CLOTHING & GEAR LIST
Tops

TOPS

2

LONG UNDERWEAR TOPS

Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Light or medium weight.

2-3

SPORTS BRAS (as needed)

Quick-drying synthetic bras.

2-3

SYNTHETIC T-SHIRTS

Can be 50/50 blend of cotton/polyester but all synthetics dry faster. One could be a tank top. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!

1-2

COTTON T-SHIRTS

Nice for dry weather or for sleeping in. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!

1

WARM FLEECE JACKET OR WOOL SWEATER

Thick: 300-weight Polartec® or the equivalent in wool or pile. A full front zipper helps you vent and makes layering easier. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!

1

LONG-SLEEVED, LIGHTWEIGHT SHIRT

Old loose fitting dress shirts are great for sun protection. Thrift stores generally have the best and brightest selection!  Can be cotton. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!

1

HOODED RAIN JACKET

Can be Gore-Tex or coated nylon. Make sure that the seams are taped or welded so they can’t leak.

Bottoms

BOTTOMS

4-7

UNDERPANTS

Synthetic fabrics work best but cotton is okay.

2

LONG UNDERWEAR BOTTOMS

Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Light or medium weight.

1

QUICK-DRY PANTS

Loose-fitting, lightweight nylon fabric dries quickly.

1

SHORTS

Loose-fitting, quick-drying athletic shorts.

Cntd…

BOTTOMS, CNTD…

1

SWIM WEAR

One-piece quick-drying swimsuit, t-shirt and/or sports bra and shorts, or lightweight swim shorts

1

RAIN PANTS

Can be Gore-Tex or coated nylon. Make sure that the seams are taped or welded so they can’t leak.

Head, hands, feet items

HEAD, HANDS and FEET

1

SUN HAT

For sun protection, either a broad-brimmed hat with chin strap or a baseball cap. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!

 

1

HEAD NET

Fine mesh bug net that will fit over your head, to be worn as needed on land. HERE is a good example. 

 

1

WINTER HAT

Make sure it covers your ears when you pull it down. Wool or synthetic only. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!

 

3-4

SOCKS

Thick: wool or synthetic only. NO COTTON.

 

2-3

LINER SOCKS

Thin synthetic socks that can be layered under thick socks for additional warmth or blister protection.

 

1

RUNNING SOCKS

Synthetic sock

 

1

RUNNING SNEAKERS

Full-coverage, below-the-ankle, athletic footwear

 

1

CROCS (or similar) or WATER/RIVER SANDALS

Closed-cell resin clogs with partial foot coverage, drainage and ventilation holes, and a heel strap, or:

WATER SANDALS: Appropriate design for OB courses with heel straps, and toe caps or bumpers

 

1

BACKPACKING BOOTS

As described on our "Boot Information Sheet"

 

Personal items

PERSONAL ITEMS

1

INSURANCE CARD

If you have health insurance, please bring your card, or a clear photocopy of both sides of it.

1

$25-75 CASH, OR A CREDIT/DEBIT CARD

To buy snacks during travel or to pay for lost or damaged gear. Items from the school store will be for  sale at the end of your course.

2

HAND SANITIZERS

Pocket-sized squeeze bottles of hand sanitizer

1

HEADLAMP AND BATTERIES

Minimum three volts (two or more AA- or AAA-batteries). Bring one set of alkaline batteries per week of course.  Many headlamp varieties offer a red-light mode for preserving night vision, which is a useful option. 

2

WATER BOTTLES (WIDE-MOUTH)

32 oz. water bottle. Wide-mouth makes filling easier.

1

PACK TOWEL

A synthetic, wringable towel, also called a chamois, a sports towel or a swimmer’s towel. No cotton.

1

WATCH

Make sure it’s waterproof and inexpensive. Stopwatch and alarm are useful functions.

1

SUNGLASSES

Bring a strap to hold them on and a hard-sided case to protect them when you’re not wearing them.

2

EYEGLASS SYSTEM (if needed)

Bring a hard case and a keeper strap for your glasses. Bring two pairs, or a pair of contacts and your glasses.

1

JOURNAL / NOTEBOOK

Personal journal or notebook, put in a Ziploc with pen. You may want to take notes during your course. (5" x  8  1/2" or smaller.)

1 ea

BOWL AND SPOON

Bowl can be wood or tough plastic; having a secure lid for it has been very helpful. Spoon can be metal or plastic.

1+

BANDANNAS

Useful for shading your neck from the sun, cleaning sunglasses, as pot holders, and more.

3-4

PLASTIC BAGS

Gallon-sized Ziploc®-type with a closure for keeping things dry or separating wet items

1

TOILET KIT (BASIC)

Toothbrush, small trial-size toothpaste, comb, brush, and dental floss. Don’t bring soap, deodorant, makeup or razor.

 

DISPOSABLE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS

An ample supply. Changes in diet and activity can produce changes in cycles.

2

SUNSCREEN

8-oz, minimum SPF 30. Do not bring aerosol sprays.

2

LIP BALM

Minimum SPF 30

2

INSECT REPELLENT

Bring a small unbreakable container, 10-50% DEET. Do not bring aerosol sprays.

2 sets

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS (if needed)

MUST be in original bottles or vials. The extra set is just in case the medication gets lost or damaged.

1 set

TRAVEL CLOTHES & COURSE END TOILETRIES

Clean clothes for the trip home, towel, soap and shampoo for the course end shower.

Additional items (for cooler month programs)

ADDITIONAL ITEMS for cooler months: May, June or September

1

FLEECE VEST OR LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT

Mid-weight: can be Polartec® fleece, wool, or the equivalent weight shirt or 100- or 200-weight Polartec® vest.

1

MEDIUM WEIGHT PANTS

Mid-weight: 100- or 200-weight Polartec® or the equivalent

1

MITTENS OR GLOVES

Can be wool or fleece.

1

BALACLAVA

A hood-shaped hat that covers your head and neck. You could also bring a neck gaiter and a second hat.