Best Gear For Digital Nomads, Travelers and Backpackers 2017

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Getting ready for your next trip and wondering what should go in your backpack or suitcase that can make your adventure that much better? While we understand the need to pack light, it's equally as important to come prepared. We'd like to think this list of best gear for digital nomads, travelers, and backpackers is an appropriate mix of both. 

Whether it's practical items you are after, like a purifying water bottle, or camera gear that's high-quality yet portable, this list will help you make a more informed decision about what you are purchasing for your travel necessities.

Travel Gear for Digital Nomads, Travelers and Backpackers

1. LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle

Whether you enjoy long backpacking treks or traveling to parts unknown, a filtered water bottle such as LifeStraw is absolutely essential when seeking clean drinking water.

Jimmy drinking stream water from a LifeStraw at Zion National Park.

Jimmy drinking stream water from a LifeStraw at Zion National Park.

We love LifeStraw because it's so easy to use - simply clip right onto your gear, fill it up with the nearest water source and drink through the filter straw - voile, clean drinking water.

LifeStraw Go works to remove over 99% of bacteria and protozoa from water, and does not require any batteries.

Jimmy and I used LifeStraw to purify water from the streams while hiking at Zion National Park, and in all honesty, I thought the water tasted better than NYC tap water!

Even better, not only does purchasing a LifeStraw help YOU attain clean drinking water. For Each LifeStraw You Purchase Through This Link, One School Child In Africa Receives Clean Drinking Water For A Year.

For Each LifeStraw You Purchase, One School Child In Africa Receives Clean Drinking Water For A Year - Shop Now

2. DJI Mavic Pro

Drone footage in Utah captured with a DJI Mavic Pro.

Drone footage in Utah captured with a DJI Mavic Pro.

Ever wonder what drone to use to get those awe-inspiring aerial shots? We highly recommend the DJI Mavic Pro if you're in the market for a drone. The DJI Mavic Pro takes top notch photos and 4k video, all the while being portable enough to fit into your daypack! You can control the drone with an app and attachment on your smartphone, and it will detect whether or not you're in a fly-zone and if the wind will prevent you from flying.

This DJI Mavic Pro package includes a durable carrying case, extra batteries and other accessories to get you flying in no time. And trust us, you WILL need those extra batteries, especially if you're using your drone on the road. 

Is the Mavic Pro out of your budget? DJI also offers the DJI Spark, an even more portable option for half the price.

Buy the DJI Mavic Pro Fly More Combo on Amazon now.

Buy the DJI Spark Mini Drone on Amazon now.

3. Sony a6000

If you're going on an adventure and planning on documenting it, your smartphone simply isn't going to do you justice! You're going to need to invest in a high-quality, yet portable camera to do the job.

Fireworks at Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, NV captured with a Sony a6000.

Fireworks at Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, NV captured with a Sony a6000.

That's why I recommend the Sony a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera to any traveler looking to take their photography to the next level without breaking the bank.

The Sony a6000 is a mirrorless DSLR - this means what you see in the viewfinder is exactly what you get. It also means you can purchase additional lenses depending on the kinds of photos you'd like to capture. The Sony a6000 also captures 1080p video.

They say the best camera is the one you have with you, and since this little guy weighs practically nothing and can fit in a small handbag, you'll want to carry it with you everywhere you go!

Buy the Sony a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens on Amazon now.

4. 2TB Seagate External Hard Drive

This 2tb external hard drive from Seagate has done us SUCH a service as we attempt to document as much of our travels as possible!

If you're planning on taking lots of photos and videos of your travels too, it's absolutely essential that you have an at least a 1tb external hard drive to store and back up your files. However, we recommend the Seagate 2tb drive because it's about the same price as 1tb with double the storage and superior quality. 

And yes, it's highly portable too - I can easily fit it in my laptop case.

Buy the Seagate 2TB External Hard Drive on Amazon now.

5. Inflatable Neck Pillow

Whether you're traveling for leisure, lifestyle or work, who doesn't want to be comfortable enough to nap on a plane or bus - without waking up with neck and shoulder pain? Sure, you could grab an awkward neck pillow from the airport, but they're cumbersome and don't fit into your carry-on.

I present you to a solution, fellow wanderlusters: this inflatable neck pillow. It even comes with a drawstring case, as well as one-time use earplugs and an eyemask, if those things tickle your fancy, but really just buy it for the neck pillow! It takes only a few seconds to inflate and deflate for quick use and storage. I personally purchased this neck pillow for our most recent travels, and it was worth every penny.

Buy the MLVOC Inflatable Neck Pillow with Ear Plugs, Eye Mask and Drawstring Bag on Amazon now.

What's in your backpack, digital nomads? Sound off in the comments!

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