While packing for the World Race I had a hard time figuring out what to bring. Sure there’s a thousand packing lists and videos for the 11 in 11 route but there is none for World Race America. So I had to come up with it on my own. There are several things I wish I hadn’t brought and things that I wish I had brought.
First: DON’T BRING A BACKPACK! Use a suitcase or rolling duffel bag instead. There’s no use for the backpacks on World Race America.
Second: Your day pack should be a 30L backpack. There will be times where you go somewhere for 2 to 3 days and there’s no need to bring your full suitcase/ backpack/ rolling duffel. Just use your day pack. Also this way you can put more in it.
Third: Bring a purse or cross body shoulder bag. Instead of using my dag backpack as a daily bag I basically use it to store anything I can. You don’t want the bag you carry with you everyday to be heavy.
Fourth: Bring a blanket. Don’t bring a sleeping bag liner. I initially brought a sleeping bag liner and hated it. It wasn’t comfortable and did not feel homey at all. With a blanket you feel more at home. In month two I dropped my sleeping bag liner and bought a blanket. I haven’t regretted it for a moment.
Fifth: If you wear slippers at home bring them. It’s one of the biggest things I regret not bringing. If you don’t bring slippers, bring sandals or flip flops that are easy to slip on and off. For lounging around the house.
Sixth: Don’t bring boots. Its not worth it. I brought winter boots knowing that I get cold easily. I’ve only warn them twice. Some people from the first World Race America squad suggested that we bring hiking boots. If you know that you are going to a lot of national parks I would suggest bringing them. My team hasn’t spent a ton of time outdoors and the people who brought hiking boots wish they hadn’t.
Seventh: Winter Jackets. If your route is going to the North East, bring a good winter jacket. You will freeze if you don’t. Honestly even if you don’t start in the North East I suggest you still being one. Our coldest weeks were in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.
Eighth: Bring a nice pair of shoes that are not your sandals. Whether it’s ballet flats or booties bring them instead of boots. I ended up buying ballet flats in month 2 and haven’t regretted it.
Ninth: Only bring either one maxi skirt or one maxi dress. You will hardly need to dress up in the U.S. I would still suggest bringing one nice outfit because there will be days where your asked to look nice or you want to dress up.
Tenth: As far as pants go, I would highly suggest bringing two pairs of jeans. Maybe even three if your able to fit it. I would also suggest bringing one or two pairs of elephant pants. I never had warn elephant pants until a month before I left on World Race America. I haven’t regretted it for a second. They are super comfortable. You can dress them up or dress them down. The only thing I regret is not bringing another pair.
Eleventh: Bring sweatpants and leggings. You want to bring comfortable clothes that you can just lounge around in. I am so glad I brought both!
Twelfth: Don’t bring a headlamp. It’s not worth it. I would suggest bringing a solar powered lantern for when you go camping but don’t bring a headlamp.
Thirteen: Bring a full sized pillow! Don’t bring a pillow pet or one of those compressible pillows. Believe me you won’t regret it. I brought a pillow pet and really have regretted it. You only have to fly twice it’s not a big pain to bring a full sized pillow. So bring one.
Fourteen: Don’t bring a computer unless you have to. Bring something lighter. Whether it’s a kindle or an ipad. Bring it.
Fifteen: Bring an actual towel. Don’t bring a microfiber one. There not worth it. I had a microfiber one for training camp. Initially I had brought one on the race but the first day we went to the store and I bought an actual towel and have not regretted it.
Sixteen: Bring shower shoes! There will be times when you have to take showers in stalls that are not the cleanest. Or you have to walk downstairs to take one. Believe me just bring them.
Seventeen: Bring clothes you will actually want to wear! At home I wear a lot of t-shirts. In the beginning of the race I brought a couple of t-shirts and several nice shirts. Month two I sent the majority of the nice shirts home and bought some t-shirts along the way.
That’s all I can think of right now. I may add more to the list later on. Hope this helps future World Race America participants. Message me if you have any questions.
