Packing for our RTW adventure

http://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/P1000052.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/P1000052.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/P1000052.jpgPacking for our RTW adventure

 

The topic of what to pack for a trip like ours is always an interesting one, and we spent a great deal of time reading other travellers’ blogs looking for tips, tricks and advice for reducing overall volume and weight.

Bev packed and ready to go!

Bev packed and ready to go!

 

Richard packed and ready to go!

Richard packed and ready to go!

 

Having made the decision to travel with smaller backpacks (mine is 34 litres and Richard’s is 38 litres) than the average backpacker, we knew that we’d need to be very aggressive with our packing in order to make it all fit, while still providing everything we’d need for day-to-day living as well as running. Deciding to stay close to the summer season definitely helped reduce the volume of gear required, but we still opted to have at least one warm layer for early morning/evening activities as well as brushes with spring and fall around the globe.

Richard's packing in progress

Richard’s packing in progress

 

Everything ready to go into Bev's pack

Everything ready to go into Bev’s pack

 

The lists below summarize what each of us packed. It feels like a lot to see it written down, and it’s amazing how it all fits into such small bags! At departure, my pack weighed 24.9 pounds while Richard’s weighed 22.7 pounds. We’ve since re-arranged a little bit to give Richard a bit more of the overall weight! Most of the toiletry and “admin” items are in my pack, while Richard is carrying the technology and connectivity equipment.

After 10 days into the trip we haven’t really identified anything that we shouldn’t have packed. We’ve been able to do laundry once a week and cycle through our clothes with enough to spare in the event of a downpour (yes, it’s happened more than once in this tropical climate during rainy season!). The running gear is a bit challenging as we’re having to run through each set twice before laundry day. I have more clothes than Richard, so I may need to trim down as we go if I find I’m not using everything regularly.

We’ve identified a few things that we should’ve packed: small multi-tool with knife and bottle opener, electrolyte replacement capsules (we’re sweating a lot more in the hotter climate), elastic ther-a-band for stretching and exercise, and an extra pair of shorts. Maybe we’ll pick up these items along the way somewhere (some will be easier to procure than others!).

I’m sure that we’ll revisit this topic after a few months to determine if there’s anything we need to remove and send home or gift to someone in the local community. We’re also getting better at packing efficiently so that the weight is well distributed and to ensure that everything goes in the pack without the need for additional carry bags. We tie our shoes to the the outside of the pack as they’re pretty dirty and often wet! This frees up quite a bit of space in the inside of the pack. We’ve also employed the help of stuff sacks to help us compress those items that are not used as often (like the cooler weather gear).

 

Bev’s packing list:

 

Running gear

  • 3 x running shorts
  • 2 x running bras
  • 2 x tank bras
  • 3 x running singlets
  • 1 x light shell running jacket
  • Long running pants
  • 5 x pairs running/walking socks
  • 1 x running gloves
  • 1 x running cap
  • 1 x hydration running vest
  • 1 x running hydration reservoir
  • 1 x personal item pouch
  • 2 x 12oz handheld running bottles

Clothes

  • 2 x bikinis
  • 1 x sarong
  • 2 x casual shorts
  • 2 x tshirts
  • 1 x tank top
  • 3 x halter tshirts
  • 3 x blouses
  • 2 x casual dresses
  • 6 x underwear
  • 2 x soft bras
  • 2 x underwire bras
  • 1 x puffy jacket
  • 1 x cargo pants
  • 1 x jeans
  • 1 x long sleeve technical shirt
  • 1 x long sleeve tshirt
  • 1 x microfleece
  • 1 x fleece gloves
  • 1 x toque
  • 1 x waterproof shell jacket
  • 1 x fabric belt
  • 1 x bandana
  • 1 x Buff headband

Accessories / living items

  • 1 x sleeping bag liner
  • 1 x travel towel
  • 1 x length of thin cord for washing line
  • 8 x pegs
  • 1 x fabric shopping tote
  • 1 x padlock
  • 5 x small mesh bags
  • 1 x stuff sack
  • 1 x compression stuff sack
  • 3 x pens
  • 1 x small notebook
  • 1 x in-pack hydration reservoir
  • 2 x sleep masks
  • 1 x small tin with simple jewellery items
  • Malaria and tummy trouble meds
  • 100 x water purification tablets
  • 36 x tampons
  • 4 x Vega One chocolate shake sachets
  • 6 x Vega Sport Protein chocolate shake sachets
  • 1 x travel size hand wipes
  • 1 x travel size hand sanitizer
  • 250 x EatRunSee contact cards

Travel items

  • Passport
  • Cash
  • Travel insurance wallet card
  • Bank and credit cards
  • Drivers license
  • Travel wallet
  • Fake wallet with expired credit card

Technology

  • 1 x iPhone (unlocked)
  • 1 x headphones
  • 1 x iPad
  • 1 x running watch
  • 1 x headlamp

Footwear

  • 1 x pair flipflops
  • 2 x pairs running shoes
  • 1 x pair trail running shoes
  • 1 x pair sandals

Toiletries

  • 1 x toiletry bag
  • 1 x soap bar
  • 3 x moisturizer tubs
  • 1 x face scrub
  • 1 x toothbrush
  • 1 x travel size toothpaste
  • 1 x floss
  • 1 x eye cream
  • 1 x face wash
  • 1 x ziplock with qtips
  • 1 x razor
  • 2 x razor blade refills (8 total)
  • 1 x tweezers
  • 1 x nail clippers
  • 2 x small nail files
  • 1 x travel size deodorant crystal

 

Richard’s packing list:

 

Running gear

  • 4 x running shorts
  • 4 x running singlets
  • 1 x light shell running jacket
  • 4 x pairs running/walking socks
  • Long running pants
  • 1 x running gloves
  • 1 x running cap
  • 1 x hydration running vest
  • 1 x running hydration reservoir
  • 1 x personal item pouch
  • 2 x 12oz handheld running bottles
  • 20 x Clif Shot running gels
  • Running maintenance items (golf ball, tennis ball and myofascial release stick roller for rolling out muscles after running)

Clothes

  • 1 x casual shorts
  • 1 x bathing suit
  • 3 x technical shirts (1 short sleeve / 2 long sleeve)
  • 1 x button up short sleeve shirt
  • 4 x underwear
  • 1 x cargo pants
  • 1 x puffy jacket
  • 1 x microfleece
  • 1 x fleece gloves
  • 1 x toque
  • 1 x bandana
  • 1 x Buff headband

Accessories / living items

  • 1 x mosquito net
  • 1 x first aid kit
  • 1 x sleeping bag liner
  • 1 x travel towel
  • 1 x fabric shopping tote
  • 1 x padlock
  • 1 x small mesh bag
  • 1 x stuff sack
  • 1 x compression stuff sack
  • 1 x in-pack hydration reservoir
  • 8 x Clif energy bars
  • 4 x Hammer energy bars
  • 1 x day backpack
  • 1 x travel size hand wipes
  • 1 x travel size hand sanitizer
  • 250 x EatRunSee contact cards

Travel items

  • Passport
  • Cash
  • Bank and credit cards
  • Drivers license
  • 1 x travel wallet
  • Fake wallet with expired credit card

Technology

  • 1 x iPhone (unlocked)
  • 1 x headphones
  • 1 x MacBook Air (13-inch) with soft travel case
  • 1 x running watch
  • 1 x running watch charger
  • 2 x iPad / iPhone chargers and cables
  • 1 x MacBook charger and cable
  • 1 x camera and case
  • 1 x camera charger and cable
  • 1 x extra camera battery
  • 1 x GoPro micro video camera plus cables and head mount
  • 1 x headlamp and charger
  • Assorted international plug adapters

Footwear

  • 1 x pair flipflops
  • 2 x pairs running shoes
  • 1 x pair trail running shoes
  • 1 x pair sandals

Toiletries

  • 1 x toiletry bag
  • 1 x soap bar
  • 1 x toothbrush
  • 1 x travel size toothpaste
  • 1 x floss
  • 1 x face wash
  • 1 x ziplock with qtips
  • 1 x sunblock cream 30SPF
  • 1 x sunblock powder 30SPF
  • 3 x travel-size shampoo
  • 2 x travel-size body wash

 

Author Description

Bev

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