Maybe, just maybe this will reach a random future racer and it will help you better prepare yourself for the crazy journey ahead- packing wise. Or maybe it will just get to my supporters who have no intention of traveling back in time and joining the world race, and that’s ok too, because it might just give you a little insight into what I crammed into a backpack to live off of for 9 months of my life.
Clothing:
This may be the first time you’ve heard it, or it may be the 100th time (depending on how many racers you have talked to) but… YOU DON’T NEED AS MUCH AS YOU THINK
You have a community closet, you won’t actually care what you look like, and stuff gets ruined. So seriously don’t and I mean DON’T bring your favorite things. Or anything you genuinely wouldn’t want to get covered in mold, stained, torn, or lost. Just don’t. Also the other piece of actual good advice I can give you is don’t bring anything you wouldn’t wear at home. You are still you on the race, nothing else is constant on this journey and you’re going to want to hang onto the little piece of consistency that makes you feel like you. Bring want you are comfortable in and what you’d normally wear.
Shirts- 5-6, I highly recommend a plain black one that you can dress up or down, a couple t shirts you could wear for manual labor, and maybe a tank top? Definitely bring something that makes you cozy like a big flannel or sweatshirt- because even in 80 degree humid mornings in Costa, you just want to comfy. And a rain jacket for sure.
Pants- 5-6, I am not even a fashionista but I might have brought more than some (and I am always having people borrow my clothes) but prioritize a good pair or two of ministry pants. My black Columbia joggers are extremely versatile and comfy. And depending on culture bring shorts, because although you may be able to buy an extra shirt anywhere you go, it’s hard to come by an appropriate and good-fitting pair of shorts for the race out-of-country. My 5” Patagonia baggies have been a MUST and I don’t think anyone regrets that item if they have it on the race. Lastly, if you’re a jeans girl, bring them, if not, don’t- you won’t turn into one.
Dress/Skirt- 1 For the girls you are going to want/ need at least one item. In covid times we may have been to church less than some squads have but it is still a needed item. On the days you want to dress up, holidays, anything like that. A skirt is easier to change up with different shirts (both yours and others) but a dress is really nice to just throw on, even sometimes when it is your only clean and non-clingy item after a good shower.
The little things- A LOT Bring way more underwear than you think you need- like 15 pairs? (my birthday was about halfway through being on the field so I packed some brand new undies, a note, and some gum in a little birthday bag to open on my bday- highly recommend). Maybe like 8 pairs of socks (they wear out like crazy). And although you will be wearing bras many many days in a row, I would suggest like 7 bras, 6 of them sport.
Shoes- Chacos (for anything and everything), Vans (for looking nice, or when you want to put on real shoes), tennis shoes (manual labor, sports ministry, working out) also if you absolutely insist on Birkenstocks, I would sub for the Vans, but the other two are necessities.
Accessories- A hat? Yes. Sunglasses? Yes. Jewelry? A little- sometimes you want to feel a little dolled up, but don’t over do it, other people will have some too. Makeup? Sure. In reality you will probably just need some mascara and tinted moisturizer for the fancy days, but do what you feel comfortable with! Towel? YESYESYES please bring a quick dry and a sarong!! You will want and need something to shower with, use as a blanket, use to put on the ground to sit on, maybe even use as a skirt. You’ll want both.
Equipment:
First!! Go join and scour the World Race buy and Sell Face book group. I wish I had done this sooner, you had find some good stuff on there. After, look out for good sales, especially I heard that a lot of my roommates got a lot during the REI 4th of July sale and each saved hundreds of dollars…
Big Pack- I have the Gregory Diva 70. I adore it. The u-zip in front, endless pockets, super comfy. Ospery is another great brand! To go with it I have the L Sea to Summit airporter. It is a necessity, you will be put on sketchy flights, and buses and don’t want you stuff to burst, or get ruined when you drag it around:)
Day Pack- Bring a school backpack, or something of the sort that you could keep on your back for hours. My north face old school backpack is kind of chunky but it worked well enough from getting place to place. Then, my real day pack was often a little black compact waterproof backpack (NatureHike off Amazon) that I stick in a little side pocket during traveling and pull out for the rest of the country. It is probably in my top 3 things. It is super light, was pretty cheap, holds a lot for a beach day, or a little for a trip to the tienda!
Tent- I got the cheapest one off Northface. You don’t want to go super cheap, considering you will be living in it for at least 2 months in GA, but I haven’t used it since on the field. Find a buddy, and split one! That’s my suggestion.
Sleeping Pad- I have the Therm-a-Rest ProLite… I loveeeee it. Usually more than my mattress, it’s not loud, and super comfy!
Pillow- I had a camping one in GA, then brought a real one on the field. Most people would suggest a real one, that it’s worth it. But for me, the camping pillow (non-inflatable from Wise Owl) was better, and sometimes I even sleep without one. But if you are already super particular at home. Bring it, I think it’ll be worth it for you.
Extras:
A deck or cards- that speaks for itself
Gum!
Toiletries- when it comes to soaps, bring what you want for GA, then when you go overseas, grab travel ones until you can invest in a full size when you get in the new country. DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN! And for the girls, probably my top suggestion would to invest in a diva cup if you haven’t already. I haven’t had to buy a single other product for 3 years now, and it is especially useful on the race!
Don’t skimp on a head lamp
Medicine-Whether or not it is cheaper where you go, at the least bring some ibuprofen, tums, musinex, and antidiarreheal with you, and if you’re not the one using them, someone else will be.
Water bottle- People like the hydros yes, but personally I like my Nalgene. It’s easy to wash, super light, I wouldn’t be distraught if I lost it, and they’re basically indestructible .
Bible/ Journal/ Supplies- Don’t try to leave you big bible at home and bring your little one. If you write in your journal at home, like to highlight, have notes in it, bring it, it’s worth it. Bring your journal, and if you’re particular with them, bring an extra or two. Bring your water color paints whether you love to or not, I promise you’ll use them, and don’t skimp on your nice pens either if you really like how many you have, the colors, the way they write. Bring what you want so you’re not wishing you had something different when you journal every day!
Electronics- Bring multiple chargers, you know how life is. Bring two or three. Bring you earbuds, I brought my AirPods and have loved the noise cancelling but I also have 2 pairs of regular ones that come in handy too. I you have normal headphones that plug into a computer or airplane jack, bring those, they’ll come in handy too.
I was one of the 2 people to bring a speaker on my squad, it gets used daily. No joke, so if you’ve got one, bring it- my JBL has withstood the sand, water, throws, and its doing pretty great, so I think it’s worth it.
To be honest with you, up until my laptop completely broke, it was worth it. If you’re positive you could keep it safe, bring it. A lot of you may have scholarships, work, or college to apply for, which is hard to do on your phone. I have used my laptop countless times for movies, searches, applications, processing. I know of people who have regretted it and others who would suggest it. Proceed at your own risk.
At the moment I can’t think of anything else, I hope this helps and God bless you!
Great job breaking everything down! This will be helpful for future Racers! I remember pre-race, how do you were trying to decide on all of these things. Looks like overall you were able to make a lot of great decisions, and this blog surely will help someone! Two weeks and you will be home, Unbelievable! Soak up every moment you have left of this incredible adventure of the Lord has taken you on. So excited to see you and the next chapter the Lord has for your life! I love you sweet girl!