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.Here are the day-specific items you’ll pack:

• 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.
• If you’re the type who burns at Burning Man, get yourself some Sunscreen.
• Badass Hat x2 — Cover that beautiful face of yours from the constant sun.

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
• 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.
• El-Wire requires AA Batteries to work, and you’ll need to replace them a few times throughout the week.

You need some stuff on you day and night.  Either store it in your Camelbaks or clip it to your waist with a Carribeaner:

• Desert Boots – You don’t want to be wearing sneakers if it rains or you inevitably have to walk across deep playa.
• Dust Mask x2 — Come prepared for dust storms so your lungs don’t suffer.
• 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 last year.  It sat snugly in my pocket so it was always within reach, and didn’t bounce around as I moved.

There are lots of options for sleeping quarters, but let’s assume that like most Burners you’re getting a Tent. As with your Shade Structure, you need to use Rebar (rather than tent stakes) for securing your tent against the wind.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.

All of your bedtime stuff will go inside your Tent:

• 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.
• Travel Pillow — 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.
• 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
• Toiletries — Get a convenient travel pack of toiletries to help you pack lighter.  They come customized for either men or women.
• Condoms and Lube — This wouldn’t be GlowyShit.com if we didn’t mention the existence of Glowy Condoms.

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 10 1-Gallon jugs you should be set.

With or without a meal plan, you need some Dried Snacks you can grab on the go, such as:

• Protein Bars can help sustain you.
• Dried Fruit — always a hit.  Dried Bananas are my personal favorite.
• Jerky — If you’re a meat eater, it’s worth getting the gourmet stuff. I’ve happily replaced meals with good Jerky on the Playa.
• Trail Mix

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.
• Lots of 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 like 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.

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.  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.

However you end up getting your bike, make sure to get these accoutrements for it:

• 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.
• 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.

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.

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!