Digital Nomad: The Ultimate Travel Kit 

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a digital nomad, there is no better time than now. Countries such as Croatia, Dubai and Barbados are now offering Digital Nomad Visas. This makes it easier than ever to pack and move to a new country at a moment's notice. As long as you have a laptop and a good internet connection, you're good to go.

Waking up in a different country every few weeks with new people and places to experience is very exciting. It also means you need to carry your entire life (and work) wherever you go. To help you move between destinations easily and comfortably, we’ve put together this ultimate guide to nomad luggage.

Digital Nomad: The Ultimate Travel Kit

Digital nomads are not a uniform group and they come from various professions. Some might be creatives, like photographers. Others might be software engineers or virtual assistants. Their travelling interests might vary as well. Some would prefer to roam around cities, while others will go on week-long treks.

That’s why no one packing list will work for everyone. But some essentials are worth considering, no matter your job or destination.

• Laptop travel bag. Since the digital nomad’s livelihood relies on their laptop, it has to stay safe. A bag like the Tahoe BP 150 is water-resistant, padded and can even fit a DSLR with lenses.
• Universal adapter. Buy one that can be used anywhere in the world and has multiple ports, so you can charge all your devices at once.
• High-wattage power bank. Invest in a portable battery that can charge your laptop while you work. You never know when you’ll get stranded without a power socket.
• Noise-cancelling headphones. You’ll be grateful for them on busy flights. Or when you have a deadline and the hostel is having a party.
• Gear organiser. To make sure none of your cables or memory cards go missing, you can get something like this GearUp Pouch.
• Eye mask. Unlike regular holidays, sleep is more important when you have work to get done. This can help you get some shut-eye on trains, planes and buses.
• Reusable water bottle. In case you don’t already have one that you carry everywhere. Hydration matters, especially in warmer climates.

Check-in luggage 

This is where you’ll store most of your clothes, toiletries and larger non-essential items. It can be tempting to travel only with a cabin bag since it’s cheaper, but with an extra bag, you’ll have much more wiggle room to buy mementos of your travels. You can also use it to store any hobby-related kit, like camping gear.

There are two main choices with check-in luggage, a suitcase or a backpack. And there are no wrong answers, only what’s right for you.

If you plan on staying in mostly urban areas and working from a coworking space, we suggest a suitcase. Hard-shell luggage is even better, as it can protect your valuables if it gets thrown around. Packing cubes are also a handy suitcase addition to gain more space and separate laundry as you go.

For off-the-beaten-track areas with dirt roads, it’s best to go for a backpack. It’s much more comfortable to carry than rolling a suitcase in the sand.

Whichever style you decide on, there is a variety of sustainable luggage options so you can ensure your bags are eco-friendly as well as practical.

Carry-on luggage

Most airlines let you bring one personal bag on the plane. The rules may change from one provider to another, but it can usually weigh up to 10kg. Be sure to check the size restrictions for bags on your airline’s website before you travel.

We recommend that you use this bag to store all your work essentials. Since it stays close to you, the chances of your gear getting stolen or damaged are lower.

For this bag, you may want to invest in a good-quality laptop bag for travel. Choose one that will be big enough to hold all your gear, plus essentials for the travel day. You also want to ensure it’s padded and waterproof to keep your belongings protected. This bag can double as your work bag once you reach your destination.

Can I take a camera on a plane in hand luggage?  

If you’re a photographer, we recommend bringing your camera on board to avoid the risk of it being damaged in transit in the hold. Equipment can be expensive to replace, perhaps even impossible, depending on where you’re heading and how long you’re there for.

A bag like the Pro Trekker RLX is perfect for this task. It fits airlines' measurements and you can also wheel it if it gets heavy.

Remember that not all of your camera gear can come with you on the plane. Batteries and any cleaning supplies may need to go in the check-in suitcase. Each airline has their own restrictions, so you’ll have to check for each one. You may also want to check in some of the lenses to avoid exceeding the hand luggage weight limit.

Daytime bag 

The final bag on the list is one you’ll be walking around with. Something that can hold essentials like your passport, money and phone when you’re out and about. If you’re a photographer, it might be the Truckee BP. For anyone else, it could be a cross-body or waist pack. Something that you can store in your big suitcase and only take out when necessary.

Starting your digital nomad journey

Whether you’re excited or nervous about starting life as a digital nomad, we hope this guide will help you pack for your adventure with confidence.

Remember, there’s always room for adjustments when it comes to packing. During your travels, you may add or subtract from your gear as you figure out what you need and can go without. You may rethink your wardrobe choices if the weather's not what you expected. You may want to bring home some souvenirs of your travels.

By choosing the right luggage, whether its a camera backpack, laptop bag or waist pack, you can set your big adventure off on the right foot.