The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Packing Light but Pragmatically
July 17, 2020

The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Packing Light but Pragmatically

Thanks to the Internet, it has become much easier for people to work from anywhere. But transitioning to a digital nomad lifestyle also presents its own set of challenges, one of which is packing practical items for each trip.

The good news is that it’s possible to bring everything you need without overpacking, as long as you plan for it properly. Whether you’re leaving for a few weeks or several months, check our list of must-haves you should pack for your travels:

Standing Socks

During your travels, you’ll likely find yourself walking from place to place to save money on transportation. You’ll also be standing for long periods, whether you’re waiting in line or taking public transit.

These activities can put a lot of pressure on your legs, regardless of your age or fitness level. Hence, make sure to include a few pairs of men’s compression socks in your luggage.

Unlike regular socks, standing socks provide graduated compression to help enhance the blood circulation in your legs. That way, you won’t feel tired or uncomfortable even if you’ll be on your feet a lot.

Important Documents

No matter where you’re headed to, bringing your important personal documents is non-negotiable. Without the right paperwork, you may be barred from certain places or activities, which can put a damper on your travel plans.

So before you head to the airport, don’t forget to bring your passport. You’ll also want to bring some utility bills that bear your home address, as these are often used for verification purposes at immigration or banks. Additionally, bring some spare passport photos, proof of employment, and boarding passes. To protect all of your important documents from the elements, store them in a plastic folder or flat waterproof pouch.

Portable External Hard Drives

You wouldn’t want to run out of room on your laptop during your travels, especially if you’re required to download big files for your job. In addition, you’ll want plenty of free space so that you can take lots of pictures and videos while sight-seeing. Most importantly, you wouldn’t want to lose your precious files in case your laptop breaks down in the middle of your trip.

Thus, it’s a good idea to bring a few portable external hard drives and USB flash drives to ensure you’ll always have enough room for new files and back-ups. After all, you never know what might happen while you’re out and about. You might even want to invest in a cloud storage subscription plan just in case you lose the physical hard drives during your travels.

Portable International Hotspot

Being a digital nomad, having a stable Wi-Fi connection on-the-go is a must for you to get any work done. While most hotels and cafes usually offer decent internet connections, they may be slow or spotty from time to time. To play it safe, you can bring a portable hotspot that works internationally so that you can go online whenever and wherever you need to.

When choosing what model to get for your hotspot, go for one that has 4G LTE connectivity, does not require a sim card, and works on a chargeable battery. That way, you can continue working or chatting with your loved ones even if you’re lounging on the beach, hiking up a mountain, or exploring a new city.

Personal GPS Tracker

While many digital nomads usually travel alone or with a partner, some prefer to bring their kids or pets along with them. However, it can be rather stressful if anyone gets separated from the group, especially when things get a bit hectic.

Fortunately, you can always keep tabs on your children or pets by bringing a personal GPS tracker with you. These devices are also a great way to track down your luggage in case it goes missing.

Essential Toiletries

While most hotels and airlines provide customers with free vanity kits, it’s still a good idea to bring your own, as your preferred brand might be hard to find on the go.

That being said, you’ll want to stock up on personal hygienic products such as deodorant, soap, facial wash, and others. The same principle applies to feminine hygiene products if you’re traveling with your girlfriend, wife, daughter, or female relative.

Sanitary Wipes

If you happen to be in an area without easy access to soap and water, having a pack of hospital grade disinfect wipes can help you in a pinch. They can be quite useful if you’re in an area that’s not exactly the most hygienic, especially if you’re the type of person who gets sick easily.

Not only can you use them to clean your hands, but you can also use them to wipe down and disinfect all kinds of surfaces. Additionally, sanitary wipes are a great (and more comfortable) substitute for toilet paper.

Done well, packing like a digital nomad can be daunting but satisfying. We hope that by following our tips, you can simplify your packing list while ensuring that you’ve got everything you need for all of your future trips.

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