My Nomadic Gear List
Updated 2/10/20: Removed the 25MM lens, audio recorder, iPad (because it was stolen), and the Apple Pencil. Added sandals and gloves to the “In Rotation” section.
This is a list of what I’ve found essential while living as a digital nomad. It’s not necessarily what’s best for basic travel. Items like the mouse and Echo Dot are important for my nomadic lifestyle, but I wouldn’t pack them for normal trips. For most occasions going forward, I will pack ultralight. (List T.K.)
Since I’m settling down in spring, this will be my last gear update. May it help anyone who’s interested in being a digital nomad figure out what’s worth bringing along and what can stay at home, wherever that might be.
Note: I have no affiliation with the companies or products listed. Links are provided for reference; they are not advertisements or referrals.
What I Kept With Me
The core items. Everything fits into my main 45L carry-on bag.
Bags
Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L: Used as a backpack or duffel, depending on if I want to pack my small backpack.
L.L. Bean Stowaway Day Pack: Used for most occasions once stationed somewhere. Can stuff into my big bag.
Electronics
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBook Power Adapter: The full set, including the longer extension.
Logitech M720 Triathlon Mouse: I’ve considered ditching a mouse many times, but it still proves to be essential.
Google Pixel 3: And a generic black case.
Kindle Paperwhite (2018)
Panasonic LUMIX G85 4K Mirrorless Camera
Kit Zoom Lens: What came with my camera
LUMIX G II LENS, 20MM: What I typically shoot with
OP/TECH USA Utility Strap-Sling: Not the coolest looking strap, and it can be a pain, but I love the ability to easily snap my camera on and off.
Camera Battery Charger
Jabra Elite 85h: Essential for long flights.
Jabra Elite Active 65t: Main earbuds for running, walking the streets, cab rides, ignoring the world around me.
Amazon Echo Dot: Another item I could probably drop, but it constantly comes in handy as a white noise machine.
Accell 3-Outlet Travel Surge Protector: Important for charging many electronics with one international adapter.
USB-C Cable
Micro USB Cable
Tronsmart Presto USB-C External Battery: For odd and emergency charging situations.
Clothing & Accessories
Large Packing Cube: From an Eagle Creek Pack-It Cube Set.
Blue Oxford Button-Up
8 Shirts:
4 cotton t-shirts, one dedicated for sleeping
2 exercise t-shirts
1 long-sleeve sunscreen shirt
1 undershirt for the button-up
7 Boxer-Briefs
7 Pairs of Various Socks
2 Pairs of Athletic Shorts: Having two means I don’t have to do laundry as often.
Black Chinos
Navy Shorts
Sweatpants
Belt
Sunglasses
Glasses
Baseball Cap
Beanie: For cold weather and taming my rabid hair.
Jean Jacket: Worn by itself or with the down jacket in colder weather.
Nike Epic React Flyknit 2 Shoes: Good for walking and running. Easy to slip on and off. Terrible for hiking.
CurrexSole RunPro Insoles: For additional support.
Various Objects
L.L. Bean Bag Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag, Small: I'll spare you the full details, but here are some favorite contents:
Laptop Sleeve: For protecting my computer in the daypack, which was not designed for carrying laptops.
Mousepad
Pilot Precise V5 Pens: Always bring one on an international flight to fill out potential immigration and customs forms.
Sleep Mask: For flights and bad accommodations
Wallet
Passport
Medical Face Mask: Handles bad smells on flights, B.O. in hostels, protects from disease. Once thought it was weird, now it’s essential.
Small Padlock: For lockers in hostels.
Carabiner: For holding keys on runs.
Metro Cards: The only souvenirs I keep, as they sometimes come in handy when I revisit a city.
Plastic Bags: For packing dirty clothes and shoes
In Rotation
Items that come and go, depending on the season and trip.
Crew-Cut Socks: For colder places
Gloves: Same
Boots: For bad weather, times when it's best to not wear sneakers
Teva Original Universal Sandals: For warmer destinations, beaches, muddy hikes, rainy weather, being lazy
Oxford Shoes: For weddings
Suit: Same
The jackets and beanie might also be included in this category, but I’ve consistently kept them for various climates on extended trips.
A previous bag dump of my carry-on bag
A previous bag dump of my backpack
What I Threw Away
Items I've gifted, donated, stored, or pitched since going mobile.
Bags
Osprey Porter 46: Good bag, but it's designed as a backpack and I was using it like a duffel. Current bag is easier to pack.
Topo Designs Rover Pack: Looked good, but was a pain to pack when it got full and didn't have enough organization.
Tom Bihn Synapse 25: In storage because I couldn’t pack it into my carry-on.
Electronics
Belkin Wemo Mini Smart Outlet: I know. I know. It was a ridiculous fantasy, but I had room and I didn't know if it would be a long walk from my bed to a fan or a light. Alas, some dreams must die.
All-In-One Travel Adapter: One adapter was nicer than the multiple plugs I carry now, but it was large and would get weighed down and fall out of shoddy outlets, which are everywhere.
Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones: Stopped using after getting the Bluetooth earbuds.
Google Home Mini: Changed my music service from Spotify to Amazon Music so I could have a larger library. Echo Dot works better with the service, go figure.
Arturia MiniLab MkII: Was a gamble when I got it. Wanted to try it out. Immediately had too many problems with security screenings. Sold to a music shop in Istanbul.
BESTEK 8-Pack Travel Adapter Plug Converter: Very versatile, but took up a lot of space since I carried all of them.
Logitech G703 Lightspeed Gaming Mouse: Great mouse, but it started performing multiple clicks, likely after being damaged.
Audio Technica ATH-M50x: Old pair of headphones that still worked perfectly, despite fabric peeling off. Opted for wireless cans.
1 TB External Hard Drive: Switched to using Backblaze for now.
Google Chromecast: Light and easy to add streaming services to random TVs, but most places I stayed didn't have a TV, so...
iPad: Stolen at a Starbucks at 9 a.m. Come on.
Apple Pencil: Didn’t need this anymore.
Panasonic LUMIX G LENS, 25MM: Found that I was mainly using the 20MM or the zoom.
UX560 Digital Voice Recorder: Always forgot it when I needed it to record interesting sounds, so I go used to using my phone.
Clothing & Accessories
Extra Clothes: What I have is fine, really.
Jeans: After I broke down and got shorts I didn't need three bottoms. Chinos won.
Bomber Jacket: Mysteriously got a hole in the side. Swapped it for the jean jacket, which I find more versatile.
2 Pairs of Hiking Socks: Too warm. Rarely used them.
GAP low-cut socks: Fell off too often. UNIQLO's low-cuts stay on.
Outdoor Research Helium II Raincoat: Forgotten in the basket of a public bike in Krakow.
Head Sweatband: Was mostly sentimental.
5 Sets of Workout Clothes: Figured these would go eventually. The huge increase in walking made for a good compromise.
Nike Free RN Commuters: Worn out after being pretty much my only shoes for a year and a half.
Tie: Didn’t go to the opera as much as I expected.
Various Objects
Skooba Design Cable Stable DLX: Not necessary after I changed to the Patagonia bag.
Uni-ball Jetstream Pens: Got them because they were Wirecutter's pick for the best pen, but I disagree. Pilot V5s all the way.
Cheap Umbrella: Easy come, easy go.
Resistance Bands: Wish I could have used them more, but few accommodations accommodated them.
PackTowl Personal Microfiber Towel: Was mostly for hostels, but I've been avoiding them because they're wretched hives.
Small Packing Cube: Same origin story as the large one. Was for extra toiletries, but not necessary after the current toiletry bag.
Sea to Summit Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag: Great little toiletry bag, but I ultimately needed a bit more space for my retainer.
Moleskine Pocket Notebook: Filled one, but didn’t get a new one because I was fine with using my phone.
Everything else I owned was in storage, gratefully stashed in eight boxes in my parents' basement. Adulthood!
