Digital nomads have expensive gear, and travel and gear don’t always mix. Nomads are looking for something portable, durable, and most of all, something that will protect their gear.
There are countless options out there, many of which claim to be built specifically for digital nomads. After trying many of the options available on the market right now, I’ve narrowed it down to two favourites that should work for almost every digital nomad adventure.
1. Pelican MPD40 Mobile Protect Duffel Bag
The first selling feature of this bag is its warranty. It has a LIFETIME warranty, so you know Pelican means business. The bag is water resistant, and has really great seals on the zippers. It’s a 40L bag, so you can probably fit in about a week’s worth of clothes if you’re travelling to a warmer destination. If laundry is available at your destination(s), you could travel with solely this bag for months.
Here’s the important part: Laptop storage. Pelican has a built-in protective pocket with really sturdy foam- the bag was specifically made for carrying a laptop. The padded laptop pocket rests against your back, but it’s sturdy so you don’t need to worry about damage with regular travel.
This bag is also carry-on safe, so you can avoid those checked baggage fees.
The Pelican MPD40 bag is priced at $165 on Amazon, and it’s guaranteed to last you for life. That’s a lot of trips.
2. Crazy Ants 50L Pack
This Crazy Ants 50L Pack is actually a military tactical bag. If anyone knows how to pack, it’s definitely the military, so that’s what caught my attention. This bag is ideal for longer trips (it has 10L more capacity than the Pelican pack)
Like the Pelican, this pack also has a padded laptop sleeve on the inside. The protective foam isn’t as sturdy as Pelican’s, but when used in conjunction with the Tech21 Pure Clear Hardshell Case (more info below), it definitely does the job.
The amount of gear you can pack into this bag is impressive. It’s definitely a bag I’d recommend taking around the world. I have.
Of all the gear and bags I’ve researched and tried, these two are my favourites. I use both these packs regularly- the Pelican pack is great for most trips, but sometimes the Crazy Ants pack is necessary for extra space on a longer adventure, or for colder climates where more clothing is necessary.
When fully packed, this bag is a little over the carry-on limit (but not by much). I’ve always gotten away with it, though, by carrying it onto the plane in its backpack configuration. Most airport staff don’t even give it a second glance.
At $69.99, this bag is a total steal- grab at Amazon here. I’d easily pay two or three times that for this quality.
Additional Protection
Tech21 Pure Clear Hardshell Case for MacBook Pro
It’s really tricky to find a hardshell case that protects the MacBook Pro properly, but Tech21 definitely got it right. It’s a snug fit when it’s snapped on, but it’s also really easy to remove. Personally, I travel with this case on, and then I remove it when I get to my destination. However, it’s definitely built for use if you’d like to leave the case on at all times.
I love how easy it is to put it on and take it off my MacBook. It is built to withstand drops of about 4 feet, which just means it can definitely withstand any abuse it might take in my Pelican or Crazy Ants bag. It’s also UV resistant to avoid yellowing, and it sits nicely if you’d like to use your laptop with the case on it.
Pick up this laptop case from the Apple store.
Tomtoc Versatile A13 360 Protective Laptop Sleeve
I actually use this laptop sleeve as a case for my second monitor, but it would be great for a laptop as well. The case uses a unique, patented CornerArmor design that provides 360° padded protection. This ensures that your device is protected from every angle, and each ‘pressure point’ that could internally damage your computer has been properly secured. The internal cushioning featured inside the sleeve is great for shock absorption, making accidental knocks, shocks, or drops much less likely to permanently damage your monitor or laptop.
This case is slim and lightweight, and it fits in nicely into both the Pelican and Crazy Ants bags. It doesn’t break the bank either- grab it on Amazon for $22.
Summing it all up
The Pelican MPD40 Mobile Protect Duffel Bag and the Crazy Ants 50L Pack are both solid choices for long-term travel. Because I’m always a bit anxious travelling with my laptop, I use the Tech21 Pure Clear Hardshell case for a little peace of mind. The Tomtoc case is another great option for laptop or second monitor protection. With these products, you can enjoy single-bag travel and rest assured your gear will arrive safely.