(This is the only picture I have of all my stuff! Me sporting the big pack and kavu and Jeff with my day pack)
The thing that will seem most stressful in the world is packing! It is difficult but don’t let it rule you. The bottom line is you can get most things you will need in the field….
Tips:
- Chill it will be okay (so full disclosure this is super hypocritical of me to say because I had a folder full of lists for packing. I had a list of different lists I “needed” to make :/ DON’T BE LIKE ME!)
- Things you need to pack lots of: deodorant and tampons(unless you will be in Eastern Europe then don’t and stock up there because it’s cheeper…. but in Africa and Asia and everywhere else you will want deodorant from America) (on the tampon front…. I recommend highly a cup (do research on the best kind for you and start using a few months before launch), actually bring 2 in case of accidents, but if you must use tampons/pads you need to bring a lot to last you the year. They can be hard to find and especially hard if you want an applicator)
- What to spend your money on:
- sleeping pad– this is your life and your space during many months, get the y’all and wide even if you aren’t tall or wide. Trust me!!! Do it!!!
- Tent– so some routes will use the tent a lot and some won’t…. some teams will use it a lot and some won’t! But it is worth it to get a nice lightweight one because you WILL get sick of carrying it.
- Sleeping Bag – get a good one that packs down small. They make backpacking brands that shrink. Get a compression sack and make it as small as possible. If you take your old sleepover bag it will take up half your pack!
- Compression cubes – for clothes or anything and everything get multiple small to medium sided compressible cubes. They are cheep on Amazon.
- Unnecessary things that I loved having: a French press coffee mug!!! If you drink coffee or tea this will be a game changer. You want a mug anyways why not get one with a press in it too. My Kavu bag! You will want a decent size day pack so you also want a bigger purse you can carry daily!
- Things to not bring:
- Large size of any cosmetics/ personal hygiene(other than deodorant and tampons, just bring a travel sized shampoo conditioner and toothpaste you can always get more…. have enough for the first month)
- Your favorite clothes (things get ruined)
- All athletic/ camping/ hiking clothes (you will want to look normal and will need to look nice sometimes)
- Lots of shoes (bring chaco or berks, good work tennis shoes, and a waterproof shoe like flip flops or crocks)
- Buy used:
- Tent
- Big pack (from someone who took good care of it, but make sure you go to a store and try on brands then buy used)
- Day pack (get something you can live out of for at least a week something with a waist clip you can stow away or use is preferable)
- Air porter (sea to summit is best, buy it big so you can shove stuff around it, make sure the person hasn’t dragged their bag every travel day. Ask about wear spots and holes.)
- Clothes (buy from yard sale sites, World Race buy and sell, and from the thrift store)
Okay this is all I can think of right now but comment or message me if you have any other specific questions! Happy packing
