FinLine baggage list

Author: Panu Tuominen

Packing for FinLine is not easy, because you should pack everything you need but nothing unnecessary. You will hate your big baggage when you carry it from the accommodation to the service car every morning and then back after the every day-trip.

To avoid forgetting anything important I have written a personal checklist that I use to help my packaging project. Naturally, the need of items and clothes varies from person to person, the list works only for me.

Below you can see a more general list based on my own, which you can use just as a reference when packing. It is not complete but tells for example the amount of clothes needed and remembers about such minor things that can be easily forgotten. All listed items are not obligatory; you need to evaluate each item by yourself.

Main luggage Clothing etc. 1 skating shirt 1 skating shorts 1 full-length skating trousers (for cold days, usually not needed) 1 shorts for free time 1 free time / sports clothing 1 sports shoes in a plastic bag 1 black Street Gliders T-shirt (if available) 1 shoes for night life in a plastic bag 1 pajamas d+t  pairs of socks d+t underpants 1 beach sandals in a plastic bag Skate accessories 1 spare brake stopper + bearings / extra skates 1 shoe warmers / hair dryer (for drying wet skates) 2 clothes (rags) 1 HVAC tape roll plastic bags (3 liters, for protecting skate shoes when skating in rain) Miscellaneous 1 mobile phone charger 2 plastic bags (for e.g. used clothes etc.) d paper cups 1 charger for camera Toiletry and small items d disinfection towelettes 1 nail scissors 1 chafe plaster box 1 sun protection lip balm moisturizing cream 1 ear plugs 1 shaver 1 after-shave 1 deodorant 1 washing powder for hand wash 1 hair brush/comb 1 small bottle of washing-up liquid (e.g. for washing the sunglasses) 1 hair gel/mousse 1 liquid soap bottle 1 shampoo + conditioner 1 tooth brush + paste painkillers handkerchiefs 1 contact lens case 1 contact lens solution bottle spare contact lenses 1 eyeglass case + glasses memory cards

Hand baggage Hand baggage 1 skate backpack /  backpack + plastic bag for skates 1 plastic bag for shoes 1 sun lotion bottle 1 swimming suit * 1 towel in a plastic bag * 1 windcheater / skating jacket (for skating in rain) * 1 note-tacking accessories chewing gum printed maps 1 FinLine instruction letter 1 FinLine press release (if available) printed brochures of the locations protective gear 1 helmet (obligatory) 1 mileage indicator / GPS + batteries 1 heart rate monitor + EKG belt 1 skates + FinLine bearings + FinLine wheels Skating bag (items carried when skating) 1 drinking bag bottle/cap + hose 1 spare memory card 1 small sun lotion tube refreshing towelettes 1-2  skate Allen wrenches plastic bag(s) for mobile phone and camera (to protect from rain) 1 socks in a plastic bag 1 spare batteries for indicator/GPS 1 spare battery for camera 1 camera + memory card + batteries Dressed on Dressed on etc. 1 watch for free time 1 Street Gliders T-shirt (if available) 1 trousers for night life + belt 1 socks 1 underpants 1 generic shoes / sandals 1 sun glasses 1 contact lenses 1 mobile phone + case 1 wallet + money / credit cards 1 camera case d = number of skating days t = number of travelling days (e.g. bus trips to/from FinLine starting/ending city) * = the item should be kept in the cabin of the service car (not in the luggage bay) during skating because the item may be needed during a day-trip

If you are coming to Finland from aboard, you will need naturally many other things, like passport (or EU-compatible ID card), currency, tickets, etc. Some basic things to know about Finland:

Mains voltage: 230 V~ (EU standard), European sockets
Currency: Euro (¤), major credit cards accepted on most shops and service stations (cash may be needed for smaller FinLine accommodations)

Cash dispensers (ATMs): Cash dispensers can be found in most towns and bigger villages (Note: the FinLine accommodation may not be near such place every night; do not expect that you can always get cash at the accommodation.)

Currency exchanging: Outside banking hours possible only in the largest cities

Skaters: Pedestrians according to the law; use sidewalks or the left side of the road

More practical information: See the official tourist site www.visitfinland.com