Please bring all Required Clothing & Gear

You are welcome to bring extras of the items marked with a plus (+) sign. Where a range of quantities is indicated, e.g., “1-2” bring the smaller quantity if you are on a one-week course, and the larger quantity if your course is 10 days or longer. There are multiple brand name options available at varying prices. The clothing and equipment on this list is widely available in many places. Specialty outdoor stores like  L.L.Bean, REI, Campmorand  Eastern Mountain Sportswill have a range of appropriate items to choose from. Discount retailers, like Sierra Trading Postand the REI Garage often have good prices on name-brand gear and clothing. You may also locate many first- quality clothing and equipment items at military surplus stores and area consignment stores and thrift stores, such as Goodwilland The Salvation Army. 

The HIOBS website has some great items. A complete collection of HIOBS-recommended-for-course items can be found HERE. Please contact your course advisor for suggestions.

Sizing & Layering

Packing several light layers rather than fewer heavier layers allows you more flexibility as the weather and workloads change. Inner layers should fit closely, middle layers should fit loosely and outer layers should be just a little bit baggy. When shopping or packing, it is a good idea to try on your layers together.

Packing

Before your expedition, your instructors will check your gear; they will assess your clothing with the actual route and the anticipated weather in mind. Items you don’t take on expedition will be stored safely at base. We suggest leaving the tags on any items you purchase in case you don’t actually pack them for expedition, but please note that you should check with each store to see what their return policies are.  If there are items that you would like to bring but which are not mentioned on this list, feel free to call and ask your course advisor at 855-802-0307.

Tick- and Mosquito-Borne (Arboviral) Diseases

Tick- and mosquito-borne diseases are an increasing risk of traveling in the wild regions of the Americas, including our course areas in Maine, New Hampshire, Florida, the Bahamas, and Costa Rica. Fortunately, there are prevention steps that are very effective and, in most cases, treatment is relatively simple and recovery complete, so long as the diagnosis is made early. Students and their families should educate themselves on the risks, prevention measures, and signs and symptoms of tick-borne illnesses. 

Since prevention is always better than treatment, we STRONGLY recommend pre-treating your footwear, long pants, long-sleeve shirts, jackets and hats with a chemical barrier containing permethrin, at least two days before traveling to your course. Applied correctly and allowed to dry before wearing, the treatment remains effective for up to a month. For even longer-lasting protection, you can either purchase clothing with permethrin embedded within it, or send your clothes to Insect Shield®, who will treat them and ship them back to you, ready for your course. Use the Coupon Code “HIOBS” to receive a 15% discount on both clothing and treatment services at this website (please note that you need to use the coupon separately for products/ service).

Permethrin spray is readily available at many retailers, including Dick's Sporting Goods, Campmor, and Walgreen's.

For more information, please download our Vector-Borne Disease General Fact Sheet.

Summer in Maine is often warm and sunny, but cold fronts are common and these bring wind and rain. Out on the water, the air stays cool and moist so warm, quick drying clothing is essential. The sun can be intense making sun protection (sun screen & clothing) very important. Temperatures at night can drop to the 40s and even lower in May and September. Daytime temperatures range from the 50s to the 80s.

Bringing the required clothing on your course is crucial to being prepared for ALL the weather conditions you may encounter. On expedition, you carry a lot less than when you travel in the regular world. The clothing on this list is designed to keep you warm if it is cold or wet and be flexible enough to allow you to pack away items if it is hot. Please bring everything on the list.

Tops

• 2 Long Underwear Tops: Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene, or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Light or medium weight.
• 2-3 Sports Bras: Quick-drying synthetic bras.
• 2 Synthetic T-Shirts: Can be 50/50 blend of cotton/polyester, but all synthetics dry faster. Long sleeves are preferable for sun and bug protection.
• 1-2 Cotton T-Shirts: Nice for dry weather or for sleeping in. 
• 1 Wind Jacket: Lightweight, breathable, unlined nylon jacket.
• 1 Warm Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater: 300-weight Polartec® or the equivalent in wool or pile. A full front zipper helps you vent and makes layering easier.
• 1 Fleece or Wool Shirt or Vest: Can be 100- or 200-weight Polartec or equivalent in wool or pile.
• 1 Long-Sleeved, Lightweight Shirt: Old loose-fitting dress shirts are great for sun protection. Thrift stores generally have the best and brightest selection!  Can be cotton.
• 1 Hooded Rain Jacket: Can be Gore-Tex or coated nylon. Make sure that the seams are taped or welded so they can’t leak.

Bottoms

• 4-7 pairs Underwear: Synthetic fabrics work best, but cotton is okay.
• 2 Long Underwear Bottom: Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene, or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Light or medium weight.
• 1 Quick-Dry Pants: Loose-fitting, lightweight nylon fabric dries quickly.
• 1-2 Shorts: Loose-fitting, quick-drying athletic shorts.
• 1 Rain Pants: Can be Gore-Tex or coated nylon. Make sure that the seams are taped or welded so they can’t leak.

Additional Clothing

• 1 Swim Suit: One-piece quick-drying swimsuit, t-shirt and/or sports bra and shorts, or lightweight swim shorts
• 1 Sarong or large piece of fabric: A length of very light cotton or rayon (3’ x 7’), preferably not white,  to wrap around yourself while changing clothes.  A non-fitted twin bedsheet can be used.  
• 1 set Travel Clothes: Clean clothes for the trip home (will not be worn during the course/on expedition)

Head, Hands, & Feet

• 1 Sun Hat: For sun protection, either a broad-brimmed hat with chin strap or a baseball cap.
• 1 Winter Hat: Make sure it covers your ears when you pull it down. Wool or synthetic only.
• 1 Head Net: Fine mesh bug net that will fit over your head, to be worn as needed on land.
• 2-3 pair Socks: Thick wool or synthetic only. NO COTTON.
• 1-2 pairs Light Socks: Thin synthetic socks that can be layered under thick socks for additional warmth.
• 1 pair Running Socks: Synthetic socks.
• 1 pair Running Sneakers: Full-coverage, below-the-ankle, athletic footwear
• 1 pair Crocs or Water Sandals: Crocs- Closed-cell resin clogs with partial foot coverage, drainage and ventilation holes, and a heel strap OR Water Sandals- Appropriate design for OB courses with heel straps, and toe caps or bumpers. For Sea Kayaking expeditions: beaches can be very slippery and contain sharp rocks, so it is important that shoes have good grip on the bottom and fit feet closely.

Personal Items

• 1 Headlamp & Batteries: Minimum three volts (two or more AA- or AAA-batteries). Bring one set of alkaline batteries per week of course.  Preferred: a style that offers a red-light mode for preserving night vision.
• 1 Water Bottle: 32 oz. water bottle. Wide-mouth makes filling easier.
• Spoon: Spoon can be metal or plastic (bring an extra spoon if possible).
• 1 Pack Towel: A synthetic, wringable towel, also called a chamois, a sports towel or a swimmer’s towel. No cotton.
• Watch: Make sure it’s waterproof and inexpensive. Stopwatch, light, and alarm are useful functions. Smart watches are NOT permitted on the course.
• Sunglasses: Bring a strap to hold them on and a hard-sided case to protect them when you’re not wearing them.
• Journal/Notebook + Pen: Personal journal or notebook, put in a Ziploc with pen. You may want to take notes during your course. (5" x  8  1/2" or smaller.)
• 1-2 Bandannas: Useful for cleaning sunglasses, as pot holders, and more.
• 3-4 Plastic Bags: Gallon-sized Ziploc®-type with a closure for keeping things dry or separating wet items
• Basic Toilet Kit: Toothbrush, small trial-size toothpaste, comb, brush, and dental floss. 
• 1-2 Hand Sanitizers: Pocket sized squeeze bottle of hand sanitizer
• Course End Toiletries: Towel, soap and shampoo, deodorant, etc. for the course end shower and to prep for travel home.
• Disposable Menstrual Products: An ample supply. Changes in diet and activity can produce changes in cycles.
• 1-2 Sunscreen: 8-oz, minimum SPF 30.  Do not bring aerosol sprays.
• Lip Balm: Minimum SPF 30.
• 1 Insect Repellent: Bring a small unbreakable container, 10-50% DEET.  And/or Avon Skin So Soft. Do not bring aerosol sprays.
• 2 sets Prescription Medication (if needed): MUST be in original bottles or vials. The extra set is just in case the medication gets lost or damaged.
• Eyeglass System (if needed): Bring a hard case and a keeper strap for your glasses. Bring two pairs, or a pair of contacts and your glasses.
• Insurance Card: If you have health insurance, please bring your card, or a clear photocopy of both sides of it.
• $25-$75 Cash, or a Credit/Debit Card: To buy snacks during travel or to pay for lost or damaged gear. Items from the school store will be for sale at the end of your course.

Cooler Month Items (May, June, September)

• 1 Fleece Vest or Long-Sleeved Shirt: Mid-weight- can be Polartec® fleece, wool, or the equivalent weight shirt or 100- or 200-weight Polartec® vest.
• 1 Medium Weight Pants: Mid-weight: 100- or 200-weight Polartec® or the equivalent
• 1 pair Mittens or Warm Gloves: Can be wool or fleece.
• 1 Balaclava: A hood-shaped hat that covers your head and neck. You could also bring a neck gaiter and a second hat.

Optional Clothing & Gear

These are NOT required items. Please only buy them if you plan to use them outside of your course.

• Hooded Rain Jacket & Rain Pants: Outward Bound will issue you sailing rain (“foul weather”) gear, but in light rain or spray, lightweight gear is often more comfortable. Can be Gore-Tex or coated nylon. Make sure that the seams are taped or welded so they can’t leak.
• Bug Shirt: This can be a wind jacket with a hood that cinches, or you can bring a mesh one. The most durable models can be found at  www.bugshirt.com or www.woodscanada.com.
• 1 Medium-Weight Top: Mid-weight long-sleeve layer to fit over your long underwear top, and under your heavy fleece.  Can be wool or synthetic fleece.  For people who stay warm easily, this isn’t necessary in mid-summer. Consider bringing this item if you often find that you are sensitive to cold or damp. 
• 1 pair Light Gloves: For blister and sun protection. Bring if you are sun sensitive. Can be light cotton work gloves or fingerless sailing, cycling or weightlifting gloves.
• Camera: Due to the risk of damage from weather and the expedition, we suggest that if you bring a camera it should be waterproof and durable. A disposable camera is a great choice - just make sure to read the directions so you know how to use it on course! GoPro cameras are allowed. You will only be able to film or take photos with the instructors’ and other students’ permission.
• 2-3 Stuff Sacks: Made of lightweight nylon in many colors, these help to keep your clothes and gear organized.
• Swimming Cap: Useful if you have long hair.
• 1+ Ear Plugs: Swimmers’ type may increase swimming comfort by preventing water from entering your ears. Foam earplugs may block out noise for improved sleep.
• Foot Powder: Corn starch, baby powder or Gold Bond all work. Maximum size: 4oz.
• Extra pair Water/River Shoes: Appropriate design for OB courses with heel straps, and toe caps or bumpers; can also be an old pair of sneakers you can get wet

Please note that Outward Bound provides all other equipment, including (but not limited to):

• Sleeping Bags & Pads
• Backpacks or Sea Duffels
• Shelter (tents or tarps)
• Cookware
• Food (3 meals/day + snacks)
• PFD (Personal Flotation Device) as needed
• Foul Weather Gear (for Sailing courses)

HIOBS Instructors will carry a fully stocked First Aid kit. You do not need to bring your own first aid kit or "just in case" OTC medications that you do not regularly take if they are listed below. 

This kit includes, but is not limited to:

• Ibuprofen
• Acetaminophen (non-aspirin)
• Aspirin
• Laxatives
• Anti-diarrheal
• Antacids
• Decongestant
• Antihistamine (Benadryl or similar)
• Sea-sickness medication
• Band-Aids/Bandages