After figuring out how to financially sustain your travels, you’ve concluded that the digital nomad lifestyle is ideal for you. The next task at hand is to select the optimal backpack for your escapades!
The requirements of digital nomads contrast with those of typical backpackers, primarily due to the excess electronic equipment they have to tote. As a result, packs and bags suitable for backpackers may not necessarily be compatible with the needs of digital nomads.
Best Digital Nomad Backpacks
A suitable backpack for digital nomads or a hybrid day pack and backpack should provide safeguard for belongings like laptops, possess durability and sustainability, and have a sleek appearance.
This article will provide you with some general factors to consider when selecting the ideal backpack for your digital nomad lifestyle.
Do you want to travel with just carry on?
Many individuals who are digital nomads come to realize that the process of checking luggage in and out of airplane storage compartments takes up a considerable amount of time and can lead to the possibility of said luggage being held up or misplaced. As a result, a significant number of these individuals opt to travel with solely carry-on items.
Knowing that traveling with only cabin baggage can be significantly more cost-effective, it may prove advantageous when seeking inexpensive airfares. Thus, the optimal backpack for digital nomads could potentially qualify as hand luggage in terms of size.
Apart from certain instances such as the budget airline Ryanair, a 45L backpack is usually accepted as a carry-on, as long as it adheres to size requirements that allow for smooth storage in overhead compartments. Also, airlines tend to have a weight restriction of 6 to 10 KG.
Typically, if you intend to adhere to carry-on restrictions, your ideal travel backpack size for your digital nomad equipment is within the range of 30 to 45 liters.
In essence, if you desire to travel with ease and speed, contemplate traveling solely with a carry-on and purchasing a backpack that suits your needs as a digital nomad.
Backpack and Daypack combo for digital nomads
Opting for a backpack and day pack combination could be a wise choice if fitting all of your belongings (including work items) into a carry-on bag appears unfeasible.
Digital nomad backpacks that are equipped with a removable day pack are among the most ideal. This allows for convenient transportation of larger gadgets such as laptops, tablets, cameras, and other items that cannot fit in the smaller bag.
The decision is up to you, whether to purchase a standalone day backpack or a shoulder bag that can also be converted into a backpack.
Naturally, when you travel, you will check your main luggage each time and carry important items such as a laptop and camera equipment with you as hand luggage.
In summary, opt for a backpack and daypack duo if you plan to travel with a combination of carry-on and checked bags.
Backpacks and Shoulder Straps
It’s easy to underestimate the weight of a backpack that’s packed to the brim, especially if you’ve been lugging it around for a while.
In all honesty, majority of digital nomads do not spend considerable amount of time carrying travel bags. Yet, it is still advisable to invest in a sturdy backpack with shoulder and waist straps to transfer some of the weight to your hips for a more even distribution.
Wheeled Backpacks for Digital Nomads
Although the notion of lugging a backpack around an unfamiliar city may seem charming, the actual experience is taxing, particularly if your backpack is heavily loaded.
You can find various types of wheeled backpacks. Although the wheels may deteriorate with time, properly caring for your backpack should allow you to use it for numerous years as a digital nomad.
In summary, if you plan on traveling extensive distances or across challenging terrain, it’s recommended to invest in a backpack with wheels.
Why you should choose Waterproof or Water Resistant backpacks
Investing in a digital nomad backpack that is water-resistant is a wise decision. Not doing so may result in having to pack your belongings in trash bags if you find yourself in a rainy destination. To avoid this inconvenience and reduce stress, it’s recommended to purchase a water-resistant or waterproof backpack before embarking on your digital nomad journey.
Why Durability is important in a digital nomad backpack
It is crucial for a backpack to have good durability since it must withstand bus rides, flights, and constant transportation between various work areas.
It is important to have a durable and enduring pack for your digital nomad lifestyle, which may come at a cost. However, it is wise to remember that investing in a cheaper option may result in having to purchase a new one sooner. Consider this when shopping for your nomad gear.
Comfort is key
When selecting a backpack, comfort is often overlooked although it is crucial, particularly as you may be carrying it for extended periods daily. The primary consideration should be a backpack with broad padded straps to evenly distribute the weight. Additionally, padding in essential zones, like between the shoulder blades and at the bottom of the bag, is necessary to avoid any discomfort or pain while wearing it.
Security
For a digital nomad, a secure backpack is a crucial item to have. It must be designed to deter theft discreetly. In addition, it should have hidden zip compartments or pockets to hold your expensive gadgets like laptops, tablets, and phones safely as you journey around the globe.
Compartments
For optimal organization and ease of access, a digital nomad’s backpack should contain numerous compartments. Some ideal pocket designs might include a secure top pocket for storing your passport, a smaller one within the main compartment for items like earphones or chargers, and an external pocket furnished with multiple smaller pockets for anything else you may need.
Appearance
Unless you’re going on a hiking trip, your backpack doesn’t have to resemble a typical hiking backpack. It simply needs to have the appearance of a regular daypack that suits your digital nomad lifestyle. Seek out a design that matches your lifestyle.
Nomad Essentials – Tips On Packing Light
1. Pack what you need, not what you think you might need.
It’s wise to leave behind anything you won’t be using. It’s preferable to have fewer items rather than feeling compelled to carry unnecessary things simply because you initially packed them.
It’s important to note that not all items you plan to bring with you can be included in your luggage, such as vapes, which are against the law in Singapore, and gas-powered hair curlers, which are not allowed in checked baggage. Prior to packing, it’s recommended that you review your destination country’s vaping policies and the list of banned or restricted goods.
2. Go minimalist.
Is it necessary for you to have 20 t-shirts and 10 pairs of jeans in your closet? Consider how many pairs of underwear can you store in a drawer. It’s not required to get rid of everything. But ensure that you only keep crucial items that support your everyday needs.
3. Bring only essentials when travelling.
What is meant by that? Essentially, in addition to technical equipment like laptops, toiletries and essential hygiene items such as soap, deodorant, hand sanitizer, tissues, cotton balls, band-aids, antiseptic cream, sunscreen lotion, lip balm, and eye drops should always be considered as digital nomad necessities.
Unless you intend to visit local pharmacies, you must carry these essential items with you as they are not readily available in foreign supermarkets.
After that is apparel. Consider the occasion and whether you will be sporting shorts, skirts, or dresses throughout the year when deciding on outfits.
Have you thought about what clothing would be appropriate for summer? Would you rather wear tops that are loose or those with buttoned collars? Consider the weather conditions that may come your way.
Do you have any hiking or city walking plans? Do you have an idea of the temperature and humidity levels? These conditions play a significant role in deciding what to wear.
In addition to that, there are also various accessories such as comfortable shoes, sunglasses, earphones, chargers, USB cables, power banks, phone cases, writing materials, maps, reading materials, snacks, beverages, rain gear, jackets, scarves, hats, gloves, socks, personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair ties, combs, shavers, razors, shaving gel, moisturizers, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, face masks, and makeup brushes.
4. Keep it under 10 kg.
It should be possible for you to pack all your vital digital nomad belongings into a backpack weighing a maximum of 10 kg. The weight limit of carry-on luggage when boarding a plane is typically 10 kg, so it’s advisable to adhere to this limit. If you exceed this limit, you will be required to check in your luggage, which is not desirable since you don’t want your nomadic technology equipment to be mishandled during the check-in process.
5. Try to use reusable items whenever possible.
To illustrate, opt for stainless steel water bottles over plastic ones, as they are more lightweight and more durable. Additionally, contemplate taking cloth tote bags instead of paper ones when you go shopping.
The second type occupies room and is disposed of after a single use. If you opt to purchase them, steer clear of recycled ones as they tend to break down rapidly.
Packing Tips for Digital Nomads
After discussing the art of minimal packing on your digital nomad packing list, let us now focus on some helpful pointers for fitting everything into your backpack.
You must establish the guidelines before placing any items in your luggage.
Avoid liquids as they occupy excessive space and add significant weight.
2) Keep things light. This includes materials that weigh heavy. Don’t overload yourself by bringing heavy stuff.
When packing your bag, use your judgement to include items that have multiple functions and are useful for your trip. Familiarize yourself with each piece of clothing/equipment and its abilities beforehand.
Choosing the right type of organizational system is essential to optimize the usage of your equipment without wasting hours troubleshooting when things don’t work properly.
1. Group similar items together.
When traveling, it is unlikely that you will wear all items from one clothing category simultaneously. Therefore, rather than randomly placing various types of shoes together, sort them according to type and purpose. This also applies to scarves, hats, and gloves. It is pointless to wear two pairs of gloves during winter. Instead, pack your belongings based on the prevailing weather condition.
Regarding footwear, my preference is to have two sets of sneakers, a set of sandals, and potentially one laid-back shoe like slip-ons or flip flops. Any other types of shoes can be disregarded.
2. Choose suitable fabrics.
It’s not recommended to have cotton fabrics exceeding 50% of your wardrobe as cotton doesn’t allow for good ventilation. Additionally, it’s best to avoid synthetic fabrics completely. It’s advisable to choose natural fabrics such as silk and wool, which breathe easily.
3. Simplify your colour palette.
It’s best to opt for neutral hues and steer clear of vibrant shades like red, orange, yellow, green, blue and the like. These can be challenging to coordinate, have a tendency to attract stains, and are not ideal for a travel outfit.
4. Be prepared for emergencies.
Always have spare cash and credit cards handy. Carry separate photocopies of essential documents including passport, visa, flight tickets, insurance policy, birth certificate, medical records, bank statements, proof of residency, utility bills etc.
Ensure your safety by guarding against theft. Utilize pouches and straps with locks. In the event of losing something valuable, swiftly notify local authorities. Take care and be safe.
5. Choose wisely.
Having covered the fundamentals, here are some additional pointers to consider when choosing your equipment as a digital nomad.
To begin with, when planning to buy new clothing before your trip, try to choose brands that have labels indicating “made in” or “fair trade.” These businesses offer reasonable pay to their workers and healthy working conditions, making their products of superior quality. You can look up information about such items using trustworthy reviews of travel gear.
Whenever possible, choose natural fibers. Cotton becomes heavy quickly as it absorbs moisture, while wool maintains its shape even when wet.
Ensure that your purchases comply with particular quality criteria as the third step.
In addition, when searching for particular types of equipment, take a look at the reviews for that particular travel gear. Previous buyers have likely provided thorough opinions on the effectiveness of each item and provided recommendations for potential improvements.
Finally, peruse internet forums where frequent travelers share their experiences. These forums often include discussions of issues encountered with different types of travel equipment, as well as helpful remedies that others may find useful.
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