Today I finished Training Camp and my squad is heading to Nicaragua!
You may have been wondering, “How in the world is Casee going to pack for this crazy 11-month trip?” If so, here is the answer!
I’m still a novice to backpacking, though, so I’ll make an updated post in a few months reviewing the good, the bad, and the ugly of my packing decisions.
If you’re only interested in the final product, scroll to the bottom.
An Internal Frame 63L Backpack and Day Pack
This backpack from REI will be holding all of my possessions for the next 11 months. It even comes with a matching 15L day pack! It even includes a rain cover, so you can pull that out to protect everything from getting wet. Finally, it’s made for airport and bus travel, too, because it has a flap that zips over the shoulder straps to protect them from getting caught and destroyed in airport conveyor belts. Also, this one opens differently than other packs. Instead of being a top-loader, it is a side-loader, so I don’t have to pull everything out of my pack in order to reach something at the very bottom. It unzips more like a suitcase.
Update Month 8: All of my teammate and squadmates keep telling me how much they wish their backpack was also a front-loader! But the daypack that comes with the pack is a little small. It’s a great day pack to carry a laptop and a couple other things in it, but it’s too small for a weekend/overnight trip. I ended up buying another cheap, bigger backpack, like a school backpack, to use for travel days and overnight trips.
Important tip when packing for the Race: Keep your pack under 40lbs! You’ll be flying on cheaper airlines, like Spirit, whose baggage limits are 40lbs not 50lbs!
Backpack locks
I bought mine at REI but I saw them so much cheaper at Walmart! I got the TSA approved kind.
Month 8 update: TBH I haven’t really needed these much.
Airporter (Sea to Summit 50-70L Pack Converter)
I had no idea what this was a few months ago, but an airporteris a handy cover to protect your pack from getting worn down during travel days. This one is even waterproof, so when our packs are tied to the top of buses, it’ll be safe from the rain.
Update Month 8: So So Important!! Some of my squadmates didn’t bring one and they regret it and now they are trying to find one on the field. Get one that is waterproof. Also, get one like mine that allows you to use your big pack’s straps while the airporter is still on, because carrying a 40+ pound duffel over your shoulder is never fun. This will also minimize the temptation to drag your duffel across airport floors instead of carrying it, which will result in holes in your airporter.
Tent (Paria 2-person Bryce backpacking tent)
A 2-person tent is so helpful even though it’s just for one person (me!). It gives me some extra space inside for my backpack too. It comes with a rainfly and a footprint. I also didn’t know what those words meant. A rainfly is that yellow cover that goes over the tent to protect you from the rain! A footprint is a tarp-like piece that goes below your tent. It protects the base of your tent from getting holes and it helps keep water from seeping into your tent from the ground too. Also, this tent is freestanding, so I don’t have to use the stakes if I don’t want to. That means I have the option to put it up inside a building for privacy or a space of my own.
Update Month 8: Some people sent their tents home, but then you have to be willing to share a tent with a teammate or to borrow a squadmate’s tent if they’re not using it.
Sleeping pad (Therma-Rest brand)
My sleeping pad is going to be my bed for the next 11 months!
Update month 8: This one isn’t great. Buy a more comfortable one.
Sleeping Bag (Slumberjack brand)
I’ve had this sleeping bag for many years now. I think it is a 30-degree rating, so I should stay plenty warm in most of the places I go. Also, it came in a stuff-sack, which makes it condense down into a smaller size when packing it.
Update Month 8: I sent mine home because 9 of our countries are hot and most of our hosts have provided blankets anyways. I kept my sleeping bag liner though.
Top sheet
Everyone recommends bringing a sleeping bag liner, which is a thinner cloth that goes inside your sleeping bag and prevents your sleeping bag from getting dirty. Also, the liner can be used as a blanket on its own when it’s too hot for the sleeping bag. I didn’t feel like buying a liner, so I’m just using an old twin top sheet. My grandma even sewed the bottom of the sheet together so it stays folded in half (hotdog method), mimicking a sleeping bag.
Pillow (REI Co-Op Trailbreak Foam Pillow)
I’m not about using an inflatable pillow. Maybe an inflatable pillow would compact smaller, but comfortability is more important to me. The pillow I bought is made of lots of foam pieces and it folds into itself so it is only about half the unfolded size.
2 Pillow Cases
Keep your pillow clean and bring an extra pillowcase, so when you’re washing one, you can use the other.
Month 8 update: I appreciated having both at first, but then I decided I didn’t need the second one. Most hosts provide pillows anyways.
Eye mask and lots of earplugs
So sleeping will be easier in the airport, on the plane, or on the bus during long travel days.
Headlamp
I already can’t imagine surviving without this. It makes nighttime porta-potty trips much easier.
Update Month 3: V important for nighttime bathroom runs & showers.
Update Month 8: Ehh, I just use my phone flashlight. It’s pretty helpful for picking out lice from teammate’s hair though.
Laptop and phone, laptop charger, phone charger, and extra phone chargers.
I labelled all my cords because everyone’s cords look the same!
Smart watch and smart watch charger
My smart watch has its own GPS so when I go for runs, I’ll know the distance.
Crosstour Action Camera, SD card, and camera charger
I just bought this on Amazon for under $100! It came with a bunch of cases and mounts. I can send pictures and videos to my phone and computer cordlessly.
Headphones and extras
I’ve heard they break or get lost easily. I was scared to have my Airpods lost or stolen so I left them at home.
Update Month 8: I kinda wish I brought my AirPods.
Headphone splitter
It turns allows two or more people to listen to the same music or movie. I’m not sure if I’ll end up using it or not.
Update Month 8: I haven’t used it yet. But I see other people sharing headphones and they may find it useful.
Flash drive
For saving or transferring pictures. Not sure if I’ll use it.
Update Month 8: haven’t used it yet.
Hard drive and its cord
In case your computer gets broken or stolen, you’ll have it backed up on your hard drive.
Update Month 8: Download movies on it!! It’s so nice to be able to watch movies on my laptop anytime! Maybe your alumni leaders or other squadmates will have some on theirs you can steal too.
Outlet adapter
My dad gave me a single little white box that adapts for practically every country! Pretty handy.
Update Month 8: Get one that has 4+ USB ports in it too, because outlets are limited and everyone on your team will need to use it at the same time!
Electronics cord organizer
I already know my life would be a mess without this. All of my cords are so nicely organized and not tangled.
Update Month 3: This is the best thing ever.
Extra batteries (especially for headlamp)
Bible, notebook, pens, pencils, sharpies, markers
A little wallet/travel purse with an over-the-shoulder strap
Passport, copies of passport, immunization card (especially for yellow fever proof of vax), insurance cards
Paracord and clothes pins
Great for hanging clothes to dry.
Update Month 8: I used them at first but they’re not necessary. You can hang clothes without pins. Most places will have clothes lines or you can find somewhere to hang them.
Rubber bands
I roll up my clothes and use rubber bands to hold them tightly rolled. It saves so much space!
Mesh laundry bag, cloth laundry bag
Update month 8: don’t need it
Zip locks
For wet clothes or dirty shoes
Update Month 8: you can also buy these in other countries along the way if you need more.
Swiss Army pocket knife
Collapsible bowl from REI
REI Spork
Update Month 8: sent home the bowl, kept the spork.
I didn’t pack a coffee mug, but at Training Camp I definitely could have used one. I might just buy one in Nicaragua if I still find myself needing one.
Carabiner clips
Great for hooking things to the outside of your pack
Vacuum insulated water bottle
It’s durable and keep things either very cold or very hot
Baby mirror
I’ve only been at Training Camp for 10 days and I feel like I haven’t really looked at my face this whole time. But having this little guy has helped.
Germx and travel Kleenex
Update Month 8: You can buy tissue along the way. Super handy to carry so you can use for TP, especially on travel days.
Chapstick
Both regular and sunscreen
month 8 update: you can buy along the way
Toiletries kit (Sea to Summit)
This little guy folds up nice and small, has a hanger, and is waterproof so stuff doesn’t leak out.
Conditioner, perfume, razor, extra blades, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothbrush cover, toothpaste, flossers, wet wipes, deodorant
And an extra deodorant (I’ve heard they don’t have to good stuff in other countries)
Month 8 Update: you can buy everything in other countries, even good deodorant. Don’t bring any extras!
Mascara, eyebrow pencil, blemish cover up, micellar water, cotton swabs, and Q-tips
I don’t know. Maybe I’ll want to look nice sometime?
month 8 update: ^^^ that is so trueee!!! thankful I have it!
Mr. Bronner’s soap
This stuff functions as clothes detergent, shampoo, body wash, and dish soap! The lavender scent makes everything smell better too.
month 8 update: I used it up way too fast. I should have diluted it more. It’s handy to have on hand for washing clothes. It doesn’t really lather up though.
Melatonin spray
month 8 update: didn’t use it
Essential oils
I brought lavender, tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus. A lot of them help keep away bugs and things!
Update month 8: You need this! Peppermint for nausea & tea tree for mosquitos & lice. It’s also nice to use as perfume.
Hairbrush
I just brought a regular one, not a travel one.
Hair ties and extras, a hair clip, a headband, bobby pins
Nail clippers, tweezers, baby scissors, and safety pins
I wish I had brought more safety pins, but I only brought one and it is already MIA.
12 to 15 months’ worth of my prescription meds in their labeled/official bottles and a legible prescription from my doctor
OTC medications and first aid: Tylenol, eye drops, hydrocortisone cream, mucinex, pepto bismol, antifungal cream, Benadryl, ginger candies, bandaids, Arthromyosin (an antibiotic to treat cholera), and doxycycline (to prevent malaria).
Sunglasses and sunglasses case
Bug spray
month 8 update: use tea tree if you don’t want to feel sticky/oily especially after showering or when you’re sleeping.
Sunscreen
month 8 update: you can buy in other countries along the way. Sometimes it might be hard to find and make sure you don’t buy one that has skin whitening in it because other cultures don’t like being tan.
Solar spray
This stuff is literally a miracle when it comes to sunburn. If you have ever gotten sunburnt or will ever get sunburnt, you should buy this. It works wonders.
Tevas
Practically chacos. I’ll probably end up wearing these most days.
month 8 update: so I never wore Chacos/Tevas before the race, so I didn’t want to wear them on the race either. I ended up buy cute sandals that I liked to wear. Maybe find some cute sandals or closed toed shoes that you like to wear and would be sturdy enough for adventure stuff as well.
Tennis shoes
Flip flops
These will mainly function as shower shoes or for any beach trips.
Packing cubes (Eagle Creek brand) 
Wow these things have saved me. I can store all of my clothes in just a few of them and they keep my backpack organized and give me more space for other things! So necessary!
1 Microfiber towel
This guy is quick-dry, so I can pack it up the next day without it being wet and stinky. I am also thinking about buying a sarong overseas because they work well as towels too! They dry quickly and are also super versatile in other ways they can be used/worn.
4 pairs of socks, 7 pairs of underwear, 3 sports bras, 1 regular bra
I’ll be washing all of these pretty often (haha).
month 8 update: BRING MORE UNDERWEAR. Like 8-14 unless you like to reuse undies or not wear undies.
2 regular t-shirts, 2 dry-fit/workout shirts, 1 long-sleeve dry-fit shirt, 2 nicer shirts for dressing up, 1 thick-shouldered tank top
3 ankle-length skirts, 1 knee-length dress
2 knee-length athletic shorts, 1 pair sweat pants, 1 pair nice flowy jogger pants, 1 pair jeans, 1 pair leggings, 1 pair Nike shorts, and 1 pair yoga pants
The Nike shorts and leggings are for sleeping or for going under skirts/dresses!
1 flannel, 1 light Columbia jacket, and 1 rain jacket
month 8 update: I’m so thankful for my Nike shorts, jeans, leggings, and yoga pants. Even though they might not be in dress code, you’ll still find times when you’ll be thankful you have them. For example, when you’re working out inside your home/hostel. Bring clothes you like to wear/you would wear at home. I promise you won’t want to wear REI outdoorsy quick dry clothes if that’s not something you already like wearing. Maybe bring one pair of pants and one shirt for manual labor but that’s all you need. Don’t go out and buy new clothes because you’ll just end up trading out clothes with squadmates and buying new clothes along the way too. You definitely won’t end the race with the clothes you started with. You’ll regret it if you don’t bring at least a few pieces of cute clothes that you like to wear.
Bathing suit, belt, and hat
month 8 update: I didn’t wear my hat. Bring a cute one-piece.
Final Product!!!!!!
This is my day pack and what’s in it.
This is my big pack and what’s in it.
Feel free to comment and ask me questions, especially if you are a future racer!
