When I was getting ready to go on the WR, packing was such a seemingly huge obstacle to overcome. It was stressful! Don’t be stressed. You are going to be fine- anything that you forget, you can buy or borrow. And anything that you don’t need, you can drop.
For any of you who are getting ready to go live out of your backpack for 11 months, I hope this is helpful.
- Do not bring a lot of clothes! Resist over-packing! I was that person who thought I would pack things and bring them home with me. I’m only halfway through my race and most of my clothes have been swapped out for some great international outfits. Plus you will pick up some awesome stuff from the monthly free-pile.
- I would bring 2 tee-shirts, 2 tanks, 1 long sleeve shirt, 1 pair of jeans/pants, 2 pairs of yoga capris, 2 pairs of shorts, 1 long skirt, 1 dress, 1 jacket/fleece, your bathing suit and lots of underwear.
- I brought 1 pair of flipflops, 1 pair of Chacos, I pair of tennis shoes and a pair of Toms. I really have only worn my flipflops and occasionally use my tennis shoes. If you live in flipflops at home, you will on the WR too. You don’t need a lot of shoes.
- Do not pack an REI towel! They stink after a few months. Instead, bring a sarong. They are lightweight and dry really easily.
- Do not bring a lot of cosmetics/medicine. You can buy these things pretty much anywhere (except stick deodorant- that's hard to find).
- Do not pack a lot of camping gear. You will need your tent at some point, but other than that, you will be able to find what you need and probably won’t be camping a lot.
- Don’t bring a mosquito net- you can use your tent, or your contact will have them.
- Backpack. I brought a 65 liter pack and it is a good size; it’s on the small side- a lot of people brought a 75 liter.
- Daypack. Bring one that can hold your electronics, etc. and be your only other bag that you have to carry.
- Buy packing cubes and use them for everything.
- Buy a large airporter/duffel bag for your pack.
- Bring a purse.
- Bring sunglasses and maybe a hat.
- Bring a rain jacket.
- Bring a headlamp.
- If you have one, bring a hammock. I have not used my Eno very much, but when I do use it, I’m so glad that I have it.
- Butterfly chair. Some people say it’s their favorite thing that they brought.
- Bring lots of baby wipes. Pack them in your daypack for when you stop on the side of the road to take care of business.
- Girls, pack makeup. I almost didn’t, but it can be nice on days when you want to go out.
- Bring body spray or perfume. It’s amazing how powerful something that smells nice can be.
- Bring your Bible, journal and maybe a devotional.
- If you like to read, bring a Kindle, if you have one.
- Bring an extra notebook. Paper is a hot commodity.
- Do not pack a converter! You only need an international adapter.
- Pack a power-strip for when there’s only one outlet and 6 people in a room.
- Bring a laptop.
- Bring a large hard-drive. Everyone shares music and movies and pictures.
- Bring a zipdrive. It’s helpful with transferring files/pictures/music quickly.
- Bring a small travel speaker- for those dance parties on the bus.
- Bring a headphone splitter and an extra pair of headphones.
- Bring a nice camera, if you have one. I’m so glad that I did.
- I have only really needed one lens (I brought three and that was too many).
- I bought a neoprene sleeve for my camera and it has protected it well.
- Bring an iPod/iPhone/iPad (and a charger that you can plug into the wall or your computer). I only have an iPod and it’s one of my favorite things. But some people love their iPads.
- Bring pictures of your friends and family. I didn’t do this and I wish I had.
- Have your friends and family write letters for you to open each month.
- Bring a spork and coffee mug.
- Pack a vegetable peeler. I didn’t bring one but people who did are glad they have it.
- Bring a laundry bag.
- People who play guitar are glad they brought their guitar
- Bring a tent (a 2 man tent is a good size).
- Pack a sleeping/travel bag.
- Pack a small sleeping pad. Mine got eaten by something, so I don’t have one anymore and can survive without it. But it is nice to have in some months.
- Pack a sheet. I just brought one from home rather than getting a sleeping bag liner and it has worked great.
- Bring a travel pillow.
- Pack carabineers. They are handy in lots of different situations.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY… pack things that you would wear/use in your day to day life. You are still you on the WR!! If you like dressing up in dresses, bring dresses. If you like outdoorsy stuff, bring outdoorsy stuff. I made the mistake of mainly packing things that I bought at REI. I love REI, but I don’t want to always look like I just walked out of their display window. I brought Chacos but I still live in my flipflops because that’s what I do at home.
- Pack things that will make you feel like you!
