Are you considering life as a digital nomad? With an increase in companies offering remote roles, more and more people are opting for a life on the move. For many, the life of a digital nomad looks idyllic: coconuts and hammocks, turquoise seas and sunshine. All of this is possible, but only with a bit of preparation.
When working remotely, the key to success is proper preparation. When you’re living out of a backpack, you don’t have the luxury of space. This means that you need to plan accordingly and make sure you have everything you need to work from anywhere.
To help you plan your exciting new adventure as a digital nomad, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that covers all the essentials you should pack before heading off to your first destination.
1) Noise-cancelling headphones
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Chances are, life as a digital nomad means you’ll be working in a myriad of different places, from hotel bars to beachside cafes. The noise levels in these places can make it difficult to concentrate, especially for those who prefer silence when working. To ensure you can enjoy the life of a digital nomad, without sacrificing your ability to work, it’s worth investing in some noise-cancelling headphones. We recommend opting for a wireless set, as they tend to be more versatile.
2) Tech survival kit
According to ExpressVPN, a comprehensive tech survival kit is essential when working abroad. The trick to packing the perfect tech survival kit lies in ensuring you have a range of items that will cover you for most scenarios while omitting items that take up too much space or are unlikely to be useful. While it might seem like a good idea to take an underwater camera, just in case, only pack one if you’re likely to be regularly participating in water-based activities. Powerbanks and universal adaptors, on the other hand, will always be useful.
3) Anti-glare screen filter
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Working abroad means you won’t always be able to pick favourable working conditions. Although working from a hammock will be comfortable, you may risk the glare of the sun obscuring your vision. You can pick up an anti-glare screen filter to put over your laptop screen, and this will make it easier to see your laptop screen in both indoor and outdoor settings.
4) Laptop
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s still worth covering, as the type of laptop best suited for travelling will differ from those that just sit on your desk at home, so it’s vital that you make the right decision. The two most important specifications to pay attention to are the size of the laptop, and its battery life. With this in mind, the Macbook Air tops our list for digital nomad-friendly laptops. With an 18-hour battery life, and weighing 2.8lbs, you’ll struggle to find a more travel-friendly option. One downside with this option is that the MacBook Air only comes with USB-C ports, which can be annoying.
5) Laptop stand
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Spending hours hunching over a laptop can wreak havoc on your health, and cause issues like lower back pain or frozen shoulders. A simple and effective way to avoid this is by investing in a portable laptop stand. There are plenty of options on the market, but we recommend that you take your time to read some reviews, to find a portable one sturdy enough to withstand all the knocks and bumps associated with life on the go.
6) E-readers
Although many people tend to prefer reading actual books, they are often too bulky and heavy for carting around from country to country. If you’re an avid reader, working out which books to take and how many you can bring can be a real conundrum. That’s where e-readers come in handy. From the Kindle to the Kobo, there are now plenty of e-readers on the market to choose from. Another option, which will save even more space, is downloading books directly onto your phone.
7) Cable organiser
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When it comes to working from anywhere, you’ll need to lug around mobile chargers, laptop chargers, and headphones. To avoid having to untangle a complicated nest of cables each morning, purchase a sturdy cable organiser. This will allow you to keep your cables separate from the rest of your luggage, in an organised and convenient pouch. No more stuffing your cables in every available side pocket in your rucksack.
8) Camera
Although phone cameras are perfectly acceptable for taking photos on the go, you might want to invest in a good camera to capture all the special moments along your journey. For travel and adventure photography, we recommend looking to invest in a decent, lightweight camera, capable of capturing high-quality photographs and videos.
9) Portable laundry bag
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While this isn’t a piece of tech, it’s undoubtedly a game changer. Wave goodbye to the days of spending too much time and money on washing your clothes in a laundromat, by investing in a portable washbag for cleaning your dirty laundry. These lightweight, portable washing machines make cleaning your clothes a breeze.
10) Travel insurance
When booking holidays, many of us um and ah over purchasing travel insurance. However, when you’re committing to a life as a digital nomad, you need to ensure you’re covered for worst-case scenarios. Invest in comprehensive travel insurance, that covers both medical incidents and the loss or theft of personal items. When you rely on your laptop for your income, you want to make sure that you’re covered if it gets lost or damaged. Make sure that you read the small print, and don’t just opt for the cheapest package on the market.
Life as a digital nomad is full of excitement and discovery. However, being away from the support network and comfort of your home means that you need to be prepared for any eventuality. Ensuring that you’re well stocked with all these essential items means that you can rest assured that you’re ready for your new adventure, and any bumps in the road along the way.
