Home » Gear » Best Digital Nomad Backpacks You Can Find in 2021 [Ultimate Guide]

Best Digital Nomad Backpacks You Can Find in 2021 [Ultimate Guide]

by Andrew Williams

The digital nomad movement has exploded in the last few years with more and more people who work in the digital space calling the entire world their “home”.
Even though the whole COVID craziness has put a break into the nomads’ travel adventures, the remote working phenomenon has been accelerated by a number of times due to the pandemic.There is a high chance that some of these remote workers will become digital nomads in the near future, joining the existing ones and pushing the telework revolution further.

If you’re thinking about starting your journey as a digital nomad and traveling the world or just want to upgrade your backpack for the next few years, you landed in the right place.

It’s not easy to be constantly on the road whilst staying organised and focused too and considering the amount of travel we do as digital nomads, we need to be extremely minimalistic and organised when it comes to packing and logistics (by the way, you can find a great article on minimalism here). 

This is where smart and good quality gear comes in to the rescue. There are so many backpacks out there that it can be very confusing knowing how to pick the right one.

 

digital nomad gear

As remote workers, people are literally living out of their backpacks and the need for good quality logistics is very high. Hence, if you are traveling the world as a digital nomad you’ll want to make sure that the backpack you own lets you travel light and secure allowing you to carry everything you need without too much hustle.

 

In order to save you hours upon hours of research, our team has laid down the best backpacks for digital nomads and where you can buy them so can save yourself hours of time and simply purchase one knowing it’s amazing and will perfectly serve your purpose of travelling and remote working.

Now let’s discover below which backpack you should buy for your digital nomad lifestyle!

Tortuga Outbreaker Nomad Backpack Video Review

$269

Tortuga has been making backpacks since 2009 after the founders went travelling and noticed a lot of feature missing from this type of gear. 

Now, they specialize in travel backpacks that are high-quality and ethically produced.  

These not-so-cheap nomad backpacks are perfect for travelers, combining the efficient portability of a backpack with the storage capabilities of a large suitcase.

This is an ideal digital nomad backpack combines the best features of both: the ergonomics and portability of a backpack with the obsessive organization and easy packing of a suitcase. Overpacking is not an issue, because it will feel comfortable no matter how much you’re carrying.

Material: VX21 waterproof sailcloth

Laptop size: Suitable for laptops up to 17 inches

Dimensions: approx. 20.3″ x 12.9″ x 8.2”

Features

  • Carry on sized
  • Obsessive organization
  • Thick, soft padding for comfort
  • Height-adjustable suspension system
  • Padded, removable hip belt
  • Laptop and tablet sleeves
  • Lockable zippers
  • Front loading
  • Premium weather resistance

Osprey Farpoint 40

$110

The Farpoint 40 is a very lighttravel backpack that fits within EU carry-on dimensions. 

Featuring a zip mesh ventilated backpanel, the Farpoint can be carried like a backpack, but is as spacious as luggage.

The backsystem is strong and durable so you can carry your gear comfortably when travelling between airbnbs, hotels,  or whilst exploring remote areas as a digital nomad 

The carry handles are cushioned  on the top and the sides and the removable shoulder strap allows you to grab and carry it with ease.

A large zippered opening allows you to access the main compartment, featuring lockable zips for increased security. The inner compression straps allow you to fully maximise the capacity whilst securing your belongings.

Inside there is a top stash pocket for electronics and sunglasses, dual mesh front pockets for water bottles and a padded internal laptop sleeve.

All of this features will make your travels easier, safer and more comfortable. 

Material: ripstop-nylon (structured, water-repellent)

Laptop size: Suitable for laptops up to 17 inches

Dimensions: approx. 35 x 55 x 20 cm (width x height x depth)

Osprey Farpoint 40 Nomad Backpack Video Review

Features

  • Conforms to EU maximum carry-on luggage size
  • Internal compression strap system
  • Panel zip access to main compartment with lockable zippers
  • Twin compression webbing straps
  • Light weight peripheral frame
  • Zip-away die-cut spacer mesh hipbelt and harness
  • Detachable padded shoulder strap
  • Padded laptop and tablet sleeve
  • Dual mesh pockets on inner front panel
  • Dual front mesh pockets
  • ID Card holder
  • Internal key attachment clip
  • Zippered scratch-free sunglasses and electronics pocket
  • Sternum strap with emergency whistle
  • Low profile padded carry handles on top and side

Features

  • 20+ innovative features
  • Carry-on size
  • Durable/water resistant
  • Shoe compartment
  • Tech organization
  • Tsa-ready laptop sleeve
  • Water Bottle Pocket
  • Easy Access Pocket
  • Tablet Sleeve
  • Innovative Strap System
  • Roller Bag Sleeve
  • Laundry Bag
  • Detachable Waist Straps
  • RFID Safe Pocket

Nomatic Travel Bag (30L/40L)

$259

NOMATIC, founded by two cousins, initally launched an innovative wallet and after this success, started creating different types of high quality bags, including camera and carry-ons.

One of the strongest points of this digital nomad backpack is its incredible organization system that enables you to pack more in less space and look cool wherever you go. A lot of attention has been give to the exterior design and materials as you can notice from the pictures. 

Some features of this backpack that we love are the innovative strap system, the laundry bag that keeps the dirt away and the straps that transform the backpack into a duffel bag if your back starts to hurt.

 

A special mention goes to the exterior design which is probably one of the best on the market. 

NOMATIC continuously inovates by listening to what consumers want, prioritizing quality, and creating the most functional products ever. The company made it to the WIRED magazine and Gearhungry blog so it’s already a pretty established in the market. It is om the higher end of the price, but it’s worth every penny.

Even though this backpack can expand 20L to 30L to add more things to it, this is not a great recommended for long passages. We wouldn’t suggest it for really big trips, even though sophisticated, it’s still small compared to other backpacks in the list. Make sure to keep an eye on their website, they run promotions pretty often.

Nomatic Nomad Backpack Video Review

Eagle Creek Global Companion Travel Pack (40L / 65L)

$130

With an experience of over 40 years on the luggage market, Eagle Creek equips travelers with gear that help you go beyond the familiar and into the unknown.

This american company is known for building some of the most resilient carry-ons, backpacks and organizers in the world. 

This organizational gear allows access from the top or bottom of the backpack, along with middle access to a wide butterfly opening with dual interior compartments. Access whatever you need, wherever you are and however you’re carrying the bag.

The luggage has a large butterfly opening with two separate packing compartments for maximum organization.

There is also a padded 17” laptop sleeve in main compartment that can be accessed from inside the bag or from a top access point

The zippers are self-repairing and lockable with easy grip zipper pulls can be used to secure even heavily stuffed luggage without risk of breaking.

Dirty or dusty shoes? No worries. There is even a shoe compartment that separates them from clean clothes. If you want to attach additional gear, you sure can, you can use the compression strapsare  present on the exterior for jacket

One of the coolest features of this noamd backpack is a tuck-away rainfly lives in the bottom pocket to protect your entire bag from a rain storm when needed.

Material: ripstop-nylon (structured, water-repellent)

Laptop size: Suitable for laptops up to 17 inches

Dimensions: approx. 35 x 55 x 20 cm (width x height x depth)

Features

  • Weight: 1.6 kg
  • Capacity: 40 L
  • Warranty: lifetime
  • three zip pockets on the front
  • easy access main compartment
  • back system: body-contact back, ergonomic, padded, breathable padded
  • attachment loops, bottle holder
  • closes with two-way zipper (self-repairing zipper)
  • hip belt, including a wide hipbelt, zipper compartment
  • sternum strap
  • rain cover, safety whistle
  • check patterned Lining polyester
  • two main compartments
  • divider with zip pocket, key holder, pen holder
  • mobile phone compartment, mesh pocket
  • four slip pockets
  • laptop compartment quickly accessible

Features

  • Detachable cargo bag holds everything you need for your travels, and the daypack keeps your essentials safe and secure
  • Daypack has a rear-panel zip to main compartment, which allows access even when paired with the cargo bag
  • Hidden zippered pocket behind shoulder harness of daypack offers secure storage for passport, tickets, wallet, phone and other valuables
  • Daypack has 2 water bottle pockets and a padded laptop and tablet sleeve (fits laptops up to 15 in.)
  • Top and side padded handles on cargo bag allow for comfortable carry by hand
  • Liquids pocket at top of cargo bag is large and easy to access
  • Upper and lower external compression straps keep contents from shifting inside the cargo bag and can be used to secure extra items to front if needed
  • Dual internal compression straps with fabric wings keep clothes neat inside cargo bag
  • Side-opening main compartment has a tough YKK zipper with lockable sliders for extra security (lock sold separately)
  • Zippered mesh pocket on inside of front flap
  • Shoulder-carry strap tucks away into liquids pocket

Ozone Duplex 65L

$199

This roomy nomad backpack has a simplistic and minimalistic design. The daypack doesn’t have a lot of added features in its internal compartments.

Osprey has combined features from other backpacks on the market to create a one of a kind travel backpack that will suit the needs of any traveler. This bag comes with versions for men and women, customized for every gender’s torso which can make a huge difference when travelling a lot.

One of the key features in all Osprey backpacks is the adjustable frame sheet. Whether you have a longer or shorter torso,  you can adjust the frame sheet up to 4 inches. The Osprey Ozone Duplex uses a LightWire frame to support and distribute the load on a fully loaded daypack and cargo bag.

The padded shoulder and hip straps work very well with a loaded backpack. Ultimately, laptops and heavier items should be stored closer to the body to accommodate for proper weight distribution.

When it is fully packed, the load stays close to the body which makes it easy to carry. Also, for a 65-liter pack you can load a ton in there without any doubts.

Another cool feature of this nomad backpack is that you can detach the cargo bag from the day pack, now you have your personal item and a carry-on. This is very important since more airlines are now charging for carry-ons. This is a really cool airline hack.

We really like the Osprey’s high-quality design, implementation, and durability. It is overall a very good backpack which can make your travels much smoother.

 

 

Material: Nylon

Laptop size: Suitable for laptops up to 17 inches

Dimensions: approx. 21 x 15 x 13.5 inches, 1.85 Kilograms

Osprey Ozone Duplex 65 Backpack Video Review

Summary

Buying a backpack for the digital nomad lifestyle trips is going to be a time consuming process.

Picking the right travel backpack is an important part in planning your trip. Too big and you’ll have too much extra weight to carry around. Or you might not get your bag on an airplane! Too small and you won’t be able to put your digital noamd gear in it.

Not rain proof? That’s too bad, your drone and camera might get damaged.

There are so many backpacks out there that it can be very confusing knowing how to pick the right one.

You’ll need to try a lot on to make sure the chosen one fits your purpose. An awesome hack is to get a bunch sent to your house, load it with all your gear and try it on to see what one feels right. That way you will know exactly how the bag fits when you have your gear in it, not padding in the store. Use it for a few hours and see how it fits on your back. Once you picked the right one, return the others as soon as possible and get your money back.

After you found the perfect backpack from the list above,  sky is the limit. It should last you for years as all of them in our list are top quality. Happy travels nomad!

Have we missed any phenomenal backpacks? Share with us the best travel grear you have and tell us why you love it so much in the comments below!

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2 comments

Minimalism and How It Helps Digital Nomads Travel The World - Remote TribeLife March 15, 2021 - 7:28 pm

[…] Best Digital Nomad Backpacks You Can Find in 2021 [Ultimate Guide] […]

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[…] Best Digital Nomad Backpacks You Can Find in 2021 [Ultimate Guide] […]

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