DIGITAL NOMAD PACKING LIST 2017 (WHAT'S IN MY BAG?)

People have been asking so here it is! This is what I'm taking with me on my second year of travel in Asia and Europe.
I've just repacked my bags for the new year and have downsized considerably. I still don't know if I'd consider myself a minimalist but this is definitely a more appropriate digital nomad packing list then last year.
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christhefreelan...
Nick's video - • Video
Music by YeahRight!
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FULL PACKING LIST (in order of appearance)
Samonsite Vizair Backpack - amzn.to/2iMSJVa
Mid-2015 15" Macbook Pro
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Roost Stand: amzn.to/2bxJ6UB
Powerboard
Macbook Power Cable
Travel Wallet
Kensington Lock Cable - amzn.to/2ine58L
'The Blade' - amzn.to/2i3sk4I
Wireless Apple Mouse
Canon G7X - amzn.to/2aIXr1Q
Joby GorillaPod SLR Zoom - amzn.to/2aIY37I
iPhone 6 charger
Powerbank
Apple Earphones, Earplugs and Umbrella
Pens and notepads
WD Passport Hard Drive - amzn.to/2infNHg
Apple iPad
Socks, Undies, Thermal Top and shirts
Toiletries
WAHL Beard Trimmer - amzn.to/2in5JOx
iPhone 4 & 5
Bike Lock and a Dri Dock
Sony FDR-X1000V/W 4K Action Cam - amzn.to/2aOR6CL
Extendable Monpod
Apple TV
2 x Rode SmartLav+ - amzn.to/2iTewLl
Pants & Shoes
Manfrotto Tripod - amzn.to/2aHHjdS
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[@hellocyrax]

i miss the old Chris

[@ChristheFreelancer]

😥who's the old Chris?

[@frerobin888]

nice video Chris, congratulations!

[@evilevan9687]

You forgot your plane ticket!

[@bestofluckguy]

ha haaa

[@CraigAnsell]

Nice video, it would be interesting if you did a video on what software and applications you use on your idevices (mac,iPhone,iPad) for traveling, work etc.

[@falkonerr]

Craig Ansell yees

[@athomeonthego4377]

That is a great idea!

[@DutchNomadFamily]

Looks like you figured out to pack as little as you need. Do you think the USB 3 dicks are fast enough for editing HD video?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

USB dicks? Haha never actually thought about that but editing video is actually pretty slow for me so maybe that's why

[@DutchNomadFamily]

Auwch... didn't see this typo, but didn't mean to be rude ;-)

[@DutchNomadFamily]

***** Auwch... didn't see this typo, but didn't mean to be rude ;-)

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Nah, you're right

[@HappyCarlsonsTV]

lmfao at the typo :) We use ebags for traveling. They work great.

[@hellocyrax]

Holy shit that rooster stand is bad ass

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Gamechanger 😉

[@daonstream]

Great video. I love the freedom and simplicity minimalism brings. Me and my wife sold our big 3 bdrm house and almost everything in it and now live in a 1 bdrm apt. Next step: sell off everything that's left and do the deal. Great video. Thanks for the detail, this will be a great resource.

[@someaussiebloke4487]

Lost me at "I'm an apple guy..." kidding... but i guess graphic design has a greater following on m@c stuff. Also...if you had a samsung s5 or above you'd have ip67 water proofing (ip68 for s7). apparently the newest iphone has ip67 protection buuuuut dont know if i'd trust it haha. Changed from iphone to samsung in 2013... never ever would i go back!

[@cevxj]

Try Uniqlo ultra light down jackets. They work but best with layers, for example a harder shell jacket on the outside

[@aguimars]

You must use cubes to organize all mess up, I encourage you to use dry fit t-shirt, they are light, easy to wash can wash at toilet sink, chino trauses are more confortable than jeans and also light, considere. Good travel and Cheers

[@TheBudgeteers]

When are you back in Thailand? i fly out monday (paddy)

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Pattaya from Jan 13 brother! Looks like I'll miss ya

[@pursuitofexcitement]

When will you be back in CM ... here 'till Jan 17. Had a ball meeting some of your colleagues, like Johnny FD, Riley and Parker, and scores of other cool ppl. This town has really come alive since I started my digital nomad journey here 3 years ago!

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Hey James. Looks like I'll miss you too. I'm coming back on that same date

[@edenmcnamee3188]

Please do an updated video. Have you had any updated equipment? I’m curious since everyone is all about Amazon essentials.

[@jstfd]

That's pretty minimal! In the past when I travel back home to Vietnam I would bring like 2 checked bags, to this day I still don't understand why I was lugging around so much crap that I didn't even get to use.

[@HenTrixXerTainment]

still to much useless stuff... I mean... extra keyboard and mouse for a mac pro? APPLE TV??? C'mon!!!!

[@jstfd]

I thought extra keyboard and mouse is a good investment; what if in the middle of things the keyboard and mousepad on his laptop broke and there is no nearby stores that sell any of this? Probably would cost much more to replace onboard keyboard and mousepad

[@bentimover8095]

Wrong because in that same argument, why can't he just bring an extra laptop or 2- just in case it breaks. Make that the case for everything else he's bringing- just double up. Ridiculous. There's no need to suck up to him lol.

[@dangermandave67]

Wear the most bulky items on the plane to save space in the suitcase. Biggest shoes, jeans not shorts and any jacket you want to take. Probably have to strip down a bit at the destination airport if you're heading to tropics.

[@grimmer2005]

Looks like Chris has a 1930's certain german socialist leader mustasche here, cant be unseen :-O

[@AZANDAE]

Any suggestions for keeping salt and moisture out of your computer stuff? Nice video dude.

[@albertosshi]

Thanks for this awesome video Chris! It is really helpful to the people, like me, that start to think about become a digital nomad :) I hope that you guys enjoy the new adventure and waiting for a video explaining about bank account, taxes and stuff like that for freelancers digital nomads.

[@jaskakamila9395]

Wow, so much shit. Half of it would be enough for a year.

Thank you very much for sharing your experience!!!

[@ulisseyamamoto]

Very Interesting helpful video..Thanks..

[@gownsandroses]

Glad to know I'm not the only one going a little technology crazy when packing! I always have to dedicate my entire carry-on to my computer and camera equipment and I keep wondering how other people get around that. Now I know they don't ;)

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Watch Nick's video if you want to know how :)

[@ToolsOutsideTheBox]

Gownsandroses he doesn't even pack a drone yet. YET!!!!

[@gabrielschroll3824]

There's a reason it's called "DIGITAL" nomad, right? ;)

[@dans810]

Chris, yes Denise is still a girl. LOL!!! I like the new video.

[@athomeonthego4377]

We just did a month in Mexico with just carry-ons! There is no way we're letting the airlines toss our stuff around like they do. Lol... if our tech crashes... there goes the job and then there goes the nomadic life!

[@ChristheFreelancer]

That's why I always keep my tech in my carry-on ;)

[@GutsAndGall]

I had the Samsonite VizAir and loved it, but it lasted maybe 12 trips before the zippers gave. They would open in the middle. Super disappointing because it was otherwise great. Had to give it up;

[@ChristheFreelancer]

I actually had to get my zippers re-done in Chiang Mai. I guess it's the first thing to go.

[@GutsAndGall]

Now I'm wishing I'd done that, though it would have been $$$ in the states. I miss that bag.

[@blagojelukic]

You forgot to mention how much if any cash you are taking...

[@ChristheFreelancer]

That's right! Not much, if any. We're constantly on the road so we rely on ATMs more than currency exchange.

[@officialjlara9159]

I need this life!

[@ericweiss5235]

You guys going to places like Thailand need to buy motorcycle appropriate footwear if you plan to ride. You wreck in those light weight sneaks and you could have a major problem on your hands - or feet. Good hiking boots at the very least. Leather gloves and helmet might also help. And I plan on packing my Garmin.

[@TaschcoHD]

Do you have any troubles when doing taxes for your freelancing income? I've heard this can be a problem for DNs

[@pursuitofexcitement]

Check out this group on FB Bobby: facebook.com/groups/205470759903160/?ref=br_rs

[@ChristheFreelancer]

I just pay tax as normal back in Australia. Makes things easy for now

[@hamzamahboub3815]

thank you

[@ninadayare]

Sorry Chris but this is NOT minimalist :v

[@ChristheFreelancer]

I warned you!

[@MitkoKarshovski]

I know you have already left on your trip but I think I have the solution for your jacket issue. I always bring my Patagonia Nano Puff with me when I hit the road. It is compact enough to fold down into a little pouch but when you pair it with another warm layer like a sweatshirt/hoodie it can handle some pretty cold temps. I bring it with me even if I am going so warm places since you just never know with weather these days. Cheers and safe travels!

[@MartinAnev]

Is it only me that heard 5 tequillas when you said 50 kilos :D Nice video, As a guy from Europe I think you might need sweaters as well, not only t-shirts and a big-ass jacket :)

[@ericyuan9718]

Very useful. My biology teacher taught for a short stint in Australia and the students told her she can't wear thongs. You can guess how awkward that situation was.

[@razvanilin]

I always disliked taking more than a backpack when I'm traveling. I packed for 3 months a few days ago and it was really hard haha. Managed to do it in the end :D

[@trevorsreviews]

It's so funny watching these videos because you realize what little we nomads need to live this location independent lifestyle.

[@ChrisWiniarski]

Question about last year packing. Why didn't you check the weight of your stuff before coming to the airport?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Didn't have the scale last year.

[@themysterytraveler6536]

Anker 6 Port USB Wall Charger is one of the best things to have when traveling with a lot of electronics.

[@edarioq]

How do you deal with having (or not having) LTE on your phone while traveling?

[@tjblackmore7863]

This video is awesome man, I need to get a smaller suitcase. Cheers!

[@HenTrixXerTainment]

You are right. This what you have in your backpack is NOT really minimalist. I mean.. Extra keyboard and mouse for your Mac? WHY? Apple TV ?? xD sorry mate... but this is Luxus travelling what you do.

[@mikellasa]

So this may be a silly question, but what do you do if you lose your laptop or its stolen? Things happen I just didn't know if you had a backup computer because you might be in a place where you can't readily get another computer and have pressing work due. Awesome channel, man. I'm an aspiring remote web developer myself. Keep up the great work 🤙🏼

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Hey there. I have a travel insurance policy that covers losses of that sort of thing but it's something I hope to never rely on. Just guard that baby with your life!

[@shanhickson1379]

I think you have a really good mix of luxury items and necessities

[@brazucasubzero]

Thank you very much for this vídeo!!!!

[@Angrymobs62]

Do you model? You should hook up with Jamie and Nikki . You and your Better half are very photogenic! Take some glamour pix

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Cheers! No idea who Jamie and Nikki are though haha

[@Slappysan]

Wow, maybe you'll figure it out in a year or two. #TooMuch

[@vanessacolina]

That was pretty funny how you sat on the suitcase. If all of that would have fit in that suitcase I would have though it were special effects ;) Lolz. Thanks for the video!

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Yep. Sitting on your luggage while you zip it up is a key tip ;)

[@stvsueoka1]

I've been looking for a video JUST like this. thank you!

[@86Corvus]

So, "nomad" how manny times have you moved camp in the recent present? Annoying terminology to try to make this anything else than just expating to another country because you are not bogged down by a job to a specific place

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Well, just moved from Chiang Mai to London and I'm heading to Marrekech in a few weeks so you be the judge.

[@sarahbutler1]

What's with the Australian power board?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

I'm Australian and all my devices have Australian plugs.

[@sarahbutler1]

But its 220v here and 240v in Australia...any challenges with this difference - how do you manage this?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

not an issue

[@Jay-nj8wp]

Nice suitcase, what brand is it?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Can't remember sorry. Just picked it up for 100MYR in Malaysia. No branding on it

[@ToolsOutsideTheBox]

Chris the Freelancer does it seem sturdier than the last one?

[@ToquzOghuzKhaganatekhan]

My lifestyle packed and go 🛳🛳🛳

[@abhishekmallik1760]

Was waiting for this one, don't know why :P

[@HarishChouhan]

Hey Chris, look into a "Power Cube" to replace that long power board. Saves space and is lighter compared to the large board.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Thanks Harish.

[@mellowing13]

Hey Chris, thanks for that video, it is really useful. I have a question about Kensington lock. Are you using it in coworking spaces? I am going to Thailand sometime soon and wondering how safe it is to leave MacBook in coworking for, say, 15-20 minutes if I want to have a break.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Depends. I didn't use it at Punspace and Mana but at CAMP I did

[@mellowing13]

Got it, thanks!

[@Nour-le8jn]

Great video, Can you tell us the Specs of your MacBook?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

MacBook Pro 15" Mid-2015 2.2ghz 256gb storage

[@noelio67]

Happy New Years' Chris

[@TomBrunberg]

Nice to see your channel getting some tracktion! Keep on vlogging!

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Same to you, my friend :)

[@dotapro12]

Welcome back to Singapore once again, buddy!

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Thanks Aaron

[@lokaphil]

Wow you've got a lot of stuff. Ever considered getting an all in 1 travel adapter. I've got one which also has 2 USB ports soits super handy.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

We considered it but we had the adapters already so we stuck with them.

[@lokaphil]

Chris the Freelancer fair enough. I'm all for spending money to reduce and improve what I am carrying :)

[@TenTwelveTwoTravel]

Helpful video! I definitely need to get a lightweight tripod like yours. When I was packing I was like "nah, won't need that," but after months of trying to find something to balance the camera on and building tripods out of books/boxes/other objects, I've come to realize I do indeed need one hahah

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Yep. Tripod is definitely an essential

[@ToolsOutsideTheBox]

TenTwelveTwo Travel I have a GoPro. Nomadic Gear has a pretty intense kit on Amazon. It comes with what looks like a sturdy monopod and attachable tripod feet and standard cam adapter. I got it coming. Has a lot of aluminum alloy parts too, for durability/longevity.

[@TenTwelveTwoTravel]

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely have to look into that

[@juanjoserojasleon]

Nice video!!!!!

[@nevodavid]

Hey Chris, how do you protect your keyboard and mouse while you are going to a toilet or something? :)

[@ChristheFreelancer]

I work from coworking spaces that I can trust

[@nevodavid]

Buy you don't know all the people inside right? and also in your videos you said you are testing a lot of coworking spaces

[@Mirudesuu]

I'm not sure if you're going to see this but how are you going to get all of those electronics through security?? I don't travel much so I don't know how that works lol

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Never had any issues and wouldn't know why it would ever be a problem

[@Mirudesuu]

I live in America so the TSA are usually really strict about the stuff you can carry to the airport. Like Lithium powered batteries or something. But thank you for replying! I'm glad you personally didn't find any issues :)

[@nickdanforth]

I need to update my list video haha.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Pressure's on buddy!

[@mal7753]

Nice

[@ToolsOutsideTheBox]

I'm going to have to watch this repeatedly. I didn't catch the point of the scale and what adapter is needed for Vietnam? Also... no high quality helmet nor pollution mask? I'll think of more questions....I promise.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

The point of the scale? It's to determine the weight of the luggage

[@ToolsOutsideTheBox]

Chris the Freelancer I understood that. But why does it matter? Excuse my ignorance, I've never travelled internationally before. At least, not by air.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Oh I see. When you fly intentionally, airlines limit the amount of luggage you can take. Usually 20kg of checkin luggage is included per person. If you need more, you have to purchase it per flight which can add up if travel a lot. Hope that helps. You can find what plugs fit in which country by searching on Google. Should be quite easy to find

[@ToolsOutsideTheBox]

Chris the Freelancer ok thanks. hopefully none of my future flights are unintentional! ;)

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Internationally*

[@LaurieBorlace]

How much storage roughly do you use for all the media you produce each year (cos I know you do a lot, and videos take up a lot of space)? I imagine it probably varies a lot, so perhaps how much do you have in total at the moment? Presumably the project hard drive and laptop aren't enough, and you also have plenty saved in hard drives back home or in the cloud?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

I just have a 4tb external hard drive right now but now that I shoot in 4k, I expect I will need more of them.

[@LaurieBorlace]

I'm actually impressed! Do you keep backups of all your videos once you publish them to KZbin? Whenever I've created a video (not too much!), even a short 20 min one, it's been hundreds of MB, so I'd imagine if you're creating long ones and in high quality, it's going to easily eat up 1TB. When you shoot in 4k, how much more space will it take up? Or should I say, how big is 1 min of footage normally?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Not enough to fill a 4TB drive at this stage. I also try to do a double-backup to the cloud but I've already hit my limit on Dropbox.

[@LaurieBorlace]

Chris the Freelancer cool, thanks for taking the time to reply. I hope to bump into you either on my workation later this year, or when I'm fully nomad next year.

[@terencetsy]

great vid!

[@Lauder86]

good save on the thongs/pluggers conundrum

[@Lauder86]

aTruckerChannel - Pluggers is an aussie slang for Flip-flops. because the part that goes over your toes and in between the big toe goes through the other side of the sole like a plug.

[@ToolsOutsideTheBox]

Lauder86 LMAO! Just goes to show that I need to network with more Aussies!!!

[@Lauder86]

aTruckerChannel haha. we have a slang word for just about everything.

[@BloggingFromParadise]

Oh yes Chris; during our first trip to Bali, we took huge suitcases and filled it up. 1 year later - when we had been digital nomads for a bit - the suitcases literally fell apart from the luggage load. We travel light, do laundry frequently, make weight for planes easily, and feel much better traveling. Pinned and Tweeted. Ryan