Fieldworkers, here’s my packing list:
Hi all, I’m posting this here because when I first got my job I honestly was scrolling through countless subreddits to figure out what to pack/what to get/etc. So here’s my master list! A lot of this came from so many other people but also what I have found works best for me!
My claim is I’m a state regulator turned field hydrogeologist. I am in the field 80% of the time, and one of the few women in my office, so I’ve had to find ways to ensure my own safety, cleanliness and other things because even though we have an HSE, anything can happen. My partner and I are also very cost-conscious, so every purchase I’ve tried to find multiple uses for, so since I’m also a camper and climber a lot of this is easy to transfer over to!
Here’s my packing list, broken down! I keep all of this written down in a geologist book that I carry around in the field so it’s easy for me to check off!
Bags
- My clothing bag is a 90L cotopaxi bag
- Work bag is a free bag to hold all field equipment, and then a cotopaxi 26L bag for hotel necessities/kindle/etc
Go-To foods, other than random meals/snacks/meal prep
- Cheese sticks
- Protein drinks
- Gatorade/Water (this is reimbursable by my employer so I buy from Costco)
- Almonds/Trailmix
- Jerky
Clothes
- Women’s hiking pants (Holds grease, so be mindful when you wear these)
- Fisherman’s shirts, typically mens are comfier but find ones that don’t cause issues for you during those 12+ hour shifts
- Duluth pants (these don’t ride up, comfortable for squatting to get readings, and don’t hold on to grease)
- Hi-vis shirts (If you’re in a heavy bee season like Arizona is, probably best to avoid and just wear a vest when needed but if it’s pretty neutral these are less overwhelming to wear then vests, and you can set them and forget them)
- Face gators (protect your face, get lighter ones for warn season and heavier for cold season)
- Bandanas (I use these for my hair to avoid hard hat smell and sweat)
Personal Hygiene/Cleanliness
- She-Wee + Kula Cloth (A lot of my current jobs have no outhouse, these are portable and easy to clean in hotel rooms/camper vans)
- Toilet paper (just bring it)
- Swedish dishcloths (super universal and reusable)
- Castile 12-in-1 soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s, self explanatory, also bring some vinegar in case you need to dilute for cleaning purposes)
- Travel-size K18 dry shampoo
- Silicone travel containers to fill with my own products
- Face and Body sunscreen
- Scrubba bag (Easy so on my 10 day hitches I can wash a few clothes and let them dry in my hotel bathroom while at the jobsite, also there’s almost never a laundry allowance so it’s just easier financially if you’re trying to get the most out of your work time)
- Soak detergent (This is a handwashing detergent, also smells soooo good)
- Paper/compostable hand soap
- Mouth wash and toothpaste tablets (easier to travel with, smaller and more compact with multiple uses)
Safety
- Portable door lock (I had one instance where the fire safety door that connects two rooms didn’t have a lock, luckily nothing happened but the sheer fact that something could’ve prompted me to get it)
- Pepper spray
- Bear spray
- Travel knife
I’d love to hear also what everyone else’s go-tos are. Being in this community has been so rewarding and has made me think of things I never even thought of!
Stay safe out there everyone!