2020 Must-Have Digital Nomad Gear and Services
There is so much gear to choose from when you’re a frequent traveler. Making sure you have everything you need for long-term wandering can be stressful, and there are even more things to prep for when you work on the road. If you’re going to less developed countries, it might not be easy to find things you need while you’re there. Getting Amazon deliveries to your doorstep in two days will definitely not be an option. So prepare ahead of time and check out this list of our recommended digital nomad gear and services for 2020!
PACKING GEAR
Whether you’re a full time nomad, or have a home base that you travel from often, your packing routine has to be efficient and organized to keep sane. Here are some of the products I’ve found that help take the packing stress away.
Digital Luggage Scale
One of the most stressful pre-flight worries is hoping your checked bag won’t be over the weight limit. We’ve all been there – frantically rummaging around your suitcase on the airport floor for the heaviest items you can try to squeeze into your carry-on or wear on your body. This portable digital luggage scale is cheap, small and will allow you to pack smarter and arrive at the airport knowing your suitcase is good-to-go! I can’t believe I didn’t get one sooner.
Packing Cubes
These have been a hot topic for frequent travelers as their popularity grew over the last few years, and no digital nomad gear and services list is complete without them. After using packing cubes, I can definitely say it makes a difference in how organized your packing is, and how much you can fit into your suitcase. We love this company’s sets for their quality and customer service, and you can choose between a two, three or six piece set.
Foldable Duffel Bag
If you tend to collect things in your travels, or travel with the intention of stocking up on something from that destination, these foldable duffel bags are amazing. They are super compact and fold up flat and small in your carry on for when you are heading somewhere without a lot of luggage. Then you can open it up and fill it with your finds for your trip back. Since we’ve been based in Costa Rica for many years, this has become my routine for when I fly to the U.S. and stock up on things I can’t find in Costa Rica.
Digital Accessories
Being able to set up your work station anywhere requires the right gear and the right plan. These accessories are not to be forgotten on your digital nomad gear and services checklist.
Portable Laptop Stand, Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
For years I worked with my laptop flat on my desk, and didn’t understand what the big deal was about laptop stands… until my neck started to have awful chronic pain that I couldn’t get rid of! I realized my desk ergonomics were totally off, and I was hunching over my laptop causing serious strain on my neck and shoulders. Once I invested in this stand and an external keyboard, the pain disappeared. This stand folds up for portability, and has adjustable height to get your positioning just right for you. (**Compare to the popular “Roost” Laptop stand – this one is the same stand for half the price!**)
Waterproof Wifi Action Camera
We were comparing GoPro models and debating which to try for so long, but all the reviews were making us hesitant to spend the money on any of them. Then, we found this alternative and could not be happier with the results so far. This waterproof action camera comes with all kinds of mount accessories, a wrist remote, wifi capabilities and is able to be controlled from an app too. It has amazing video quality and image stabilization, and is super small and easy to travel with. We haven’t even tested out all the cool functions yet but we are already very impressed with the quality for the price.
External Hard Drive
You may use a cloud service for backups, but backing up larger files on slow wifi could take hours and you don’t want to get stuck waiting or lose your work. Having a durable external hard drive is a must-have for all digital nomads.
Portable Battery
For when you’re on the road without a place to plug in and recharge your devices, a backup battery can really save the day. There is nothing worse than arriving somewhere with a dead phone that can’t access your AirBnB info, or call and Uber. There are many options out there, but this battery is both powerful and portable.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Another popular digital nomad item is noise cancelling headphones. Being able to block out noise and distractions at cafes, coworking spaces, at airports or on trains and busses is essential for getting work done on the go. I tend to like the wired headphones because it’s one less thing to remember to charge, but many people opt for a wireless version.
Safety Gear and Services
I’m always planning for every scenario, so safety gear is something high on my list of must-haves to avoid panic or discomfort in different travel scenarios. Better to be safe than sorry!
Emergency Travel and Medical Insurance
This is not something you should go abroad without! There are a few options designed just for digital nomads, and I’ve had Safety Wing for awhile now. It’s incredibly affordable at only $37/ mo (if you’re under 40), and worth every penny for the peace of mind it will provide. They have been amazing and I’ve submitted travel delay expense claims and medical emergency claims very easily. You’re covered almost anywhere in the world (except a small list of high-risk countries that you probably won’t be traveling to anyway), and it’s even valid for incidentals in your home country for 30 days (15 days if your home country is the USA). Trever learned the hard way that emergency medical insurance is not something to skip – he got dengue fever and a lung infection at the same time and had to pay thousands of dollars for hospitalization in Costa Rica. Needless to say, he now has Safety Wing too.
Travel Door Alarm
When you’re bouncing around from different AirBnBs and hotels in new and unfamiliar places, it can give you peace of mind to have some personal security in your rentals. This travel door alarm is inexpensive and easy to use, and will help you sleep better at night- especially if you’re a solo female traveler.
Carbon Monoxide Detector
This is hardly ever on nomad gear lists, but it’s SO important. Bringing your own carbon monoxide alarm can save your life. When booking AirBnBs you will often see a warning that there are no CO detectors at the property, and it’s not required for AirBnB hosts to install one. After reading about a few tragic cases where travelers died of CO poisoning at vacation rentals, I got my own detector to take with me! I have the simple “First Alert” battery operated one, but I might upgrade to this digital travel CO detector soon, as it seems to be more reliable and sensitive according to reviews.
Pepper Spray and Personal Alarm
Another must for solo female travelers. This set includes pepper spray with a 10ft range, and a personal alarm that sounds at 120dB, heard up to 600 feet away. If you keep it on your keychain or clipped to your purse/backpack and have it easily accessible, it can make you feel a little safer when walking alone in a new place. If you travel with your dog and you’re worried about aggressive off-leash dogs approaching (which happens often in many countries) the alarm would almost certainly break up a fight. I’d hate to use pepper spray on an animal, of course, but if myself or my dog are at risk of getting mauled then a little pepper spray seems warranted! You do have to have this in a checked bag when flying, so if you only travel with a carry-on don’t try to sneak it in or it will get taken by TSA.
LifeStraw Go water Filter Bottle
Most people carry their own refillable water bottles now to be eco-friendly and plastic-free. But when you’re traveling and unsure of the quality of water sources, why not add a filter to that?! I love knowing that I can fill up from the tap and filter water right as I drink it. You’ll save money and save your tummy from any nasty bacteria or protozoa invasions. Make sure to pack extra filters, too.
First Aid Kit
This is especially important if you are hiking or staying anywhere that is remote. Crazy things happen, and the things in a first aid kit could save you or someone you’re with in a pinch until you get help. At the very least, it’s just good to have the tools to disinfect and bandage a wound if you get hurt. It’s one of those things you may never use, but the day you do, you’ll be very glad you had it! This one has all the basics and comes in a neat little pouch.
Miscellaneous Digital Nomad Gear and Services
A few more essentials that will make your life easier abroad!
A credit card with NO international fees
Having the CapitalOne Venture One card has saved me SO much money in international fees over the years. If you use your debit card abroad you’ll see the international fees start to stack up, so I just use this card everywhere and pay off my balance at the end of every month so I don’t accumulate debt or have to pay interest. You’ll also earn miles and can erase travel purchases with your points. There is NO annual fee for this card, and there are all kind of other benefits like auto insurance for rentals and travel accident insurance. I even just saw that they will reimburse you up to $100 for your application fee on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck!
Apply using MY REFERRAL LINK and you will get a $100 bonus if approved!
Note that you do have to have an excellent credit rating to get this card.
Belt Bag / Fanny Pack
There are so many times I am glad I have this belt bag, so I can go hands-free without a long cross body bag flopping around, and also so I can keep my valuables close to my body and easy to reach. It’s so much easier to access money, passport, tickets, etc. from a small front wearing bag like this, and keep all your bulkier items in your backpack or suitcase. I wear this one around my waist sometimes, and other times I loosen the straps and wear it like a tighter cross body bag so it hangs at my chest. It’s durable and well-made and goes with just about all my outfits.
Quick Dry Microfiber Towels
These quick dry towels are a must for travel. I love this little set that has a full size and hand/face towel in it. There are little tags on the ends that snap into a loop for easy hanging wherever you can find a place, and these really do dry super fast. The set also comes in it’s own little zippered pack.
Collapsible Dog Bowl and Water Bottle Set
If you travel with a dog like I do, you’ll need travel gear for your pup as well! This bowl and bottle set has come in so handy and I’ve had it for years now. Just make sure you clean out the inside of the water bottle really well to keep your dog safe from mold.
Your NOMAD Shirt
Don’t forget to represent the movement with your Nomad tee or tank top! Shop all styles here.
We hope that this digital nomad gear and services list was a helpful resource for planning your travels! Happy Nomad-ing!