My Tried-and-True Digital Nomad Essentials After 3 Years on the Road
As a digital nomad for over three years, I’ve mastered packing for life on the road. These digital nomad essentials include must-have electronics, clothing, and travel gear that make remote work and life on the road easier. So let’s get to your ultimate packing list!
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My setup
Electronics
Portable Monitor
This is an absolute must for anyone who works remotely and needs two monitors. I lugged around my actual monitors the first couple of times I took long-haul trips. I’m so glad I learned there was a better solution.
Portable Printer
If you need a printer often enough that it’s a pain in the ass to find one when you’re traveling, a portable printer is the way to go.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to keep track of yet one more thing, or you don’t need to print all that often, here are some places where you can print things:
- Office Depot
- Local libraries (no library card required)
- Mailing centers
Ring Light
Honestly, this doesn’t take up much more space than a tripod, and it doubles as a tripod. You never know when you’ll need extra lighting, especially if you have a lot of video calls.
Kindle
Boy, do I love my Kindle. I love actual books more, but you can’t pack all your physical books around while you travel. A Kindle lets you travel with a full library!
If you don’t want/don’t like a Kindle, you can always check out Little Free Libraries. I’ve come across some exceptional ones in my travels. They can only hold so many books, so you’re never overwhelmed by choices, and you may end up discovering a great new author!
Power Strip
Outlets may be scarce–carry a power strip.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
For airplanes, loud neighbors, workouts, etc.–you can’t beat a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. I swear by my Airpods Max. I use them for all the above and work as well.
Power Adapter
If you’re going out of the country, this is a must!
Clothing and Gear
Quick-Drying Clothes
You won’t always have convenient access to a washer and dryer, and you may need to wash clothes in the sink. It helps to have things that dry fast, like leggings and other non-cotton athletic wear.
My personal favorite? Anything Athleta. You could build a whole digital nomad wardrobe out of their clothes, from athletic gear to casual city exploring outfits. I have several athleisure sets I carry on the road with me–my favorite is the Seasoft collection.
Comfy, Stylish Shoes
I recommend at least one lifestyle sneaker and one athletic sneaker. From there, you can build your collection of comfy walking shoes. I spend a lot of time in warm climates, so I love a good sandal–Tevas and Birkenstocks are my go-tos. If I need something a little fancier, a good ballet flat works. I also carry a pair of heels–you never know when you might need them!
I’ve hiked many mountains in these boots–highly recommend!
Sturdy Hiking Boots
Hiking and digital nomad life seem to go hand-in-hand. You’ll need a good pair of hiking boots or shoes!
My Favorite Travel Pant
The Perfect Travel Pant
I love these pants from Athleta. Comfy for traveling, stylish, AND they double as a “nice” pant. If you’re treating yourself to an upscale dinner, going to a networking event, or heading to any occasion where you need to dress up a bit, these are great.
Rain Jacket or Umbrella
Don’t let rain stop you from exploring–bonus: places are usually less crowded when it rains!
At Least One Good Backpack
I was never a backpack person at all until I became a digital nomad. They’re just handy to have for a full day of exploring.
For city adventures, I adore my Longchamp.
For hiking, picnics, and other outdoor adventures, I love this one from Adventurist.
Tripod
If you don’t want or need a ring light, you’ll want to get a foldable tripod for photos on the road.
Short on space? This phone stand can work as a mini tripod.
Health and Fitness
A TENS Unit
A TENS Unit is super nice to have for relief after a long day of exploring or hiking, and it doesn’t take up much space. Bonus: for extra pain relief, bring Tiger Balm, too!
Earplugs
If you go to a lot of shows, you may want a pair of high-fidelity earplugs. These fit the bill and come with a carrying case. Of course, the regular kind works too, as long as you’re protecting your hearing! Also, you don’t know if you’ll have noisy neighbors, thin walls, or will be living next to a busy highway, so it’s good to have earplugs on hand.
Check price on Amazon
Booty Bands
These are so versatile and go a long way toward staying fit as a digital nomad. They take up very little space and you can use them anywhere–you could even work out on the beach! I like the kind above for lower body workouts and a stretchy version for upper body.
Check price on Amazon
Ankle and Wrist Weights
No time for a full workout? Just put on these ankle/writst weights o make your walks a little extra challenging. These are lightweight, take up little space, and will take your walks and home workouts up a notch. For my walks, I like to wear these weights on my wrists first and then my ankles on the way back. Workout done!
Yoga Mat
Space permitting, I recommend carrying a yoga mat. It’s perfect for your home workouts or just to stretch after a long day.
Housekeeping and Organization
Portable Laptop Stand
Work right from bed with a laptop table! I wish I’d had this on my first long-haul trip. My apartment didn’t have a desk or table, so I had to swipe a desk that someone had thrown out and then arrange for it to be disposed of before I left. You never know what furniture/lack of furniture you’ll be dealing with as a digital nomad, so it’s best to come prepared. You can also use a table like this for eating, journaling, etc. Super handy.
Clothes Steamer
This one is the perfect travel size.
Mesh laundry bags
These are great for keeping your laundry sorted while on the road.
Suitcase Organizers
Try these compression packing cubes. As a bonus, you can use them at your destination too. You never know what kind of space/organization challenges you’ll be dealing with as you travel. Some places don’t have closets, others have teeny tiny bathrooms. It helps to have things that keep you organized.
Cord Organizer
Keep all your cords in one spot.
Big Reusable Bags
These will come in handy for so many things–travel, laundry, storage, you name it. Who doesn’t love a good Ikea bag?
Air Fryer
I know, not everyone can travel with an air fryer. This is definitely for the nomad who travels by car, like me. I’ve had my Ninja for over 5 years now, and I believe I’d starve to death without it. When traveling, not every place will have a full kitchen, and eating out is expensive. So an air fryer comes in super handy!
The Takeaway: What to Bring on the Road
Packing as a digital nomad takes some trial and error, but having the right essentials makes all the difference. Your choices will depend on your travel style and luggage space, but these digital nomad essentials are a good starting point so that you’ll be ready for both work and adventure on the road.
