Packing Light - Tips, tricks, and strategies for deciding what to bring on a trip.
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@seawolf I agree about the Atom LT, it is an excellent jacket and is very comfortable in a wide variety of temps. It also packs down well and as you mentioned does a decent job of shedding light drops.
Shoes provide me with a lot of anxiety when traveling and I always bring too many (unless warm climate, I live in Bedrocks!). What boots and Birks did you bring?
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@Anesthetist I'm right there with you on the shoe anxiety! I also live in Birkenstocks, so I was bummed that I didn't hav the space to stow my boots for the return trip and be comfortable in my Birks. The trouble with packing for this trip was that I needed to be ready for Scotland's almost guaranteed rain, and as much as I love Birkenstocks, they're not very suitable for slippery cobblestone, mud, or rain.
I wore Truman Java Waxed Flesh captoe boots and Birkenstock Londons (mink color). Both were throughly broken-in before the trip, and both covered me for every situation. Boots covered me for whatever we got into every day running around the countryside. And for lounging around or being done with touring for the day; Birks. Birk clogs (my go-to have been Bostons for decades) also function really well for me as slippers in the morning or before bed.
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In my previous races I’ve worn a tri suit which is a one piece lycra type thing with shorts and short sleeve top and a padded chamois that’s lighter than bike shorts. For the full distance ironman in 3 weeks I’m going to change at each transition as in less worried about a few minutes changing and want to be really comfortable in each discipline. So for the swim I’ll wear jammers and a wetsuit unless the water is too warm, on the bike I’ll wear bib shorts and a jersey, and on the run I’ll wear half tights, a t shirt, and a hat. Below is the tri-suit from my local club.
But then aside from clothes there is a lot. All the nutrition (20-something gels), helmet, bike shoes, running shoes, sunglasses, socks, watch, bike computer, Herat rate chest strap, goggles, race belt, bike pump, swim suit, and probably more that I am forgetting right now. For Ironman you have multiple drop bags to pick up at transitions and after the race. It can get complicated.
