I started a lifetime of full-time journey method again in 2012 – lengthy earlier than the times of #vanlife, distant employees, or digital nomads. The world has grow to be much more accommodating of the approach to life within the decade since, however most of what’s true then stays true nonetheless. The important thing to freedom has at all times been minimization and the power to hold all the things you want on simply your again.
Accordingly, no journey companion is extra vital to the digital nomad than their trusty backpack! We reside like snails, carrying our houses on our backs. It’s vital that we select a bag that’s comfy, versatile, sturdy, and versatile sufficient to “carry the load” each actually and figuratively.
On this information, I’ll reveal which options you should contemplate when selecting the very best backpack for you, in addition to useful insights from devoted journey specialists.
What can we imply by a digital nomad?
By definition, a nomad is somebody who’s at all times on the transfer, untethered to anybody location. After we confer with digital nomads, we imply these free-spirited people whose “dwelling workplace” is anyplace with Wi-Fi.
It’s one thing of a catch-all time period that could possibly be equally used to explain somebody who lives and works regionally however modifications venues ceaselessly, a jet-setter unbound by state and even nation, or anybody in between.
Increasingly more younger professionals are embracing this nomadic life-style because the alternatives for distant work proceed to extend. They’ve realized the liberty that comes from a minimalist life-style and that each one they actually need are their work/life necessities and the correct backpack to comprise them.
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Understanding your wants
There isn’t any one true “finest” digital nomad backpack, however there may be one that’s actually finest for you! Think about your private life-style and priorities to make sure the bag you select is optimized to fit your distinctive wants.
Journey frequency & period
What sort of digital nomad are you? What’s the longest your journeys are usually, and the way typically are you on-the-go? The extra you journey, the extra you’ll want to prioritize sturdiness, consolation, and suppleness. The longer your journeys are usually, the extra measurement will matter.
Work necessities & gear load out
How a lot work gear do you should pack to be able to be productive? Are you able to comfortably work with nothing greater than a laptop computer, or are you bringing binders and keyboards and quite a lot of different gadgets?
Each digital nomad’s backpack ought to completely have a padded, devoted pocket for his or her laptop computer. Past that, the quantity of customization and group relies on your wants. As a photographer carrying quite a lot of totally different lenses, filters, and digital camera, my good backpack may be very totally different than my associate’s who wants little greater than a telephone and laptop computer for her work!
Private packing type – mild or heavy?
I at all times intend to be a minimalist, but someway justify taking each “simply in case” merchandise with me on each journey. In different phrases, I’ve begrudgingly accepted that I’m certainly a heavy packer.
Heavy packers will prioritize measurement and luxury when looking for the correct backpack. All that further weight can do a quantity in your shoulders and again, so don’t decrease the significance of correct assist!
Gentle packers, nonetheless, worth group above all else. If house is proscribed, it’s vital that it is usually maximized.
“Because of The Cloud, I don’t have to hold quite a lot of work necessities so I’ve loads of room to pack garments, books and different gadgets within the hidden compartments.” – Keith Bristol, One Bag Lifer & Knack CDO
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Measurement & Capability
Completely different measurement choices
As a digital nomad, you shouldn’t be complicated your wants for that of a hostel-to-hostel backpacker. Whereas a large, 70-liter bag is an efficient choice for vacationers who can be perpetually transferring for months on finish, the overwhelming majority of digital nomads have a bit extra stability than that.
So long as you might be often going to have a house base, even when it is going to be altering every now and then, I extremely suggest bringing one massive piece of baggage and one backpack in your day by day life. The best measurement of a backpack for a digital nomad needs to be no smaller than 24 liters, however no bigger than 45 liters.
Airline Compliance
Most airways enable their passengers a complimentary carry-on bag in addition to one “private merchandise”.
Within the US, most home airways shouldn’t have a weight restrict in your carry-on baggage however have measurement limitations of 9 x 14 x 22 inches. I like to recommend most nomads personal one piece of carry-on baggage with high-quality wheels as they supply extra storage than duffels or backpacks and can be rolled a majority of the time.
The private merchandise is the place you wish to be further choosy! Airways roughly outline a “private merchandise” as a bit of hand baggage that’s sufficiently small to suit beneath your seat. This consists of laptop computer luggage, purses, and notably, backpacks! Whereas 35 liters is probably the most you’ll be able to hope to say as a private merchandise, most US and worldwide airways enable carry-on luggage as much as 45 liters.
“I’m in a position to hold my garments and tech separate, which is essential for these quick journeys. When flying, the Knack Pack matches underneath the airplane seat in entrance of me. Now I don’t fear about having to gate test my bag!” – Dr. John Campione, Host of Rock Tape Podcaster & Digital Nomad
MORE >> The Complete Information to Backpack Sizes & Liters
Model of Journey
Mountain climbing/out of doors
Panorama images is likely one of the best sources of pleasure I’ve on this world and is a large a part of my work and life. This pleasure for the outside comes with quite a lot of challenges, nonetheless, with regards to packing. Unpredictable circumstances require your equipment to be sturdy and weather-protected.
In case your travels embrace vital time exploring nature, your backpack must be robust. It additionally must be comfy sufficient for lengthy hikes. These are the first options you need to be taking note of when buying in your good backpack.
Metropolis life
Conversely, digital nomads who can be spending most of their time in cities must concentrate on group and security measures. Metropolis residing doesn’t are usually as punishing in your bag as nature can be, but it surely does include a far higher danger of theft.
The proper backpack for digital nomads residing in cities can have plenty of pockets and instruments for group. Be sure it additionally has lockable zippers; a easy journey padlock will guarantee your belongings keep secure, particularly if public transport is a part of your day by day commute.
One other anti-theft characteristic that’s good to have is pockets with anti-RFID lining. This retains dangerous guys from getting your private data from any playing cards that you just carry with an embedded chip which permits contactless fee (like most bank cards).
Street tripping
Now we’re talking my language! As an admitted “heavy packer” and unabashed vagabond, life on the street fits me in each method. Touring by car means I don’t need to assume so exhausting about getting all the things into one bag, nor coping with public transportation.
The scariest half and largest downfall about this life-style, nonetheless, is that your entire belongings are sometimes secured by nothing greater than a single pane of glass. Accordingly, I at all times make sure that to pack something I can’t afford to lose on a day journey, even when I received’t be utilizing it. This implies all these cameras and lenses are coming with me even when I’ve no intention of photographing.
Because of this, street warrior-style nomads worth a backpack that’s spacious and versatile. One thing with expandable quantity is good, permitting the identical bag to be as helpful for brief walks round an space as it’s in instances when the automobile can be unattended and all the things vital goes to be resting in your two wandering shoulders.
Seaside
Most digital nomads I’ve met all through my travels had been known as to the approach to life by a daydream of working with their toes curled in golden sand. And who may blame them?
For these of you whose dwelling workplace goes to be underneath palm timber, your best concern needs to be defending your electronics from the salt and sand hazards that seashores create. Be completely certain your backpack is totally sealed in order that positive sand doesn’t discover its method inside. Search for one thing that’s water resistant in addition to the salt in ocean spray can corrode digital units akin to telephones and laptops.
Compartments
Padded laptop computer sleeve
Whereas many options of the right digital nomad backpack may be seen as merely “helpful”, a padded laptop computer sleeve is important! In any case, a nomad’s laptop computer has grow to be the equal of an all-in-one dwelling workplace. It needs to be packed someplace secure always throughout transport, which is frequent on this explicit life-style.
Wire & accent pockets
A wide range of pockets is vital for group generally, however it’s further vital to digital nomads. With out allotted pockets, your cords and equipment are usually the gadgets that simply get shoved into the abyss and broken or misplaced. As well as, these pockets are actually useful for speedy set-up and tear-down when working in quite a lot of areas.
Zippable water bottle pocket
Okay, this one isn’t precisely important, however it’s surprisingly useful! I can’t inform you what number of instances I’ve dropped that stable steel toe-smasher from one of many finicky exterior holders with my previous backpack, which explains why I’m so excessive on having a zippable pocket for it.
Hidden pockets for anti-theft measures
It’s scary to be on the go along with so many helpful gadgets carried by crowds proper in your again. Inside, hidden pockets guarantee gadgets like passports and wallets are secure and safe, whereas nonetheless sustaining group.
Supplies & Consolation
Sturdiness
It needs to be clear by now that as a digital nomad, your backpack will get a LOT of use. Because of this, sturdiness is paramount! Your backpack merely should be capable to stand up to the pains of fixed journey. Key sturdiness to options to search for embrace strengthened seams, sturdy zippers, and high-quality materials akin to materials with high-twist yarn.
Water-resistance
Water resistant materials is vital for shielding your laptops and electronics from unpredictable climate. It additionally suggests a higher-quality backpack building. This characteristic turns into further vital in the event you’re like me and like to spend so much of time in nature whereas touring, permitting your day-to-day bag to double as a weekend warrior on the mountaineering trails.
Consolation of straps
You’re going to be carrying the burden of your world in your shoulders day in and time out; consolation is important. The most effective backpacks characteristic an ergonomic design with adjustable and padded shoulder straps that let you distribute weight evenly throughout each shoulders.
Padded again
Personally, experiencing the consolation of Knack’s reminiscence foam padded again is what offered me on the #OneBagLife model. I by no means realized simply how a lot distinction the comfort-cool padding could make on lengthy hauls, whether or not that be by quite a few airports on a hike. The added cushioning not solely offers considerably extra consolation, but it surely additionally promotes airflow and prevents a sweaty again.
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FAQs
What measurement backpack ought to I take advantage of for a ten day journey?
A complete of 50-70 liters between your backpack(s) and baggage is often sufficient for a ten day journey. If laundry providers can be found, the decrease finish of this vary turns into extra viable.
How can I inform if my backpack is carry-on appropriate?
Most home US airways enable baggage or backpacks as a carry-on merchandise so long as it’s inside the dimensions of 9x14x22 inches with no weight limits. Bear in mind, most day-to-day backpacks are permitted as a private merchandise which you might be allowed along with a carry-on.
How a lot ought to I funds for a very good digital nomad backpack?
A top-end digital nomad backpack will sometimes price between $200-$300, with funds choices within the $100-$150 vary. As digital nomads carry their lives on their backs, a high-quality backpack is very really helpful.
Is a backpack higher than a suitcase for digital nomads?
Digital nomads ought to journey with 1 carry-on sized suitcase and 1 high-quality backpack that they’ll fly as their “private merchandise”. This permits the utmost quantity of packing house with out having to test luggage whereas additionally making certain a helpful day-to-day choice is on the market whereas touring.
Adam and Sophie Marland
Adam and Sophie Marland are the adventurous duo behind We Dream of Journey. They first met as broke backpackers in Australia in 2016, the place an opportunity encounter led to an sudden connection. Regardless of parting methods, destiny introduced them collectively once more, igniting a shared ardour for journey, images, and different life. At present, they journey the world as writers, photographers, and journey guides, capturing gorgeous moments and galvanizing others to discover life past the abnormal.
