What’s in My Carry-On as a Digital Nomad and Long-Term Traveler
As a digital nomad, your carry-on bag is your trusty companion, holding all the tools and comforts that keep you connected, productive, and ready for adventure.
I invite you to take a peek into the carefully curated carry-on of a digital nomad and long-term traveler. From gadgets and gear to work on the go to the must-have comforts that transform any space into a temporary home, we’ve got you covered.
I share my favorite travel essentials, packing tips, and must-have gadgets that I have collected and perfected throughout years as a full-time traveler. Whether you’re a seasoned digital nomad or a budding explorer, this guide will equip you with insights and inspiration to optimize your carry-on for success and comfort.
Keep reading for my digital nomad packing essentials!
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Digital Nomad Packing Essentials: Carry-On Edition
Whether you’re jetting off to a new destination, hopping between co-working spaces, or embarking on a spontaneous weekend getaway, the contents of your carry-on can make or break your journey.
Join me as I unveil the carefully selected items that have found a place in our trusty carry-on bags, from the technology that keeps us connected to clients and colleagues to the organization hacks that maximize space to the creature comforts that make any long-haul flight or co-working session a little more enjoyable.
I am unlocking the secrets to efficient and enjoyable travel while living out of a carry-on. Let’s dive in and discover what’s in our luggage, and perhaps find inspiration to enhance your own travel arsenal. Bon voyage!
Digital Nomad Tech
Laptop
Obviously you need a laptop, it’s called DIGITAL nomad after all. Whether it’s provided by your company, or your an entrepreneur, a laptop is the most important thing you’ll need in your carry-on as a digital nomad.
I use the Microsoft Surface Laptop, it’s a great, simple laptop and works perfectly for everything I need. Plus it’s a touch screen which is perfect for creatives.
Adapters
If you plan on traveling the world, there’s a good chance you’ll need a converter for your electronics. Places like Northern Africa, some of the Middle East and Europe use the two-pin plugs; UK, Ireland and Saudi Arabia have the weirdest plugs I’ve ever seen; Central America, South America and the US all use the flat parallel plugs; while Thailand uses a mix of US and European.
Needless to say, there is a lot of variety and being able to charge your laptop and phone is paramount. These adapters convert from US standard to other countries:
UK Ireland Hong Kong Power Adapter
Australia New Zealand Power Plug Adapter
Adapters definitely need to be on your list of digital nomad packing essentials, but if you don’t know where you’ll be traveling, you can also get these along the way.
Power Bank
Having an extra power bank can be a life-saver during long travel days, adventures, or music festivals. Nothing is worse than being stranded somewhere because your phone is dead, especially in a place your don’t know.
This portable charging power bank is about the size of a phone and will last for days on a single charge. Or if you want a smaller option, this small portable charger will easily fit in a purse and is iPhone compatible.
Headphones
As someone who often works in public places, having a good pair of headphones is essential. I used to carry large headphones with a built in mouthpiece that looked like I was an air traffic controller. Although they were high quality and great for conference calls, they were extremely bulky took up tons of space in my bag.
I have since ditched those and find the basic Apple EarPods work just fine, and take up no space at all (I like having the cord so I don’t lose one).
Portable Hotspot
WIFI troubles can be a real buzzkill when you’re working remote as a digital nomad. I’ve been in several situations where the WIFI is unreliable, or we lose power altogether. Having a portable hotspot can be a huge help, although I wouldn’t rely on them completely.
Jack and I used this exact portable hotspot device and it really helped us out on numerous occasions; a digital nomad packing essential.
Nomadic Essentials
Phone Grip
Phone grips aren’t a necessity by any means, but they sure make life a lot easier. Not only do they help you hold your phone taking countless pictures or texting your mom, but they prop your phone up so you can watch movies on the train. You’ll definitely be wishing you had one as you dangle your phone off the side of a boat to get the best angle.
I use and love this Pela Collapsible Grip because it’s not too bulky and made from plants, but PopSockets are a solid choice too in terms of comfort holding your phone.
Laundry Sheets
Depending on where in the world you are staying, there’s a good chance you’ll have a washing machine in your accommodation (like in Europe or North Africa for example). It’s so annoying having to buy little boxes of detergent laden with chemicals and fragrances everywhere you go.
Bringing your own detergent not only saves time and money, but you can be sure to get a natural brand that’s better for your health like these liquidless laundry sheets. Plus they will make your bag smell great.
Packing Tip: take the laundry sheets out the their original box and put in a Ziplock to preserve freshness and save space.
Water Bottle
No traveler or backpacker is complete without their trusty Hydro Flask. I’ve had mine for years and it’s extremely durable, I even threw it off a bus by accident and it only got a small dent.
However, I will admit my water bottle takes up quite a bit of space. This Collapsible Water Bottle is perfect for those who want something more compact.
For traveling to countries where you can’t drink the water, these options from LifeStraw will save you a ton of money on distilled water and will save the earth from all that single-use plastic:
LifeStraw Collapsible Water Bottle
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Packing Tip: if you’re drinking a ton of bottled and distilled water, you MUST remineralize it. I live and die by my Trace Minerals drops.
Lock
Keep your belongings safe and secure. These multi-use locks can be used for gym lockers, hostel storage cabinets, and even your luggage (TSA compatible). Travel with peace of mind knowing your belongings are secure.
Microfiber Towel
Having your own towel comes in handy in all kinds of situations, from the beach to the gym to a hostel. Microfiber towels are not only super absorbent and fast drying, but they are lightweight and can fold up really small.
This microfiber towel comes in many sizes and colors, but I’d suggest getting at least M-L so it can be useful as an actual towel.
Travel Gear and Organization
Reusable Shopping Bag
In my opinion, you can never have too many bags. Foldable Reusable Grocery Bags have come in so handy during my years as a digital nomad. Not only is it helpful for carrying groceries from the store, but it’s better for the environment than always getting plastic bags. You can also use it at local markets, as a beach bag or gym bag, or an extra travel bag if you don’t want to take your big suitcase somewhere. The possibilities are really endless. And since they fold up super small, you barely even notice it.
Space Bags
If you might have a little too much stuff *cough* like me… space bags to the rescue! You can put a bunch of clothes inside and then squeeze all the air out making them more compact. Be sure to get the travel version, like these travel compression bags, which don’t require a vacuum.
Although you’ll likely only need a couple, I’d bring a few extra just in case one gets punctured or damaged during your travels.
Packing Tip: although it might seems logical to put all your clothes in space bags to maximize space, I’ve found it’s more efficient to put like 75% of your clothes in the bags, and fold the rest. Once you seal and compress the bags, they turn into hard bricks. So I use the rest of my clothes to fill in all the gaps and spaces left in my luggage.
Laundry Bag
Having a laundry bag has been a lifesaver during our years of full-time travel. Especially in Central and South America, you might not have a washing machine in your accommodation. Taking our clothes to the lavanderia in a laundry bag was so helpful.
In places like Europe or the Middle East, chances are you will have a washing machine in your apartment, but it’s still so nice to be able to put your dirty clothes in the bag instead of all over the floor. Maybe I’m just a messy person lol.
I love these mesh laundry bags because they are super lightweight and can fold up smaller than a pair of socks. I think they are the actual laundry bags we bought years ago and it’s one of the best hacks I have for digital nomad packing.
Foldable Backpack
A foldable backpack is another of my digital nomad packing essentials. It’s been so helpful having a backpack separate from our travel bags. We take it everywhere, from hiking to beach days to working from a café. And because it’s lightweight and foldable, we can easily tuck it away when we need to travel.
This ultra lightweight foldable backpack is really good quality and I love how it has several pockets for your things. I actually have the same brand and we use it almost everyday.
Luggage
All this stuff is great, but what are you going to pack it in? You need the carry-on first! I personally use a backpack style which makes moving from place to place so easy, and I keep finding myself going to places with dirt roads. I used to travel with a roller bag but felt like it held me back, however it was nice not having 15kg on my back.
Backpack Style:
Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack (very popular!)
Osprey Porter 46L Travel Backpack
Luggage Style:
Silicone Storage Bag
I’m not saying you should go crazy here, because too many will start taking up space in your bag, but Stasher Bags are a great addition to your digital nomad packing essentials.
Not only can you store things like makeup and toiletries during travel, but I love them for storing food like leftovers or bringing a little snack somewhere. I’ve stayed in countless Airbnb’s, hostels, and hotels, and no one ever has any storage containers or Ziplock bags.
I only carry a small Stasher bag with me, but it is still been so useful to be able to store leftovers or bring slices of pineapple to the beach. Plus it’s very durable and more ecofriendly than using single-use plastic bags.
Personal Care
Eye Mask
Sleeping in different places all the time with very little control over the conditions can wreak havoc on your sleep quality. I started wearing an eye mask when we first started traveling and it is the best sleep hack for traveling. I don’t have to worry about street lights shining into the room, curtains that don’t quite close, or sleeping in a hostel dorm.
Here are a few awesome choices depending on your comfort preferences:
Earplugs
For similar reasons, I also have earplugs. I don’t usually wear them unless there is a lot of noise, but on those occasions I’m glad I have them with me. You never know when you will be neighbors with a bunch of chickens who like to cackle at each other all night.
Here are several different styles of earplugs:
Travel Tip: I also use a white noise app when I sleep to drown out any unwanted sounds and keep my sleep routine consistent, without always needing to wear earplugs.
Liquid-Free Toiletries
I don’t carry many toiletries with me because I want to save space and not deal with too many liquids at the airport. To keep the amount of liquids you carry with you at bay, opt for liquid-free toiletries! Not every liquid item can obviously be avoided, but by switching to solid or powder products where you can will make traveling with a carry-on much easier.
Here are some great liquid-free toiletries:
So I’m not carting around an entire pharmacy in my bag, I choose the toiletries that are most important to me to have on hand from brands I know and trust. For me, these are toothpaste, facewash, deodorant, and sunscreen. Everything else I can either live without for a while, or buy once I get to my destination.
Clothes
Classic Leggings
Classic black leggings are a digital nomad wardrobe staple. They are the perfect travel companion, workout buddy, or as a layer under other pants. I usually stick to warm climates so I don’t need too many pairs of long pants, but a pair of leggings is still a must.
These basic black leggings are perfect, or I love my black leggings from Girlfriend made of recycled water bottles and so comfy (I wear them all the time, especially on travel days).
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Digital Nomad Packing Tip: most of my clothes are black or white so I can easily mix and match items together.
Athletic Shorts
Similar to a pair of classic black leggings, having a pair of classic athletic shorts is a must. They can go from hiking to the beach, or just lounging around working.
I love my athletic shorts from KÜHL. I have a black pair of the Haven Short (because everything I own is black) and they are so versatile and comfy. These are definitely a staple in my nomad capsule wardrobe.
Packable Jacket
I always try to travel to warm places, but even then, the cold can’t always be avoided. There are occasions where you might want to hike Mount Cotopaxi or Volcan Acatenango. Having the option to wear a jacket is essential to not having to hold yourself back solely because you aren’t prepared for cold weather.
Having a packable jacket has come in handy countless times. I have this Free People packable puffer and just love it. Plus when it’s folded up it doubles as a little pillow for camping or long train rides.
For a while I carted around a regular jacket I already owned, but it was so bulky and took up way too much space. I didn’t really use it that much, but I did need it a few times, so in those instances I was glad I had something. Even a light jacket that you can layer underneath is better than nothing.
To allow myself more ‘freedom’ I definitely recommend a packable jacket in my list of digital nomad essentials.
Sport Sandals
I never I thought I’d be the girl wearing ‘sport sandals’ but now I can’t imagine life without them. They are so versatile which is key when packing as minimally as possible. From city sightseeing to hiking to beach days, I wear mine constantly.
I personally love Teva’s and they come in two different styles:
Teva Women’s Hurricane (very sporty)
Teva Women’s Original (sporty-casual)
Packing Tip: Get a black or neutral color that you can potentially dress up instead of the overly sporting-looking ones to make them even more versatile (learn from my mistakes).
