HEADS UP: this is from a woman stand point. This probably won’t apply to you men, unless you are high matienance 😉
I know you are all dying to know what to put in that 65 liter pack that you recently bought for your upcoming journey. Trust me: I am a material girl. Packing was a recurring nightmare that I never faced until training camp, and then again until a few days before launch. I love my closet. I love my clothes. I love my shoes and jewelry. I love to do my hair and wear make up. I love to look nice. So here is for all you ladies that think its impossible!! I started off the race with the lightest pack on my team; impossible.
First of all, bring clothes and shoes that you normally wear! Don’t go out and buy a bunch of new clothes (dry fit, REI brand, etc) just because it is suggested. You will want to feel comfortable and what is more comfortable then being in you “own skin”? Packing is also all personalized. Not everyone has the same tastes and interests. So don’t take this list/advice as mandatory.
I recommend/Lets start off with basics:
I started off the race with 5 v-neck t-shirt of various solid colors.
3 solid colors tanks
2 pairs nike running shorts, 1 pair soffee shorts
1 pair jeans
2 pairs capri or full length yoga pants (MY FAVORITE)
1 long sleeve shirt
rain jacket, north face fleece
1 skirt, 1 maxi dress
bra’s & undies as you feel necessary (I brought a lot. And just because you are on the WR doesn’t mean you have to wear granny panties;) )
few pairs of socks (most countries are warm, so I rarely wear closed toed shoes)
1 pair tennis shoes (esp if you like to run)
1 pair flip flops
1 pair solid sandals (CROCS are the BEST! light weight and reliable)
1 scarf
GEAR
some of the only stuff i bought name brand and invested in. You want quality gear.
tent (I know a two person is suggested, I have a one person because of price and weight and it works just fine. But I am also short!)
Sleeping bag liner AND/OR sheet/blanket- I did not bring a sleeping bag
Sleeping Pad
Regular Pillow- you’ll thank me later. Pillow pets work great!
headlamp/flashlight
mosquito repellant-honestly, it didn’t matter whether I used it or not, I still got bites!
mosquito net- we have been provided sometimes with them, but not others.
towels- I have 1 small and 1 large quick dry
MISC
electronics you feel necessary-my most prized possession in my electronics category is my kindle. I don’t know what I would do without it! I also have my Mac, iPhone, iPod, USB drive, and camera
adapter-check before you leave for the race! Mine from Walmart doesn’t work so well
heaphones
speakers
journal & bible
toiletries- baby powder, deodorant, toothbrush, hairbrush/comb, hair products, feminine products, perfume/body spray
first aid kit- ibuprophen, asprin, anti-diherreah, bandaids, alcohol swabs, etc
makeup if you wear it or want to
hair dryer/straightener – CONFESSION: I have both in my pack currently 🙂
jewelry
nail polish
instant coffee/H2O flavoring
spending money-more than you think you may need!
Pay attention to what countries and what time of the year you will be visiting them. Most of the first 7 countries were very warm. However, my team personally encountered 2 months thus far where the weather was cool. I wore jeans just about every day in Vietnam with my North Face fleece. And it gets cool at night in Africa. We are currently in Kenya during February and I have worn my sweater every day to class. There is also this thing called the “FREE BOX” that is shopping for WR at its finest. Just a box of clothes people are dumping and are free to whom ever claims them first. I’ve found plenty of great steals in our box!
Honestly, you will get to the point where you just don’t really care anymore. I must admit, it took me to month 7 to get this point. And don’t be worried about not being able to find certain things on the race like peanut butter or toothpaste. Everyone else in the world has to live too! Most major cities have wonderful grocery stores and you’ll have a chance to stock up! Its also a possibility to send things home and have things sent to you, but it can be pricey!
Hope this blog helps ya all out! But there is really no way to be FULLY prepared for this adventure you are about to embark on 🙂
