Smart Packing List for Digital Nomads: What to Take, Store, and Donate

If you are a digital nomad, you know how important it is to pack and travel more efficiently to make the most out of each journey you embark on. We are here with a smart digital nomad packing list to keep in mind as you decide what to take with you, what to store, and what to donate before embarking on your next digital nomad adventure.

Keep in mind that this is a very general list and applies to different modes of transportation, including planes, trains and cars.

Learning How to Pack More Effectively

Learning to pack more effectively is a great skill for all travelers, but especially a digital nomad.

Mobility and Flexibility: Since digital nomads are often on the move and traveling between various locations, having a certain degree of mobility and flexibility is important. Efficient packing ensures you can pack your bags quickly to move on to the next destination without being weighed down and burdened by unnecessary or excessive luggage.

Cost Savings: Traveling light can save money on baggage fees on flights and other forms of transportation. Fewer belongings to haul around also reduce your need for larger accommodations during your travels, leading to a lot of cost savings in the long run.

Productivity: Having a well-organized packing strategy under your belt allows you to set up your workspace quickly as needed, no matter which location you land at. You can get to work faster and maintain productivity while traveling.

Adaptability: Since different locations have varying climates, technology options and cultural norms, packing smartly means you can more easily adapt to changing environments without carrying around unnecessary items.

What to Pack and Take With You

Now that you understand the importance of a smart packing list for a digital nomad, let’s break things down to show you how easy it is to achieve this minimalist packing strategy. When packing for an airplane, adhere to TSA guidelines regarding what you pack in your carry-on.

Electronics and Work Essentials

• Laptop and charger
• Smartphone and charger
• Power bank for charging while on the go
• Universal travel adapter
• Noise-canceling headphones, with microphone for video calls
• External hard drive or cloud storage for backups
• Portable Wi-Fi hotspot or SIM card to ensure reliable internet
• Necessary cables, including HDMI and USB cables
• Travel-friendly surge protector

Clothing and Essential Accessories

• Versatile clothing suitable for various climates
• Comfortable shoes for walking
• Weather appropriate outerwear
• Sunglasses
• Sleepwear, underwear, and comfortable loungewear
• Quick-drying, moisture-wicking clothing and socks
• Rain jacket or small, compact umbrella
• Travel-sized sewing kit

Tip: When picking clothing items to pack, focus on versatile clothing items that can carry you through different climates and can be mixed and matched to create several outfits with fewer pieces.

Toiletries and Personal Items

• Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, etc.
• Prescription medications
• Compact first aid kit
• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Personal grooming tools

Travel Gear and Accessories

• Lightweight backpack or daypack for excursions
• Packing cubes for organization
• Locks to secure your belongings
• Compact, foldable water bottle
• Travel wallet or organizer

Miscellaneous Items

• eBook reader or tablet
• Reusable utensils for on-the-go meals
• Copies of important documents you can store digitally or physically

Items to Store for Return Home

Here is a list of items you won’t need on your travels and are best stored until you return home.

• Seasonal Clothing like heavy winter coats, boots, scarves, and other cold-weather gear you won’t need in warmer weather. Also, store away lightweight summer clothing if you will be heading to a cooler destination.
• Clothing for special occasions that you don’t wear often.
• Larger bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. You want to stick with the smaller items that are easier to pack.
• Physical books, DVDs, CDs, gaming consoles, and other gadgets and entertainment items you don’t plan on utilizing during your travels and aren’t essential to your work.
• Home décor and sentimental items that you want to keep but don’t want to lug around with you or risk losing on your travels.
• Blenders, mixers, and other kitchen gadgets, appliances, and utensils you don’t use frequently on the road.
• Important documents that you don’t want to risk losing. You should always have duplicates securely stored.

Tip: When storing your items, ensure they are in a safe, secure, and climate-controlled environment. Label and organize everything so you can find it more easily when you get home and consider insurance or other protection if you are storing valuable items. Occasionally, check your storage to see if there are any items you would prefer to get rid of, donate, or discard.

You may want to share your storage access information with a trusted friend or family member while you are traveling in case you need access to items or information.

What to Donate or Throw Out

Before embarking on your digital nomad journey, declutter and minimize the amount of belongings you have. Here are some things you want to consider tossing or donating.

• Donate clothes that no longer fit, are not in style, or you simply don’t wear or want
• Clothing items you haven’t looked at in a year
• Get rid of duplicate or similar items. You don’t need five different white T-shirts.
• Donate formal wear that you never use or don’t plan on using in the future
• Shoes that are worn out can be tossed, and those you find uncomfortable but still in decent condition can be donated
• Donate shoes that don’t align with your current lifestyle
• Recycle old electronics that you no longer use or need and are outdated or non-functional
• Donate excess kitchen gadgets
• Toss chipped or cracked dishes and glassware
• Throw out expired or old pantry items
• Throw out broken or non-functional items
• Donate excess jewelry or accessories

If you can’t find a use for it and the item is still in decent condition, it can be donated to charities, shelters, or other local organizations. On the other hand, throw out any items that have seen better days, are no longer functioning, are expired, or are just old and worn out. If it can be recycled, be sure to do so.

We hope this digital nomad packing list is a good starting point for your travels. If you are ready to begin storing your items, EZ Storage in the Boston, MA area offers great peace of mind while you’re away.

We offer simple and secure storage solutions so you can travel worry-free, knowing the items you left behind are safe and will be in the same condition as you left them when you return.