Your Day Bag
CamelBak x2
No one wants to spend time at Burning Man re-organizing and searching through their stuff. That’s why I recommend getting two
Camelbaks, one for day and one for night. Then the switch from day to night is as simple as switching backpacks.
CamelBak x2
No one wants to spend time at Burning Man re-organizing and searching through their stuff. That’s why I recommend getting two
Camelbaks, one for day and one for night. Then the switch from day to night is as simple as switching backpacks.
Sun Goggles x2
Protect your eyes from sun and dust. As with all essential items, get at least 2, because you’re bound to lose things at Burning Man.
Sun Goggles x2
Protect your eyes from sun and dust. As with all essential items, get at least 2, because you’re bound to lose things at Burning Man.
Badass Hat x2
Cover that beautiful face of yours from the constant sun.
Badass Hat x2
Cover that beautiful face of yours from the constant sun.
Sunscreen
Get yourself some Sunscreen if you're the type to burn at Burning Man
Sunscreen
Get yourself some Sunscreen if you're the type to burn at Burning Man
Your Night Bag
Fill your night time
Camelbak with these necessities:
Headlamp x2
You need these to see at night. The great thing about the
Energizer headlamps is their low-intensity “red-mode”, which allows you to look at people without blinding them. Bring lots of
AAA batteries for these and any other electronics.
Headlamp x2
You need these to see at night. The great thing about the
Energizer headlamps is their low-intensity “red-mode”, which allows you to look at people without blinding them. Bring lots of
AAA batteries for these and any other electronics.
Clear Goggles x2
Sun Goggles are fine during the day, but get clear ones for the night time.
Clear Goggles x2
Sun Goggles are fine during the day, but get clear ones for the night time.
El-Wire x3
Sew this
amazing glowy wire into your night bag so you can be seen at night. This is a matter of safety as well as fun.
This el-wire has 3 modes (solid, slow blink, and crazy fast blink) so you can signal that you’re rave-ready at the drop of a dime. You can sew it into your clothes or backpack. Make sure to get plenty of
AA batteries, you'll need them.
El-Wire x3
Sew this
amazing glowy wire into your night bag so you can be seen at night. This is a matter of safety as well as fun.
This el-wire has 3 modes (solid, slow blink, and crazy fast blink) so you can signal that you’re rave-ready at the drop of a dime. You can sew it into your clothes or backpack. Make sure to get plenty of
AA batteries, you'll need them.
Stuff That’s Always On You
Bandana x3
Come prepared for dust storms so your lungs don’t suffer.
Bandana x3
Come prepared for dust storms so your lungs don’t suffer.
Desert Boots
You don’t want to be wearing sneakers if it rains or you inevitably have to walk across deep playa.
Desert Boots
You don’t want to be wearing sneakers if it rains or you inevitably have to walk across deep playa.
Carabiners
You need some stuff on you day and night. If it's not in one of your
Camelbaks,
you can clip it to your waist with a
Caribiner.
Carabiners
You need some stuff on you day and night. If it's not in one of your
Camelbaks,
you can clip it to your waist with a
Caribiner.
Chapstick on a String
Chapped lips are a commonly overlooked risk of the Playa. Clip these chapstick leashes to your waist to avoid reaching into your bag every time your lips need moisture.
Chapstick on a String
Chapped lips are a commonly overlooked risk of the Playa. Clip these chapstick leashes to your waist to avoid reaching into your bag every time your lips need moisture.
Clip-Cup
Wherever you go at Burning Man, you want to have a cup on hand for collecting food and drink. I loved having a
Clip Cup on the Playa. It sat snugly in my pocket so it was always within reach, and didn’t bounce around as I moved.
Clip-Cup
Wherever you go at Burning Man, you want to have a cup on hand for collecting food and drink. I loved having a
Clip Cup on the Playa. It sat snugly in my pocket so it was always within reach, and didn’t bounce around as I moved.
Your Sleeping Area
Tent
There are lots of
options for sleeping quarters, but let’s assume that like most Burners you’re getting a
Tent. Get at least a
4-Person Tent, even if it’s just you in there, so you have breathing room and space to store your stuff.
Consider getting a
6-Person Tent if you can, because they’re large enough that you can stand up straight inside of them. That extra convenience matters a lot when you’re going in and out of your tent several times a day. Above all, make sure that your chosen tent can keep the dust out.
Tent
There are lots of
options for sleeping quarters, but let’s assume that like most Burners you’re getting a
Tent. Get at least a
4-Person Tent, even if it’s just you in there, so you have breathing room and space to store your stuff.
Consider getting a
6-Person Tent if you can, because they’re large enough that you can stand up straight inside of them. That extra convenience matters a lot when you’re going in and out of your tent several times a day. Above all, make sure that your chosen tent can keep the dust out.
Mummy Sleeping Bag
You can jump right into bed with these sleep cocoons. There’s no mess with blankets to worry about, they’re comfortable, and they’re cheap.
Mummy Sleeping Bag
You can jump right into bed with these sleep cocoons. There’s no mess with blankets to worry about, they’re comfortable, and they’re cheap.
Foam Camping Mat
Because the Playa is too hard to sleep directly on top of.
Foam Camping Mat
Because the Playa is too hard to sleep directly on top of.
Travel Pillow
Packs small but expands big and comfy. Packs small but expands big and comfy.
Travel Pillow
Packs small but expands big and comfy. Packs small but expands big and comfy.
Silicone Earplugs
I swear by these things. Don’t settle for cheaper earplugs that can’t handle the intense late night noise.
Silicone Earplugs
I swear by these things. Don’t settle for cheaper earplugs that can’t handle the intense late night noise.
Lotion
The alkaline dust of the Playa will get everywhere, but most irritatingly it will get on your hands and feet. Bring some heavy duty
Bag Balm Lotion to avoid cracked Playa hands.
Lotion
The alkaline dust of the Playa will get everywhere, but most irritatingly it will get on your hands and feet. Bring some heavy duty
Bag Balm Lotion to avoid cracked Playa hands.
Wet Wipes
Let’s be honest, you’re probably not going to shower much, if at all, at Burning Man.
Wet Wipes are good for cleaning yourself or any other dusty surface
Wet Wipes
Let’s be honest, you’re probably not going to shower much, if at all, at Burning Man.
Wet Wipes are good for cleaning yourself or any other dusty surface
Condoms and Lube
Bring safe sex items like
condoms and
lube. Also, this wouldn’t be GlowyStuff.com if we didn’t mention the existence of
glowy condoms.
Condoms and Lube
Bring safe sex items like
condoms and
lube. Also, this wouldn’t be GlowyStuff.com if we didn’t mention the existence of
glowy condoms.
Your Kitchen and Food
Some camps have extensive
communal kitchens, while others require you to provide your own food and drink. I’m going to assume here that your camp provides a daily meal or two, but that you need to provide much of your pantry, such as:
Tons of Water
1.5 Gallons of H2O per day is a good rule of thumb for all the water one person needs at Burning Man. In my experience this is a bit more water than you’ll actually end up using, so if you buy 4
2.5-Gallon jugs you should be set.
Tons of Water
1.5 Gallons of H2O per day is a good rule of thumb for all the water one person needs at Burning Man. In my experience this is a bit more water than you’ll actually end up using, so if you buy 4
2.5-Gallon jugs you should be set.
Cooler
Eating only Dried Snacks gets old quickly, so fill up a
Cooler with
Ice and chill some food and drinks.
Cooler
Eating only Dried Snacks gets old quickly, so fill up a
Cooler with
Ice and chill some food and drinks.
Cooler Food and Drinks
- Coconut Water - Outside of regular water, this is the main thing people are drinking on the Playa. There’s something about cold coconut water that’s just perfect for Burning Man. So get yourself a few 12-packs.
- Fruit Cups - Portable and super refreshing.
Cooler Food and Drinks
- Coconut Water - Outside of regular water, this is the main thing people are drinking on the Playa. There’s something about cold coconut water that’s just perfect for Burning Man. So get yourself a few 12-packs.
- Fruit Cups - Portable and super refreshing.
Dried Snacks
With or without a meal plan, you need some Dried Snacks you can grab on the go, such as:
Dried Snacks
With or without a meal plan, you need some Dried Snacks you can grab on the go, such as:
Breakfast Shakes
- Breakfast Shakes - You don’t see this mentioned on a lot of packing lists, but Breakfast Shakes are perfect for the Playa. Why? Because they’re easy to pack, don’t spoil in the heat, and pack a full meal into a bottle.
- If you really want to take it to the next level, you might consider bringing Soylent, the creepy meal replacement. In fact, I imagine you could pack super light by living entirely off Soylent for your entire Burning Man visit. Not that you would want to, but I’d be curious if anyone has tried this.
Breakfast Shakes
- Breakfast Shakes - You don’t see this mentioned on a lot of packing lists, but Breakfast Shakes are perfect for the Playa. Why? Because they’re easy to pack, don’t spoil in the heat, and pack a full meal into a bottle.
- If you really want to take it to the next level, you might consider bringing Soylent, the creepy meal replacement. In fact, I imagine you could pack super light by living entirely off Soylent for your entire Burning Man visit. Not that you would want to, but I’d be curious if anyone has tried this.
Knife Sporks
They’re super convenient and allow you to save packing space.
Knife Sporks
They’re super convenient and allow you to save packing space.
Bowl x2
These camping bowls are sturdy and reliable.
Bowl x2
These camping bowls are sturdy and reliable.
Make sure that you have real hot meals either provided by your camp, or that you cook for yourself. Just snacking it for a week is not healthy or enjoyable. If you’re doing your own cooking, get the necessary cooking materials like a
Stove and
Cooking Utensils.
Your Chill Space
Here’s what you should have on hand for your camp’s chill communal spaces:
Foldable Outdoor Chair
Comes with a cupholder for extra chillaxation.
Foldable Outdoor Chair
Comes with a cupholder for extra chillaxation.
Big Fuzzy Pillows
You can never have too much soft stuff on the Playa. Stock up on
big fuzzy pillows to turn your chill space into an inviting oasis away from the hard desert.
Big Fuzzy Pillows
You can never have too much soft stuff on the Playa. Stock up on
big fuzzy pillows to turn your chill space into an inviting oasis away from the hard desert.
Writing Utensils
A
composition notebook,
pens, and
pencils will help you record your otherworldly experiences from the comfort of your chill space. Also grab some
index cards for trading contact info with the cool folks you meet at Black Rock City.
Writing Utensils
A
composition notebook,
pens, and
pencils will help you record your otherworldly experiences from the comfort of your chill space. Also grab some
index cards for trading contact info with the cool folks you meet at Black Rock City.
First Aid Kit
For any accidents that might happen on the Playa. For more serious stuff, you'll want to head to
rampart.
First Aid Kit
For any accidents that might happen on the Playa. For more serious stuff, you'll want to head to
rampart.
Leaving No Trace
Leaving No Trace on the Black Rock Desert means disposing of any
MOOP and
gray water you create. Your camp may have a waste plan already in place, but the bare minimums are:
Garbage Bags
For
MOOP, bring
garbage bags. Be a good Burner and also use them to cleanup random MOOP that you run into on the Playa.
Garbage Bags
For
MOOP, bring
garbage bags. Be a good Burner and also use them to cleanup random MOOP that you run into on the Playa.
Your Bike
Bicycle
A
bicycle is a must for getting around Burning Man.
Get one with wide tires that can handle the terrain. If you’re getting this bike just for Burning Man, I recommend renting from
Playa Bike Repair (PBR). They even offer a delivery service, where you can pick your bike up and drop it off at their camp. That means less packing, which is always a win.
Bicycle
A
bicycle is a must for getting around Burning Man.
Get one with wide tires that can handle the terrain. If you’re getting this bike just for Burning Man, I recommend renting from
Playa Bike Repair (PBR). They even offer a delivery service, where you can pick your bike up and drop it off at their camp. That means less packing, which is always a win.
Bike Lock
People steal bikes at Burning Man. Always keep your bike locked.
Bike Lock
People steal bikes at Burning Man. Always keep your bike locked.
Wheel Lights
Glow up your bike for safety and style at night. There are tons of options for Wheel Lights, but I think the MonkeyLight Wheel Lights strike a good balance between awesomeness and affordability.
Wheel Lights
Glow up your bike for safety and style at night. There are tons of options for Wheel Lights, but I think the MonkeyLight Wheel Lights strike a good balance between awesomeness and affordability.
Unique bike swag
Get something identifiable from a distance like an
LED Balloon or
Stuffed Giraffe so that you can see your bike from afar amongst the sea of other bicycles.
Unique bike swag
Get something identifiable from a distance like an
LED Balloon or
Stuffed Giraffe so that you can see your bike from afar amongst the sea of other bicycles.
Packing It All Up
Storage Containers
Rubbermaid’s Storage Containers are worth spending the extra dollar on, because they’re incredibly durable and easy to stack and pack. I’ve stored all of my stuff in these things in my 4 years on the Playa.
Storage Containers
Rubbermaid’s Storage Containers are worth spending the extra dollar on, because they’re incredibly durable and easy to stack and pack. I’ve stored all of my stuff in these things in my 4 years on the Playa.
Your Gift
Last but not least you should have a gift for your fellow Burners. I’ve always found that
these glowy rings go over well at Burning Man, or anywhere else for that matter.
Your Gift
Last but not least you should have a gift for your fellow Burners. I’ve always found that
these glowy rings go over well at Burning Man, or anywhere else for that matter.
Am I missing anything from my packing list? Let me know in the comments below and I can update this guide accordingly. Have a great Burning Man!