I'm a bit tired of seeing lists of random travel gadgets for nomads. Those are written by content writers - not real nomads.
Most nomads stay in a location for 1-3 months. That's less than 10 flights per year. So you don't need that much short-term travel gear, like those goofy neck pillows.
Being a digital nomad is not like being a tourist.
Nomading has its own challenges, like fitting our entire lives into a suitcase, while having everything you need for a variety of venues and activities. You are forced to be a minimalist. Everything you own needs to be optimized for space and weight.
So here's what you actually need. Written by a nomad.
Software for Digital Nomads
I'm starting with software because these days, the most important things are digital.
One time in Barcelona, my Airbnb was broken into, and I lost my passport, wallet, and laptop. However, I still had my phone, and with it, I was able to do a lot - pay for things, access scans of my documents, transfer money, etc...
1Password
This is a password manager and document vault that I share with my girlfriend. It contains all our important stuff:
- Passwords
- Credit card details
- Scans of your important documents, like passports and driver's licences
- Addresses and contact info of our family and friends
We both have access, so if one of us is sick or injured, we can use 1Password to log in to each other's accounts and get things done on the other's behalf.
Wise or Revolut for banking
Having one of these international neo-bank accounts is essential.
First of all, you need multiple bank accounts in case your regular one is blocked by your bank as a safety measure. This happened to me after my cards were stolen.
Secondly, you avoid paying currency conversion fees on everything you buy. Even if your regular bank claims to have no fees for international transactions, they often give you a bad exchange rate, not the real one.
I use Wise because it is simpler and cheaper than Revolut. I found Revolut more restrictive and confusing with its various monthly payment plans. Wise just charges a small amount for each transaction, with no monthly fees.
I also have a business account with Wise. That is actually the main account that I use to run my business as an Australian sole trader. It gives me multiple accounts in as many currencies as I want, making it easy to invoice my clients or get paid by affiliates in their currency. It also syncs with my accounting software, Xero.
eSIM provider like Yesim or Airalo.
In 2025, we no longer need physical SIM cards for each country (that was a pain).
If you haven't used an eSIM before, it's a virtual SIM card that is installed to your phone through an app.
On iPhones, you can install up to 8 eSims at the same time - so you can have 8 different phone numbers if you want! Great for nomads.
The two most popular eSim providers are Yesim and Airalo.
When I'm at the airport, about to board the plane, I use Yesim to buy an eSim for the next country. So I have internet access as soon as the plane touches down, I can order my Uber and plan the rest of my day.
I use Yesim a lot more because I find it's cheaper in the countries I visit (Europe and Asia).
Health Insurance for digital nomads
I use Genki Explorer for my health insurance. They are a German-based company run by digital nomads.
There aren't many companies that do insurance for digital nomads specifically.
The typical travel health insurance is not what you need - there are some differences:
- Travel health insurance is only for a specific time period - they ask you for the exact dates you will be travelling and the exact countries you will visit. If you spontaneously visit a different country, you might be uninsured.
- Nomad health insurance, such as Genki or Safetywing, is a monthly subscription; you just remain subscribed for as long as you need it. They also don't require you to know in advance which country you will visit. Go anywhere.
I chose Genki because they are approachable - they have a Discord chat where you can talk to the founders and team in case you have questions, and they are active on Reddit.
I've used it 4 or 5 times so far, to pay for doctor visits and tests, and it was all easy and went smoothly. It takes 10 minutes to upload your claim (make sure you get a receipt/invoice from the doctor and take a photo). After 2-3 days they will confirm your reimbursement amount, and the payment arrives about 2 weeks later.
Travel essentials for digital nomads
Every nomad has a different style of travel. Some go carry-on only, and others have multiple bags and suitcases.
My digital nomad luggage setup
I'm using a large checked luggage + carry-on backpack.
I've seen that in the USA, people often have two carry-ons. But in Europe, it's common that your ticket includes just one carry-on and one checked bag. I think this is overall the best solution. Here's what I use:
- The 26L Bellroy Venture backpack for my carry-on. This is a very rugged yet stylish bag with a laptop compartment.
- The 98L Horizn Studios H7 Essential for my checked luggage. It rolls smoothly and the hard walls keep your stuff safe. It also has a built-in TSA lock.
Some people go carry-on only, but personally, I can't do that.
A major hobby of mine is martial arts, so I travel with my Judo gi and boxing gloves, both of which take up a lot of space! I also have a camera, a tripod, and a microphone for my YouTube channel.
Packing cubes
Yeah, all the influencers hype them, but in this case, they're right! Packing cubes are not a gimmick. They save a to space. Especially if you get some with added compression, like mine.
I'm using the Thule Compression Packing Cubes.
In my checked luggage, I have two large packing cubes for all my clothes, and a small one for socks and underwear.
But I also have a small packing cube that always travels with me in my carry-on backpack. This one contains emergency clothes in case my luggage gets lost or delayed for up to 48 hours. So it's a few pairs of socks, underwear, a spare shirt and maybe some shorts.
A great backpack
Your backpack is your best friend.
Not only do you use it for travel, but it's also how you carry your laptop to the office/cafe every day, and any gear for a weekend hike or exploring.
In other words, it needs to be travel-friendly and rugged, but also blend in to the office and cafes/bars. You don't want an ugly neon-orange hiking backpack. Nor do you want a fragile laptop bag made for office workers.
The bag I'm using now is the Bellroy Venture Ready Pack 26L. It is both stylish enough for the office and rugged enough for the outdoors.
I made a review a while ago:
Apple Airtags
I had just landed in Poland from a trip to Italy, it was 1 am, and everyone was keen to get their luggage and go to sleep.
However, the airline seemingly had other plans when it announced that everybody's luggage was still back in Italy. They simply forgot to load any of it onto the plane!
Anyway, Airtags are small GPS trackers that help you see where your stuff is at any time. Their batteries last a long time - mine have been going for over a year.
I have one Airtag hidden in my backpack, and one in my luggage.
If your stuff gets stolen, you can send the police a link to view your Airtags location. I did this when my laptop was stolen, and I could actually see the location of the thief, but unfortunately, the police had no right to go in since it was an apartment building - they couldn't see which floor the thief was on.
Gear for Living Out of Hotels & Airbnbs
So you're living as a minimalist. You're always moving into a new accommodation, and they all have totally different equipment.
Here are some things we travel with that make life easier at "home".
For men, a good beard trimmer
Shaving on the road can be problematic. Shaving cream, aftershave, razors, all take up a lot of space and are difficult to travel with. Plus, your Airbnb or hotel bathroom might be dark and uncomfortable for shaving.
I prefer an easier though less perfect shaving solution - just a good quality beard trimmer with multiple attachments.
Mine is the Philips Norelco 7000 series. It can do a skin shave, trim your beard, and body hair. I threw out the attachments I don't use, so it's all very compact.
The battery is really impressive - it lasts almost two months, even though I shave every other day.
Multi-tool
Airbnbs are sometimes in pretty crappy condition or lacking essentials.
- No knife
- No scissors
- Poorly constructed Ikea table or bed
I have solved multiple issues like this with my Leatherman Wave.
Just make sure to keep it in your luggage, not your carry-on, or you'll lose it!
Side story: my girlfriend once accidentally took her Swiss Army knife in her carry-on, and Japanese security found it. If this had happened in any other country, the knife would have been thrown away (it's happened to her before). However, in Japan, they put the knife into a little envelope and send it together with your checked-in luggage.
Bath towels
This might be excessive, but my girlfriend and I travel with our own small bath towels. The thing is, you arrive at some Airbnbs and their towels might smell a bit and look like they need to be retired by now.
These aren't cheap Airbnbs either - but it's something that happens when the owners manage multiple Airbnbs and they don't personally inspect them.
Basic cleaning products
We also usually do a quick vacuum and wipe surfaces with antibacterial wipes on the first day that we move into an Airbnb. So basic cleaning products are part of our first shopping routine when we arrive in a new country.
Cleanliness isn't as much of an issue in proper hotels. But hotels have other problems - no kitchen, no working desk and a lack of space in general. If you're staying long-term, an Airbnb might be the best solution, even if you have to do some cleaning.
Tech gear for digital nomads
As a web developer and content creator, I could have a whole bunch of stuff - a fancy keyboard, video and lighting setup... but I keep it minimal.
MacBook - no mouse, no keyboard
I use a MacBook Pro M1. I'm very accustomed to using the touchpad and plenty of keyboard shortcuts, so I don't miss having a mouse at all. I think the last time I used a mouse was around 2006. The same goes for an external keyboard.
You might hate Apple but they make the most compact and solidly built laptops. I have not yet seen another laptop that comes close to the durability and portability of the MacBook.
Storage - Samsung T7 Shield
I try to keep most of my important files in Google Drive. But I also have lots of large files like photos and videos, and backups of my computer. For that, cloud storage is not enough.
HDD VS SSD?
I used to have an external HDD, but switched to a modern SSD for travel, and I'm so glad I did! They are better in every way:
- Smaller and lighter
- More durable (no spinning disk - no moving parts at all)
- Faster transfer speeds
The Samsung T7 Shield is the best I've tried. It's covered in a very grippy yet smooth material. Very nice feel in the hand, very compact. Just get one - you won't regret it.
Power banks - 1 large, 1 small
Your phone is often your map, your Uber, your translator - your lifeline. If your battery dies somewhere, that could be bad.
I travel with two powerbanks.
- A 5,000 mAh Anker Mag-Go power bank that can fit in my pocket. I use this for charging my phone. It attaches and charges to my iPhone magentically, so I don't need to carry a cable. It's easy to just grab and go out if your battery is low.
- A 10,000 mAh powerbank that I carry in my backpack. This is for charging my Macbook in case I'm working in a cafe and can't find a power socket, or I forgot my adapter. It's enough for about half my laptop battery, or in other words, an extra 2-3 hours of work.
I highly recommend the Anker brand power banks in general; they are sturdy and always work.
AirPods Pro (for noise cancellation)
This could also go in the travel category.
AirPods were one of my best purchases in the past few years. Worth every cent.
Often, I wear them without listening to music, but just for the noise cancellation. It is perfect for working in busy cafes or airports, and they can almost block out that screaming baby on the plane.
I also use them when I need to watch a video in a working space, when I go for a run, or clean the home.
If you have an iPhone or MacBook, then AirPods will work better than other brands. I've used other headphones before, and always found the Bluetooth connection frustrating.
Medical supplies for digital nomads
I have a small medical kit in my backpack at all times. It contains:
- Wet wipes & tissues
Wet wipes can function as an emergency shower. Wipe your armpits etc... and you'll feel much cleaner. - Ibuprofen or Paracetamol
Painkillers in case of a headache. I prefer ibuprofen because it's also anti-inflammatory, which is useful for joint injuries. - Travel sickness pills
I sometimes get sick on planes or buses, so I use pills based on Dimenhydrinate. Don't use ginger pills - they do nothing and have a disgusting aftertaste that will make you even more nauseous. Dimenhydrinate makes you drowsy, so use it in moderation. You can break the pill in half if you want.
The best I ever tried was Travelmin - a Japanese brand. These are lozenges you slowly dissolve in your mouth, so you can control the dosage, and the effect is immediate. - Loperamide (Immodium)
These stop diarrhoea within 30 minutes of taking them and last the entire day. Very important if you travel to developing countries. - Probiotics
These can help heal your stomach after or during food poisoning. - Sanitary pads
Yes, even for guys - if you travel with women, it's good to have these in your medical kit just in case.
Don't overpack these items
There are some things I overpacked, only to realize I don't need them.
Travel clothes & gear
At first, I took a lot of travel clothes with me - North Face and Patagonia, merino and polyester materials.
However, I realised it's not good to look like a hiker all the time. Especially in Japan, where everyone is so stylish in the cafes and coworking spaces where I spend most of my time.
I felt awkward and out of place, looking like a sweaty backpacker who just came down off a mountain.
I don't like to stand out with my appearance. I want to blend in. I want to hang out and be accepted in any environment. That's difficult as a European in Japan, but I think changing my clothing and hairstyle really helped.
I bought a bunch of clothes that are popular here, and now I try to avoid the backpacker look.
Clothes in general
Buy clothes on the spot if possible.
Every time I've switched countries and climates, I've found that my old clothes are not very suitable. They either did not suit the local climate, or did not vibe with the local fashion at all, and I felt out of place.
I'm not saying to throw out your old clothes each time, but don't purposely buy something in preparation for a country. You might find that you were wrong about what you need.
Water bottles
They take up a huge amount of space in your luggage.
I usually just buy a plastic water bottle from any 7/11 and reuse it. I buy a fresh one every week or so.
Cosmetics
This one is from my girlfriend. She took a bunch of stuff because she didn't know if she would find it in Asia.
Turns out, Asia has a much wider choice and often better quality cosmetics than Europe. Especially if you are coming to Japan or Korea - don't even bother.
That about sums it up. Is there anything I missed?
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