Hello everyone!
I have tried to write this so many times and I am still struggling with it as I write this now. The process of deciding what and what not to bring is not an easy feat. After reading and re-reading various blogs of past racers and watching packing videos what I have come to discover about the packing process is that most things are based on personal preference. Now, there are somethings that everybody will bring (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.) but things like what clothes to bring, to bring a travel mug or not, or if you should bring your favorite laundry detergent, all of this is purely personal preference. On top of that, I am also not a backpacker! I have never hiked with a pack of this size (other than at training camp) and this packing list will not reflect what an actual backpacker would pack. With that in mind, here is everything I am packing for 11 months.
Gear:
Osprey Hiking Pack – My pack is 65L and I don’t think that I would want anything bigger than that.
Osprey Day Pack – I went with the Osprey Nova day pack. It is on the bigger side for a day pack but, it holds everything that I need for a travel day.
Nature Hike Tent – This was the piece of gear I was most nervous to look for. I know nothing about tents and what makes a good or bad tent. Luckily, my dad knew exactly what I needed plus, knows more about tents and he picked out my tent for me! It was the perfect birthday gift.
Airporter/Pack Duffle – I was recommended this Sea to Summit one by a squad mate and I am so glad I replaced the original one I purchased (which broke during training camp). It also doubles as a rain cover.
Compression Sacks – I highly recommend getting a compression sack for at least your sleeping bag. I chose to also get one for my tent as well (including the rainfly and footprint). It might add a little bit more weight but, it is worth since it saves so much space.
Packing Cubes – I found these beautiful packing cubes on amazon. It really helps that they all look different so that I can differentiate what is packed in each packing cube.
Bedding:
Sleeping Bag – Found this on Amazon thanks to my Canadian squad mate.
Therm-a-rest Sleeping Pad – I had been through 3 other sleeping pads before I bought this one. I was recommended this sleeping pad by some awesome squad mates.
Travel Pillow – I went with the Therm-a-rest compression pillow in size large. It is almost the same size as a regular will pillow and it rolls up to about the size of a naglene bottle.
Sleeping Bag Liner – I know a lot of my squad mates went with the sea to summit sleeping bag liner but, I found this one on amazon and it is super cozy and is perfect for a night too hot for a sleeping bag.
Clothes:
*This section is entirely dependent on your route and personal preference. There is a chance that my route could take me to places that get very hot and very cold.
7 Shirts – I mostly stuck with t-shits but, I also packed 2 nicer shirts for days I wanted to look nice or feel normal.
2 Tank Tops – It was difficult for me to find tanks that fit within the dress code, but I knew I needed at least one for the times my squad will be in southeast Asia.
Skirts/Dresses – I chose to only bring one maxi skirt and one dress that went to just below my knees.
Shorts/Capris – I found these capris that are light and super comfy! I also chose to bring two pairs of shorts.
Pants – I was on the fence about bringing a pair of jeans but, eventually I chose to bring a pair since I wear them so often. I also chose to bring a pair of joggers and loose sweatpants so that I could wear them both during the day and as pajamas.
Rain Jacket – One thing I knew I had to get was a waterproof rain jacket. I got a terrific deal on this Columbia rain jacket.
Cardigan/Jackets – This is another section I had a difficult time with. I am a big fan of getting cozy and snuggling in a warm sweater so, I chose to bring a few options. I am bringing a light black cardigan as well as a very light zipper hoodie. I also am bringing a Patagonia NanoPuff jacket for when it gets pretty chilly. However, while I do not have it yet I am planning on getting a World Race sweatshirt at launch.
Shoes/Socks – I am only bringing 3 pairs of shoes! 1 pair of Birkenstocks, 1 pair of rugged Teva sandals, and 1 pair of tennis shoes (mostly for when we are doing manual labor). I am also bring 3-4 pairs of athletic socks.
*For ladies’ eyes
Underwear/bras – Ladies, I have read countless blogs and watch many videos and one thing that is abundantly clear is you can never have to much underwear. I am bringing 20 pairs (2 of which are period underwear). I have also decided to not bring any regular bras. I already don’t really wear them so I thought I would just go without. I am bringing a few bralettes and a few sprots bras. I am also bringing a package of 5-6 pairs of brand new undies that I will not use until month 5 or 6.
Misc. – I chose to bring a tankini instead of a one-piece swimsuit. I also highly recommend bringing a laundry bag of some sort. Some people choose to reuse the bag their sleeping bag came in or an extra pillowcase. I was lucky enough to have a laundry bag included in my packing cube set I purchased but, I also chose to get a wet bag for any clothes that may be wet on a travel day.
Toiletries:
Baby Wipes – This is a holy grail item! You will want them for training camp (especially if you go on the same hike as my squad did).
Hair Products – I have curly hair and have chosen to prioritize some of the products I use for my hair. I am only bringing 1 full sized container of each product and while it is heavy now, I know it will decrease over time. I also chose to bring 2 shampoo bars instead of a travel bottle of shampoo. I am bringing a travel bottle of conditioner and will refill it as needed.
Face Products – I am bringing almost no makeup (and the makeup I am bringing is only for special occasions). I am also bringing a bar of facial soap I make myself. I can use this bar as both a facial soap as well as a soap for my whole body.
Razors – I found this adorable travel razor and am bringing a few refills but, once those are gone I will probably just pickup razors as I go.
Perfume – I am not bringing any body spray but, I am bringing a few rollerball perfume oils. They last longer and, in my opinion, smell better.
Loofah – I am not bringing a regular loofah but, I am bringing an exfoliating glove.
The usual – I am also going to bring the usual essentials like a tooth brush, toothpaste, floss, travel sized bottle of mouth wash, etc.
Medicine:
Over-the-counter – I am bringing a little bit of regular over-the-counter medicines that I will probably need at some point (i.e. Imodium, ibuprofen, melatonin, Dramamine, pepto etc.)
Probiotics – I highly suggest taking probiotics before leaving the US. It will really help your gut adjust to eating foods that are unfamiliar to your system.
Malaria Meds – Some people choose not to bring any (which is entirely their choice). I chose to bring 2 months’ worth, and I had more waiting at home for me in case I was dealing with malaria while traveling home. I also know that the malaria mads I was prescribed is useful for other infections as well.
Essential Oil – I am bringing a few different kind of essential oils but, they are all 10mL or less. I knew the glass bottles would be heavy but, I also know that I will use they pretty frequently.
Electronics:
Laptop – I am bring my Macbook and I am packing it in both a case and a dry bag so it will be as safe as possible.
Bluetooth Speaker – After talking to my teammates I knew that there would be times when we needed to have a dance party or worship session and having a Bluetooth speaker would aid in both of those endeavors.
Phone – I am bringing my phone more for my music, an alarm clock, calculator, etc. I am going to try and use social media sparingly and only really use it to keep up with my family.
Camera – I am bringing a small point-and-shoot camera. It takes really beautiful pictures but it isn’t bulky or large.
Kindle – I knew I would take a lot of any quiet time I get and would want to read! However, bringing more than one book would be so heavy and bulky. So, this is an amazing way that I can get new books whenever I need and it won’t weigh down my pack at all.
External hard drives – I am bringing 2 external hard drives. 1 is a 1TB and the other is a 2TB. The smaller of the two is going to be filled with movies and tv shows while the other will be for photos, videos, and blog posts I have along the way.
Outlet Converter/Power Strip – I am bringing a larger power strip. I am putting it in my checked bag for launch but, when we are travelling to another country I will try to fit it in my carry-on.
Headphones – Bring several pairs. I am bringing 1 pair of Bluetooth headphones but, I am mostly going to use regular headphones (of which I am bring 4-5 pairs).
Miscellaneous:
Bible & notebook – I am bringing a regular ESV bible as well as only 1 journal. I know I will be able to get more in other countries.
Watch – I am not a watch wearer usually but, I started using one during training camp and it was very handy.
Pens/Pencils – If you have a favorite kind of pen I highly suggest stocking up on them!
Headlamps – Believe me you will feel silly wearing it but, they are so handy. I am bringing 2 but, you could probably get away with just one.
Eye Mask – While I don’t usually have a problem with noise, I do struggle with sleeping when there is a lot of light, so I knew I had to get an eye mask.
Sunglasses – Do I really need to explain sunglasses?
Documents – Obviously you will need your passport and probably an ID of some sort (like a drivers license) but, you will also need to bring a vaccination card (if you received any travel vaccines or a COVID vaccine) and make sure you also have photocopies of all of those.
Overall, I’m sure others on my squad packed differently than I did and would recommend different gear or clothing choices but, I know that at the end of the day what I pack today will look totally different than how I pack in month 10. I know I have made mistakes that I don’t even know about, and I am sure I will look back on this list and laugh about some of the things I packed. I am ok with that though. I am not expecting perfection out of anything I do at this point and what it amazing is that the Lord will provide what I need throughout this whole journey regardless of what I thought I was prepared for. I also am so grateful for the squad the Lord has put me with because I know that they will have my back if I am missing something and I will have their back if they are missing something!
