If you want to work and travel at the same time, you’re going to need a digital nomad packing list. This will ensure that you have everything you need while exploring lavish beaches, staying in hotels, or visiting those fancy coffee shops you’ve heard about countless times online. Digital nomads love cool gear. And that’s a fact.
What is a digital nomad?
Digital nomads are people who work remotely while traveling to different locations. You will usually find them in coffee shops, libraries, co-working spaces, or even in the great outdoors. They rely on laptops, smartphones, and mobile hotspots to work anywhere their heart desires.
Does it sound like a dream? Well, for many people, it is. Often times you might’ve heard a friend complain about being confined to their office for the majority of their day. Our society is changing, and many companies are starting to see the benefits of letting their employees work remotely. In a few years, having a digital nomad packing list might not be so uncommon.
Breakthrough ideas, productivity, and freedom are basically the essence that make up what is a digital nomad. There are plenty of domains that allow for such a lifestyle, so we might see an increase in digital nomads sooner rather than later. Let’s go through the must-haves on the digital nomad packing list.
Laptop
Since you’re working and traveling at the same time, you’re going to need a lightweight machine that is capable of handling all sorts of tasks. Ideally, you’ll want your laptop to fit in your backpack without adding too much weight or taking up too much space.
If you do light stuff such as writing, browsing, and editing pictures, that shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re into video editing or programming, then you’ll probably have to sacrifice some space.
A notebook
No, not a laptop, but an actual notebook where you write stuff down. You might have a breakthrough idea just when your laptop’s battery is about to hit zero. So having something on which to write physically is essential. Of course, don't forget to add a pencil or a pen.
DSLR Camera or GoPro
Let’s say you’re traveling to a new, exhilarating place. You’re going to want to share those moments with others. While smartphones these days are capable of taking great pics, they still don’t compare to the panoramas taken by professional cameras.
Portable batteries
If you’re planning on working in the woods, you’ll probably opt to camp instead of going to a hotel. With that said, you’ll have nowhere to plug your phone or laptop once their battery is discharged. Bring with you one of those portable batteries that can hold a good amount of power and charge a few gadgets at once.
Headphones
Listening to music is one of the most common hobbies people have, regardless of job position or general preferences. Since you’ll be traveling by plane or train a lot, you’re going to need a pair of headphones to listen to music without disturbing those around you. Not only that, but laptop speakers aren’t all that great for audiophiles.
Portable speakers
Headphones can get uncomfortable after a while. When you’re out in the woods or by a lake and there’s no other human in sight, you can start playing your music loudly. This is also great if you have a traveling partner, and you both want to watch the same movie together.
A tablet
Sometimes it’s a good idea to have a backup in case your laptop goes haywire. By saving your work in the cloud and opting to bring a tablet with you, you can continue working with relative ease. Plus, if you want to watch a movie, you’ll still have a big screen.
A lunch bag
Food is one of the most basic of any human’s needs. When traveling, food either might be hard to come by, or you may want to pack something specific to take with you on the road. To ensure that the food doesn’t spoil, we recommend checking it out one of these lunch coolers bags.
Digital nomad packing list: the backpacks that can hold it all
All-in-One Urban Backpack with Laptop Sleeve
Featuring waist, chest, and side straps, this backpack is great for hiking. Reinforced with contrasting polyester and extremely comfortable padding, this is a great choice for any digital nomad’s packing list. You can easily fit all of the items mentioned in this list and probably even more in this backpack’s spacious interior.
Ergonomic Computer Backpack up to 17" laptops
This backpack has the capability of being extremely portable while still holding a lot of stuff in. It features a conveniently placed headphone exit port so that you can keep your music player inside and still enjoy some fine tunes. The top handle is easy to hold and doesn’t make your hands sweat as much as other models on the market today.
Stylish Multi-Purpose Nailhead Backpack
If you’re on a tight budget at the moment, this model backpack offers a lot of convenient features for a bargain price. The zippered front pocket offers easy embellishment, and web top handle is ergonomic enough to make it very easy to carry by hand in case you ever opt to do so. It’s also a nice choice for those who want a more minimalist design.
Retro Shape High Quality Cheap Backpack
This comfortable backpack features protective padding that will keep your items safe. The 15-inch laptop sleeve is perfect for small laptops such as a MacBook Air or a Chromebook. The front zippered pocket provides easy access to the things that you need to take out quickly. Basically, this backpack brings those stylish retro looks to the modern digital nomad world.
Rapid-Pass Backpack Audio pocket with Headphone Exit
Our final backpack on this list is extremely spacious and can hold a lot of weight. It features several compartments that let you easily organize all of your belongings without much hassle. The ergonomic, padded air mesh back panel has several ventilation channels that allow your skin to breathe more easily while you’re carrying this backpack.
Final thoughts
Digital nomads are here to stay. We will most likely see a huge increase in their numbers during the following years. And now that you know what a digital nomad needs, you will find it easier to work from anywhere you want.