Digital nomads' essentials: 7 must-haves in your packing list

AriannaM Blog 24/01/2024 | 141

Digital nomads essentials 7 must haves for the ultimate packing list

The life of a digital nomad is a unique blend of adventure, flexibility, and the constant quest for efficiency on the go. As remote work continues to redefine our professional (and personal!) landscape, equipping yourself with the right gear becomes crucial. In this guide, we’ll explore 7 must-have items – according to our experience. 7 digital nomads’ essentials, designed to enhance productivity, comfort, and sustainability while navigating this thrilling lifestyle.

Our list of 7 essentials for digital nomads

We’ve been on the go for years now, first in Southeast Asia (a bit of a cliché, yes, but it teaches you a lot) and now in Greece – and Rhodes specifically. We personally believe that being digital nomads, nowadays, cannot be separated from being sustainable and respectful of the environment – and of people of course. That’s why some of our selected digital nomads’ essentials are plastic-free and reusable items, which helps our packing list be shorter and hassle-free too! Also, some of them are a bit unusual – because let’s face it: how many lists of must-haves for digital nomads will you find online? A LOT! So we wanted ours to be different and offer you some unique ideas that you probably won’t find anywhere else.

Here’s a sneak peek, then we’ll go more into detail:

Solid, natural and plastic-free deodorant
Supercoffee with adaptogens
Laptop-friendly carry on backpack
Life-saving power bank
Kindle Paperwhite, your new best friend
Noise-cancelling earbuds
Insulated refillable water bottle

Read on, and thank us later 😉

1. Wild, natural deodorant to stay fresh the sustainable way

Wild is a game-changer in the realm of natural and sustainable personal care. Their natural deodorant is not only effective but also comes in an eco-friendly, reusable case – you can choose the color and also customize it with your name. It is a perfect essential for the conscious digital nomad looking to minimize their environmental impact. Each refill lasts months, so it’s ideal for long journeys too. Not to mention the fact that it’s solid, so you can take it in your carry-on baggage! The scents are amazing and the effect is very long-lasting, which is truly helpful in warmer destinations.

Wild refill deodorant for digital nomads

Why do we love it? Here are three reasons:

Sustainability: the refillable packaging aligns with eco-friendly practices, reducing single-use plastic waste.
Effectiveness: Wild’s natural ingredients keep you fresh throughout the day, even in diverse (and adverse!) climates.
Travel-friendly: the compact design and the fact that it’s solid make it easy to carry it in your carry-on backpack.

Get your Wild deodorant here (with 20% off if you use this link!)

2. London Nootropics, the supercoffee that boosts brainpower on-the-go

London Nootropics is a UK-based brand that offers a unique twist to the traditional coffee break. Their instant coffee paper sachets – extremely convenient to take with you on any trip – are infused with adaptogens and other substances, enhancing mental clarity and focus – essential for digital nomads seeking for a productive remote workday.

They offer three different kinds of coffee: Mojo, ideal to recover from jetlag or when you have physically challenging days (maybe you’re a surfer or a hiker?); Flow, perfect to find the right focus to deal with demanding work sessions; Zen, your companion when you feel like you need to recalibrate and balance. My personal favorite? Flow, for sure!

London Nootropics adaptogenic coffee for digital nomads

Here is why we consider them digital nomads’ essentials:

Adaptogenic blend: ingredients like Rhodiola and Lion’s Mane provide cognitive benefits, combating fatigue and supporting concentration.
Convenience: this instant coffee comes in single-portion paper sachets, so it is a quick and convenient way to enjoy a brain-boosting beverage wherever you are.
Quality ingredients: London Nootropics prioritizes high-quality, natural ingredients for a wholesome coffee experience.

Try the supercoffees by London Nootropics here (with a 15% discount if you use the code ARIANNAM!)

3. Carry-on backpack: your compact, portable office

A reliable backpack is the cornerstone of a digital nomad’s arsenal. There are so many different ones on the market, that it’s easy to get lost. And when you’re lost, what do you do? You go back to the basics: that’s why we suggest you AmazonBasics Carry-On Travel Backpack. It is spacious, well-organized, designed to meet airline carry-on requirements, and it has a separate padded space for your laptop – a true digital nomads’ essential.

AmazonBasics backpack for digital nomads

Of course this is just an example, but it’s a pretty cheap option that has everything you need:

Size and design: this backpack is designed to meet carry-on size restrictions, making it an ideal travel companion.
Organization: multiple compartments and pockets ensure your gadgets, documents, and essentials are neatly organized.
Durability: made from durable polyester, this backpack can withstand the demands of a nomadic lifestyle.

Get your AmazonBasics Carry-On Travel Backpack here

4. Reliable power bank, to always stay connected

As a digital nomad, staying connected is non-negotiable. Having a power bank with you is the best thing you could do to try and make sure that no blackouts or other contingencies will leave you with no battery on your devices. Of course there are infinite ones to choose from – we selected an Anker PowerCore fast-charging one because it’s strong enough to ensure your devices stay charged, providing a reliable power source wherever your adventures take you, for a convenient price.

These are the three main reasons for our choice:

High capacity: the PowerCore’s high capacity ensures multiple charges on a single power bank.
Compact design: despite its power, the charger remains compact and portable, fitting easily into your backpack.
Fast charging: equipped with fast-charging technology, it will minimize downtime for your devices.

Get your Anker PowerCore Power Bank here (or choose the one you prefer)

5. Kindle Paperwhite, your on-demand pocket library

A nomadic lifestyle often involves downtime between work and exploration, especially when waiting for planes, buses or trains. Not to mention the need to work on your personal and professional growth, especially is you are a multipotentialite digital nomad. That’s why we believe that the Kindle Paperwhite – which doesn’t need much introduction – is a true digital nomads’ essential. This lightweight e-reader allows you to carry a huge library wherever you go, fostering your love for reading and relaxation in every condition, thanks to the long-lasting battery and backlight.

Kindle Paperwhite ereader for digital nomads

We couldn’t live without it anymore; here’s why:

Portability: the Kindle Paperwhite is compact and lightweight, perfect for digital nomads always on the move.
High-resolution display: the e-reader features a high-resolution display that mimics the look of real paper, reducing eye strain – and you know how important this is, after a whole day spent in front of a laptop.
Long battery life: enjoy weeks of reading on a single charge, minimizing the need for constant recharging.

Get your Kindle Paperwhite here

6. Noise-canceling earbuds for deep focus

Working from busy and noisy places, for digital nomads it’s essential to be able to concentrate in “non-ideal” environments. Bose is a brand that needs no introduction, and they have many great devices to choose from. We prefer earbuds to headphones because they are smaller, lighter and easier to carry around while traveling. That’s why we suggest you the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, which provide an immersive audio experience, blocking out distractions and enhancing productivity.

Bose noise cancelling earbuds for digital nomads

Their benefits?

Active noise cancellation: immerse yourself in your work without being disturbed by external noises, whether you’re in a coworking, a cafe or the waiting room of an airport.
Comfortable design: designed for extended use, the earbuds offer comfort during long work sessions.
Wireless connectivity: enjoy the flexibility of wireless connectivity for unrestricted movement – this is also ideal if you’re riding a scooter and you need to listen to Google Maps’ directions while wearing a helmet.

Get your Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II here

7. Insulated refillable water bottle: say goodbye to plastic

Hydration is key to maintaining energy levels and overall well-being, especially if you choose destinations with warmer weather. Carrying with you a refillable and insulated water bottle keeps your beverages at the desired temperature, whether it’s a refreshing cold drink or a warm beverage for focus. And you won’t need to buy single-use plastic bottles ever again! We specifically suggest SuperSparrow: we’ve had it since the very beginning of our digital nomad journey, and it’s always served its purpose perfectly. It also fell multiple times and it’s still as perfect as it was in the beginning.

SuperSparrow refillable water bottle for digital nomads

Here, in our opinion, are the pros of this choice:

Temperature control: enjoy your drinks at the perfect temperature, thanks to the bottle’s insulation technology.
Durable build: the stainless steel construction ensures longevity and resilience to the rigors of travel.
Environmentally friendly: opting for a reusable water bottle reduces reliance on single-use plastics… and the Earth will thank you.

Get your SuperSparrow Refillable Bottle here

In conclusion, equipping yourself with the right gear – as well as with the best apps for travelling – is essential for a successful and enjoyable digital nomad lifestyle. From sustainable personal care with Wild to brain-boosting coffee with London Nootropics, and everything in between, these items are the unsung heroes of a digital nomad’s journey. Embrace these must-haves, and elevate your nomadic experience to new heights of efficiency, comfort, and sustainability. Happy nomading!

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you – in some cases you actually get a discount!