What to Pack in Your 3-Day Bag

Walkers at the 2025 Dallas 3-Day.

Whether you’re reuniting with teammates, meeting new friends or experiencing your first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® being prepared will help you focus on what matters most — walking to help end breast cancer.

From veteran favorites to newbie essentials, here’s what participants recommend for packing for a comfortable 3-Day weekend.

The Right Gear

When you wear what works for you, it’s easier to power through 60, 40, or 20 miles.

Moisture-wicking clothing (T-shirts, shorts, sweatpants, leggings).

Broken-in walking shoes (never wear brand-new shoes to the 3-Day!).

Hat or visor.

Two pair of socks per day (veteran walkers recommend changing into fresh, dry socks at lunch).

Light layer jacket/waterproof jacket/sweater.

A comfortable backpack or crossbody bag with a water bottle holder or a waist pack for carrying on-route essentials with a water bottle holder.

A lightweight rain poncho or shoe covers (if rain is in the forecast).

The Little Things

Inside your backpack or waist pack, you might want to carry:

Chapstick or lip balm

Band-aids

Hair ties

Hand sanitizer or wipes

Tissues

Bite-size snacks

Electrolyte packets

Portable phone charger

Sunglasses

Identification, money and a credit card

Wide-mouth water bottle (easily fillable at water/ice/Gatorade stations along the 3-Day route)

Toiletries: Event hotels tend to have toiletries available to you, but we strongly recommend packing everything you might need for your hygiene and comfort.

Sunscreen

Toothpaste/toothbrush

Moisturizer, facial cleanser

Shampoo, Conditioner

Deodorant, Razor

Hairbrush

Body glide

First Aid: On event, the Medical Crew will have supplies to tend to any major medical issues, but we recommend bringing your own supplies for treating minor medical and personal problems you might need along the route like band aids, petroleum jelly, antacid, pain relievers and any prescription medication you take regularly.

If you develop blisters, the medical crew will help you take care of them and give you much-needed relief so you can keep walking. Just ask them for help!

If you’re looking for a more detailed packing checklist, check out our hotel and camping packing guides before your 3-Day event weekend. We’ll see you on the route soon!

National Volunteer Week: Join the Heart of the 3-Day

It’s National Volunteer Week, a time to highlight the incredible impact volunteers make through acts of service. At the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, volunteers make every step of the journey possible through their commitment to creating an unforgettable experience for participants across the Pink Bubble community.

Whether it’s managing parking at camp, cheering walkers on with a high-five along the route, or helping participants unload their gear when it gets too heavy to carry and ensure it makes it back to camp, there are countless ways for individuals and groups to get involved and make a difference.

A volunteer giving support to a walker at the 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day.

People like Amy S. and sons are what make the 3-Day so special. After nearly 20 years supporting the 3-Day Crew, Amy encouraged her sons to start volunteering.

“Over the past four years or so, my sons and their philanthropy group have supported the 3-Day by helping set up tents and serve food,” Amy shared. “I’ve simply tried to model for my boys the importance of giving back and sharing their time.”

How to Get Involved

Volunteers at the 3-Day typically commit just a few hours during a single day, with no fundraising commitment. Whether you’re signing up individually or with a group (corporate teams, school and university groups, scout troops, community organizations, faith-based groups, etc.), there are many ways to make an impact, including:

Volunteers posing near one of the sweeps at the 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day.

Cheering squads along the route

Hydration station and pit stop support

Camp set-up and breakdown

Finish Line Festival support/T-shirt distribution

Gear transport and participant assistance

Traffic control and shuttle support

Age requirements vary by role, with many opportunities available for younger volunteers with adult supervision, and others reserved for those 18+ or with specific medical qualifications.

Join the Crew

If you‘re able to commit to the full 3-Day event weekend (Thursday afternoon through Sunday), consider joining our amazing crew! Crew members take on assigned roles that support participants throughout the entire event and commit to raising at least $100.

Medical professionals are also encouraged to join the medical crew which is an essential part of the 3-Day, providing medical assistance to walkers during the 60-mile event. All medical crew members must hold current, valid licensure. If you’re interested in joining the crew, register here.

A member of the Medical Crew assisting a walker at the 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day.

The 3-Day is powered by people who show up, give their time and create moments that participants carry with them longer after they reach the finish line. We invite you to be a part of that impact at one of our upcoming 3-Day events:

Boston (Aug. 21-23, 2026)

Dallas/Fort Worth (Oct. 23-25, 2026)

San Diego (Nov. 13-15, 2026)

Tampa Bay (Feb. 19-21, 2027)

If you are ready to volunteer your time to do something meaningful, contact us at volunteer@komen.org.

2025 New England Crew Impact Award Winner: Kirstin B.

Kirstin B. at the 2025 Celebration of Champions in New England.

This year at the 2025 Susan G. Komen New England 3-Day®, we were proud to present Kirstin B. with the Crew Impact Award, honoring her for being a stellar example of dedication, compassion and leadership within the Pink Bubble community.

Kirstin’s 3-Day journey began when she was just 15, walking in memory of her godmother who passed away from breast cancer. In 2016, she joined the medical crew as an emergency medical technician at the Philadelphia 3-Day.

Since then, Kirstin has become a vital part of the 3-Day medical crew. Now a registered nurse, she has volunteered at all 3-Day events since 2022, except for San Diego where she walks as a participant. Kirstin has participated in 28 3-Day events and raised more than $26,000. We are overwhelmingly grateful for the love and dedication Kirstin pours into the 3-Day family.

Meghan D., a fellow medical crew member, honored Kirstin on stage during the New England 3-Day’s Celebration of Champions.

“Amid the chaos, she is a calm, steady presence navigating challenges, coordinating care and making sure every participant feels supported,” Meghan said. “Veterans of the 3-Day know Kirstin, not just because she’s been part of more than 25 events, but because she makes it her mission to know them. To connect. To care.”

Whether she’s serving as team leader or medical captain, Kirstin leads with grace and compassion, and we are so grateful for all her selfless efforts.

Congratulations, Kirstin! You are so deeply appreciated.