When I was a full time digital nomad working in tech I have to fit everything I needed into a couple bags.
I decided I didn’t ever want to check backs and instead wanted to fit everything onto the plane.
Here’s a list of everything I bring with me for my remote work/living, as well as links to the items.
I can use this post to restock my supplies, or direct people here when they ask where I got something.
This is the workhorse behind all of my tech projects. It’s probably overkill for most tasks, but it’s great for my engineering software and 3D rendering software. It will handle anything you throw at it, though at a hefty price tag.
4K Display – Pen Display and Monitory
Having a pen display is pretty important for digital art, I’ve opted for the photoshop route rather than the Ipad and procreate route that many take instead. This also double as a 4K monitor so it’s practical even if I’m not drawing on it.
1080p Monitor (2) – Lightweight Portable Monitors
These things are great, they give out an extremely clean image for a very low price. I always have at least one of these with me, sometimes two. They only need a single USB-C connection.
Remarkable 2 – Digital Notebook Tablet
This product is the closest feel I have found to writing/drawing on paper. It’s a pretty high price tag for being a glorified notebook. I don’t recommend this product if you are looking for functionality similar to an Ipad. But if you want to never buy another paper notebook and have all your notes/sketches in one place I believe this is the best device on the market.
Google Pixel 7 Pro – Primary Cell Phone
This is my primary device, the camera on this thing is incredible. I had to switch from Iphones when this one came out. It’s an excellent choice for a primary.
Samsung Note 10 Plus – Secondary Device
I really like this device, it’s got great notetaking capabilities and a greate camera as well. I have applications on it so that it can be plugged into the MSI and used as a webcam.
Sony Alpha A6400 – DSLR Camera
I don’t always keep this one with me, typically only when I am going to a particular locatoin that I intend to do a lot of photography or portraits. In most cases the Pixel 7 Pro would suffice but this is an excellent camera when I need one.
This is a great budget Iphone, I always keep a phone of each of the major brands so I can help troubleshoot IT issues from the user’s device. I don’t really use this phone aside from that.
Lavalier Mic – Wireless Microphones
These seem pretty solid so far, I like to have a wireless mic option for when I’m doing art etc. and need to get directional sound. I may need to upgrade this one fairly soon.
MX Mechanical Keyboard – Best Keyboard
This is a mini keyboard with no numpad. But it is amazing, it allows you to pair multiple devices and toggle between the with a simple hotkey which is game-changing for the digital nomad and remote worker! Especially when paired with the MX Mouse
MX Mouse – Best Mouse for Multiple Devices
I am so glad I found this mouse and keyboard combo! I have the mouse and keyboard paired to my 3 laptops. When the mouse collides hard with the far right side of the screen on my personal device, it switches over to my work laptop and brings the keyboard with it. This is SO NICE for my work flow.
Samsung SSD – Thumbprint Secured Drive
It’s nice to have an external solidstate drive, this is for when I need faster transfer rates than the HDD or the flash drives. It’s thumbprinted to unlock so I am comfortable putting banking informatoin or investing documents on it. Nice to have and not very expensive.
Toshiba HDD – 4TB Bulk Storage
This is for storing the big stuff. Transfering large quantities of files when speed isn’t as important. This is a great place to keep backups and photodumps of raw camera files. Large drives like this have been getting more and more affordable.
Flash Drives – Rugged Lightweight
I love these little flash drives. They are a single piece of metal and I never have to worry about them bouncing around and getting damaged. They are also bottle openers just for fun. I always have 3-4 of these on me in case I need to move files to multiple devices at the same time.
I will probably be upgrading this soon, I just needed something I could fit in my bags and it does the trick but it’s a bit too light.
Portable Printer – Similar to Polaroid
This is my alternative to carrying a Polaroid for now, though I would like to have space for one! These is a great little printer if you just want to quickly get a memory on paper and give it to someone or save it. Bluetooth connected and fast!
Knife Sharpener – For Airbnb Knives
This one has turned out to be super important for me! So often I go to an airbnb and have all these great plans to make sashimi and can hardly find a knife sharp enough to do the job! These is absolutely the best answer to that I have ever found! Definitely not cheap, but it makes sharpening an absolute breeze.
Camera Travel Case – Leather Cover
If you are going to carry an expensive DSLR camera around with you I recommend getting a decently rugged cover for it. Helps reduce anxiety at very least.
Outlier Strongdarts Black – Best Traveling Pants
I’ve been looking for the perfect pair of black jeans for quite a while, one of my friends pointed me to Outlier. They are an extremely cool brand out of NYC, and they have a super cool website! They are hydrophobic and don’t seem to wrinkle or stain. They are a woven blend with a high percent of nylon which is where the strength must be coming from. Very happy with them.
Levi 510 Light Wash – Light Denim for Contrast
These are just a classic, gotta have a pair of light Levi’s for those times when the nice black jeans aren’t the play (which isn’t all the often to be fair) I knew I needed both, the Levi 510 is just one of my favorite cuts, a timeless classic. You really can’t go wrong.
Black Tshirts – Fresh Clean Tees
These are the best tshirts I have found thus far. I have 8 of these in black. It’s a comfortable, durable, well fitting shirt that just performs exactly how a tshirt should. I might dabble and try other tshirts from time to time, but this brand has always remained on top for me.
Right now I’m in my summer fit gear set, I usually am wearing boots from Thursday Boot Company, but for summer I usually have two pairs of Converse and that’s it. One hightop black, and then a classic black and white low cut.
Kodiak Backback – Primary Travel Bag
Kodiak makes some seriously beautiful luggage. I’ve been very happy with this backpack, it’s been on more planes than I would like to try and count. I have yet to have it get flagged as too large for a personal item, though it’s much more appropriate as a carry-on if you don’t want to push your luck. Though it does fit under the seat of most aircraft.
Kodiak Duffel – 60L Weekender Bag
I don’t usually bring this bag with me on my weekend remote trips. This would be the bag I would bring if I ever decide to check a bag, though it does fit in the overheads if I want to be brave and call the backpack a personal item on SOME airlines. It’s a stunning bag, the details are excellent.
Might as well get the matching accessories while you are at it. This is a great little toiletries bag, I have yet to have a single item damaged or leaking inside of this bag, it fits everything I need.
This was the first leather I ever purchased, bought it many years ago after searching for a great laptop bag for one of my first jobs. It’s still perfectly sound and I haven’t found a single flaw in the craftsmanship. If anything ever happens to it I would consider going Kodiak instead.
These are a must have for regular travelers. If you have products you really like or have a specific skincare regimen it’s unlikely you are going to find the exact products you want in travel size without sacrificing quality so I say buy contains are refill them monthly or so. Below are what I’m currently using, thinking about switching up my cleanser next time I run out. I also highly recommend creating a color coding system in your head so you always know which is which.
Cologne Atomizer – Travel Sized Cologne
This thing is amazing. You can very quickly take a full size cologne container and use it to fill up the vial inside the travel container. It just comes with a little nozzle that you pop onto the cologne top! It’s a very satisfying experience, makes me look forward to refill days.
This is my current go-to for the travel kit. A nice clean scent that I don’t get tired of.
I really like the size of this toothbrush, it’s got the timer one it which I like as well. It clips right into a solid rubberized container and fits perfectly in the toiletries bag.
These take some getting used to, but I love them now! You just chew them like a mint, and then brush! The key is to chew them with your molars on one side and then start brushing there.
Gotta have the gummies. Listen, yes I am a child. I don’t hate taking pills but I’m just not going to get around to it if it isn’t convenient, and I really need to make sure I am getting my vitamins while traveling so I’ve made it as convenient as possible! I have a little glass mason jar with these and ashwaganda gummies in my toiletries bag, part of the daily routine.
Something I started taking quite a few months ago, the only supplement I take aside from the multivitamin. I’ve found it’s a good addition to the daily routine.
Hard to find a good travel razor. This one is great! Allows me to shave my beard on a whim when I inevitably get bored of it and want to try a mustache or shave it all and look 18 years old. My only problem with this is I would love to find one that recharges USB-C like everything else.
This is a little nailclipper and grooming kit from Manscaped. Honestly the it all feels super solid but the clippers broke so now I’m on the lookout for a new one that is aesthetically pleasing.
Idk man, I was told you gotta have the Neosporin so I’ve got it.
This goes without saying, it’s the best. Don’t @ me burt’s bees girlies
These are great little floss sticks!
