PACKING LIST

Packing List (girl specific, but boys you can get some ideas too)

[Remember this is just a guideline…you do not need to follow this list exactly, but my hope is that you can use it along with other packing lists to help you gain a better idea of what you should bring with you on the Race]

My route consisted of India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Latvia and Estonia.

Clothing

** The majority of countries I went to the girls were unable to show your shoulders or knees (In India you cannot even show your ankles).  Therefore, I recommend not taking many tank tops and only packing one pair of shorts above your knees.  Also, you will most likely purchase clothing on the Race so keep this in mind.  In regards to keeping your shoulders covered, something that came in handy for almost all of the girls on our squad are cardigan style t-shirt cover-ups to wear over tanks (lightweight sweaters with short sleeves).  Pack clothes you wear at home.  For example, if you do not wear dry fit clothing at home you will not like wearing it on the Race.

• 2-3 skirts (below the knees) I recommend at least one that is floor length
• 1 dress (optional** or another skirt…also below the knees)
• 2-3 pairs of capri length shorts
• 1 pair of pants
• 3-5 t-shirts
• 1 sweater
• 1 raincoat (does not need to be fancy or expensive)
• 7-10 pairs of underwear (I wish I brought extra for month 6, a great present to yourself)
• Bras (Bring whatever bras you wear at home.  If you don’t wear sports bras at home, I would only bring 1 or 2 on the Race.  Personally, I brought 3 sports bras, 2 normal bras and a strapless (I could have done without the strapless))
• 2-4 pairs of socks (depends on how much you plan on wearing your sneakers)
• Bathing suit (modest, either one piece or a tankini…I spent a lot of money on a bathing suit which I have only used 3 times in 8 months…Keep this in mind)
• Sneakers (do not need to be expensive, you probably will not wear them often unless you work out often or go hiking.  I only wore mine during a hike and physical labor)
• Sandals (bring shoes you wear at home, for example: don’t buy Chacos just for the Race.  I recommend buying a good pair of Crocs sandals.  I bought a pair in month 3 and they are the best purchase I have made on the Race. 
• 1 hat
• Headbands or buffs (If you think you would wear them)
• Jewelry (bring a few things, you will be glad you did.  I took a couple of pairs of earrings, a couple of necklaces and rings…you won’t wear them all of the time, but on the days you choose to dress up it is nice to have)
• Glasses (if you wear glasses, bring an extra pair or two.  Mine just fell apart one day.  Not sure what is so different from the Race and at home, but everything seems to mysteriously fall apart on the field)
• Sunglasses
• Retainers (if you wear a retainer, I would recommend getting an extra one from your dentist or orthodontist before leaving for the Race)

Toiletries

** You can restock on toiletries almost everywhere.  If you stock up on too many toiletries you will end up dropping them to lose weight from your pack.

• Deodorant (the only item I would recommend bringing enough supply for 11 months.  It is near impossible to find stick deodorant in Southeast Asia and Africa.  I packed enough deodorant to last me the entire Race and I do not regret it)
• Toothbrush and cover (you can replace your toothbrush ANYWHERE, you only need to bring 1 and I recommend buying a case for your toothbrush, I bought mine at Wal-Mart for $1)
• Toothpaste (Again, you can find this anywhere, only pack one tube)
• Shampoo and conditioner (only bring a 1-month supply or less.  Many teams use team money to supply a team shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste to share)
• Face wash (1 bottle)
• Floss (I would bring a few cases of floss, it is hard to find in some places and kind of expensive)
• Bug repellant (I recommend buying a lotion versus a spray and preferably one with deet.  I did not use my bug repellant often, but there were times I was glad to have it.  I packed two bottles but ended up dropping one. My remaining bottle is still half full in month 8)
• Lip chap (with sunscreen…bring a couple)
• Sunscreen (at least 30.  I brought one tube and it has lasted me 8 months, if you need to restock you can find it in some stores although it might be pricey)
• 1 bottle of lotion (your skin will thank you…you can also restock anywhere but watch out that you do not buy lotion or other products with whitening cream in them while traveling)
• Razor(s) or razor and extra blades (you can find disposable ones almost anywhere)
• Make-up (If you wear make up at home, bring it on the Race.  You will want to wear it some days, trust me.  Depends on what you wear at home, but I brought 1 foundation powder, 1 BB cream, 1 blush, 1 bronzer and 2 mascara which has lasted me the entire Race)
• Nail clippers
• Nail polish and small bottle of remover (optional.  This helped us to feel girly at times)
• Tweezers
• Tampons/pads/panty liners (I took a years worth of tampons thinking I would not find any overseas form what I was told.  I ended up dropping some and then buying more when I needed them.  I found tampons almost everywhere we have been.  I would recommend taking maybe a 6 month supply and then going from there once you see what stores are like on your route.  Pads you can find anywhere.  If you wear panty liners at home take some on the Race, they don’t take up much room.
• Baby Wipes (I was told to stock up for the year on these.  NOT TRUE.  Do not waste the money or space to stock up on baby wipes.  Chances are they will get punctured and dry up anyways.  Almost everywhere I have been I found baby wipes.  If any, only bring 1 pack.  Same with face wipes)
• Hand Sanitizer (you can easily find these in most Asian countries, although I would take maybe 2 small bottles, 3 at the most to get you through the places that you cannot find it.  In all seriousness, I haven’t had hand sanitizer in months and have gotten along fine.  In most places you will only need this during travel or visits to places where there are no sinks. 
• Bobby Pins and Hair Elastics (or whatever you use at home)

Medicine

** You can find pharmacies almost anywhere, but there are some things you might want to have on you just incase.  You don’t need to take full bottles of these…what I did was put them in zip lock bags and labeled them.  I was told to take probiotics and vitamins (which I spent way too much money on) and ended up dropping because I do not take them at home and taking them on the Race affected my stomach.

• Tylenol (Advil or Ibuprofen…Something for pain and fever)
• Cold and Flu Tabs (whatever brand you use at home)
• Allergy pills (if you suffer with allergies at home, you most likely will on the Race as well)
• Benadryl (these came in handy when sick and also good for nights you cannot get to sleep)
• Gravol or Dramamine (any anti-nausea medication…If you get car sick then stock up on these)
• Pepto Bismol (chewable or tablets)
• Imodium
• Senekot S (or other laxative/stool softener)
• Tums (or something for heartburn)
• Antibiotic cream
• Something for yeast infections
• Anti-itch cream (great for insect bites)
• Tea tree oil** (you can use this for so many things, search the internet for its uses)
• Malaria medication for 11 months (I have been taking Mefloquine 2 pills 1 time weekly, and I have not had any problems)
• Small Personal First Aid Kit (Band-Aids, gauze, medical tape, alcohol swabs, medical scissors etc.  Your team is provided with a basic Red Cross First Aid kit, but from experience my team ran out of items in ours and failed to replace them)

Gear

• Internal frame pack (I would recommend a 65-litre for girls.  My bag is a Black Diamond, which I have grown to love.  You should make sure to be fitted for your pack.  Choose whichever brand you feel the most comfortable with.  Many people on my squad have Osprey packs and seem to like them.  Try on you pack before purchasing it.
• Airporter** (you will want and need one of these.  Most of us have the Osprey airporter, but you can use a duffle bag or whatever you prefer.  Some packs have airporters specificly for that pack)
• Day pack (I was told to not worry about my day pack and that a regular book bag would work fine.  WRONG.  My daypack was not meant for the weight I put in it and began to rip.  I ended up buying a hiking daypack from a mall in Thailand and it was a great purchase.  This does not need to be an expensive bag, but make sure it is durable…I also love the fact that it has a chest and waist strap to help relieve some weight off your back and shoulders) **A pack with a rain cover is suggested
• Sleeping bag (I was told on many packing lists that I could get away with bringing only a liner.  I don’t agree.  I have used my sleeping bag numerous times throughout the Race and it is worth carrying.  If you buy a down filled sleeping bag it should compress quite small with a compression or stuff sack.  Mine is a -3°C and works great.  You might pay a little more to get a bag that packs small but it is worth it, I actually found mine on sale so shop around)
• Sleeping bag liner (If you ask me, you could get along fine without one of these.  They are expensive and if your sleeping bag is too warm you can just sleep without any blankets.  If you choose to bring a liner, what I did was bought some good sheets that were on sale and cut and sewed them into the dimensions of a sleeping bag liner.  It was much cheaper and did the job.  This way you can also make it as big or small as you would like)
• Pillow (if you are someone who needs a good pillow at home, bring a real pillow on the Race.  You will not regret it, and when you are traveling and don’t want to carry it you can put it in your airporter.  If you choose a camping pillow such as the Thermarest pillows make sure to get at least a large but preferably the XL.  Bring an extra pillow case so that you can switch out and wash them…Your pillow will get dirty)
• Toiletry bag (just something to carry all your toiletries in, mostly helpful for carrying your things to the shower)
• Water bottle (I recommend a 1litre Nalgene.  Every Camelback I have seen has leaked)
• Packing cubes** (buy these for your clothes!!! I only bought stuff sacks for my clothes and they have been a pain in the butt.  Packing cubes are easier to pack, your clothes are more accessible and you don’t need to wrinkle or bunch up your clothes as you do with a stuff sack.
• 1 person tent (every packing list told me to get a 2-person tent.  You could easily get away with a 1-person as long as it is big enough to fit you and your bags.  I bought a MSR Hubba Hubba tent and I love it, so I would definitely recommend MSR.  A 1-person tent that packs small will be a blessing to you.  Many people mailed their tents home because they were either too big or too heavy.  Buy a stuff sack for your tent to compress it smaller.
• Footprint for your tent (this will extend your tent’s life)
• Sleeping pad (I was told this would be my bed for the year but in fact in most countries I have been provided with a bed or mattress.  Although, I would still suggest bringing one because you WILL use it, every Race is different.  Make sure you get one that is durable and packs small. I ordered mine from online and it packs huge, I need to keep it on the outside of my pack and it isn’t worth it.  Almost everyone else on my squad has pads that pack down very small and I wish mine did too.  I bought a Thermarest Luxury Pad, and although it is comfortable, there are others that are just as comfortable and pack small.  Bring patches and a repair kit for your sleeping pad, I got a hole in mine the first night of the Race and many Racers along the way had to patch their as well.
• Towel (make sure you get a good towel! Sea to Summit Tek Towel either L or XL is recommended.  DO NOT buy a Sea to Summit Pocket Towel, it is basically a big microfiber cloth and does not do the job.  I have done the Race with the pocket towel and it was a huge pain.  It does not dry you off well enough whereas the Tek Towel is closer to the material of a towel you would use at home.
• Fork/spoon/knife
• Mug for hot drinks (if you are someone who likes to make your own tea and coffee)
• Bowel/Plate (Sea to Summit collapsible bowl/plate is recommended.  I brought a plastic one and it broke and was hard to pack.  The rubber ones last longer and pack smaller)
• Carabineers (you do not need many of these, just a few incase you need to hang anything on the outside of your pack.  Suitable to have one for your waterbottle at least)
• Bug Net (not necessary but can come in handy.  You can find ones that pack small.  I used mine in the jungle in Malaysia because of the amount of mosquitoes carrying dengue fever, and in Africa because the malaria carrying mosquitoes come out more between the hours of 6pm and 6am.  Nets were only recommended in Africa, and in such places they were also provided for us)

Electronics

• iPod or mp3 Player
• Travel Adapter (I highly recommend the Targus World Travel Adapter, works great and packs small)
• Laptop (If you are buying a laptop just for the Race, do not buy something expensive.  The smaller and lighter your computer the better.  Although, if you have a MAC at home I would bring it.  Most people who brought tablets on the Race prefer to have brought a laptop instead)
• Laptop Case (I ended up buying one along the way because there was starting we be chunks taken out of my laptop, don’t ask…I have no idea how some of these things happen on the Race)**Sometimes people borrow your things and don’t take as good of care of them as you might.
• External Hard Drive (buy a case for this.  They break easily (learned from experience).  Although they can be expensive, having an external is definitely worth it.  Good for in case you loose pictures or something happens to your computer, also good to store movies and music on)
• Flash Drive (good for when internet cafes do not have WIFI, you can type e-mails etc. on your computer and transfer them this way)
• Camera (if you like taking pictures, bring a good camera)
• E-Reader (BEST purchase for the Race.  I did not even read much before the Race but have read on average about 2 books a month so far.  I also bought a Bible commentary for my e-reader, which has come in handy.  We have purchased and swapped some actual books along the way but having an e-reader is the way to go)
• Watch (if you wear one at home.  I personally don’t wear a watch at home and ended up getting rid of mine along the way)
• Travel Speakers and/or Headphone Splitter (I did not think I would use these and figured if I needed them I could borrow from a team mate so did not bring either.  In reality these are both something I borrowed quite a bit on the Race from other people and it would be convenient to have my own since they do not take up much space)
• Extra set if earphones/headphones (I am on my 3^rd set of headphones.  Most people on my squad have had to replace their headphones as well)
• Small Calculator (helps when shopping to do the exchange rate)

Other

• Bible (I had planned on bringing my study bible and at the last minute left it at home and bought a new smaller one at launch.  It was a smart choice.  Bringing a small regular Bible and then either downloading a study or commentary on your e-reader will save you weight and space)
• Journal(s) (If you journal at home bring a journal or two, you can also buy them along the way.  You do not need to pack a years supply of journals.  If you don’t journal you should still bring one or a notebook to write things in)
• Pens
• Sharpies
• Highlighter
• Glue stick (I thought this was silly at first but then realized it is convenient to stick your tickets, currency and other memorable things in your journal with)
• Duck Tape (wrap some of this around your water bottle or something so that you can access it without taking up much space)
• Movies (Either fill your computer or external with movies or TV shows or bring a CD case with some to watch.  This will come in handy on travel days, on days off, when you are sick, or something to do during team time etc.)
• Exercise DVDs (for runners on the field who cannot run during months where it might be too dangerous, it is good to have something on your laptop such as Insanity, P90X or yoga)

** TRY OUT YOUR GEAR BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE RACE** 
If you have any questions or I left anything out please feel free to e-mail me [email protected] and I will get back to you ASAP!  Chances are there are definitely things I forgot.