Essential Gear and Tools for Digital Nomads
Before starting my nomad life, I spent countless hours researching gear. YouTube videos, blog posts, Reddit threads... Every "digital nomad essentials" list had dozens of items, which only made me more confused about what to actually buy. After two years of traveling through multiple countries, I've realized that I only use a handful of things daily.
Laptop: This One Really Matters
For a nomad, a laptop isn't just a tool. It's your livelihood, your entertainment, your everything. I started out carrying a gaming laptop that weighed over 2kg. The strap digging into my shoulders, the anxiety about exceeding luggage weight at airports. After three months, I switched to a MacBook Air.
As a developer, I was worried about performance, but the M-chip MacBook runs way better than expected. Weighs 1.2kg, battery lasts all day. I didn't realize how nice it would be to not have to scout for outlets at cafés. It doesn't have to be a MacBook, but I'd say under 1.5kg and 10+ hours of battery are must-haves.
Internet: A Nomad's Lifeline
I once had the WiFi cut out during an important video call in Bali. The moment I had to say "sorry, internet issues..." to a client, I broke into a cold sweat. Since then, I always have backup internet.
I use a combination of local SIM and eSIM. With an app called Airalo, you can buy an eSIM and have internet the moment you land. Reasonably priced and works in most countries. For longer stays, local SIMs are cheaper, so I buy one a few days after arriving. The key is always having two internet options.
What I Actually Use Every Day
I bought a lot of stuff after seeing nomad gear lists and regretted most of it. Foldable laptop stand? Used it a few times, now it sits at the bottom of my bag. Portable monitor? Too heavy, stopped carrying it. Just added unnecessary weight.
Here's what I actually use daily. Noise-canceling earbuds are essential. They let me focus at cafés, on planes, in noisy accommodations. I use AirPods Pro and honestly, they're life-changing. I always have a power bank in my bag too. With a 20,000mAh one, I can even charge my laptop, which gives peace of mind.
A universal travel adapter means you can plug in anywhere. A USB-C hub is also useful. MacBooks only have two ports, so without an expansion hub, it's inconvenient. These four things are honestly enough.
Keep Apps Simple
I also installed tons of productivity apps at first, then cleaned them up. Now I do almost everything in Notion. Notes, project management, travel itineraries, expense tracking. Using one app well beats using ten poorly.
I use 1Password for password management, and I only turn on VPN when using public WiFi. Honestly, that's all you need. Too many apps become unmanageable.
About Bags
I've watched tons of nomad bag recommendation videos, and my conclusion is that whatever fits your style is best. I've been using an Osprey Farpoint 40 for two years. It's carry-on compliant, has a comfortable back panel, and doesn't hurt my shoulders even after hours of wearing it. Some people carry separate travel bags and daily backpacks, but I prefer consolidating into one.
Conclusion: Pack Light
The biggest lesson from nomad life is that less stuff means more freedom. At first, I packed things thinking "what if I need it," but unused gear just caused stress every time I moved. Now I travel with just a backpack, no suitcase. No waiting for checked luggage at airports, and I can move anywhere light and quick.
More important than buying good gear is bringing only what you need. If you need something while traveling, you can buy it then. You can get almost anything in most countries.