Packing for long-term journey could be daunting, particularly in the event you additionally must work whereas on the highway. That will help you out, I’ve put collectively this complete digital nomad packing record that will help you get began.
I’ve been a digital nomad for the final 18 months and have lived and labored in quite a few totally different locations world wide. Throughout this time, I’ve fine-tuned my private record of nomad necessities which I’m happy to share with you on this publish.
From important tech gear to versatile clothes choices and even some helpful software program suggestions, this information is filled with helpful objects to assist preserve you productive, protected, and cozy throughout your distant working journey.
Packing Listing for Digital Nomads
When selecting the most effective digital nomad journey gear, it’s essential to select objects which can be small and light-weight, whereas on the similar time ensuring you’ve all the pieces you want.
In reality, it’s a little bit of a balancing act as you doubtless received’t be capable to cart round all your creature comforts from house. However the awesome level of freedom that’s out there with this way of life makes it completely price sacrificing a couple of non-essentials for my part.
There are three principal classes to deal with – tech gear, clothes, and baggage – and I’ve damaged this information down accordingly. I’ve additionally included a bit on key software program and subscriptions that I like to recommend together with in your digital digital nomad gear record.
See additionally: How to Become a Digital Nomad in 2023
Digital Nomad Tech Gear
Let’s begin with the important tech gear that may make sure you’re linked and productive on the highway. You would possibly must adapt this record somewhat, relying on the kind of work that you just do. However this needs to be a great place to begin:
1. Laptop computer (An Important Merchandise on Each Digital Nomad Packing Listing)
Most likely an important piece of digital nomad tools, a reliable laptop is prone to be your principal technique of incomes cash on the highway. Due to this fact, it’s essential to spend money on a great one.
I really like my 13-inch MacBook Pro. It’s quick, dependable, highly effective, and has an important display screen that’s perfect for editing pictures (which, as a journey blogger, is one thing I do regularly).
The principle draw back to those computer systems is the price. There are positively cheaper choices on the market, however personally, I believe MacBook Execs are improbable items of package and are completely price their worth. Click here to buy one now.
2. Common Energy Adapter
A universal power adapter is without doubt one of the most important digital nomad equipment and helps to make sure you can hook up with energy and cost your gadgets wherever you might be on the earth.
Relatively than shopping for particular person adapters for every area that you just journey to, it’s a lot simpler to get one which works in every single place.
These are available all types of sizes and shapes, however you need to go for one which works with as many several types of energy shops as doable; (European, North American, Australian, and UK are the 4 principal sorts). This one is especially good.
It’s pretty low cost, compact, and light-weight. I like that it has 4 USB-A ports and 1 USB-C port, plus a multi-input socket that accepts most plug sorts, so you possibly can cost as much as 6 gadgets directly. Click here to buy one now.
3. Energy Financial institution
A portable power bank is a brilliant helpful addition to each digital nomad backpack record. It’s a small funding however can prevent plenty of time, problem, and stress.
Whether or not you’re on a protracted flight or bus journey, exploring a brand new metropolis, or working from a restaurant, having your telephone run out of battery could be extraordinarily irritating. And it at all times appears to occur on the worst doable time!
Having a power bank with you helps make sure that your telephone doesn’t run out of battery on the highway. That is particularly essential in locations with restricted charging factors, and even no entry to electrical energy (say, midway up a mountain for instance!).
There are a great deal of differing types to select from. However, basically, they’re simply transportable, rechargeable batteries that can be utilized to cost any machine with a USB charger whereas on the transfer. For extra info, click here.
4. Foldable Laptop computer Stand
Many individuals are inclined to hunch over their laptops, which might trigger troublesome neck and again ache. A laptop stand raises your display screen to eye degree; bettering your posture and decreasing the probability of discomfort. That is particularly essential in the event you spend lengthy intervals of time working in your pc.
You need to use a laptop stand to create a comfortable and productive workspace in your residence, lodge room, coworking area, or wherever else you fancy working from.
And since it’s essential to deal with portability when selecting the most effective digital nomad gear, I like to recommend you purchase one which’s light-weight and foldable.
I exploit mine every time I’m working for greater than an hour or so in a single place, and the advantages are nice. Click here for more info.
5. Keyboard and Mouse
Together with your laptop computer up on its transportable stand, you’ll additionally want an external keyboard and mouse to assist keep away from repetitive pressure accidents.
These easy, but important, items of package assist you to place your shoulders, arms, and arms in a extra comfy, ergonomic place, permitting you to work for longer intervals with out experiencing discomfort.
A keyboard-mouse-laptop stand mixture basically offers you an identical setup as a desktop pc, along with your display screen at eye degree. Solely it’s transportable – so a lot better!
Apple customers: try the smooth Magic Keyboard and Mouse. In any other case (and/or in the event you’d somewhat save a bit of cash), this combination works equally properly. Click here to learn more.
6. Transportable Wi-Fi Router
Given that almost all distant staff require a secure and safe web connection, a portable Wi-Fi router is prone to be an important addition to your digital nomad packing record.
Transportable routers can present a safer, extra dependable connection than public Wi-Fi, which is usually gradual and insecure. These work by creating a personal Wi-Fi community you can join your gadgets to.
An enormous benefit of transportable routers is that they assist you to join a number of gadgets on the similar time. Tethering out of your telephone, alternatively, often solely means that you can join one machine at a time.
There are a couple of several types of transportable routers out there. Some include an inbuilt SIM card, whereas others require you to purchase a bodily native SIM card and insert it. Some fashions even include built-in energy banks, making them much more handy.
Both manner, make sure to select one that’s light-weight, compact, and has a protracted battery life (or could be plugged into the mains). Click here to learn more about portable WiFi routers.
7. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Whether or not you’re working in a busy espresso store or on a loud airplane, noise-canceling headphones might help you focus in your work with out being distracted by ambient, background noise.
Personally, I can’t work if there’s an excessive amount of noise round, so, noise-canceling headphones are one in every of my most important digital nomad merchandise.
These are available each over-ear and in-ear types. Over-ear headphones have a tendency to supply higher noise cancellation, whereas in-ear headphones are smaller and extra transportable. I desire the over-ear variation and at the moment personal a pair of Bose QuietComfort 45s – they’re sensible.
In fact, there are numerous different manufacturers on the market, however Bose is especially recognized for its wonderful noise-cancelation expertise, in addition to top-quality audio and luxury. Click here to learn more.
8. Transportable Exterior Onerous Drive
Whether or not you’re a digital nomad or not, it’s very important to back up your files and documents, frequently!
A few months in the past, I used to be fortunately working away from my favourite coworking space in Sri Lanka, and, hastily, my laptop computer died.
Lengthy story brief, the acute warmth and humidity killed one thing inside the pc, and all the factor was wiped in the course of the restore course of. It was an entire nightmare and ruined an entire week…
Nevertheless, so long as you’ve a tough drive containing a current backup of your pc, you shouldn’t lose too many recordsdata. And with Apple machines, you possibly can restore all the pieces to the place it was on the date of the final Time Machine backup you probably did.
I extremely advocate the LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB. It’s tremendous sturdy and sturdy, and mine has served me properly for a number of years. Click here to learn more.
(I additionally advocate shopping for two of those, storing a backup of your pc on every one, and leaving one with somebody you belief again house. That manner you’re double-backed up, simply in case you lose the backup you’re touring with.)
9. Kindle
Kindles are nice items of package. They imply you possibly can successfully convey as many books as you need with you whereas touring, with out taking over any greater than a slither of area in your bag.
I notably like that they’ve an adjustable backlight and an anti-glare display screen, so you possibly can learn them in any lighting situations; whether or not you’re on a sunny seashore or tucked up in mattress. Kindles even have a superb battery life, so you possibly can learn for hours without having to recharge.
There’s nothing fairly like the sensation of studying from a “actual” e-book. Nevertheless, Kindles are so handy and transportable, I believe they should be included on this record of digital nomad must-haves. Click here to buy one.
10. Transportable Bluetooth Speaker
A portable Bluetooth speaker isn’t strictly important, however I believe it makes an important addition to your digital nomad packing record.
In my expertise, one of many hardest issues about being a digital nomad isn’t having a everlasting house. To assist with this, and to make my short-term residence (or wherever I’m staying) really feel extra homely, I wish to fill the area with a few of my favourite tunes sometimes.
It’s additionally nice for internet hosting individuals, having events, picnics, days out on the seashore, no matter. Having good sound – and never needing to put on headphones on a regular basis – is certainly price sacrificing somewhat little bit of backpack area for.
When selecting a transportable Bluetooth speaker, search for one which’s compact, sturdy, and has good sound high quality. I’ve bought the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 and I find it irresistible. Given its measurement and portability, the audio high quality is actually very good. Click here to purchase yours.
11. Smartphone
Nearly everybody has a smartphone today and, whereas an enormous a part of me hates the obsession with telephones in our current tradition, they’re undeniably helpful, notably for distant staff.
A smartphone means that you can keep linked with shoppers, pals, and household whereas on the transfer. It additionally offers entry to a wide range of helpful apps, reminiscent of Google Maps (presumably probably the most helpful of all of them), translation tools, podcasts, calendars, and different productiveness apps.
I’ve an iPhone 12 Pro and it does all the pieces I want it to and extra. The digicam is so good that, on many journeys, I don’t trouble taking my cumbersome DSLR digicam with me anymore. And there are even higher iPhones out there right now.
No matter telephone you like, make sure that it’s unlocked, (i.e. not tied to a cell community), to be able to purchase and use native SIM playing cards/eSIMs when touring overseas. Extra on these under! Click here for more info.
Clothes for Digital Nomads
As a long-term traveler, it’s essential to pack clothes that isn’t solely light-weight and compact but additionally versatile sufficient to swimsuit numerous conditions. In spite of everything, you’re solely capable of take a restricted quantity of things with you, so that you’ll wish to get probably the most use out of all the pieces you convey alongside.
Garments and Sneakers for Males
- Versatile Pants: A pair of light-weight and quick-drying pants which can be good for out of doors actions like mountaineering, but trendy sufficient for social events.
- Travel-Friendly Shorts: Go for light-weight and quick-drying shorts that supply consolation and mobility; perfect for exploring heat locations and out of doors actions.
- Moisture-Wicking T-shirts: Pack a couple of moisture-wicking T-shirts which can be each breathable and quick-drying.
- Collared Shirt: I often convey no less than one collared shirt that may be dressed up or down, for extra formal occasions like work conferences or meals out in fancy locations.
- Lightweight Jacket: A packable and weather-resistant jacket that provides safety towards surprising rain or chilly evenings, with out taking over a lot area in your bag.
- Merino Wool Sweater: Put money into a high-quality merino wool sweater that’s light-weight and insulating; perfect for layering in numerous climate situations.
- Packable Down Jacket: Contemplate a compact and light-weight down jacket that gives heat throughout colder climates with out including an excessive amount of bulk to your baggage.
- Flip Flops: Don’t overlook to pack a pair of comfy and sturdy flip-flops for warm days, the seashore, hostel showers, and informal walks.
- Hiking Boots: Go for a pair of sturdy, waterproof mountaineering boots that supply ankle help, traction, and sturdiness; permitting you to sort out a spread of trails and different out of doors adventures.
- Multi-Use Sneakers: Select a pair of sneakers which can be versatile sufficient to be worn for each athletic actions and informal metropolis exploration that present consolation and elegance in a single.
Garments and Sneakers for Ladies
The record for girls is essentially the identical as that for males. Nevertheless, in addition to the above, you would possibly wish to additional take into account packing the next objects.
- Maxi Dress and/or Jumpsuit: Pack a flexible maxi gown or jumpsuit that may be dressed up or down; perfect for each informal outings and extra formal events.
- Comfortable Leggings: Deliver a pair of comfy leggings that may be worn for exercises, lounging, or as a base layer.
- Shawl or Sarong: Being ready with a scarf or sarong could be helpful particularly in the event you’re touring to a extra culturally conservative nation. They’ll additionally conveniently double as a blanket or towel.
Equipment and Miscellaneous
- Reusable Water Bottle: Keep hydrated whereas decreasing plastic waste by carrying a sturdy and refillable water bottle.
- Travel Towel: Pack a compact and quick-drying journey towel that takes up minimal area in your bag and is ideal for seashore days or hostel stays.
- Travel Wallet or Organizer: Keep organized with a journey pockets or organizer that securely holds your passport, playing cards, and different essential paperwork.
- Travel-Sized Toiletries: Go for travel-sized (< 100ml) toiletries reminiscent of shampoo, conditioner, cleaning soap, and toothpaste to avoid wasting area while complying with airline laws.
- Earplugs and Sleep Mask: (Try to) get some sleep in noisy environments or brightly lit lodging with earplugs and a sleep masks.
- Handwash Laundry Soap: Pack travel-sized laundry cleaning soap to simply wash your garments when entry to laundry amenities is proscribed.
- Travel-Sized First Aid Kit: Be ready for minor accidents and illnesses by carrying a compact first support package with important objects reminiscent of band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and painkillers.
Software program and Subscriptions
In addition to getting the suitable bodily gear and tools, you also needs to take into account no less than a few of the following software program and subscriptions:
1. VPN
Having a dependable Virtual Private Network (VPN) service is important for securing your web connection and defending your privateness whereas accessing public Wi-Fi networks.
VPNs encrypt the information you ship and obtain on-line, and assist defend you from cyber fraud and the theft of your private info.
It’s essential to at all times use one everytime you use public Wi-Fi or every other web connections that aren’t safe to stop the danger of turning into the sufferer of cybercrime.
I exploit NordVPN and go away it operating on each my telephone and my laptop computer always; whether or not I’m touring or not. It doesn’t noticeably gradual both machine down, and the corporate has an important popularity and glowing opinions. For extra info, click here.
2. Native eSIM
When you’re planning to spend an prolonged time frame in a single nation, it’s typically price getting a neighborhood eSIM to be able to entry the web in your telephone with out having to pay worldwide roaming charges (which are sometimes very costly).
The precise prices of an eSIM range from nation to nation and likewise rely on how a lot information you require. Nevertheless, they’re often pretty low cost in most locations. For instance, in Sri Lanka, you may get 50 GB of knowledge for lower than $10 USD per 30 days.
It’s essential to examine that your telephone is eSIM suitable, though most trendy fashions are usually. You could additionally examine that you just’re handset is “unlocked”; that means that it’s not tied to at least one explicit community.
You possibly can often verify the machine’s settings menu for details about whether or not it’s locked or unlocked. If it’s locked, name your community supplier and ask them to unlock it earlier than attempting to make use of every other SIM (together with eSIMs).
3. Distant Work Platforms
Distant work platforms like FlexJobs supply digital nomads a curated choice of distant work alternatives throughout numerous industries. With superior search filters, you possibly can slim down your search primarily based on particular preferences reminiscent of job sort, schedule, and ability necessities.
These platforms present a handy solution to join with employers, with job listings from respected firms which were vetted to make sure legitimacy.
Moreover, they often supply extra assets like profession suggestions, resume opinions, and ability improvement assets to help you in your distant working journey.
4. Home-Sitting Memberships
Home-sitting memberships reminiscent of TrustedHousesitters present a singular alternative so that you can keep in individuals’s properties at no cost in trade for taking good care of their properties and/or pets.
These platforms join home sitters with a world community of house owners in search of dependable and reliable people to take care of their properties, (and sometimes furry pals), whereas they’re away.
I not too long ago stayed in an unlimited home in northwestern Sri Lanka and all it price me was a each day canine stroll on a pristine Indian Ocean seashore. It was fairly robust, however I survived…
5. Cloud Storage
Cloud storage companies like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive are safe and handy methods to retailer and entry your recordsdata, paperwork, pictures, and different essential information from wherever on the earth.
Cloud storage ensures that your recordsdata are protected towards loss or harm and means that you can share issues with colleagues, shoppers, pals, and household merely and simply.
Moreover, many cloud storage suppliers supply collaboration options, permitting a number of customers to work on shared recordsdata concurrently, which is tremendous helpful relying on the sector of your work.
6. Language Studying Apps
When you’re planning to base your self in a non-English talking nation, language studying apps like Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, and Babbel could be nice methods to develop important language expertise; permitting you to successfully work together with locals and immerse your self within the native tradition.
The practicality and comfort of language studying apps make them perfect for digital nomads. You possibly can study at your personal tempo and entry classes in your smartphone or pill, every time and wherever you select.
The bite-sized classes, interactive workout routines, and progress-tracking options assist preserve you motivated and accountable in your language studying journey.
I used Rosetta Stone to assist me study somewhat Spanish earlier than I moved to Mexico and it was so helpful. You’re unlikely to change into fluent in any language with out an enormous quantity of real-life follow. Nevertheless, these apps are wonderful for gaining the necessities you should get began.
Digital Nomad Bag Choices
It’s essential to decide on the suitable bag for carrying all your gear and belongings. A superb bag needs to be massive sufficient to suit all the pieces you want inside, comfy sufficient to hold an affordable distance, and make organizing (and accessing) your belongings simple.
Listed below are three top-notch choices. Every one has its personal benefits and downsides, however finally the suitable one for you is essentially a matter of desire:
1. Osprey Escapist 25
This is my favourite go-to bag and comfortably holds all the pieces I want for work with loads of area left over. I additionally use it as a daypack every time I am going mountaineering, and it’s a great measurement for carry-on baggage on a aircraft, which makes it a really multi-purpose winner.
I’ve owned my Osprey Escapist for nearly 10 years and it’s nonetheless going robust. I even beforehand used it for commuting to my boring workplace job in London many moons in the past.
I actually like how simple it’s to maintain all the pieces organized inside. It’s bought 7 totally different zippered pockets and compartments, with numerous sub-compartments and organizers inbuilt.
Add to this three massive mesh pouches (a big one on the entrance and one on either side) and you actually can carry plenty of stuff with you on this bag. It’s additionally extraordinarily comfy, with light-weight padded straps and a mesh again, that means you possibly can haul round comparatively heavy hundreds with ease.
And, to prime it off, it even has a stashable waterproof rain cowl that tucks away into its personal little zippered pocket beneath the pack. This bag is actually nice. Click here to buy one.
2. Samsonite Freeform Hardside
For those who would like a hard-shell suitcase with wheels, the Samsonite Freeform is tough to beat. At 21 inches lengthy, it’s sufficiently small to qualify as a carry-on however large enough to suit all your essential work gear, plus a couple of modifications of garments, or no matter else you would possibly want.
I’ve additionally bought one in every of these instances and it’s extraordinarily helpful. One of many apparent advantages is its laborious shell, that means that it presents much more safety than a soft-shell possibility. It’s lockable and works equally properly as a checked-in piece of baggage.
Samsonite suitcases are constructed to final. The zippers are prime quality and the wheels have a stable construct, regardless of it being remarkably light-weight. Click here for more information.
3. NOMATIC Navigator Premium Sling
The NOMATIC Navigator is a flexible sling-style bag. Personally, I desire “common” 2-strap backpacks, as I discover them extra comfy, however some individuals actually love slings.
An enormous benefit of this bag (in addition to different sling baggage) is that it packs down a lot smaller than the opposite two choices above. This makes it simple to stash away while you’re not utilizing it. The draw back, in fact, is you can’t match as a lot inside.
One of many standout options of the NOMATIC Navigator is its accessibility. The bag presents a number of pockets and a pill storage sleeve, permitting you to maintain your belongings safe, organized, and simply accessible. It’s additionally bought an RFID-safe pocket. Click here to buy one.
Packing Suggestions for Digital Nomads
Listed below are some basic suggestions and issues to remember when selecting important digital nomad gear to take with you:
- Go small and light-weight: Choose objects which can be small and light-weight wherever doable. It’ll make transferring round a lot simpler and extra comfy.
- Keep separation: I wish to have a separate bag that incorporates all the gear I want for work. That manner, all the pieces is in a single place and also you don’t must pack a bag each time you exit to a coworking area or wherever you decide to work from.
- Portability: Ideally, all the pieces you want for work ought to match into one medium-sized backpack and be comfy to hold. Every part else ought to match into both a big suitcase or a big backpack to be able to carry all the pieces from A to B every time you should.
- Versatility: Wherever doable, select objects with a number of makes use of to assist save area in your suitcase or backpack. For instance, a great pair of mountaineering trousers may also be nice for defense towards mosquitos within the evenings.
- Packing cubes are superior: They’re a good way to maintain all your stuff organized and assist you to simply entry particular person objects. Gone are the times of needing to rummage by way of your backpack to search out that one clear pair of socks you suppose would possibly be lurking someplace.
In Closing
Equipping your self with the suitable gear and data earlier than you begin your distant working journey is important. Being as ready as doable will make life on the highway a lot simpler and much more gratifying.
I hope you’ve discovered this information to the most effective gear for digital nomads helpful. With these sensible suggestions and recommendations in thoughts, it’s time so that you can begin constructing your personal tailor-made location-independent packing record. Good luck!
