Plus Size Girl’s Guide to The World Race

This is just what I found that worked or didn’t work for me and what I learned along the way. The gear, tips, and items are subject to change based on the route, time frame, global pandemics, and other unforeseen circumstances!

Let me just start by saying that I am by no means an expert at hiking, backpacking, packing, or even camping; I’m just a girl who did the thing. I hadn’t even been camping in a tent before training camp (and I’m from the country!), you don’t have to know anything about these things in order to go on the World Race. Also, it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed when shopping, packing and preparing. You’re not alone! Reach out to someone for moral support or help!

The first question I had was whether I was even able to go on a trip like this?

• There are no “weight limits” or size expectations, but Adventures in Missions does want to ensure the mental, spiritual and physical health of ALL participants so they will ask for a physician’s release form if there are health issues that deem it necessary. But I didn’t ever feel like I was put on a different figurative scale than every other participant. They had us do what they call a fitness hike; which is a certain amount of miles in a certain amount of minutes (these things vary and change), and I’ll be honest, I thought that would have been the end of the road for me. It was physically one of the hardest things I’ve done but one of the biggest moments of Training Camp for me! After I didn’t “pass” the first time, I figured out that every single issue is handled with a heart conversation (which is SO helpful and encouraging), and after chatting with my Squad Mentor, she and I came to an agreement on how to proceed. She never belittled me or made it about my size. Because it was never about that. You can read my story about the whole experience here (it is powerful): https://nieceyodom.theworldrace.org/post/he-met-me-on-the-hill

The second mental roadblock for me was what do I even bring??

Yes, they give packing lists, gear expectations, and there are a ton of packing lists and videos out there but I was wondering what a short, heavy-set girl who had never even been camping brings on a year-long mission trip around the world!!

I’m going to put the links to my top choices at the end of the item, I’m linking them from REI because that’s the most popular store but be sure to shop around for good pricing and sales!! Don’t be intimidated or afraid of the prices; God helps as much with funding the necessities as He does with funding the mission.

• Backpacking pack or your “big pack”
  • This is going to be your home, dresser, and room for 11 months; you’re going to want to spend a little extra time and (maybe) money here. You don’t want to throw out your back putting it on or wearing it and you also want it to fit your height and such (this is more important if you’re on the shorter and bigger side like me!). I suggest going into an outdoor/hiking store (a popular one is REI, but I went to a local one in OKC for this). Most of them will “fit you” for a pack for free and are super helpful and will answer any questions you may have and give gear recommendations as well!
  • There are a few things to know;
    • Pack size (small, medium, etc.) has to do with the length of the pack and your spine measurement.
    • Pack capacity (this is usually measured in liters; I don’t recommend anything larger than 65liters because you are going to fill what you have and you do need to keep it under about 40-50lbs for most airlines and also, you may not actually carry it on your back for long periods of time, but trust me, even 30lbs feels like a lot after a minute. Especially the more haphazardly you pack it.
  • I highly recommend the brand Osprey (not sponsored). Because most pieces on their packs are 100% customizable (for no additional cost if you customize it in-store before you buy it). I am short, carry my extra weight in my abdomen, and the store was able to take a men’s hip belt and put it on my pack; by the time I was done, I had an Osprey Ariel 65ltr in the color Tidal Blue and had customized the size of the pack, shoulder harness, and hip belt all to fit me perfectly! (And let me try it on and walk around with weight in it).
  • Pack: https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/190449/osprey-ariel-ag-65-pack-womens
• Sleeping pad
  • This is your mattress for some or all of your months on the Race. If you have a bad back or issues sleeping, you’re going to want something sort of comfortable and sturdy; which may mean paying a little more here too.
  • There are several different kinds of pads, brands, etc. but most backpacking stores will have them where you can try them out a little before you commit or at least narrow it down; and don’t be afraid of returning, exchanging, or changing your mind!
  • The con to this pad is that it’s insulated so it provides warmth when I didn’t really need it to and can be pretty noisy when tossing and turning.
  • I am a restless sleeper and didn’t want to feel like I was falling off of the pad so I went with an extra-wide; I do not regret it! I finally went with a Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra Sleeping Pad in the size Regular/wide. I like that it has an in and an out valve so you don’t let the air out as you’re airing up.
  • I also got the pump that doubles as a stuff sack for extra items (I used it sometimes for clothes or my sleeping bag alternative). It may not look like much but it saves so much time and saves your lungs too! (and they gave me a good deal on getting them together)
  • Pad: https://www.rei.com/product/169934/big-agnes-insulated-air-core-ultra-sleeping-pad
  • “Pump”: https://www.rei.com/product/115082/big-agnes-pumphouse-ultra
• Backpacking Tent
  • I didn’t make a good decision here so learn from my mistakes; I ended up dropping mine in Africa before flying home because I was that over it! I got mine off the World Race buy & sell page on Facebook for super cheap and found out that it was missing a couple of things and wasn’t as light as I needed it to be (super helpful page – just be aware of what you’re getting).
  • They suggested this when I went on my Race back in 2019 but I didn’t use mine before our route was brought back home due to Covid-19, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring one!
  • They suggest a 2 person, lightweight tent so you have enough room for your gear and you but also, you may have to share space with a teammate so this allows for that as well. Lightweight is super important because you’ll be lugging this around in your pack!
• Sleeping Bag or Sleeping Bag Alternative
  • Another choice I could’ve done better but still not the worst thing I’ve done. I chose to take a blanket with sleeping bag material (a Kelty Bestie Blanket) instead because my route was mostly hot, I am a hot sleeper, and it was so much cheaper.
  • Cute and comfy; but small. It wasn’t wide enough and I would find it off of me when I woke up. I used this almost every month because even when you have a bed; most of the time, you need your own bedding. This was a little irritating but I could handle it.
  • A great choice if you can find something similar that’s bigger and if your route is hotter.
  • Bestie Blanket (mine is a tan and teal but I don’t see that option): https://www.rei.com/product/190725/kelty-bestie-blanket
• Daypack or your backpack
  • I went for a Magellan black backpack here and I just wish it would’ve had better shoulder support and been just a touch better quality.
  • This just needs to be a regular; school size backpack with multiple pockets and a laptop sleeve is preferred.
  • I suggest one with padded shoulders because this will get heavy carrying your electronics and other travel day essentials.
  • Don’t overthink this one; it’s one of the easier decisions of the process.
• Clothes
  • This will vary a lot depending on where you’re going. Tanks are allowed in Central/South America but discouraged and/or not allowed in Africa and Asia. Leggings are not to be worn as pants anywhere but private quarters but can be used when you need to layer.
  • Wear every item you want to bring for a full day before deciding; this will help with packing clothes you know you can stand to wear. You may not see a new clothing item for a while. Also, have a friend help narrow choices down!
  • Bring clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel human but don’t bring stuff you care about. Things wear out fast on the field and it’s going to be hard to pick up things if none of your squadmates are your size and you’re in a country where the XL looks like the Medium in the States.
  • JEANS. I brought a pair I hated that had a bad zipper and dropped them at the end of month 2; regretted it and wanted them as a comfort item for months before finding a plus-size section in a random store in a random mall in Cote d’Ivoire. If you wear them at all in regular life, you’ll want them.
  • Bring seamless underwear; when you’re sweating a lot and not able to properly wash out detergent; this helps with chaffing and irritation. Seriously.
  • Bring one or two comfort items. No matter how extra it feels. Seriously. There will be days that you need to feel normal. Mine was a “drug rug” style hoodie or whatever you want to call it and jeans.
  • Chaco’s are not required to do the Race!!! I wanted a pair and finally purchased some and loved them but this is not everyone’s story. Some people do the whole thing in beat-up Chucks. I brought tennis or athletic shoes, Birkenstock knock-offs from Target as my “fancy” shoe, and Chaco’s.

Tip: wear your “heaviest” outfit on travel days so you don’t have to pack it!

I also want to give a heads-up; it isn’t offensive in other cultures to talk about the fact that you’re different. Regardless of what that difference is. I had clothes custom made twice on the field and laughed with the ladies when they were chatting about the differences between my size and my friend’s size. This wasn’t meant to be rude or hateful, and I noticed that pretty early on.

I had one person who did make hurtful comments to me about my weight and I didn’t say anything about it until it had set with me and affected how I perceived myself amongst my team. The sad thing was, by the time I addressed it, it wasn’t just hurt; I had let it get to conflict and didn’t even realize it. I don’t say these things because I think they’ll happen to you, I say them because I want you to know how to handle them if they do. If these things do happen, please, please communicate your feelings to your teammates/leadership. Allow them to love you well and show them how to do so. Regardless of who you are, what you look like, sound like, think like; remember to whom you belong. Vulnerability creates vulnerability, and the World Race strives to cultivate a community where Kingdom, safety, and love grow, and Jesus is shared.

Lastly, if you take nothing else from this, please hear my heart. You can do this; every aspect of it. God wouldn’t have put it on your heart or allowed it in if He wasn’t already waiting to walk beside you and lead you through it. Financially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically too! He sees you, He loves you, you are not less than or too much. Take up as much space as He asks you to! God called missionaries of every nation, tribe, tongue, size, background, and none of them look exactly the same. We were all created in His image and are called to advance His Kingdom.

Go spread Jesus!! 2 Peter 1:3

I’d love to pray for you and help in any way I can; just reach out down below!