Packing for long-term journey could be daunting, particularly for those who 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 a lot of totally different locations all over the world. 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 useful software program suggestions, this information is filled with helpful gadgets to assist hold you productive, secure, and cozy throughout your distant working journey.
Packing Checklist for Digital Nomads
When selecting the most effective digital nomad journey gear, it’s necessary to select gadgets which are small and light-weight, whereas on the similar time ensuring you’ve got all the things you want.
In reality, it’s a little bit of a balancing act as you seemingly received’t have the ability to cart round your entire creature comforts from dwelling. However the awesome level of freedom that’s obtainable with this life-style makes it completely price sacrificing a couple of non-essentials in my view.
There are three primary 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 record.
See additionally: How to Become a Digital Nomad in 2023
Digital Nomad Tech Gear
Let’s begin with the important tech gear that can make sure you’re related 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 start line:
1. Laptop computer (An Important Merchandise on Each Digital Nomad Packing Checklist)
In all probability a very powerful piece of digital nomad tools, a reliable laptop is prone to be your primary technique of incomes cash on the highway. Subsequently, it’s necessary to put money into one.
I really like my 13-inch MacBook Pro. It’s quick, dependable, highly effective, and has an awesome display that’s excellent for editing images (which, as a journey blogger, is one thing I do frequently).
The principle draw back to those computer systems is the price. There are positively cheaper choices on the market, however personally, I feel MacBook Execs are unbelievable items of equipment and are completely price their worth. Click here to buy one now.
2. Common Energy Adapter
A universal power adapter is among 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 the planet.
Reasonably 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 types of styles and sizes, however it’s best to go for one which works with as many several types of energy shops as attainable; (European, North American, Australian, and UK are the 4 primary 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 units 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 numerous 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 all the time appears to occur on the worst attainable time!
Having a power bank with you helps be sure that your telephone doesn’t run out of battery on the highway. That is particularly necessary 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 kinds to select from. However, primarily, they’re simply transportable, rechargeable batteries that can be utilized to cost any system with a USB charger whereas on the transfer. For extra data, click 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 stand raises your display to eye stage; enhancing your posture and decreasing the chance of discomfort. That is particularly necessary for those who spend lengthy intervals of time working in your laptop.
You need to use a laptop stand to create a comfortable and productive workspace in your house, lodge room, coworking house, or anyplace else you fancy working from.
And since it’s necessary 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 take advantage of mine at any time when 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 equipment let 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 an identical setup as a desktop laptop, along with your display at eye stage. Solely it’s transportable – so a lot better!
Apple customers: take a look at the modern Magic Keyboard and Mouse. In any other case (and/or for those who’d slightly 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 awesome 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 that you would be able to join your units to.
An enormous benefit of transportable routers is that they let you join a number of units on the similar time. Tethering out of your telephone, however, normally solely means that you can join one system at a time.
There are a couple of several types of transportable routers obtainable. 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 method, be sure you 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 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 one in every 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 desire the over-ear variation and presently personal a pair of Bose QuietComfort 45s – they’re sensible.
After all, there are numerous different manufacturers on the market, however Bose is especially recognized for its glorious noise-cancelation know-how, in addition to top-quality audio and luxury. Click here to learn more.
8. Transportable Exterior Arduous 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, impulsively, my laptop computer died.
Lengthy story quick, the acute warmth and humidity killed one thing inside the pc, and your entire factor was wiped through the restore course of. It was an entire nightmare and ruined an entire week…
Nonetheless, so long as you’ve got a tough drive containing a current backup of your laptop, you shouldn’t lose too many information. And with Apple machines, you possibly can restore all the things 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 laptop on each, and leaving one with somebody you belief again dwelling. That method 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 possibly can successfully deliver as many books as you need with you whereas touring, with out taking on any greater than a slither of house in your bag.
I significantly like that they’ve an adjustable backlight and an anti-glare display, 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 with no need 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 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 feel it makes an awesome addition to your digital nomad packing record.
In my expertise, one of many hardest issues about being a digital nomad will not be 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 house with a few of my favourite tunes occasionally.
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 house 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 excellent. Click here to purchase yours.
11. Smartphone
Just about 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, significantly for distant staff.
A smartphone means that you can keep related with purchasers, pals, and household whereas on the transfer. It additionally offers entry to a wide range of helpful apps, similar to 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 things I want it to and extra. The digital camera is so good that, on many journeys, I don’t trouble taking my cumbersome DSLR digital camera with me anymore. And there are even higher iPhones obtainable right this moment.
No matter telephone you like, be certain it’s unlocked, (i.e. not tied to a cellular community), so to purchase and use native SIM playing cards/eSIMs when touring overseas. Extra on these beneath! Click here for more info.
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 numerous conditions. In spite of everything, you’re solely in a position to take a restricted quantity of things with you, so that you’ll need to get probably the most use out of all the things you deliver alongside.
Garments and Footwear for Males
- Versatile Pants: A pair of light-weight and quick-drying pants which are good for out of doors actions like mountain climbing, but fashionable sufficient for social events.
- Travel-Friendly Shorts: Go for light-weight and quick-drying shorts that supply consolation and mobility; excellent for exploring heat locations and out of doors actions.
- Moisture-Wicking T-shirts: Pack a couple of moisture-wicking T-shirts which are each breathable and quick-drying.
- Collared Shirt: I normally deliver not 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 in opposition to sudden rain or chilly evenings, with out taking on a lot house in your bag.
- Merino Wool Sweater: Spend money on a high-quality merino wool sweater that’s light-weight and insulating; excellent for layering in numerous climate situations.
- Packable Down Jacket: Think about 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 neglect to pack a pair of comfy and sturdy flip-flops for decent days, the seashore, hostel showers, and informal walks.
- Hiking Boots: Go for a pair of sturdy, waterproof mountain climbing 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 are versatile sufficient to be worn for each athletic actions and informal metropolis exploration that present consolation and magnificence in a single.
Garments and Footwear for Ladies
The record for girls is essentially the identical as that for males. Nonetheless, in addition to the above, you would possibly need to additional take into account packing the next gadgets.
- Maxi Dress and/or Jumpsuit: Pack a flexible maxi costume or jumpsuit that may be dressed up or down; excellent for each informal outings and extra formal events.
- Comfortable Leggings: Convey 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 for those who’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.
- Travel Towel: Pack a compact and quick-drying journey towel that takes up minimal house 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 necessary paperwork.
- Travel-Sized Toiletries: Go for travel-sized (< 100ml) toiletries similar to shampoo, conditioner, cleaning soap, and toothpaste to avoid wasting house while complying with airline rules.
- 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 restricted.
- Travel-Sized First Aid Kit: Be ready for minor accidents and illnesses by carrying a compact first support equipment with important gadgets similar to band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and painkillers.
Software program and Subscriptions
In addition to getting the fitting bodily gear and tools, you must also take into account not less than a number of the following software program and subscriptions:
1. VPN
Having a dependable Virtual Private Network (VPN) service is crucial 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 shield you from cyber fraud and the theft of your private data.
It’s necessary to all the time use one everytime you use public Wi-Fi or some other web connections that aren’t safe to forestall the danger of turning into the sufferer of cybercrime.
I take advantage of 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 system down, and the corporate has an awesome popularity and glowing evaluations. For extra data, click here.
2. Native eSIM
In case you’re planning to spend an prolonged time frame in a single nation, it’s usually price getting an area 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 in addition depend upon how a lot knowledge you require. Nonetheless, they’re normally pretty low cost in most locations. For instance, in Sri Lanka, you will get 50 GB of information for lower than $10 USD per thirty days.
It’s necessary to verify that your telephone is eSIM appropriate, though most fashionable fashions are typically. You will need to additionally verify that you just’re handset is “unlocked”; that means that it’s not tied to at least one specific community.
You may normally affirm the system’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 some other SIM (together with eSIMs).
3. Distant Work Platforms
Distant work platforms like FlexJobs provide digital nomads a curated collection of distant work alternatives throughout numerous industries. With superior search filters, you possibly can slender down your search primarily based on particular preferences similar to job sort, schedule, and ability necessities.
These platforms present a handy solution to join with employers, with job listings from respected corporations which were vetted to make sure legitimacy.
Moreover, they generally provide further assets like profession ideas, resume evaluations, and ability growth assets to help you in your distant working journey.
4. Home-Sitting Memberships
Home-sitting memberships similar to TrustedHousesitters present a singular alternative so that you can keep in individuals’s houses free of charge in trade for taking good care of their properties and/or pets.
These platforms join home sitters with a world community of house owners searching for dependable and reliable people to take care of their houses, (and sometimes furry pals), whereas they’re away.
I lately stayed in an infinite home in northwestern Sri Lanka and all it value me was a each day canine stroll on a pristine Indian Ocean seashore. It was fairly powerful, 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 information, paperwork, images, and different necessary knowledge from anyplace on the planet.
Cloud storage ensures that your information are protected in opposition to loss or harm and means that you can share issues with colleagues, purchasers, pals, and household merely and simply.
Moreover, many cloud storage suppliers provide collaboration options, permitting a number of customers to work on shared information concurrently, which is tremendous helpful relying on the sphere of your work.
6. Language Studying Apps
In case 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 excellent for digital nomads. You may study at your personal tempo and entry classes in your smartphone or pill, at any time when 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 somewhat Spanish earlier than I moved to Mexico and it was so helpful. You’re unlikely to develop into fluent in any language with out an enormous quantity of real-life follow. Nonetheless, these apps are glorious for gaining the necessities it’s good to get began.
Digital Nomad Bag Choices
It’s necessary to decide on the fitting bag for carrying your entire gear and belongings. A very good bag needs to be giant sufficient to suit all the things you want inside, comfy sufficient to hold an affordable distance, and make organizing (and accessing) your belongings simple.
Listed here are three top-notch choices. Each has its personal benefits and downsides, however in the end the fitting 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 things I want for work with loads of house left over. I additionally use it as a daypack at any time when I am going mountain climbing, and it’s a super measurement for carry-on baggage on a airplane, which makes it a really multi-purpose winner.
I’ve owned my Osprey Escapist for nearly 10 years and it’s nonetheless going sturdy. 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 all the things organized inside. It’s bought 7 totally different zippered pockets and compartments, with numerous sub-compartments and organizers in-built.
Add to this three giant mesh pouches (a big one on the entrance and one on all sides) 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 possibly can 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 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 sufficiently big to suit your entire necessary work gear, plus a couple of adjustments of garments, or no matter else you would possibly want.
I’ve additionally bought one in every of these circumstances and it’s extraordinarily useful. One of many apparent advantages is its arduous 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 straightforward to stash away whenever 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 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 here are some basic ideas and issues to keep in mind when selecting important digital nomad gear to take with you:
- Go small and light-weight: Decide gadgets which are small and light-weight wherever attainable. It’ll make shifting round a lot simpler and extra comfy.
- Preserve separation: I prefer to have a separate bag that comprises all the gear I want for work. That method, all the things is in a single place and also you don’t must pack a bag each time you exit to a coworking house or wherever you choose to work from.
- Portability: Ideally, all the things you want for work ought to match into one medium-sized backpack and be comfy to hold. Every little thing else ought to match into both a big suitcase or a big backpack so to carry all the things from A to B at any time when it’s good to.
- Versatility: Wherever attainable, select gadgets with a number of makes use of to assist save house in your suitcase or backpack. For instance, pair of mountain climbing trousers will also be nice for defense in opposition to mosquitos within the evenings.
- Packing cubes are superior: They’re an effective way to maintain your entire stuff organized and let you simply entry particular person gadgets. Gone are the times of needing to rummage via your backpack to seek out that one clear pair of socks you suppose would possibly be lurking someplace.
In Closing
Equipping your self with the fitting gear and knowledge earlier than you begin your distant working journey is crucial. Being as ready as attainable will make life on the highway a lot simpler and much more fulfilling.
I hope you’ve discovered this information to the most effective gear for digital nomads helpful. With these sensible ideas and recommendations in thoughts, it’s time so that you can begin constructing your personal tailor-made location-independent packing record. Good luck!
