My first time at SDCC was in 2014 and I was woefully unprepared for all the con had to offer. Over a decade later, I now have a much better system to ensure that I’m ready for anything, using multiple spreadsheets, lists, and calendars to stay organized. Today, I’m sharing my backpack checklist in hopes that it will help others!

IMPORTANT PAPERWORK

• SDCC Badges
• ID / Driver’s license
• Wallet (Credit cards / Cash)
• Itinerary
• Printed Tickets /Receipts
• Cell Phone

Service at the convention can be slow, so I recommend printing out confirmation emails / barcodes for anything important. Alternatively, screenshot those barcodes and QR codes so you have an image saved locally on your phone that you can access without cell service.

While most, if not all, exhibitors take credit cards, it’s a good idea to have cash as a backup option. Processing payments in the exhibit hall can be slow, so sometimes, if you pay in cash you can skip ahead of the folks paying with cards (or even get a discount).

USEFUL ITEMS

• Portable battery pack & cables
• Sharpies / Paint Pens
• Notepad / Pen / Pencil
• Tote Bag
• Ziplock Bags
• Sewing Kit (Needle, Thread, Scissors, Safety Pins, Super Glue)

While it’s easy enough to pick up extra bags at the con (Pick up the giant bag at Bags, Books & Lanyards in Sails Pavilions, or Dark Horse usually hands some out in the morning) it’s best to come prepared. Ziplock bags in different sizes are great for organizing swag like pins and buttons. It’s also good to have a Sharpie on hand in case of random celeb encounters!

COMICS AND COLLECTIBLES

• Items you want signed
  • Books
  • Comics
  • Posters
  • Funkos
  • Other
• Poster Tube
• Top loaders/Portfolios
• Comic Book Bags & Boards
• BCW Comic Book Stor-folio
• Pop! Protectors

A telescoping poster tube is good to have on hand, and you can pick one up online or at Daiso. I like the BCW Stor-Folio for keeping my comics and TPBs safe from damage while carrying them in my backpack. For books, I like to store them in large ziplock bags to protect them.

FOR WAITING IN LINES

• Something to sit on
  • Foldable Chair or Stool
  • Blanket or Mat
• Parasol
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Battery Powered Fan
• Hand Sanitizer
• KN95 Face Masks
• Personal Care
  • Deodorant
  • Pads / Tampons
• Medications
  • Prescription Medications
  • Painkillers
• Headphones / Earbuds

In the morning, foldable chairs are really nice and more comfortable than stools. The lightweight camping chairs are pricey but worth it if you’ll be using them overnight, though they do take more time to set up than the pop-up stools.

So many lines are outside and it can get pretty hot during SDCC! A parasol and a battery powered fan are lifesavers – and the fan can double as an extra battery pack.

I also like bringing my earbuds so I can listen to music or audiobooks while waiting in lines.

SNACKS

• Water bottles
• Granola Bars
• Carrots / Apples
• Chips / Pretzels
• Dried Fruit / Nuts
• Instant Cold Brew Packets (Such as NESCAFÉ Ice Roast)
• mio Water Enhancer
• Mints or Gum

I typically bring two water bottles: one for water and a second one for instant coffee or flavored water. I prefer to bring instant cold brew packets rather than canned coffee because they are more compact.

What’s in your bag for SDCC this year? Did I miss anything important? If so, I’d love to hear your recommendations.