While remote working used to be a perk offered by companies in the past, it has now become the norm for many. An increasing number of employers gradually come to realize that physical working space is not necessary for their operation. So, if you’re one of the lucky ones permitted to work remotely from any corner of the world, then consider the lifestyle of traveling while working — or also known as the ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle. It’s especially ideal for those who enjoy flexibility and freedom in life.
Becoming a digital nomad allows you to travel from one place to another while getting your work done. You can work out of a coworking space or a quiet independent cafe at your chosen time and then head downtown to experience nightlife or explore hidden gems in the city during the off-hours.
If this sounds like something that’s right up your alley, you may be wondering about what essential items to bring with you during those months away from home. Hence we’re here to provide you with a checklist of travel items to pack in your suitcase for all climates.
Image Source: Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash Clothing
We tend to overpack clothing items, and some of them end up not being utilized during our trip. One way to mitigate this problem and prevent a waste of space is by packing versatile outfits that can be worn through weather changes. The selected outfits should be lightweight, rollable, and are suitable for layering. These staple pieces can be worn on various occasions and help you adapt to temperature changes:
- Yoga pants - Besides outdoor and sports activities, they can be worn as casual wear while you’re out and about or as pajamas when the night gets chilly. They are thin, hence they’re easy to wash and quick to get dry overnight.
- Long scarf/shawl - Not only is it a nice accessory for winter, but it also serves as a blanket that wraps you up nicely when you’re shivering at the airport. In dire situations, it can even double as a backup towel.
- Rollable windbreaker - Lightweight and fashionable, this fabric can keep you warm on chilly days and protect you against drizzles.
- Convertible dress-skirt - A must-have if you gravitate towards the feminine style more. It can be converted into various looks and paired with a plain camisole or shirt when turned into a skirt. If you’re heading to a fancier place, this dress will help you blend into the atmosphere seamlessly. Plus, it’s perfect as a beach cover-up too!
- 3 pairs of footwear & socks - A pair of walking sneakers/boots, a pair of stylish flats, and a pair of comfy flip-flops/sandals will do just fine. With your sneakers or boots, you’ll need socks to wick away sweat and prevent foot odor.
- 6 sets of underwear
- 3 pairs of shorts and 2 pairs of trousers/breathable pants
- 3 to 5 tops - A mix of casual and semi-casual or short-sleeve and long-sleeve
- Headwear such as a cap or beanie
- A foldable tote bag - For keeping your dirty laundry or doing grocery shopping
Toiletries & Personal Care
Unless you have a specific preference for personal care products that cannot be acquired elsewhere, there’s no need to fill your toiletry bag to the brim. You’ll most likely find these toiletry necessities at supermarkets or convenience stores in your country of destination. If you’d like to pack some of them just to be safe, this list will be helpful for you:
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Dental Floss
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and/or conditioner
- Towel
- Body soap
- Facial soap
- Moisturizer
- Body lotion
- Sunscreen
- Nail clipper
- Earplugs and eye mask
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Lip balm
- Small detergent bottle
- Pepper spray
- Sunglasses
- Basic first aid items - for stomach ache, fever, allergies, diarrhea, cough, and minor wounds
We recommend getting a hanging toiletry bag that comes with several compartments to keep your items well-organized. It’s also easy to bring into the shower rooms as you don’t have to struggle with holding all your toiletries in both hands. Simply hang the bag using the hook that comes with it, and you won’t have to find yourself forgetting stuff before showering.
Tech Gear
A laptop and a smartphone are undoubtedly the mainstays of a digital nomad. Along with those, you’ll need accessories that will help you carry out work tasks smoothly. Some of those tech accessories include:
- Headset Bluetooth - For attending virtual meetings, enjoying media, and blocking surrounding noise
- Powerbank - Go for one with at least 10,000 mAh capacity
- Laptop charger and/or laptop power bank - A laptop power bank will be a useful backup if you find yourself working at a spot with no power plugs.
- Plug adapter - Get the all-in-one unit with two USB ports as it’s suitable for use in many regions including the US, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, the UK, and Asia.
- Camera - An action camera like GoPro will be ideal if you’re into adventurous activities; a DSLR is a must if you’re taking high-quality photos for your travel-related job
- SD cards - Bring one or two SD cards with you if you document your travels often
- Kindle or any e-reader
Wallet and Travel Pass
Last but not least, our precious wallet and passport are the most important items to bring on our digital nomad journey. In your wallet, you should have debit/credit cards, a substantial amount of cash exchanged in advance, your identification card, and driver’s license. If possible, get one RFID-blocking wallet so that your debit or credit card information won’t be stolen away by scammers so easily as you walk down the streets.
Keep your passport in the safest place of your backpack or a small anti-theft purse that can be worn underneath your outfit. You can also spread some amount of cash or valuables in different places. For instance, cash can be rolled up and hidden in an empty deodorant bottle, and valuables like rings or earrings can be kept secure in your contact lens case.
The best practice for digital nomads is to photocopy or digitize all the important documents including plane tickets, your passport, VISA, travel passes, and credit cards. Either carry the photocopied documents in a folder or store the digitized copies in your cloud. Doing so will help you to retrieve information and replace them easily in case you lose them during your travels.
Some countries will require your accommodation information when you arrive at the immigration counters. So, be sure to have your hotel or accommodation reservation ready. Besides, you can show the information to the cab driver who takes you to your place of stay.
TL;DR:
- Passport and VISA
- Debit and credit cards
- Plane ticket
- Identification card and driver’s license
- Cash (Local currency and your current country’s currency)
- Hotel / accommodation information
- Travel insurance
- Other relevant travel documents required by the country
There we have it - a list of basic items to accompany you through your digital nomad journey. You may, of course, choose to exclude some items from this list and replace them with other alternatives that are more beneficial for your trip. Ultimately, not overpacking and avoiding ‘just in case’ items is the key. If you have to think twice about an item when packing, that means you most probably won’t need it.
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