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As I packed for the Race I was very intentional about everything I chose to bring and how I chose to pack it and still I have learned a few things while being on the Race. Below is my original list with notes about whether or not I would still suggest to bring it with you. In addition, I have a list of the things I’ve learned while doing this journey for the last couple months. And don’t forget, in my first post I talked about how to make the most out of the space you have in your pack. If you are interested in any of that information check out that post here.
As I was saying, here are some general things I have learned organized by topic:
What to buy at home
Definitely, DO NOT buy any new clothes or shoes, especially if you are going through Asia. I bought clothes based on the WR dress code and based on the situations I expected to be in during the race. The problem is that most of the things I bought sounded great on paper, but were not necessarily comfortable or didn’t make me feel girly or really didn’t meet my needs in general. I honestly wish I would have made the best of the clothes I had at home and saved my money to shop on the Race.
Because the reality is you WILL shop on the race. You will shop not just when you need a new shirt because your shirt was ripped, but also because it feels like home to shop and shopping is down right fun. Shopping at the malls, at the local markets, from the vendors on the street; You will want to do all that, so put money in your budget for it (and stick to your budget, of course).
What to buy on the race
I had a couple of World Race alumni help me pack my bag for the Race on two separate occasions before I left. One of the things I struggled to wrap my mind around was letting go of the brand names of my toiletries. So what I did, and it worked out great, was I brought the travel size of my toiletries and as I was able to find my brands on the race I bought more. In other circumstances, I lost my favorite face soap down the drain month one and I’ve had to get used to using what I could find and praying to God that I don’t break out. The point is, you will find many of the brands and things you love in many of the countries you travel to, but if you don’t find them you won’t die either. So pack light because you will be carrying your life on your back for the next year and that is no joke!
Electronics
I love my gadgets and I have been glad for just about every single one of them that I have brought with me on the race, but a couple things to remember…
Even if you have an external battery, charging your Apple Watch or FitBit will be much less of a priority over your computer, phone, or eReader. Don’t bring it! Sorry (not sorry). Depending on what you love about these devices find a cheaper replacement or at least a replacement that does not need to be charged daily. I would suggest a Misfit; it’s waterproof, is a smart watch, and needs a new battery only every 6 months.
I love my speaker and my team used it all the time. Music and food are the best ways to foster community in my book!
Bring a earphone splitter. This is the one thing I did not bring and I wish I did. For 30 hour travel days, some times it is fun to watch a movie with your peeps between napping. An earphone splitter makes this possible without “forcing” everyone else around you to hear what you are watching.
If you are prone to lose things either don’t bring expensive things or be okay with living without it. I have a teammate who constantly leaves his belongings everywhere! We as a team tried to help him keep track for a while, but it got old when his level of responsibility did not increase. Your team is your family; not your maids or parents.
Shoes
I had never heard of Chacos or Keens until I got on the GroupMe with my squad. If you don’t wear these brands prior to the race, don’t buy them for the race. The pair of shoes that I never wore before the Race, but were worth every penny and more were my thong Crocs. I brought them in two colors and I love them because they are similar to something I’d wear at home and they are so comfortable.
Your style will not change just because you are on the World Race, so buy things you would wear at home! Similarly, I bought some Salomon’s because they are “hiking sneakers”. I wear them because I have nothing else, but I would have rather brought my Nike’s that I had at home. Again, bring what you love and what you will wear and maybe a little bit of money to replace them if they fall apart on the Race, but bring nothing that you would not wear at home.
Bags
Choosing a day pack, a purse, and big pack were probably the most challenging for me. I love my travel pack, but I think I may have liked the Osprey Brand over REI. I loved that my day pack came with my travel pack, but I’ve found that the size was too small. I brought a medium size cross body bag to carry my iPad and wallet in, but most days I’ve found that it is too big or too small for the occasion of the day. UGH! It’s been so much to think about!
My best suggestion to you is buy your bags from REI WELL BEFORE YOU GO ON THE RACE and try them out many, many times. If it is not working or the weight feels weird when you carry it or the size is off, go back to REI and ask for help. They love to help people and especially Racers. Try to feel as comfortable in your gear as possible before your leave for Training Camp. Try it all out again at Training Camp and make adjustments when you get back from camp, if needed. It’s some work, but your body will thank you during these 11 months.
Liquids
As I said I pack well, but liquids have been the bane of my existence. Try to find every liquid in a solid form or pack the liquid in a couple levels of baggies to keep that liquid from exploding in your bag while a bag handler at the airport throws it from a belt onto a trolley onto a plane.
I hope this information helps!
I can’t thank you all enough for your support, prayers and encouraging words. Thank you for doing this journey with me!!
#PackingWR #Debrief
