This is a blog for all the future Racers out there wondering what to pack in the seemingly WAY TOO SMALL pack that is going to be life for the next 11 months.
The first thing we need to is set a couple guidelines…
#1 DON’T FREAK OUT!
You are allowed to have a breakdown or a couple. But just know that no matter what you put in your pack it will be ok. You aren’t leaving planet earth, you just are leaving the US.
#2 Give yourself Grace
You are going to start questioning and comparing EVERYTHING you decide to take immediately after you make the decision. But it is NOT WORTH stressing over. Be confident and pack what you want.
#3 Make friends with your pack
Just trust me with this one. It is important.
I can’t even believe how much I let myself freak out over what to pack or not to pack because the further I get on the Race I realize that there are things I would pack differently and there are things I wish I wouldn’t have brought. But that is miniscule compared to the big picture.
So lets get down to the nitty gritty of what is inside my pack…
Oh wait.. We can’t talk about what is on the inside if you don’t know what pack I have.
I LOVE MY PACK!!! It is my best purchase. I completely switched it after training camp and I have never regretted that decision since.
I have a Gregory Deva 70L. It has a front loading pocket that makes easy access to everything in my pack and it forms to my back perfectly. On travel days if I wear it right, I don’t even feel the weight on my back.
** GET YOUR PACK SIZED FOR YOU!
Now to the guts…
AIRPORTER ~ I have the Sea to Summit Pack Converter Duffle Bag.. It is multiple purpose (as both a rain cover and airporter) and let me tell you this thing is a LIFESAVER!!!!! Picture this: We were riding in the back of a truck for 2.5 hours in a DOWNPOUR with ALL of our stuff in the truck bed with us. I was the only one whose pack didn’t get soaked through!
**You can put it on and still wear your backpack as you normally would but it is also WATERPROOF!
TENT ~ I bought a REI Passage 2 tent and I love it! My team has used our tents the most out of the whole squad and it has been a great choice.
** Purchase a compression sack for this to pack in so it fits smaller and then pack your poles along the inside of your pack. (its better then the clunky bag they give it to you in)
**You need to purchase a tent footprint separately and I would recommend getting the one specific to the tent you purchase
SLEEPING PAD ~ This is the MOST IMPORTANT PURCHASE (outside of your pack)!!! DID YOU HEAR ME?!?!?!?! MOST IMPORTANT!!! If you are going to drop some significant money on something this is the place to do it. Remember this could be your bed for 11 months! I have a EXPED SYNMAT 7 with a hand pump. I LOVE IT! But whatever pad you get practice sleeping on it for a few days to make sure you love it.
SLEEPING BAG ~ This is the focus of debate among many racers on if it is actually a necessity. But here is the thing, my squad started off with a mostly HOT route and at launch changed to a mostly COLD route. So my sleeping bag has done me well. I have a Marmot Sunset 20 degree and it hasn’t let me down yet. Get something that is light but warm. And purchase something that makes sense to your body. If you are a hot sleeper then… If you are a cold sleeper then… You get the picture.
** Purchase a compression sack for this to pack in so it fits smaller (if it doesn’t come with one)
SLEEPING BAG LINER ~ I have a Sea to Summit CoolMax Adaptor Traveller Sleeping Bag Liner with Insect Shield. It is GREAT! I used it in multiple countries as both a sheet in my sleeping bag but also as a bug repellent.
PILLOW ~ I have just a little blow up one that comes in handy on travel days (it’s a Cocoon Sleeping Bag Hood Pillow). But the best one I have seen on the Race is a Brookstone BioSense® Travel Pillow (it is a little spend but worth it!! Cause it packs small and feels like a real pillow!).
PACKING CUBES ~ I have two double sided Eagle Creek packing cubes (two different colors) for easy access. I organized by tops in one color and bottoms in the other. Then I have one more Tube Cube for all my undergarments. It makes life simple.
CLOTHES ~ I know you are wanting me to tell you EXACTLY how many this or that to pack. But in reality the only thing you need to know is, PACK WHAT YOU LIKE TO WEAR! This is something where I LOVE color but a lot of my clothes that I packed are grey or black (my thinking was keeping them clean). But I miss COLOR… So pack things that you like. Stuff you can layer is a great option as well.
SHIRTS ~ Bring a few practical t-shirts. But add one or two “dress-me-up” ones for days you just need to feel cute.
PANTS ~ If you like to wear jeans PACK JEANS! I LOVE Jeans and only packed one pair of jean capris.. But I wish I would have packed a pair of jeans. Then pack the sweatpants and others..
***But the #1 rule when it comes to clothes is pack what you LIKE TO WEAR!***
UNDERWEAR ~ This is where I will give you a number cause it is a place that I am happy I did this for myself. I packed 20 pairs of underwear.. Yeah that sounds like ALOT… But trust me, it isn’t. I packed 10 for the first six months and then halfway through had 10 new pair (I had put them in a separate place in my pack to unpack later a secret halfway gift).
**Pack underwear you like and it isn’t a bad idea to get nicer ones that will last.
SHOES ~ Pack 3 pair.
1 pair of walking sandals… I have Abeo Sandals that I LOVE! But to each there own, if you are a Chacos person, Bring Chacos… etc.
1 pair of tennis shoes.
1 pair of shower shoes/flip flops. I would recommend the Croc Sexi Flip! It is a comfortable, cute, shower shoe that can either be dressed up or dressed down.
RAIN JACKET ~ I have a North Face Rain Jacket that I LOVE! This is a good place to actually purchase a new one.. We have used this almost every month and those who didn’t pack a nice one have regretted it!
DAYPACK ~ So this is the one thing that I wish I would have gotten something different. It’s not that I don’t like my daypack, I like it well enough. I have a LowePro 22L Photo Hatchback. It is really nice in keeping my DSLR packed and safe. But not really for anything else. I would do your research and decide what you want in a daypack. The only days I use my daypack are for travel days (because I am a minimalist when it comes to carrying stuff around daily). But the smaller you get the less you will put in it and the happier your back will be on travel days (your daypack is typically more of a pain then your pack).
**Purchase a rain cover for your daypack if it doesn’t already come with one…
WATCH ~ This is one of my best friends.. Not only am I able to know what time it is always (because you don’t carry a phone with you 100% of the time like in the States) but I also use it as my alarm clock!
**Get a water-resistant one and you never have to take it off!
CAMERA ~ I purchased my DSLR camera for the Race and I have not regretted the purchase AT ALL! I have always been interested in photography and this was the perfect opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills in this area. I brought a Canon Rebel 3ti with a Telephoto Zoom Lens.
COMPUTER ~ I am a Mac person.. So my recommendation is going to be a Mac. But I would recommend that you pack a LIGHT computer. I packed my 13 in MacBook Pro, but I throughly wish that I would have brought a MacBook AIR. (The need for a CD-drive is not that pressing)
IPOD TOUCH (or IPHONE) ~ This will be your best friend when it comes to easy internet access. It makes you be discrete
KINDLE ~ I brought my Kindle Paperwhite (which has a built in back light) and even though I wouldn’t categorize myself as an avid reader… I do love to read and am really happy I brought it for travel days and reading myself to sleep.
HARD DRIVE ~ You will want this.. From putting your pics, memories, music and movies on it for the whole year is a GREAT option. I brought a 1 TB size one.
SPEAKERS ~ I read a blog that said you didn’t “need” to pack this because SOMEONE on your team would have it. But I am glad I did… Because I have been that “someone” for all of my teams. A couple of my teammates purchased speakers in other countries but they have broken. I have the iHome portable speakers that magnet together and have a cute little bag to protect them.
HEADPHONE SPLITTER ~ Get the Belkin 5-way headphone splitter! It is just a great idea no matter if you are sharing with just one person or a whole bunch this is a great thing to have!
EAR BUDS/PHONES ~ I think I packed 4 pair (slight over kill I know…) But I have lost one and am able to share with people a lot. Bring both the kind that are squishy and fit inside your ear and a set that have an attached microphone.
POWER STRIP ~ I have a three prong one that makes it super efficient to charge multiple things at one time OR in the case that you and your team only have one outlet to share it makes charging capability more accessible.
TOILETRIES ~ I would recommend packing travel size stuff unless your particular (like shampoo, conditioner, face wash, etc.). Most things you can get overseas.
TOOTHBRUSH ~ I packed four collapsable toothbrushes that fold into themselves (for built in protection). But if not I would pack one with a toothbrush cover and then you can purchase more along the way.
RAZOR ~ I brought my Venus and enough refills for a year but some people have been using disposables and purchasing more (it’s up to you…)
DEODORANT ~ I brought enough stick deodorant for a year (like 4-5 sticks) and I’m definitely not sad about this decision. Some countries you can get stick deodorant in but others it’s only spray… So the choice is yours…
MAKEUP ~ I only brought mascara (but that is because I’m super minimalistic…).. Bring what you will wear and use.
FEBREEZE ~ I packed one travel size in my pack and one in my day pack! This just helps give your clothes the fresh feel/smell after not washing them for multiple days.
TOWEL ~ For this do what you want… I brought a REI MultiTowel that is QuickDry and don’t mind it at all. The #1 rule for your towel is bring one that covers your body. (Just trust me)
MEDICAL SUPPLIES ~ There have been a few things that I would recommend you to bring on the Race…
Musinex (12 hr) – for the cold/flu like symptoms you will have (I have shared this with MULTIPLE people on my squad)
Fiber – Just trust me… You will want this. Total Carb Diet = Problems
Tea Tree Oil – For lice prevention, healing burns… This stuff is GOOD!
Ibuprofen/Tylenol – Just for the day to day needs.
Malaria Meds – If there are countries on your route that need them, pack them!
EYE MASK ~ I don’t use mine a ton.. But it definitely comes in handy on travel days where you want to sleep or when your roomies are up until late with the lights on. (I do know some people who wear them EVERY NIGHT)
SPORK ~ You don’t need a full mess kit, but having a spark comes in handy when you want a scoop of peanut butter as a snack, etc.
JUST FOR FUN!
CARDS/GAMES ~ I LOVE to play games ALOT! and I decided to pack a bunch (of travel size card games) and they have been a HIT! Each month (or at least at debriefs) I end up playing some games… I brought two decks of regular cards, Anomia, Farkle (dice game), Word-a-Round, Spot It, and Trigger. (most of these games you probably haven’t heard of…) But if I would do it again.. I would probably pack: two decks of cards, Farkle, Anomia, Monopoly Deal, Spot It and Uno!
If you have other hobbies bring something to have to do with that…
PERFUME/BODY SPRAY ~ This isn something I wish I would have packed because it is nice to smell wonderful even when you really don’t…
CAMP CHAIR ~ I ALOMST brought a REI Flex Lite Chair and I wish I would have. I didn’t pack a hammock (because I’ve never really used one before). But I am the kind of person that doesn’t enjoy sitting on the ground all the time… So if you are one of those people I would highly recommend splurging and packing the chair.
JOURNAL ~ Bring one BIG one that will last you a long time OR bring one smaller one and then just purchase them along the way. I have purchased them along the way and it is fun because then my memories are inside of a memory.
THANK YOU NOTES ~ I made a set of Thank you cards through Shutterfly before I left on the Race that have a picture of me on them and each month I leave one with our contact (or other people if wanted) as both a thank you and a picture to remember me by.
CHARLES SCHWAB CARD ~ This was slightly a hassle to get before the race because I am not close to a Schwab location. But it is a HUGE blessing not having to worry about ATM fees, SO GET IT!!
For the LADIES ***Seriously if you are not a girl, there is no need to read***
Highlight below to read…
Diva Cup – Give it a try before the Race to decide if you want it. If you like it, it saves a ton of packing space.
Yeast Infection Meds – If you have never had one before the Race do it anyway… You need a Rx but it will be worth it. (Pack a few)
(My friend showing off my full pack the night before I left)
Yes, this isn’t maybe as extensive or as detailed a list as you were hoping for.. But I just wanted to share with you what my perspective is on packing.
JUST RELAX and HAVE FUN PACKING!
(Cause in 8 months you will be writing a packing blog laughing at how much you freaked out anyway!)
I will write a how to pack your pack blog later.. Cause I freaked out as much about this as I did what to bring.. 🙂
