The Digital Nomad Packing List: Tech Essentials for Working on the Road

Working from a cafe in Lisbon or a co-working space in Bali is great until your laptop dies, your plug doesn't fit the socket or your bag strap snaps in the airport. This is the kit we'd take.

A universal travel adapter

Plug sockets vary from country to country, and carrying a bag of different adapters is a pain. One universal travel adapter with USB and USB-C ports lets you charge your laptop, phone and headphones from a single socket, which is handy when your hotel room only has one.

A power bank

Long travel days drain batteries fast. A good power bank means you can answer emails on the train, navigate a new city and still have battery left for the taxi home. Look for one that can charge more than one device at once.

A tracker for your valuables

Losing a bag with your laptop inside could cost you a week of work. A slim tracking card works with Apple Find My, so you can see where your bag or wallet is from your phone.

A bag built for tech

Most people forget about this one. A normal backpack throws your laptop in with everything else, and you end up emptying it at every security check. Look for:

• A padded laptop compartment that's separate from your clothes
• A clamshell opening so you can find things without unpacking
• A built-in USB charging port
• Water-resistant material for unexpected downpours

We built The Digital Nomad Backpack around exactly this list. It has a padded 16" laptop sleeve, a suitcase-style opening, a USB charging port and an expandable design for longer trips.

Keep it simple

The best remote work setups are the lightest. Bring kit that does more than one job, keep your cables in one pouch, and you'll spend less time sorting out your gear.