In the life of the intrepid digital nomad, little more is required than what can be fit into a backpack (and perhaps a few pieces of luggage). The importance of said backpack is obvious, but knowing which features separate an ordinary bag from the perfect digital nomad backpack is not. In this guide, I will explain how to find the right backpack for you while providing further expert insight from full-time travelers.
I began a life of full-time travel way back in 2012 - long before the days of #vanlife, remote workers, or digital nomads. The world has become far more accommodating of the lifestyle in the decade since, but most of what is true then remains true still. The key to freedom has always been minimization and the ability to carry everything you need on just your back.
Accordingly, no travel companion is more important to the digital nomad than their trusty backpack! We live like snails, carrying our homes on our backs. It is vital that we choose a bag that is comfortable, versatile, durable, and flexible enough to “carry the load” both literally and figuratively.
In this guide, I will reveal which features you need to consider when choosing the best backpack for you, as well as helpful insights from dedicated travel experts.
Table of Contents
- What do we mean by a digital nomad?
- Understanding your Needs
- Size & Capacity
- Style of Travel
- Compartments
- Materials & Comfort
- FAQs
- Reviews
What do we mean by a digital nomad?
By definition, a nomad is someone who is always on the move, untethered to any one location. When we refer to digital nomads, we mean those free-spirited individuals whose “home office” is anywhere with Wi-Fi.
It is something of a catch-all term that could be equally used to describe someone who lives and works locally but changes venues frequently, a jet-setter unbound by state or even country, or anyone in between.
More and more young professionals are embracing this nomadic lifestyle as the opportunities for remote work continue to increase. They’ve realized the freedom that comes from a minimalist lifestyle and that all they really need are their work/life essentials and the right backpack to contain them.
>>MORE: Minimalist Travel Packing List
Understanding your needs
There is no one true “best” digital nomad backpack, but there is one that is truly best for you! Consider your personal lifestyle and priorities to ensure the bag you choose is optimized to suit your unique needs.
Travel frequency & duration
What type of digital nomad are you? What is the longest your trips tend to be, and how often are you on-the-go? The more you travel, the more you will want to prioritize durability, comfort, and flexibility. The longer your trips tend to be, the more size will matter.
Work requirements & gear load out
How much work gear do you need to pack in order to be productive? Can you comfortably work with nothing more than a laptop, or are you bringing binders and keyboards and a variety of other items?
Every digital nomad’s backpack should absolutely have a padded, dedicated pocket for their laptop. Beyond that, the amount of customization and organization depends on your needs. As a photographer carrying a variety of different lenses, filters, and camera, my perfect backpack is very different than my partner’s who needs little more than a phone and laptop for her work!
Personal packing style - light or heavy?
I always intend to be a minimalist, yet somehow justify taking every “just in case” item with me on every trip. In other words, I have begrudgingly accepted that I am indeed a heavy packer.
Heavy packers will prioritize size and comfort when seeking the right backpack. All that extra weight can do a number on your shoulders and back, so do not minimize the importance of proper support!
Light packers, however, value organization above all else. If space is limited, it’s important that it is also maximized.
“Thanks to The Cloud, I don’t have to carry a lot of work essentials so I have plenty of room to pack clothes, books and other items in the hidden compartments.” - Keith Bristol, One Bag Lifer & Knack CDO
>>MORE: Why You Need an Expandable Backpack
Size & Capacity
Different size options
As a digital nomad, you should not be confusing your needs for that of a hostel-to-hostel backpacker. While a massive, 70-liter bag is a good option for travelers who will be perpetually moving for months on end, the vast majority of digital nomads have a bit more stability than that.
As long as you are usually going to have a home base, even if it will be changing from time to time, I highly recommend bringing one large piece of luggage and one backpack for your daily life. The ideal size of a backpack for a digital nomad should be no smaller than 24 liters, but no larger than 45 liters.
Airline Compliance
Most airlines allow their passengers a complimentary carry-on bag as well as one “personal item”.
In the US, most domestic airlines do not have a weight limit for your carry-on luggage but have size limitations of 9 x 14 x 22 inches. I recommend most nomads own one piece of carry-on luggage with high-quality wheels as they provide more storage than duffels or backpacks and will be rolled a majority of the time.
The personal item is where you want to be extra picky! Airlines roughly define a “personal item” as a piece of hand luggage that is small enough to fit underneath your seat. This includes laptop bags, purses, and notably, backpacks! While 35 liters is the most you can hope to claim as a personal item, most US and international airlines allow carry-on bags up to 45 liters.
“I’m able to keep my clothes and tech separate, which is critical for these short trips. When flying, the Knack Pack fits under the airplane seat in front of me. Now I don’t worry about having to gate check my bag!” - Dr. John Campione, Host of Rock Tape Podcaster & Digital Nomad
>> MORE: The Comprehensive Guide to Backpack Sizes & Liters
Style of Travel
Hiking/outdoor
Landscape photography is one of the greatest sources of joy I have in this world and is a huge part of my work and life. This joy for the outdoors comes with a lot of challenges, however, when it comes to packing. Unpredictable conditions require your kit to be durable and weather-protected.
If your travels include significant time exploring nature, your backpack needs to be tough. It also needs to be comfortable enough for long hikes. These are the primary features you should be paying attention to when shopping for your perfect backpack.
City life
Conversely, digital nomads who will be spending most of their time in cities need to focus on organization and security features. City living does not tend to be as punishing on your bag as nature will be, but it does come with a far greater risk of theft.
The perfect backpack for digital nomads living in cities will have lots of pockets and tools for organization. Make sure it also has lockable zippers; a simple travel padlock will ensure your belongings stay safe, especially if public transport is part of your daily commute.
Another anti-theft feature that is nice to have is pockets with anti-RFID lining. This keeps bad guys from getting your personal information from any cards that you carry with an embedded chip which enables contactless payment (like most credit cards).
Road tripping
Now we’re speaking my language! As an admitted “heavy packer” and unabashed vagabond, life on the road suits me in every way. Traveling by vehicle means I don’t have to think so hard about getting everything into one bag, nor dealing with public transportation.
The scariest part and biggest downfall about this lifestyle, however, is that all of your belongings are often secured by nothing more than a single pane of glass. Accordingly, I always make sure to pack anything I can’t afford to lose on a day trip, even if I won’t be using it. This means all those cameras and lenses are coming with me even if I have no intention of photographing.
For this reason, road warrior-style nomads value a backpack that is spacious and versatile. Something with expandable volume is ideal, allowing the same bag to be as useful for short walks around an area as it is in times when the car will be unattended and everything important is going to be resting on your two wandering shoulders.
Beach
Most digital nomads I have met throughout my travels were called to the lifestyle by a daydream of working with their toes curled in golden sand. And who could blame them?
For those of you whose home office is going to be under palm trees, your greatest concern should be protecting your electronics from the salt and sand hazards that beaches create. Be absolutely sure your backpack is completely sealed so that fine sand doesn’t find its way inside. Look for something that is water-resistant as well as the salt in ocean spray can corrode electronic devices such as phones and laptops.
Compartments
Padded laptop sleeve
While many features of the perfect digital nomad backpack can be seen as merely “useful”, a padded laptop sleeve is essential! After all, a nomad’s laptop has become the equivalent of an all-in-one home office. It should be packed someplace safe at all times during transport, which is frequent in this particular lifestyle.
Cord & accessory pockets
A variety of pockets is important for organization in general, but it is extra important to digital nomads. Without allocated pockets, your cords and accessories tend to be the items that just get shoved into the abyss and damaged or lost. In addition, these pockets are really helpful for rapid set-up and tear-down when working in a variety of locations.
Zippable water bottle pocket
Ok, this one isn’t exactly essential, but it is surprisingly handy! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dropped that solid metal toe-smasher from one of the finicky external holders with my old backpack, which explains why I am so high on having a zippable pocket for it.
Hidden pockets for anti-theft measures
It is scary to be on the go with so many valuable items carried through crowds right on your back. Internal, hidden pockets ensure items like passports and wallets are safe and secure, while still maintaining organization.
Materials & Comfort
Durability
It should be clear by now that as a digital nomad, your backpack will get a LOT of use. For this reason, durability is paramount! Your backpack simply must be able to withstand the rigors of constant travel. Key durability to features to look for include reinforced seams, sturdy zippers, and high-quality material such as fabrics with high-twist yarn.
Water-resistance
Water-resistant material is important for protecting your laptops and electronics from unpredictable weather. It also suggests a higher-quality backpack construction. This feature becomes extra important if you’re like me and like to spend a lot of time in nature while traveling, allowing your day-to-day bag to double as a weekend warrior on the hiking trails.
Comfort of straps
You’re going to be carrying the weight of your world on your shoulders day in and day out; comfort is vital. The best backpacks feature an ergonomic design with adjustable and padded shoulder straps that allow you to distribute weight evenly across both shoulders.
Padded back
Personally, experiencing the comfort of Knack’s memory foam padded back is what sold me on the #OneBagLife brand. I never realized just how much difference the comfort-cool padding can make on long hauls, whether that be through numerous airports on a hike. The added cushioning not only provides substantially more comfort, but it also promotes airflow and prevents a sweaty back.
>> MORE: What Are Backpacks Made Of?
FAQs
What size backpack should I use for a 10 day trip?
A total of 50-70 liters between your backpack(s) and luggage is typically enough for a 10 day trip. If laundry services are available, the lower end of this range becomes more viable.
How can I tell if my backpack is carry-on compatible?
Most domestic US airlines allow luggage or backpacks as a carry-on item as long as it is within the dimensions of 9x14x22 inches with no weight limits. Remember, most day-to-day backpacks are permitted as a personal item which you are allowed in addition to a carry-on.
How much should I budget for a good digital nomad backpack?
A top-end digital nomad backpack will typically cost between $200-$300, with budget options in the $100-$150 range. As digital nomads carry their lives on their backs, a high-quality backpack is highly recommended.
Is a backpack better than a suitcase for digital nomads?
Digital nomads should travel with 1 carry-on sized suitcase and 1 high-quality backpack that they can fly as their “personal item”. This allows the maximum amount of packing space without having to check bags while also ensuring a useful day-to-day option is available while traveling.
