field. Embrace the challenges, laugh at yourself, and enjoy the race God has called you to run.
This is the last time(:
Yours in Christ,
Karrie
