It is exciting to work as a full-time digital nomad each week in a different place with different people and get inspired. However, this kind of lifestyle also requires a work environment that matches mobility, security, and productivity
My years of experience gave me the ability to develop a tech stack that can be carried in one backpack and allows me to continue work when I need to change continents.
For the past few years, I’ve been living as a full-time digital nomad—working from beaches in Thailand, cafés in Lisbon, and co-working spaces in Mexico City. But this lifestyle isn’t all Instagram-worthy sunsets and smooth sailing. There have been plenty of moments where my entire income depended on having the right tech setup.
Like the time I was on a 12-hour layover in Istanbul and had to join a client call from the airport lounge—only to find the Wi-Fi was painfully slow. Thankfully, my eSIM gave me instant 4G, and my noise-canceling headphones drowned out the chaos around me. Or the day I spilled coffee on my laptop in a Medellín café and had to rely on cloud backups to restore everything on a borrowed computer within minutes.
The Digital Nomad Setup I Rely On
These experiences (and a few near-disasters) have shaped my digital nomad setup into something that’s lightweight, reliable, and failsafe. I don’t carry unnecessary gear, but I also don’t compromise on performance.
These experiences have refined my setup into a carefully curated balance of minimalism and power. Every item earns its place by being either:
✔️ Lightweight (because I carry it daily)
✔️ Reliable (because my income depends on it)
✔️ Multi-purpose (because backpack space is precious)
Here’s the battle-tested gear that lets me work confidently from anywhere on Earth:
A Lightweight but Powerful Laptop
My work involves content creation, editing, and the occasional video call marathon. I use a 14-inch MacBook Pro (M1 chip) for its balance of power, portability, and battery life. It’s incredibly fast, handles multitasking like a champ, and fits easily into my daypack. I keep it in a protective case and always have a micro-fiber cloth handy to wipe off dust and coffee stains from my café sessions.
Global Wi-Fi- SIMs, eSIMs, and Local Networks
I use Internet as my lifeline. I have a non-locked smartphone equipped with eSIMs and never forget to read about ideal data plans beforehand. There are many apps such as Airalo or Holafly to enable cheap eSIMs immediately you arrive in the country. However, I suggest you try SIMOVO that offers better rates from what I have recently noticed.
I also have a travel router to amplify the Wi-Fi signals in areas with intermittent connectivity to make videoconferencing more efficient. However, being connected is not everything since being secure is equally important.
Digital Security Is Non-Negotiable
Traveling often means connecting to public or untrusted Wi-Fi networks, especially if I am visiting places like Jibhi in Himachal where cellular network is bad. I can’t risk sensitive client work or my personal data being exposed to hackers. That’s why I sometimes rely on using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and I suggest other do the same too.
Using VPN is a simple set up, with most providers having super-fast servers worldwide. I do not only use a VPN to encrypt my connection but to unlock location restricted tools and content. It also allows me to trick the banking apps to believe I am still in the my home-country or it tricks others to think the same to watch some shows. It is quite a digital nomad secret weapon of freedom and privacy.
Essential Accessories
- Noise-cancelling headphones– for deep work sessions and tuning out noisy hostel common
rooms. - Compact external SSD– for backups. I use a 1TB SanDisk Extreme that’s waterproof and
shock-resistant. - Travel surge protector– with universal outlets and USB ports.
- Bluetooth mouse and foldable stand – better ergonomics go a long way during 10-hour
workdays.
The Cloud Is My Office
- I don’t rely on local storage. My entire workflow is cloud-based-Google Drive and Dropbox for file sharing
- Notion and Trello for project management
- Slack and Zoom for team communication
- Grammarly and Canva for content polishing
It means I can switch devices anytime or collaborate with teammates across the globe without
missing a beat.
Routine, Not Rigidity
Finally, it is not only about the technology but attitudinal. My daily routine is loose so that I can adjust to time zones and travel days. I focused on work during early mornings, calls in the afternoons and explored at evenings. Being set up in such a way that I can work wherever I am will help me base my life around life and not work.
It is a permanent career, permanent lifestyle never to be at rest, never to have a place to sit on and get a rest. The right gear and the right tools will make or break your productivity. An eSim, my laptop, and every other component of my device configuration have a definite purpose, boosting my connectivity, well-being, and productivity, no matter where I may wander. If you’re considering the digital nomad life or already on the move, I can’t recommend enough starting with a secure connection.
