As a digital nomad, you need a backpack that can keep up with your on-the-go lifestyle. Whether you’re working from a coffee shop or exploring a new city, your backpack should be comfortable, durable, and have enough space to carry your essentials. That’s why we’ve researched and tested the best backpacks for digital nomads.
When choosing a backpack, it’s essential to consider the size, weight, and material. You don’t want a backpack that’s too bulky or heavy, but you also don’t want one that’s too small to fit all your gear. The material should be durable and water-resistant to protect your electronics and other items from damage.
One critical thing to consider when purchasing a backpack for digital nomads is the number of compartments and pockets. You want a backpack that has enough space to organize your laptop, tablet, phone, chargers, and other accessories. It’s also helpful to have pockets for your passport, wallet, and other essentials.
We spent countless hours researching and testing ten backpacks to identify the ones that are perfect for digital nomads. In the following sections, we’ll go over our top picks and what makes them stand out.
Best Backpacks for Digital Nomads
As a digital nomad, you need a backpack that can keep up with your fast-paced lifestyle. You need a backpack that can hold all your essentials, including your laptop, tablet, phone, chargers, and other gadgets. You also need a backpack that is comfortable to wear for long periods and durable enough to withstand the rigors of travel. In this article, we have rounded up the best backpacks for digital nomads that meet all these requirements and more. From sleek and stylish to rugged and practical, there’s a backpack on this list that’s perfect for you.
NOMATIC Navigator Premium Backpack
If you’re a digital nomad looking for a backpack that can keep up with your daily commutes and travels, the NOMATIC Navigator Premium Backpack might be the perfect fit for you.
Pros
- Versatile design suitable for various activities
- Innovative organizational solutions with over 15 features
- Optimized space with efficient storage options
Cons
- Might be too small for longer trips
- Some pockets might be too small for larger items
- Expensive compared to other backpacks
The NOMATIC Navigator Premium Backpack is designed to be both functional and stylish, making it a great choice for digital nomads who need to carry their essentials with them. It comes with over 15 innovative features, including chord passthroughs, pen slots, mesh organizational pockets, a quick-access fleece-lined pocket, and external carry straps, providing dedicated spaces for all your essential items. The backpack is also water-resistant and tamper-resistant, with reflective bars for added security.
One of the most impressive features of the NOMATIC Navigator Premium Backpack is its optimized space. While compact enough for easy carrying, the backpack expands from 15L to 21L, accommodating more than you’d expect. It includes 5 mesh pockets, two zipper pockets, and an RFID safe pocket, ensuring efficient storage. The backpack also features a 14″ x 10.25″ laptop compartment, making it tailored for mobility.
However, the backpack might be too small for longer trips, and some pockets might be too small for larger items. Additionally, the NOMATIC Navigator Premium Backpack is more expensive compared to other backpacks in the market.
Overall, the NOMATIC Navigator Premium Backpack is a highly functional and secure backpack that is designed to be comfortable, versatile, and durable for any adventure. If you’re looking for a backpack that can keep up with your daily commutes and travels, this might be the perfect fit for you.
NOMATIC Travel Pack 14L
Looking for a versatile and durable backpack that can serve as a personal item for travel and accommodate all your digital nomad essentials? Look no further than the NOMATIC Travel Pack 14L, a top-quality backpack that boasts an impressive array of features and functionalities to make your travels more convenient and enjoyable.
Pros
- Versatile Straps: This backpack doubles as a personal item bag for travel with its luggage strap, and effortlessly transforms from a briefcase to a backpack by simply popping out the straps.
- Expandable Capacity: Enjoy full access to the interior with anti-theft pockets, and take advantage of the expandable feature that allows the travel backpack to go from 14 Liters to 21 Liters.
- Organized Pockets: Stay organized on the go with a variety of pockets, including an RFID lockable security pocket, multiple mesh zipper pockets, notebook pocket, and a 16-inch laptop pocket.
Cons
- Slightly Heavy: At 3.5 pounds, this backpack may feel slightly heavy for some users, especially when fully loaded.
- Pricey: While the NOMATIC Travel Pack 14L is a high-quality backpack, it is also relatively expensive compared to other backpacks in its category.
- Limited Color Options: This backpack is only available in black, which may not suit everyone’s style preferences.
The NOMATIC Travel Pack 14L is an excellent backpack for digital nomads who value convenience, versatility, and durability. With its expandable capacity, versatile straps, and organized pockets, this backpack can easily accommodate all your travel essentials, from your laptop and chargers to your water bottle and snacks. Additionally, the built-in RFID safe storage ensures that your personal information stays secure, while the water-resistant materials provide protection against unexpected rain or spills. While this backpack may feel slightly heavy for some users, its numerous features and functionalities more than make up for it. Overall, the NOMATIC Travel Pack 14L is a great investment for any digital nomad looking for a reliable and high-quality backpack.
WITZMAN Travel Backpack
If you’re looking for a versatile backpack that can store all your essentials, the WITZMAN Travel Backpack is a great choice.
Pros
- The backpack is made from high-quality nylon fabric, making it durable and long-lasting.
- With multiple pockets and compartments, it’s easy to organize all your items and access them quickly.
- The built-in USB charger and headphone port make it convenient to charge your devices on the go.
Cons
- The backpack is on the heavier side, weighing almost 4.2 pounds, which may be a concern for some travelers.
- The loose fabric on the inside of the backpack can make it difficult to find smaller items.
- The charging station compartment may be hard to locate.
The WITZMAN Travel Backpack is an excellent choice for digital nomads who need to carry a lot of gear. The backpack is made from high-quality materials and has a variety of pockets and compartments to store all your essential items. The built-in USB charger and headphone port make it convenient to charge your devices on the go. However, the backpack is on the heavier side, and the loose fabric on the inside can make it difficult to find smaller items. Additionally, the charging station compartment may be hard to locate. Overall, if you’re looking for a durable and versatile backpack, the WITZMAN Travel Backpack is a great option.
NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack
If you’re a digital nomad who loves photography, the NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack is a must-have. This backpack is designed to fit all your camera gear and other travel essentials, making it the perfect companion for your adventures.
Pros
- Customizable dividers allow you to organize your camera gear and other belongings efficiently.
- Multiple storage pockets offer easy access to your small items and accessories, keeping them organized and within reach.
- Designed with internal supports to help distribute the weight, as well as multiple external adjustment and support straps, as well as a removable waist strap.
Cons
- The camera compartment access is designed in a way that you have to put the bag on the face of the surface that everyone sees when you’re wearing the bag, and the material is fairly sensitive.
- The bag is somewhat heavy, so you always need to ask yourself “Do I really need to carry all of this gear?”
- The camera pack is not for everyone.
The NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack is perfect for digital nomads who love photography and want to travel light. It features customizable dividers that allow you to organize your camera gear and other belongings efficiently. The backpack also has multiple storage pockets that offer easy access to your small items and accessories, keeping them organized and within reach.
The NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack is designed with internal supports to help distribute the weight, as well as multiple external adjustment and support straps, as well as a removable waist strap. This makes it comfortable to wear, even for extended periods.
However, the camera compartment access is designed in a way that you have to put the bag on the face of the surface that everyone sees when you’re wearing the bag, and the material is fairly sensitive. Additionally, the bag is somewhat heavy, so you always need to ask yourself “Do I really need to carry all of this gear?” Finally, the camera pack is not for everyone.
Overall, the NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack is a great investment for digital nomads who love photography and want to travel light. It’s well-designed, durable, and comfortable to wear, making it the perfect companion for your adventures.
Kopack Theft Proof Laptop Backpack
If you’re a digital nomad, the Kopack Theft Proof Laptop Backpack is a great choice for you.
Pros
- The backpack is designed with anti-puncture 4-tooth zipper and anti-scratch durable fabric, which makes it difficult for thieves to steal your valuables.
- The backpack is slim and has a youthful but mature, stylish but functional look that fits for university, office, travel, and business trips.
- The backpack is equipped with an external USB charging port and an internal charging cable, allowing you to charge your electronic devices anytime and anywhere.
Cons
- The backpack does not come with a lock, which you will need to purchase separately.
- The backpack may not fit laptops larger than 15.6 inches.
- The backpack may not have enough space for larger items such as textbooks or gym clothes.
The Kopack Theft Proof Laptop Backpack is a great choice for digital nomads who want a stylish and secure backpack. The backpack’s anti-theft features make it difficult for thieves to steal your valuables, and the external USB charging port allows you to charge your electronic devices on the go. However, the backpack does not come with a lock, and it may not fit laptops larger than 15.6 inches. Additionally, the backpack may not have enough space for larger items such as textbooks or gym clothes.
NOMATIC Travel Pack
If you’re a digital nomad looking for a versatile and organized backpack, the NOMATIC Travel Pack might be the perfect fit for you.
Pros
- The expandable capacity feature allows you to adjust the size of the backpack according to your needs.
- The variety of pockets, including the RFID lockable security pocket, keeps all your belongings organized and secure.
- The anti-theft pockets and highly water-resistant material make it an excellent carry-on backpack for travel.
Cons
- It might be a bit heavy for some users, weighing 3.04 pounds.
- The price point might be a bit steep for some customers.
- The backpack might not be suitable for users who need a lot of space for bulky items.
The NOMATIC Travel Pack is a well-designed backpack that provides you with all the necessary features for your digital nomad lifestyle. The expandable capacity feature allows you to adjust the size of the backpack according to your needs, making it perfect for short trips or longer travels. The variety of pockets, including the RFID lockable security pocket, keeps all your belongings organized and secure, so you don’t have to worry about losing anything. The anti-theft pockets and highly water-resistant material make it an excellent carry-on backpack for travel, giving you peace of mind during your trips.
Despite its many advantages, the NOMATIC Travel Pack might not be suitable for everyone. Some users might find it a bit heavy, weighing 3.04 pounds, especially if they need to carry it for extended periods. Additionally, the price point might be a bit steep for some customers, although the backpack’s quality and features justify the cost. Finally, the backpack might not be suitable for users who need a lot of space for bulky items, as its expandable feature might not be enough to accommodate them.
In conclusion, if you’re a digital nomad looking for a well-designed and organized backpack, the NOMATIC Travel Pack is definitely worth considering. Its versatility, organization, and security features make it an excellent choice for short trips or longer travels.
Buying Guide
When choosing a backpack for digital nomads, there are several features that you should consider to ensure that you get the best product for your needs. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Size and Capacity
The size and capacity of the backpack are important considerations. You want a backpack that is large enough to hold all your gear, but not so large that it becomes unwieldy. Consider the length of your trips and the amount of gear you typically take with you. A backpack with a capacity of 30-40 liters is usually sufficient for most digital nomads.
Comfort and Support
Since you’ll be carrying your backpack for long periods of time, it’s essential that it is comfortable and provides adequate support. Look for backpacks with padded shoulder straps, a padded back panel, and a waist belt. These features will help distribute the weight of the backpack evenly and reduce the strain on your back and shoulders.
Durability
Digital nomads often travel to different countries and environments, so it’s important to choose a backpack that is durable and can withstand wear and tear. Look for backpacks made from high-quality materials such as nylon or polyester, and with reinforced stitching and zippers.
Organization
A backpack with good organization features can make it easier to access your gear and keep everything in its place. Look for backpacks with multiple compartments, pockets, and sleeves. A backpack with a dedicated laptop sleeve is also useful for digital nomads who need to work on the go.
Other Features
Other features to consider include:
- Water resistance: A backpack that is water-resistant can protect your gear from rain and spills.
- Lockable zippers: This can help keep your gear secure when traveling.
- Compression straps: These can help compress your backpack and make it more compact.
- Ventilation: A backpack with good ventilation can help keep you cool and reduce sweating.
By considering these features, you’ll be able to choose a backpack that meets your needs and will make your digital nomad lifestyle more comfortable and convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some top-rated backpacks for digital nomads?
There are several top-rated backpacks for digital nomads including the Nomatic Travel Pack, Tortuga Setout, and the Osprey Farpoint 55. All of these backpacks are designed specifically for travel and have features that make them ideal for digital nomads.
What features should I look for in a backpack for digital nomads?
When choosing a backpack for digital nomads, you should look for features such as a dedicated laptop compartment, multiple pockets for organization, a comfortable and adjustable harness system, and durable materials that can withstand frequent travel.
What are the pros and cons of the Aer backpack for digital nomads?
The Aer backpack is a popular choice for digital nomads due to its sleek design, organization features, and durable materials. However, some users have reported that the backpack can be uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time and that the zippers can be difficult to open and close.
How do I choose the right size backpack for digital nomads?
When choosing a backpack for digital nomads, it’s important to consider the length of your trip, the amount of gear you’ll be carrying, and your personal preferences. A backpack with a capacity of 35-45 liters is generally a good choice for digital nomads who need to carry a laptop and other essentials.
What are some alternative backpack options for digital nomads?
In addition to the top-rated backpacks mentioned earlier, there are several alternative backpack options for digital nomads including the Peak Design Travel Backpack, the Minaal Carry-on 2.0, and the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. These backpacks offer unique features and designs that may appeal to different types of digital nomads.
