New Zealand N00b

Hi r/backpacking!

I'm sure you hear stories like this all the time: I've never backpacked, or even really hiked, before in my life! But I hated my job and have always romanticized travel, so I bought a one-way ticket to Auckland, got a working holiday visa, and renewed my passport. I hooked up with my godparents (what even are godparents, anyway? Does God pick them, or did my parents? What if I don't believe in God, are they just... Parents? Or do I stop believing in them as well?) who live near Coatesville and they've warmly opened up their home to me for the whole year.

I mean, I get the basics. I know you need food, water, and shelter to survive. But I'm a kinetic learner with a 6-day-a-week job and untreated ADHD. So reading lengthy guides is hard. I'm looking for the nitty-gritty, answers to weird, specific questions I have.

I have 10 months to prepare, as my flight is in early February 2018. I also have 10 months to go from "I can walk for three days straight because that's what I do for work, but what is running? What is an incline?" to physically fit enough to do this. And I have 10 months to do smaller trips to get ready. So I'm not as crunched for time as some of these stories you read. Glad to break the monotony.

I'll basically have a really safe, really permanent base camp, so I'm able to take more than just the bare essentials, but I would prefer to bring nothing besides my main pack and my laptop to keep in touch back home.

And I'm probably mid-range on budget. My boyfriend would tell me to buy exactly what I think I need, but I want to be economical. I can't spend our life savings on ultralight stuff, but I don't need to sacrifice quality for price.

First: thru-hikers, and most preferably people who (have) live(d) out of their packs:

1. What make/model/year/body style is your pack?

2. A list of your contents? Links aren't necessary, I just need a feel for what the hell fills up 35-80 liters (litres?). Like, 3 shirts. 2 underwear. 1 base layer. Hammock. Bug net. First aid kit. 2 lbs of food/day.

For women:

1. What the fuck do I do for underwear?! Links would be the best thing ever here. I have looked and all I see is "wicking". Should I start practicing going commando?

2. One bra? Two bras? All sports? One regular?

3. Do the women-specific packs make that big a difference?

4. Sha...ving??? Happy to do away with this, but wondering if you have solutions for when everyone in the hostel goes to the club?

For anyone with experience:

1. Trail running shoes? That's what I've got now, but are they really that much better than boots?

2. I am considering bringing an extra pair of shoes. While I'm wearing those, what is practical for my hiking footwear? Can I tie them to my pack? Or should I find a way to fit them in? Or should I just stick with one pair?

3. I'm feeling the whole hammock thing. Any general advice?

And any other general advice? I know n00bs tend to over-pack, so what's the first item you got rid of? How long did it take you to downsize your whole pack (3 weeks, 3 months, 2 years)?

Thanks so much for your time and attention... I'm as excited as you can imagine, plus a little more.

edit: Holy formatting, Batman