Best Backpacks for Digital Nomads

Is your life a constant journey from one place to another, working remotely with your computer always by your side? Then you understand the importance of finding the perfect backpack for a digital nomad. It’s not just any backpack—it needs essential features like lightweight design, secure storage for your devices, multiple compartments for organization, and other details we’ll explore in this article.

After reviewing various options, we’re confident you’ll find the best digital nomad backpack to accompany you on your adventures. Say goodbye to back pain, disorganized packing, and worrying about rain damaging your laptop. We’ve selected the top three backpacks for digital nomads that stand out above the rest. Let’s explore them!

The luggage of digital nomads

First, let’s define what a digital nomad is. This term refers to workers who only need an internet connection to perform their jobs. With just a computer, they can work remotely from anywhere in the world—whether settling in one country for a period of time using nomad visas or constantly moving from place to place.

If this is your case, you need to have a good backpack, since you can’t leave home without it, but what do you usually carry inside? First of all, a computer or tablet, the main instrument of a teleworker. Then, everything necessary to maintain a good connection such as: chargers, universal adapters, hard disk and a cell phone. Thirdly, other important work accessories such as notebooks, documents, pens and lastly, personal items such as some extra clothing, snacks, water, camera, etc.

These are just some ideas of the most common items that you can find inside the backpack of a digital nomad, but we know that each person is different, maybe there is an item that we have not mentioned and is of special importance to you. If you want to learn more about this topic, we recommend our article about the luggage of a nomad.

What to consider when buying a backpack for a digital nomad

Choosing the best backpack for a digital nomad is an important decision that will change the way you move around the world, so it is crucial to take into account some key aspects that you may not have stopped to think about, such as weight, material, design, measurements, regulations and capacity. Don’t worry, because we’re going to dig a little deeper into some of these aspects.

Materials

A backpack for a digital nomad should be made of a resistant, durable and waterproof material, especially if your destination is a country with an unpredictable climate. The material you choose will be responsible for keeping your belongings safe and making the investment made in this accessory last a long time by your side. The best materials are:

• Ballistic nylon: A fabric that is very resistant to wear and tear against friction or support on hard surfaces. It is also waterproof, which is essential if you travel to destinations where rain can catch you by surprise. Nylon has a military origin, so it guarantees exceptional durability in heavy daily use.
• High-density polyester: This material is one of the most economical and lightweight materials on the market, but it is still interesting. Polyester is a fabric that supports the weight load very well and resists exposure to the sun.
• Treated leather: This fabric, being natural, has a higher price and a more sophisticated style. It is a common backpack among remote executives and freelancers who like to give a more professional image. However, leather is not as resistant to adverse weather conditions and needs special care with specific products.

Size and weight

If the airplane is your most frequent means of transport, you will know that each airline has rules regarding the size and weight of hand luggage that you can carry in the cabin. For this reason, it is important that you choose a digital nomad backpack that complies with the standard measurements, which are usually 55 x 40 x 20 cm. We recommend that before traveling to your destination you check this information with your flight company.

As for the weight, we recommend that it should not exceed a total of 10-15% of your body weight. For example, a backpack loaded with your work tools should not weigh more than 5 kilos, for a light load, or 10 kilos, with an intense load.

Capacity

The capacity of the bags is measured in liters, for example, a backpack for a digital nomad should have an ideal capacity of 20 to 30 liters. This ensures that you can carry your computer, documents, chargers and water bottle comfortably. In addition, there are backpacks with expansion systems for when you need a higher capacity.

Compartments

This is one of the most valued aspects when choosing a backpack for a digital nomad, since a good organization is essential to have everything at hand and in a safe way. The main compartment should be padded and be able to hold a 15 or 17-inch laptop. Then, it is advisable to have several zippered and unzippered pockets to organize cables, chargers, adapters, etc. You also need a large interior space for your work documents or an item of clothing, as well as hidden pockets for more valuable documents such as your passport, keys, cell phone, etc.

Ergonomics and comfort

A backpack for a digital nomad must above all be comfortable. Therefore, it is important to choose a backpack with an ergonomic design, which adapts perfectly to your back without causing any discomfort. This way, long days of work and travel will be more bearable. We recommend the following aspects to take into account:

• Lumbar support: This will relieve the load on the back area.
• Adjustable and padded straps: The straps should be adjustable to different heights and padded to protect the shoulder area.
• Breathable: Ideally, it should have breathable back panels to prevent overheating with your body.

Security

Security is one of the most important elements that a teleworker thinks about when choosing where to transport his equipment. A digital nomad’s backpack contains high-value electronic devices and documents with private data, so a good piece of luggage will be one that has TSA locking systems (a special type of padlock lock), anti-theft materials and concealed zippers.

Applicable standards or regulations

In the previous section we have seen what are the standard measures for your digital nomad backpack to travel with you in the cabin. In addition, you should be aware of other types of regulations, since some materials may be prohibited, such as metallic elements. Therefore, it is preferable to select luggage that does not contain these elements, as well as not to introduce inside your backpack flammable or sharp items.

In addition, there is also a weight limit for your backpack and its contents. This weight cannot exceed 7 to 10 kilos, depending on the airline. When you go to buy your digital nomad backpack, do it thinking about these regulations, so you can use it both in the city and on your plane trips.

The 3 best backpacks for digital nomads

We’ve covered the key factors to consider when choosing the best digital nomad backpack. With these in mind, we’ve selected three of the top backpacks on the market, highly favored by tech-savvy remote workers. Discover their features and find the perfect model for your needs. Let’s dive in!

Nomatic or Gomatic backpack: minimalist design for urban nomads

It is a backpack model known among digital nomads for its elegant and simple design. In Europe you can find the variant of the Nomatic brand: Gomatic. They have a variety of models with capacities from 20 to 30 liters. These are its main features:

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20l: for creative nomads and photographers

This backpack model is specially designed for digital nomads and photographers, with several compartments to store the camera and all related accessories. If you don’t want to use it to carry photographic equipment, just remove these compartments and you can use it for everyday use or carry your laptop inside. In addition, it has several pockets for your personal items.

Samsonite Pro-DLX 5: comfort for frequent travelers

The Samsonite digital nomad backpack is sleek and compact, perfect for meeting airline regulations as carry-on luggage. It has multiple compartments for better internal organization. Perhaps, the negative point would be its limited capacity, so it would not be comfortable for longer trips. Let’s take a look at its features:

Frequently asked questions about the best backpacks for digital nomads

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