The Ultimate Guide to Packing Hackathon Essentials

So, you’re wondering what to bring to your hackathon are you? Well, you’re in the right place, friend, because we’re dropping an ultimate guide to packing hackathon essentials.

We accept that what’s essential to one person isn’t essential to others. Some people like to travel light and some pack like they’re moving house. 

Considering that, we’ve split our hackathon packing checklist into the following categories, so you can customise a hackathon checklist to suit you.  

• The Core Essentials
• Extras
• Hardware
• Hygiene
• Docs and Itinerary
• Extra Extras

So dive in and explore. And if you have any cool ideas we’ve not thought of us, drop us a line. We’d love to hear them!

The Core Hackathon Essentials

• Computer and Charger: The very first thing to double and triple check in your hackathon packing checklist is your computer and your charger. If you do not have these items, you will be demoted from hackathon participant to spectator. 

• Phone and Charger: From taking photos for social media and posterity to catching details of new friends and connections to staying in touch with the outside world in emergencies, contemporary life is sadly impossible without one!

• Smartwatch and Charger: For those that live by the smartwatch, here’s your reminder! 

• Backpack/Storage: How will you be carting about your hackathon essentials? With a practical rucksack, A hip duffel bag, Or a gentleman’s overnight bag? 

• Earphones/Headphones: Friends, from leaving and coming back from your front door, you’re going to need headphones at some point. For the plane, for taking a break, for important calls, or for concentrating during the hack. 

• Dongles/Adapters (Lightning, USB-C, etc.)

• Medications: You don’t want a stressful trip to a pharmacy in the heat of the hackathon. So remember and put any meds you’re taking on your personal hackathon packing checklist folks! 

• Wallet or Purse (think cash and ID): A wallet or purse is sadly something that is too often forgotten at home, especially for something so important. Note it down! 

• Keys: If it feels like we’re stating the obvious with some of these, it’s because we are. 

Hackathon Packing Extras

• Food and Drinks
• Surge Protector
• Battery Bank
• Sleeping Bag/Blanket/Pillow
• Mouse/Mousepad
• Keyboard
• USB Flashdrives
• Pen/Pencil and Paper/Sticky Notes
• Extra Cords
• Resumes
• Sleeping bag/blanket/pillow
• Reusable water bottle
• Allergy medicine

N.B. Here’s our ultimate hackathon survival guide. It’s required reading. So if you don’t have time to read it now. Bookmark it! [ADD LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]

Hackathon Essential Hardware

Here’s some more hardware that is always useful for a hackathon. N.B. if you have more tools that you like to use we’d love to hear what your essential kit looks like! 

• Dev Board (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Edison, Photon, etc.)
• Cables
• Keyboard/mouse
• USB key(s)
• Breadboards
• Jumper Wires/Alligator Clips
• Resistors
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Screwdrivers
• Superglue
• Electric Tape
• Zip ties
• Multimeter

Hackathon Checklist: Hygiene

So, let’s talk about stereotypes. The whole world thinks coders are a bunch of dudes with bad hygiene. But we know that’s not true. 

And let’s keep it that way, shall we? So Make sure to add some of these items to your hackathon checklist. Because not only is it a good courtesy to your colleagues working around you, it will make you feel fresher, and better about yourself, and thereby more confident as you go about your hacking duties! 

• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Change of Clothing
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Facewash/body wash/soap
• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Clothes: Jumper, Spare Clothes, Pajamas, Underwear, Socks, Towel
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Dry shampoo
• Floss

Hackathon Docs and Itinerary