I’m a minimalist. I like to travel light and simply. That’s why it is important for me to find the best bang for the buck items that REALLY carry their weight in a suitcase or duffel bag. Before going to my first Burning Man, I didn’t know what to expect, and I brought one duffel bag, a tent too small, and only a few outfits. I found that certain things were good to have, some were great, and there were others that I regretted not having!
So here is my list of goods, greats and regrets. I hope it helps you outfit yourself for your first Burn!
Non-cotton, long-sleeve hiking shirt.
Although it’s fun (oh, so, so much fun) to have numerous outlandish outfits for the festival so you can change up your style… Remember , the desert is a harsh place! Outfits are great for nighttime and on some days (weather depending), but most days you can get utterly roasted if you are not careful. If you combine poor sun protection with bad hydration practices (i.e. booze instead of water) then you are just waving your fingers in natures face, asking to get knocked out.
This was my go-to top. I wore it every single day, and by the end of the festival I looked like a true desert Indiana Jones. I didn’t mind the filth too much, but I am definitely bringing more of these shirts next year. I recommend you bring at least one!
Water Bottle and Thermos
Water is life. The harsh climate will take you down if you aren’t careful. Every year dozens of people are forced to leave the festival due to illness like dehydration, and heat exhaustion. You are in BIG trouble if you wander around the playa without your own water. I’d recommend at least two bottles, because if you are anything like me, you will lose one. A thermos is also nice because you can fill it with ice for some extra and much needed freshness.
Simple Backpack
Well, you’ll need somewhere to put your water bottle… but also sunscreen, toiletries, and anything else you want to carry with you when you go out on adventures. We don’t use money at Burning Man, but lots of camps give away memorable trinkets and art pieces, which means you want somewhere to put them.
Playa dust gets everywhere! and is difficult to remove, so it’s kind of nice to have a backpack dedicated to Burning Man so you don’t ruin your nice hiking or commuter pack.
Goggles and Dust Mask
These are an absolute must! The desert is a windy place and the fine alkaline dust gets everywhere. If you don’t have some effective goggles and a safe dust mask, than you are grounded, baby! Also, be sure to bring a pair of both tinted goggles for day adventures and clear goggles for night adventures.
Picture this:
You are given a postcard to deliver on the far side of the city (because you volunteered at the post office, highly recommended!). Your route will take you straight through the center of the city, through the Playa, and underneath the giant effigy of The Man. Trick is, it’s windy, and a cloud of dust is blowing through the city. How exciting! Time to dawn the goggles and the dust mask.
Also, some of the most unforgettable experiences at burning Man are during the “white outs”. A hardy Black rock Citizen is always prepared, and doesn’t let a little storm stop them from having a great time. Be ready, and be sure to get a mask and goggles.
Wide-Brim Hat
Remember it’s a desert and the sun will be a brutal muther *bleep* er! I bought a wide brim hat at a Haberdashery in Portland on my way to festival and I wore it EVERY SINGLE DAY. I loved it. I invested a bit more money in my hat to make sure it was something stylish that I liked. I’d recommend actually going to a hat store and trying something on to make sure it fits snug and won’t fly off your head in a breeze.
Shift Pod Tent
I brought a small single person backpacking tent, and I totally regretted not having any space! Next time, if I could have my dream set-up, it would be a Shift Pod. these tents are very pricey, but you can buy them used for a bit cheaper and then sell them after the event, and they hold their value very well. All of the veteran Burners I met had Shiftpods. They were a dream!
Thongs
Yep! Bring on the sexy fun! This may seem a bit contradictory from the shirt and hat above, but hey! It’s Burning Man! I love to go light on clothing, as long as I am being sun safe. That means I cant wear a thong everyday and all day, I have to pick and choose, and make sure I am staying hydrated and not getting roasted! =D
There’s the list, hope this was helpful to you and that you enjoy your first burn!
Cheers!