Table of Contents

17 Top Digital Nomad Packing List Items for 2024 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

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Living as a digital nomad is becoming a popular way for many people to make a living working remotely. This lifestyle allows you the freedom to live and work as you please, bouncing around the globe at your leisure. As a digital nomad, the world is your oyster! However, that can make it tricky to know what to pack. 

We’ve put together this all-encompassing Digital Nomad Packing List plus we will help you figure out what to wear as a digital nomad, what NOT to pack, and answers to all your digital nomad FAQs.

guy-working-by-the-pool-and-ocean
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What to Pack as a Digital Nomad – 17 Essentials

  • 1. Universal Power Adapter

    This universal power adapter will come in handy nearly anywhere you decide to go as a digital nomad. This will be an essential tool whenever you plug in your phone, laptop, or any of your electronics when you’re working and living abroad. This adapter is awesome because it works in over 100 countries and comes with a lifetime warranty guarantee!

    Universal Power Adapter

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Jet Lag Relief

    As a digital nomad, you may decide to change locations on a whim. If you’re headed overseas and are planning to cross several time zones, you’ll be glad you brought this homeopathic jet lag relief! Use it both as a prevention and as a cure to clear your symptoms of jet lag and keep you working at your full potential.

    Jet Lag Relief

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

    A VPN will be a digital nomad’s best friend! Use it to access websites from home that may be blocked or censored in the country you’re traveling to, and protect yourself from potential hackers any time you connect to WiFi in public places like in cafes, airports, or airbnbs. A VPN can also be a useful way to get around paywalls on popular news sites.

    Virtual Private Network (VPN)

    View NordVPN.com Options ➜

  • 4. Neck Wallet

    A neck wallet will prove to be infinitely helpful as a digital nomad, as it provides a safe and secure place to keep your credit cards, cash, phone, passport, and any other valuables. Wear it under your clothes and around your neck to ensure your belongings stay protected from pickpockets.

    hero neck wallet

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 5. Notebook

    You’ll definitely want to have a good notebook as a digital nomad. Whether you need to jot down notes on the go or if you’d like to keep a journal during your adventures abroad, you’ll be glad you brought along a handy notebook. This one gets awesome reviews and is compact enough to toss in your purse or daypack.

    Notebook

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 6. Lipstick Sized Portable Charger

    A lipstick-sized portable charger is perfect for digital nomads, as you’ll likely often have the need to recharge your electronics on the go. This one can easily be kept in your daypack or backpack so you never need to worry about your phone or camera running out of battery when you’re out and about.

    Lipstick-Sized Charger

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. Packing Cubes

    Packing cubes will be a total lifesaver for digital nomads traveling often. Whether you’re headed out for the weekend or if you’re picking up your life and moving somewhere new, you’ll be glad you have packing cubes to keep you organized and help you to avoid overpacking. This set is awesome because it comes in a wide variety of different colors and sizes.

    aqua packing cubes

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 8. Windproof Travel Umbrella

    A windproof travel umbrella will be infinitely useful as a digital nomad. Protect yourself and your equipment from the wind and rain or keep yourself safe from the sun in hot and intensely sunny destinations. This is a great item to have with you wherever you’re traveling to, and is compact enough to toss into your daypack.

    travel umbrella

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 9. Activated Charcoal

    Activated charcoal pills can be a lifesaver when you’re working remotely from anywhere. If you’re out of the country and you eat or drink something that doesn’t sit well with you, you’ll be glad you brought these activated charcoal pills to quickly expel the toxins in your body and keep you on your feet.

    Activated Charcoal

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 10. LifeStraw Water Bottle

    A reusable water bottle is an absolutely essential part of the digital nomad lifestyle. No matter where you are, it’s extremely important to stay hydrated. Avoid spending money and doing harm to the environment by buying single-use plastic water bottles, and instead opt for a LifeStraw water bottle with a built in water filter.

    LifeStraw Water Bottle

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 11. Laptop

    This one seems like a no-brainer, but it’s likely that nearly every digital nomad will be in need of a reliable laptop! This one is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased right on Amazon! Using a laptop allows you the freedom to work from wherever, whenever, and you’re sure to be glad you’ve got one that you can count on.

    Laptop

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 12. Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads

    Travel insurance is incredibly important for digital nomads to have, as you’ll likely be moving around a lot and working in foreign and exotic places. TravelInsurance.com is a favorite of travelers throughout the world. We love their comprehensive and relatively inexpensive plans that give us peace of mind as we travel the globe and the ability to compare policies from top companies!

    Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads

    Compare policies at TravelInsurance.com ➜

  • 13. Daypack

    A daypack is a great item to have as a digital nomad, as it allows you to pack up and move as you want and need to throughout the day. If you’re in a foreign city and want to check out a variety of the area’s different coffee shops as you work, you’ll need a daypack to carry your things from place to place.

    pink daypack

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 14. Laptop Stand

    A laptop stand is an awesome thing to have for anyone working from home or remotely. This allows you to comfortably sit at your computer without having to strain your neck looking down at your laptop or trying to work with your computer perched in a weird position.

    Laptop Stand

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 15. Electrolytes

    Electrolytes are key whether you’re traveling or not! Especially if you’re headed somewhere hot or plan to do a lot of physical activity, you’ll need to make sure your body is properly hydrated at all times. Adding some of these electrolytes to your drinking water will help kill a hangover, too!

    Hydration

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 16. Deodorant Wipes

    When you’re out and about as a digital nomad, you may at times get sweaty and gross without the option for a shower! If you find yourself in need of a quick freshening up during your travels, simply use one of these handy deodorant wipes to keep you feeling and smelling much cleaner!

    body wipes

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 17. Gorgeous Outfit

    During your adventures as a digital nomad, you will inevitably make new friends and find yourself wanting to spend a night out on the town and enjoy the nightlife scene in your new destination. Be sure to bring at least one gorgeous outfit that will help you to look and feel great during your nights out!

    Gorgeous Outfit

    View on Amazon.com ➜

What to Wear as a Digital Nomad

What to wear as a digital nomad will largely depend on where you’re located. Your clothing will depend on the weather, season, and culture wherever you’re headed. Regardless of where you’re going, the digital nomad lifestyle tends to be a casual one. Be sure to respect cultural norms with your clothing choices, and other than that, you’re free to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable!
Lady working by the pool
What Should WOMEN Wear as a Digital Nomad? – (Click to expand)
Below is a sample women’s clothing list. (All items link to Amazon.com for your convenience).

Ankle Strap Espadrille
sun dress
jeans
t-shirt
Shawl
Shorts
running-shoes
Skirt
v-neck-top
sunglasses
Tank Top
Sport Shorts

As digital nomads, women should dress for the weather and season in the destination they choose to work in. Be prepared with layers and neutral colored clothing that are versatile and can be used as you inevitably choose to change locations, as is consistent with the digital nomad lifestyle!

What Should MEN Wear as a Digital Nomad?– (Click to expand)
Below is a sample men’s clothing list. (All items link to Amazon.com for your convenience).

Flip Flop
Sunglasses
Fit Jeans
Ultra Cotton Adult T-shirt
Belts
Short
Long Sleeve Henley Shirt
Running Shoe
Sweat Pants
Sweatshirt
cap
shirt
short

Men should wear whatever makes them feel comfortable as a digital nomad. This will largely depend on the weather, season, and culture in the destination of their choosing. Typically, men will opt for more casual clothing on the day to day, including jeans, t-shirts, and comfortable shoes.

How to Dress for Different Activities as a Digital Nomad – (Click to expand)
Coffee Shops – The average digital nomad will do most of their work from various coffee shops and internet cafes in their destination. Dress casually, wearing whatever makes you feel most comfortable. You’ll also want to take into account the season, and consider wearing layers.

Exploring Cities – Depending on where you’re headed, you’ll want to dress for the culture and season in your destination. You’ll want to look more put together and opt for neutral colors in Europe and dress more conservatively in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Nights Out – As a digital nomad, you’ll inevitably spend evenings out on the town. Bring a couple of nice outfits that will work for dinner, drinks, and nightlife in general. Be wary of bringing high heels, as they may be a hazard in cities with cobblestone or unpaved streets.

Beaches – Beaches nearly everywhere in the world require a similar wardrobe. Bring your swimsuit, a swimsuit cover up, a sunhat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Don’t forget flip flops and your beach bag and you’re good to go!

What NOT to bring as a Digital Nomad

  • 1.DON’T PACK too much stuff

    The last thing you want as a digital nomad is to be bogged down by packing too much stuff! Pack light and only bring what you really need. This will also save room in your suitcase for souvenirs you bring back!

  • 2.DON’T BRING heavy books

    Try your best to have everything digitally, or consolidate your heavy books on a Kindle. This will make moving from location to location much easier and will keep your luggage free for other items.

  • 3.DON’T TAKE lots of cash

    You won’t want to risk having too much cash on you at any given time as a digital nomad who is constantly moving. Instead, get an ATM card with no international fees and split the cash you do carry up into separate parts of your luggage so if one gets lost or stolen, you won’t lose everything.

  • 4.DON’T PACK flashy or expensive jewelry

    Don’t bring super expensive or expensive-looking jewelry with you as a digital nomad, as it makes you a target for pickpockets and petty theft. Leave your best valuables at home where they’re safe!

  • 5.DON’T BRING clothing to out you as a tourist

    Digital nomads typically try to blend in in their destination as they’ll likely be living and working there for a while. Avoid wearing clothes that make you look like an obvious tourist, like Hawaiian shirts and clothing with American flag print to keep from drawing attention to yourself.

  • 6.DON’T TAKE “just in case” items

    Wherever you’re headed, you’ll most likely be able to buy anything you need in those “just in case” scenarios. Leave the extra items at home, as they’ll only weigh you down when you’re on the road.

What Clothing Should I NOT wear as a Digital Nomad? – (Click to expand)
As a digital nomad, you will most likely want to avoid wearing clothing that is too fancy, as the nomadic lifestyle tends to be a more casual one. Try not to wear flashy or expensive-looking jewelry while you’re in crowded, touristy, or developing destinations to avoid making yourself a target for pickpockets and theft. If you’re visiting conservative or religious locations, avoid wearing tight or overly revealing clothing out of respect for the culture, local customs, and your personal safety.

FAQs about Digital Nomad

  • 1. What is a digital nomad?

    A digital nomad is someone who makes a living working remotely using telecommunications technologies and lives as a nomad, constantly moving from destination to destination, not often staying in one place for too long.

  • 2. How often should I travel as a digital nomad?

    As a digital nomad, you have the ability to travel as much or as little as you want. Many digital nomads will choose a destination and stay there for several weeks or even several months before choosing to move on to their next destination.

  • 3. Where should I go as a digital nomad?

    When you choose the digital nomad lifestyle, the world is your oyster! You are free to go nearly anywhere in the world, as long as you make sure to have the proper travel and visa requirements before you decide to make your move. It’s important to look up what those requirements are and make sure you leave enough time to fulfill them before you go.

  • 4. Is it possible to make a living as a digital nomad?

    Absolutely! There are so many ways you can make a living as a digital nomad, from teaching to sales to blogging and beyond. There are plenty of jobs that can be completed remotely, and with the rise of technology, more and more companies are offering working remotely as an option.

  • 5. Do I need a visa to be a digital nomad?

    It depends. Whether or not you need a visa will depend on where you decide to go and how long you plan to stay. Many countries will allow you to enter and stay for a certain amount of time on a tourist visa before you will need to apply for something more significant.