Packing for long-term journey will be daunting, particularly when you additionally must work whereas on the highway. That will help you out, I’ve put collectively this complete digital nomad packing listing that will help you get began.
I’ve been a digital nomad for the final 18 months and have lived and labored in a lot of completely different locations around the globe. Throughout this time, I’ve fine-tuned my private listing 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 gadgets to assist hold you productive, secure, and comfy throughout your distant working journey.
Packing Record for Digital Nomads
When selecting one of the best digital nomad journey gear, it’s essential to choose gadgets which might be small and light-weight, whereas on the identical time ensuring you will have every little thing you want.
In fact, it’s a little bit of a balancing act as you possible gained’t be capable of cart round your entire creature comforts from dwelling. However the superior stage of freedom that’s accessible with this life-style makes it completely value sacrificing a couple of non-essentials in my view.
There are three foremost classes to deal with – tech gear, clothes, and baggage – and I’ve damaged this information down accordingly. I’ve additionally included a piece on key software program and subscriptions that I like to recommend together with in your digital digital nomad gear listing.
See additionally: Turn out to be 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 listing just a little, relying on the kind of work that you just do. However this ought to be place to begin:
1. Laptop computer (An Important Merchandise on Each Digital Nomad Packing Record)
In all probability an important piece of digital nomad tools, a dependable laptop computer is prone to be your foremost technique of incomes cash on the highway. Subsequently, it’s essential to spend money on one.
I like my 13-inch MacBook Professional. It’s quick, dependable, highly effective, and has an important display screen that’s splendid for modifying images (which, as a journey blogger, is one thing I do frequently).
The primary draw back to those computer systems is the associated fee. There are undoubtedly cheaper choices on the market, however personally, I feel MacBook Professionals are incredible items of equipment and are completely value their worth. Click on right here to purchase one now.
2. Common Energy Adapter
A common energy adapter is without doubt one of the most important digital nomad equipment and helps to make sure that you would be able to hook up with energy and cost your units wherever you’re on this planet.
Slightly than shopping for particular person adapters for every area that you just journey to, it’s a lot simpler to get one which works all over the place.
These are available all kinds of styles and sizes, however you need to go for one which works with as many various kinds of energy retailers as attainable; (European, North American, Australian, and UK are the 4 foremost 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’ll be able to cost as much as 6 units directly. Click on right here to purchase one now.
3. Energy Financial institution
A transportable energy financial institution is an excellent helpful addition to each digital nomad backpack listing. It’s a small funding however can prevent numerous time, trouble, and stress.
Whether or not you’re on an extended flight or bus journey, exploring a brand new metropolis, or working from a restaurant, having your telephone run out of battery will be extraordinarily irritating. And it all the time appears to occur on the worst attainable time!
Having an influence financial institution with you helps be 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, primarily, they’re simply transportable, rechargeable batteries that can be utilized to cost any gadget with a USB charger whereas on the transfer. For extra info, click on right here.
4. Foldable Laptop computer Stand
Many individuals are likely to hunch over their laptops, which may trigger troublesome neck and again ache. A laptop computer stand raises your display screen to eye stage; enhancing your posture and decreasing the probability of discomfort. That is particularly essential when you spend lengthy intervals of time working in your pc.
You should use a laptop computer stand to create a comfy and productive workspace in your house, lodge room, coworking area, or wherever else you fancy working from.
And since it’s essential to deal with portability when selecting one of the best digital nomad gear, I like to recommend you purchase one which’s light-weight and foldable.
I take advantage of mine every time I’m working for greater than an hour or so in a single place, and the advantages are nice. Click on right here for more information.
5. Keyboard and Mouse
Together with your laptop computer up on its transportable stand, you’ll additionally want an exterior keyboard and mouse to assist keep away from repetitive pressure accidents.
These easy, but important, items of equipment can help you 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 primarily offers you a similar setup as a desktop pc, along with your display screen at eye stage. Solely it’s transportable – so significantly better!
Apple customers: take a look at the smooth Magic Keyboard and Mouse. In any other case (and/or when you’d relatively save a bit of cash), this mix works equally properly. Click on right here to study extra.
6. Moveable Wi-Fi Router
Given that almost all distant employees require a secure and safe web connection, a transportable Wi-Fi router is prone to be an important addition to your digital nomad packing listing.
Moveable routers can present a safer, extra dependable connection than public Wi-Fi, which is commonly gradual and insecure. These work by creating a personal Wi-Fi community that you would be able to join your units to.
An enormous benefit of transportable routers is that they can help you join a number of units on the identical time. Tethering out of your telephone, however, often solely lets you join one gadget at a time.
There are a couple of various kinds of transportable routers accessible. 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 approach, be sure you select one that’s light-weight, compact, and has an extended battery life (or will be plugged into the mains). Click on right here to study extra about transportable 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 may 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 considered one of my most important digital nomad merchandise.
These are available each over-ear and in-ear kinds. Over-ear headphones have a tendency to supply higher noise cancellation, whereas in-ear headphones are smaller and extra transportable. I want the over-ear variation and at present personal a pair of Bose QuietComfort 45s – they’re sensible.
In fact, there are various different manufacturers on the market, however Bose is especially identified for its glorious noise-cancelation expertise, in addition to top-quality audio and luxury. Click on right here to study extra.
8. Moveable Exterior Arduous Drive
Whether or not you’re a digital nomad or not, it’s very important to again up your recordsdata and paperwork, usually!
A few months in the past, I used to be fortunately working away from my favourite coworking area in Sri Lanka, and, unexpectedly, my laptop computer died.
Lengthy story quick, the acute warmth and humidity killed one thing inside the pc, and the whole factor was wiped throughout the restore course of. It was an entire nightmare and ruined a complete week…
Nonetheless, so long as you will have a tough drive containing a current backup of your pc, you shouldn’t lose too many recordsdata. And with Apple machines, you’ll be able to restore every little thing 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 on right here to study extra.
(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 dwelling. That approach you’re double-backed up, simply in case you lose the backup you’re touring with.)
9. Kindle
Kindles are nice items of equipment. They imply you’ll be able to successfully carry as many books as you need with you whereas touring, with out taking on 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’ll be able to learn them in any lighting situations; whether or not you’re on a sunny seaside or tucked up in mattress. Kindles even have a superb battery life, so you’ll be able to learn for hours without having to recharge.
There’s nothing fairly like the sensation of studying from a “actual” guide. Nonetheless, Kindles are so handy and transportable, I feel they need to be included on this listing of digital nomad must-haves. Click on right here to purchase one.
10. Moveable Bluetooth Speaker
A transportable Bluetooth speaker isn’t strictly important, however I feel it makes an important addition to your digital nomad packing listing.
In my expertise, one of many hardest issues about being a digital nomad is just not having a everlasting dwelling. To assist with this, and to make my short-term house (or wherever I’m staying) really feel extra homely, I prefer to fill the area with a few of my favourite tunes on occasion.
It’s additionally nice for internet hosting individuals, having events, picnics, days out on the seaside, no matter. Having good sound – and never needing to put on headphones on a regular basis – is certainly value sacrificing just a little 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 received the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 and I like it. Given its dimension and portability, the audio high quality is de facto very good. Click on right here to buy yours.
11. Smartphone
Nearly everybody has a smartphone as of late and, whereas an enormous a part of me hates the obsession with telephones in our current tradition, they’re undeniably helpful, notably for distant employees.
A smartphone lets you keep linked with shoppers, mates, and household whereas on the transfer. It additionally offers entry to quite a lot of helpful apps, reminiscent of Google Maps (presumably probably the most helpful of all of them), translation instruments, podcasts, calendars, and different productiveness apps.
I’ve an iPhone 12 Professional and it does every little thing I would like 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 accessible in the present day.
No matter telephone you favor, be certain that it’s unlocked, (i.e. not tied to a cell community), so to purchase and use native SIM playing cards/eSIMs when touring overseas. Extra on these beneath! Click on right here for more information.
Clothes for Digital Nomads
As a long-term traveler, it’s essential to pack clothes that’s not solely light-weight and compact but additionally versatile sufficient to go well with varied conditions. In spite of everything, you’re solely capable of take a restricted quantity of things with you, so that you’ll need to get probably the most use out of every little thing you carry alongside.
Garments and Footwear for Males
- Versatile Pants: A pair of light-weight and quick-drying pants which might be excellent for outside actions like climbing, but fashionable sufficient for social events.
- Journey-Pleasant Shorts: Go for light-weight and quick-drying shorts that provide consolation and mobility; splendid for exploring heat locations and outside actions.
- Moisture-Wicking T-shirts: Pack a couple of moisture-wicking T-shirts which might be each breathable and quick-drying.
- Collared Shirt: I often carry a minimum of one collared shirt that may be dressed up or down, for extra formal occasions like work conferences or meals out in fancy locations.
- Light-weight Jacket: A packable and weather-resistant jacket that gives safety towards sudden rain or chilly evenings, with out taking on a lot area in your bag.
- Merino Wool Sweater: Put money into a high-quality merino wool sweater that’s light-weight and insulating; splendid for layering in varied 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 decent days, the seaside, hostel showers, and informal walks.
- Climbing Boots: Go for a pair of sturdy, waterproof climbing boots that provide ankle assist, traction, and sturdiness; permitting you to deal with a variety of trails and different outside adventures.
- Multi-Use Sneakers: Select a pair of sneakers which might be versatile sufficient to be worn for each athletic actions and informal metropolis exploration that present consolation and elegance in a single.
Garments and Footwear for Girls
The listing for ladies is essentially the identical as that for males. Nonetheless, in addition to the above, you would possibly need to additional contemplate packing the next gadgets.
- Maxi Gown and/or Jumpsuit: Pack a flexible maxi gown or jumpsuit that may be dressed up or down; splendid for each informal outings and extra formal events.
- Comfy Leggings: Deliver a pair of comfy leggings that may be worn for exercises, lounging, or as a base layer.
- Scarf or Sarong: Being ready with a scarf or sarong will be helpful particularly when you’re touring to a extra culturally conservative nation. They will 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.
- Journey Towel: Pack a compact and quick-drying journey towel that takes up minimal area in your bag and is ideal for seaside days or hostel stays.
- Journey Pockets or Organizer: Keep organized with a journey pockets or organizer that securely holds your passport, playing cards, and different essential paperwork.
- Journey-Sized Toiletries: Go for travel-sized (< 100ml) toiletries reminiscent of shampoo, conditioner, cleaning soap, and toothpaste to save lots of area while complying with airline laws.
- Earplugs and Sleep Masks: (Try to) get some sleep in noisy environments or brightly lit lodging with earplugs and a sleep masks.
- Handwash Laundry Cleaning soap: Pack travel-sized laundry cleaning soap to simply wash your garments when entry to laundry services is proscribed.
- Journey-Sized First Assist Equipment: Be ready for minor accidents and illnesses by carrying a compact first help equipment with important gadgets reminiscent of band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and painkillers.
Software program and Subscriptions
In addition to getting the correct bodily gear and tools, you must also contemplate a minimum of a number of the following software program and subscriptions:
1. VPN
Having a dependable Digital Non-public Community (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 all the time use one everytime you use public Wi-Fi or every other web connections that aren’t safe to forestall the chance of turning into the sufferer of cybercrime.
I take advantage of NordVPN and go away it working on each my telephone and my laptop computer always; whether or not I’m touring or not. It doesn’t noticeably gradual both gadget down, and the corporate has an important popularity and glowing evaluations. For extra info, click on right here.
2. Native eSIM
If you happen to’re planning to spend an prolonged time period in a single nation, it’s usually value getting a neighborhood eSIM so 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 fluctuate from nation to nation and likewise depend upon how a lot information you require. Nonetheless, they’re often pretty low-cost in most locations. For instance, in Sri Lanka, you will get 50 GB of knowledge for lower than $10 USD monthly.
It’s essential to examine that your telephone is eSIM suitable, though most fashionable fashions are typically. You should additionally examine that you just’re handset is “unlocked”; that means that it’s not tied to at least one explicit community.
You’ll be able to often verify the gadget’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 making an attempt 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 varied industries. With superior search filters, you’ll be able to slim down your search primarily based on particular preferences reminiscent of job kind, schedule, and talent necessities.
These platforms present a handy option to join with employers, with job listings from respected corporations which have been vetted to make sure legitimacy.
Moreover, they generally supply extra sources like profession suggestions, resume evaluations, and talent improvement sources to assist you in your distant working journey.
4. Home-Sitting Memberships
Home-sitting memberships reminiscent of TrustedHousesitters present a novel alternative so that you can keep in individuals’s houses at no cost in alternate for taking good care of their properties and/or pets.
These platforms join home sitters with a worldwide community of householders searching for dependable and reliable people to take care of their houses, (and sometimes furry mates), whereas they’re away.
I not too long ago stayed in an infinite home in northwestern Sri Lanka and all it price me was a every day canine stroll on a pristine Indian Ocean seaside. It was fairly robust, however I survived…
5. Cloud Storage
Cloud storage providers like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive are safe and handy methods to retailer and entry your recordsdata, paperwork, images, and different essential information from wherever on this planet.
Cloud storage ensures that your recordsdata are protected towards loss or harm and lets you share issues with colleagues, shoppers, mates, 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 sphere of your work.
6. Language Studying Apps
If you happen to’re planning to base your self in a non-English talking nation, language studying apps like Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, and Babbel will be nice methods to develop important language abilities; 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 splendid for digital nomads. You’ll be able to 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 hold you motivated and accountable in your language studying journey.
I used Rosetta Stone to assist me study just a little 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. Nonetheless, these apps are glorious for gaining the necessities you must get began.
Digital Nomad Bag Choices
It’s essential to decide on the correct bag for carrying your entire gear and belongings. A great bag ought to be giant sufficient to suit every little thing 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 in the end the correct one for you is essentially a matter of desire:
1. Osprey Escapist 25
This is my favourite go-to bag and comfortably holds every little thing I would like for work with loads of area left over. I additionally use it as a daypack every time I’m going climbing, and it’s an excellent dimension for carry-on baggage on a airplane, which makes it a very 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 straightforward it’s to maintain every little thing organized inside. It’s received 7 completely different zippered pockets and compartments, with varied sub-compartments and organizers in-built.
Add to this three giant mesh pouches (a big one on the entrance and one on either side) and you actually can carry numerous stuff with you on this bag. It’s additionally extraordinarily comfy, with light-weight padded straps and a mesh again, that means you’ll be able to haul round comparatively heavy masses 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 de facto nice. Click on right here to purchase one.
2. Samsonite Freeform Hardside
For people who would favor a hard-shell suitcase with wheels, the Samsonite Freeform is difficult to beat. At 21 inches lengthy, it’s sufficiently small to qualify as a carry-on however sufficiently big to suit your entire essential work gear, plus a couple of adjustments of garments, or no matter else you would possibly want.
I’ve additionally received considered one of these instances and it’s extraordinarily helpful. One of many apparent advantages is its exhausting shell, that means that it gives much more safety than a soft-shell possibility. It’s lockable and works equally properly as a checked-in piece of bags.
Samsonite suitcases are constructed to final. The zippers are top quality and the wheels have a strong construct, regardless of it being remarkably light-weight. Click on right here for extra info.
3. NOMATIC Navigator Premium Sling
The NOMATIC Navigator is a flexible sling-style bag. Personally, I want “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 straightforward to stash away while you’re not utilizing it. The draw back, after all, is that you would be able to’t match as a lot inside.
One of many standout options of the NOMATIC Navigator is its accessibility. The bag gives a number of pockets and a pill storage sleeve, permitting you to maintain your belongings safe, organized, and simply accessible. It’s additionally received an RFID-safe pocket. Click on right here to purchase one.
Packing Suggestions for Digital Nomads
Listed below are some common suggestions and issues to keep in mind when selecting important digital nomad gear to take with you:
- Go small and light-weight: Decide gadgets which might be small and light-weight wherever attainable. It’ll make transferring round a lot simpler and extra comfy.
- Preserve separation: I prefer to have a separate bag that incorporates the entire gear I would like for work. That approach, every little thing 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 choose to work from.
- Portability: Ideally, every little thing you want for work ought to match into one medium-sized backpack and be comfy to hold. All the pieces else ought to match into both a big suitcase or a big backpack so to carry every little thing from A to B every time you must.
- Versatility: Wherever attainable, select gadgets with a number of makes use of to assist save area in your suitcase or backpack. For instance, pair of climbing trousers may also be nice for defense towards mosquitos within the evenings.
- Packing cubes are superior: They’re a good way to maintain your entire stuff organized and can help you simply entry particular person gadgets. Gone are the times of needing to rummage via 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 correct gear and knowledge earlier than you begin your distant working journey is important. Being as ready as attainable will make life on the highway a lot simpler and much more satisfying.
I hope you’ve discovered this information to one of the best gear for digital nomads helpful. With these sensible suggestions and ideas in thoughts, it’s time so that you can begin constructing your personal tailor-made location-independent packing listing. Good luck!
