Don’t take more than two mascaras. You can get nail polish, so only bring your favorite color. BRING THE FLAT IRON. If you bring shorts shorts, make sure you bring yoga pants to wear underneath.
Did you find this information helpful when trying to figure out what to pack for your race? Neither did I, and neither did my teammates, because, well… we’re not women. The women of the World Race are strong, incredible, and exemplify the varied shades of womanhood, and they pack a bag like Mary Poppins. Just not mine.
In honor of “Manistry” month, 2016’s B and C Squad men decided to create the most elusive World Race blog of all: a packing list for guys.
You may wish to tailor this list for your specific route or your specific preferences, but this list was unanimously agreed upon by 11 males of the species, from veteran racers to guys like me who never heard the term “daypack” before.
CLOTHING
Shirts: 4-5 plus a button-up
Don’t go crazy over Dri-Fit or quick drying. Seriously. Wear what’s comfortable. You can pack more if you prefer to have more shirts (like me) but you will probably pick up more clothes along the way.
Pants: 3-4
Shorts. Jeans or cargos. Khakis. Done. You can pick up more along the way. Opinion is divided on zip-offs; bring them for travel days or as back up clothes, but don’t consider them an essential.
Scrubs: 1-2
Crazy as it sounds, scrub pants are amazing. You can wear them as pajamas or as a lightweight pair of pants to wear out and about. They pack light and don’t cut into your weight. Pick a reasonable color like black or navy.
Underwear: 5
Bring more if you use more. You know you. Athletic underwear is probably the best. Ex-Officio athletic underwear is the favorite among the guys, but it’s expensive; check out sierratradingpost.com or theclymb.com; Reeboks (my favorite) are more reasonably priced, and can be purchased at Sam’s Club or Gordon’s for cheap. Consider a pair or two of cotton underwear if you like that sort of thing. They’re a nice break when you can’t stand the feel of synthetic anymore.
Socks: your discretion, 1-5
Opinion was divided. There are those who say bring one normal pair and one pair of hiking socks. Others brought six pairs, half normal and half hiking. It depends on whether or not you bring sandals or whether or not you bring boots. Sandals = fewer socks. I am in love with my Magellan hiking socks. In love. Bring a pair. They’re like a vacation for your feet.
Footwear: 2-3
Sandals if you like them. If you wear Chacos at home and like them, bring your Chacos. If you’ve never heard of Chacos, don’t go buy a pair. Wear sandals that are comfortable. Don’t buy in 100% to other opinions (even mine)
Something athletic that you don’t mind doing short hikes in. I have been in a pair of Merrill waterproof boots almost daily for 6 months and they’re still going.
Something lightweight – runners, Converse, etc. Something you can wear around the house or on a walk. These may take the place of sandals.
Outerwear
Flannel or a light jacket AND a rain jacket
TECH
Phone
Yeah, AIM says not to bring it. And if you can’t unplug from the Internet, don’t. If you bring it with you to have a handy backup camera, a calculator, a flashlight, language apps, and a headset for cheap international Skype calls, bring the phone. Know yourself.
Camera
Bring your iPhone, bring a DSLR, bring your little brother’s point-and-shoot. Just bring something. You are going to see things you haven’t even imagined; you’ll want to capture that. If you’re not a photo person, just stick with your phone camera.
Kindle
YOU WILL READ ON THE RACE. Even if you hate reading, you will read something. So at the very least, download the Kindle or Nook app for your phone or tablet. I bought a 2nd Gen Kindle with free 3G built in for $40 on Craigslist. I’ve downloaded books on the race when there was no wifi, and I’ve been able to lend and receive books. Consider a Kindle paper white if you dislike an external light source.
Travel Adaptor
BRING IT. I got one as a gift and it has been one of the most useful things I’ve received, for me and my team.
Charging Cords x2
If it’s important enough to have it charged, bring a backup. Things break, and you can’t always find a charging cable, especially if you have an iPhone 4 or an iPad 2.
Computer or Tablet
I brought my iPad 2 on the race and have done fine. It’s sometimes a hassle to upload pictures because I have to borrow someone else’s computer to do it without a memory card slot, but it’s feasible to do the race without a computer. It’s up to you.
Headphones
Bring at least one pair, but make sure there’s an in-line microphone. You won’t need more than 2. You can find them on the race if they break.
Aux Cable and Speaker
This has helped in ministry and on my teams. So glad I brought it.
Duolingo Language App
If you’re traveling in a country that speaks one of these:
Spanish
French
German
Ukrainian
Portuguese
Norwegian
Dutch
Italian
Go right now to the App Store and download the free Duolingo app. It’s a green owl. It requires wifi, but it is a quick and effective way to get some basic vocabulary and language practice for the race. I speak three languages and this app is the best thing I’ve ever seen. There’s also a website you can access for more practice tools, but the app has the basics.
HYGIENE
Generally speaking, if you are picky -and I say this with much love- get over it. Sometimes there won’t be bar deodorant, or shampoo, or face wash, or soap. Or Toilet paper. Let it go. You’ll be fine.
Deodorant
Unless you are picky about your brand, just bring enough to last the first couple months, if you are picky about your brand, either bring as much as you can or prepare for flexibility.
Razors
If you use a Headblade, bring additional cartridges. It’s the only thing I haven’t found on the race so far besides my picky brand of deodorant.
Electric Hair Clippers
There are two on our squad, and they get pulled out at every travel day, LDW, and debrief. Make sure your team has a beard trimmer with a hair attachment.
Toilet Paper
I packed nine rolls when we left month one. We had two left at the start of month two. You will need a roll for travel days.
EXTRAS
Medicine
–An anti-nausea medicine for motion sickness on travel days (your teammates will love you.) Even if you never get motion sick, bring it. You are not prepared.
-Something for pain/fever
-Allergy meds if you need them
-Hydrocortisone cream
-Triple antibiotic ointment
-VICKS. When you can’t breathe or have a stuffy nose and can’t get medicine in country, it will open up your airway and cut the congestion. It also makes you feel like you can breathe when you get to higher elevations with thin air, and helps with odors in smellier situations. Total lifesaver.
Books
A physical book or two can be handy; they can circulate in your group and be a great source of discussion. Don’t bring your Spanish/English dictionary unless you’re spending half your race in countries that speak Spanish. I never used mine except when teaching English, and only rarely. Bring a bible, even if it’s a little one.
Carabiners
Have a few. The clip everywhere and are useful for many things. You can trade with squadmates for different sizes.
Paracord
Don’t have a laundry line? An extra tie-down? Shoelaces? Now you do.
Sheet Music
If you’re a musician, consider bringing some sheet music or some e-books of music to play and practice. We didn’t see sheet music until month 6. If you play music to stay sane, find the space. Have a favorite worship song? Bring the music.
Art Supplies
I had a mini melt-down over whether or not I would have enough art supplies on the race. Breathe. You can buy sketchbooks and pens and many other types of art supplies. I haven’t seen charcoals or watercolor pencils yet, but I don’t use them, so I haven’t been looking. Everything else I’ve been able to purchase: oil pastels, crayons, colored pencils, oil and acrylic paints, brushes, canvases, watercolors. If you are picky about your brushes, Zebra pens, your G2s, or your 80 lb. weight paper, consider bringing some of the brand you like. Otherwise, ad lib as you go.
Sewing Kit
1 needle and some thread. Done.
Headlamp
FINAL THOUGHTS
Allow yourself one RIDICULOUS item. Someone mentioned that they wished they’d brought their hand grinder for their coffee and spent three months trying to find one on the race. Someone bought a long board in Chile. I had a roll-up pencil case with all of my colored pencils arranged by color. Bring it. It is worth it.
If you’ve thought to yourself “do I really need this?” More than 3 times during packing, you don’t need it. Ditch it in favor of lower weight or something better. See above re: ridiculous items.
Some folks lived out of their pack for a week before launch. Consider doing this to refine your list.
When you don’t know how the final pack is going to make it into your bag, take a moment, pray, and ask God for help. It will all fit.
You are about to leave on the most incredible experience you can imagine. You will love it. You will hate it. You will find the deepest friendships of your life, and learn things about yourself you never knew. God is going to rewire your brain. Embrace it. He is trustworthy.
I wish all the best for you on your journey!
