10+ Items We Take With Us on Every Trip
We pack and re-pack our bags a lot as Digital Nomads. Typically, we travel with a backpack and laptop bag each; or a rolling carry-on suitcase and a laptop bag.
Our trips can be a house-sitting gig just a few miles away, to visiting our Peace Corps community in Jamaica, or country hopping around Europe or Southeast Asia for months at a time.
Through all of this, we’ve found there are a few choice items that make it into our packs no matter where we’re going and no matter how long. They’re tried and tested belongings, most of which have been in our possession through the wear and tear of Peace Corps life (2012-2014) and all of our trips since then.
Updated: 2023. Originally published: May 2019.
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Exofficio Underwear
These undies are made with high-tech, quick drying fabric which is especially helpful when you’re traveling and have to hang-dry laundry overnight. I thought for sure I’d have to replace my Exofficio “collection” after two years in the harsh, hand-washing realities of living in Jamaica. But not so!
They are still going strong and we’ve only continued to add to our collection.
Exofficio makes breathable, light-weight, durable underwear for men and women. They have a range of styles, from boxers, briefs, and boxer-briefs for men; bikini briefs, hipster cut, full cut, high cut, and even thongs for women.
See Exofficio underwear options on REI.com
Learn more about our favorite travel clothing here
Extra Small Foam Earplugs
We both happen to be light sleepers and combined with our constantly changing sleeping locations, reducing audible interruptions is imperative to our sleep.
We use them even when we’re not in a noisy area (like our former open-air apartment in Jamaica where we were constantly serenaded by cicadas, roosters, dogs, a pig, and the occasional late-night dance party down the street).
We’ve actually tested out all kinds of earplugs and both agree that the slightly-smaller-than-most foam earplugs are the most effective.
Mack’s slim fit 50 pack of purple earplugs
Packable Down Jacket
Yes, we even pack a down jacket during summer trips. The jacket is so compact, bringing it along takes up almost no room. Compared to a bulky sweatshirt or any other kind of coat, you can always be sure you’ll stay warm without wasting a lot of luggage space.
It’s perfect for when the temperature dips at night in an otherwise warm location. And, of course, it’s great in cold places too. Also doubles as a tiny travel pillow!
See all our lightweight travel jacket recommendations here
Macbook Laptops
Being Digital Nomads, this is a pretty obvious one. We can work wherever we go, thanks to our laptops.
Laptop bag(s)
I’m not much of a purse person. But as soon as I slipped my laptop, passport, pens, business cards, and phone in the Morrison bag’s pockets – which were perfectly designed for each item – I was converted.
The Portland-based company, Clark & Mayfield, has a whole line of carry-all handbags and backpacks specifically designed for the working or traveling woman who needs to carry a laptop, along with the rest of her life.
I have used a number of their laptop bags and did freelance writing for their blog for several years.
Jedd loves his carry on, Errant Pack from Boundary Supply. He loves the functionality and features of the pack that allows him to carry all of his essential electronics, change of clothes, and more and still fits under the seat on planes.
Read next: How to Choose the Best Travel Bags for Your Trip
Kindle
The Kindle was a birthday gift while we were in Peace Corps (a period of my life where I had ample time to plow through oodles of books!). Not being much of a gadget person, I would have never bought it for myself, but I was quickly converted.
I still love turning the pages of a real book when I can, but when we’re constantly moving around, it’s way more practical to have access to hundreds of titles on one small device.
I especially love that it’s self-illuminating so I don’t have to have an overhead light on, or walk across the room to flip off the light switch after I’ve read myself half-to-sleep.
I also have a few foreign language books I read (to keep my mind challenged) and I can just tap on a word I don’t know to bring up the definition!
Also, there’s a basic web browser that works on wifi in a pinch.
Check out Kindle options on Amazon
Power strip/Surge Protector
We always have our laptops and phones to plug in (plus, occasionally, the Kindle and a few other random things), and outlets are hard to come by in some places. Plus, you can’t always trust that your electronics will be safe without a surge protector.
Our power strip can also charge via USB, and we have a set of adapters for countries where the outlet plugs are different.
Learn more about other tech gear we travel with here.
Travel Credit Cards
We’re not talking about greeting cards here, although having a few blank thank you notes on hand has also been useful during our travels. As many of you know, we rely on travel hacking and credit card bonus points to cover the costs of most flights.
We always carry a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, and a no-fee ATM card.
Read more about how we handle cash, cards, and ATMs for travel here
Packing Cubes
Before using our packing cubes (from Eagle Creek), our luggage was a jumbled mess. Now we’ll never pack our luggage without them.
The fabric “cubes” keep our clothes organized. I use a small one for socks and underwear, a medium one for rolled up shirts, and a medium-large for all my work out clothes. Pants and sweaters I might put together in a large packing cube.
When we’re staying somewhere that doesn’t have any storage area, we’ll actually keep our clothes in the cubes and use them in place of drawers.
Browse Eagle Creek packing cube sets at REI
Runner’s Belt Travel “Wallet”
This is one of our favorite alternatives to those bulky, uncomfortable travel wallets you’re supposed to hide under your shirt.
We essentially repurposed a runner’s belt to use it for travel in areas where theft is a concern. We still use it while running as well. We love multi use travel gear.
Read our full review on best alternative travel wallets here
Check out the FlipBelt on REI.com
Miscellaneous
Alright, there are a few more. But I don’t think they need too much explanation and we don’t feel strongly about recommending a specific type or brand. So here’s the rest of the list:
- Idea notebook(s)
- Sunglasses
- Headphones
- Running shoes
You might also like these travel gear posts:
– Long Term Travel Clothing Essentials
– Packing Hacks of Frequent Travelers
– Our Favorite Alternatives to Travel Wallets
– Nomad Tech Gear Essentials
– Travel Wifi Device Review
– Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Backpack Review
– Minimalist Travel Toiletries List for Women
– Surprisingly Useful Travel Gift Ideas
– Best Light-Weight Travel Jackets for Men and Women
– My Portable Ergonomic Workstation Set Up for Digital Nomads
