The Travel Coding Setup: Gear That Actually Matters (And What's Just Hype)
You don't need 50 pounds of gear to code from anywhere. Here's the minimalist setup that actually works for traveling developers.
The Travel Coding Setup: Gear That Actually Matters (And What's Just Hype)
Greetings, citizen of the web!
Every "digital nomad gear" list recommends 30 items, half of which you'll never use.
Here's what I actually carry after 2 years of coding from 15+ countries:
Total weight: 8 pounds (3.6kg) Total value: ~$3,500 Actual utility: 10/10
The Core Stack (Non-Negotiable)
1. MacBook Pro 14" M3 (~4.7 lbs / 2.1kg)
Why M3: Battery life is EVERYTHING when traveling.
- 8-12 hours real-world usage
- Compiles fast (no waiting in cafes)
- Runs local dev environment + Docker without thermal throttling
Alternative: M2 MacBook Air (lighter, cheaper, still excellent)
Windows alternative: Dell XPS 13 Plus or Framework Laptop (repairable!)
2. Portable Monitor: ASUS ZenScreen 13.3" (~1.7 lbs / 0.7kg)
Game changer. Single monitor productivity kills me. Dual monitors = 40% productivity boost.
Setup:
- Laptop screen: code
- Portable monitor: docs/browser/terminal
Why this one: USB-C powered (no separate power brick), slim, magnetic cover doubles as stand.
Alternative: Skip it if you're hardcore minimalist. I can't.
3. Noise-Cancelling Headphones: AirPods Pro 2
Use cases:
- Cafes (background noise)
- Co-working spaces (distractions)
- Flights (survival)
- Meetings (clear audio)
Why AirPods Pro: Tiny, no case needed, seamless Apple ecosystem.
Alternative: Sony WH-1000XM5 (better ANC, bulkier)
4. Power Bank: Anker 737 (24,000mAh)
Lifesaver when:
- Power goes out (happens more than you think)
- Long flights
- All-day coding in cafe with no outlets
Why this one: Charges laptop (not just phone), 140W output.
5. Universal Travel Adapter: OneAdapt WorldTraveller
Not sexy, but essential. Every country has different plugs.
Why this one: Supports 180+ countries, built-in USB-C PD charging.
The "Nice to Have" Tier
Compact Keyboard: Keychron K3 (Low-Profile Mechanical)
Only bring if: You code 8+ hours daily and hate laptop keyboards.
Why this one: Wireless, slim, mechanical feel, hot-swappable switches.
The tradeoff: Extra 1.2 lbs to carry.
Laptop Stand: Roost Stand (Foldable)
Use case: Ergonomics in Airbnbs (raise screen to eye level).
Why this one: Weighs 5oz, folds flat.
The tradeoff: Looks weird in cafes. I only use it in private spaces.
Cable Organizer: Small Packing Cube
Prevents: Cable spaghetti hell in your backpack.
Cost: $10. Worth it.
What You DON'T Need (Popular But Useless)
❌ External Mouse
Why it's useless: Trackpad gestures are faster once you learn them. One less thing to carry.
Exception: If you have RSI. Then yes, bring an ergonomic mouse.
❌ Big Camera
Why it's useless: Your phone camera is excellent. A DSLR adds 2-4 lbs for minimal benefit.
Exception: If photography is your hobby. But you asked about coding gear.
❌ Portable SSD (for most people)
Why it's useless: Cloud backup (Backblaze, iCloud) > physical drives.
Exception: Video editors, large dataset work. Developers? Cloud is fine.
❌ VPN Router
Why it's useless: Just use a software VPN (Mullvad, Tailscale).
Exception: Extreme privacy needs. Most developers don't need this.
The Software Stack
VPN: Mullvad or Tailscale
Mullvad: Privacy-focused, fast, no logs. Tailscale: Secure access to your home network from anywhere.
Use cases:
- Public WiFi security
- Access geo-restricted services
- Connect to home lab
Cloud Backup: Backblaze ($70/year)
Set it and forget it. Everything backs up automatically.
Why: If your laptop gets stolen/lost, you're back up in hours, not weeks.
Password Manager: 1Password or Bitwarden
Non-negotiable. You'll access services from random devices, networks, cafes.
Why: Strong unique passwords + 2FA without memorizing anything.
Dev Environment: Remote Dev Container or Local
Option 1 - Cloud Dev: GitHub Codespaces, Gitpod
- Pro: Works on any device, consistent environment
- Con: Requires internet, monthly cost
Option 2 - Local: Docker + devcontainers
- Pro: Works offline, free
- Con: Laptop needs to be powerful
My setup: Local dev (M3 handles it), Codespaces as backup.
The Backpack
Requirements:
- Fits laptop + portable monitor
- Comfortable for 8+ hours
- Looks professional (not "hiking trip")
- Lockable zippers (theft deterrent)
Recommendations:
- Aer Travel Pack 3 (33L, tech-focused)
- Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus (sleek, professional)
- Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L (photographer-friendly, overkill for just coding)
The key: One bag for everything (coding gear + clothes for 3-5 days). Check-in luggage is for tourists.
The Cafe/Co-Working Checklist
Before you sit:
- Locate power outlets (or confirm battery will last)
- Test WiFi speed (fast.com - need 10+ Mbps for video calls)
- Check noise level (can you focus here?)
- Identify restroom location
While working:
- VPN always on (public WiFi)
- Laptop locked when bathroom break (physical security)
- Noise-cancelling headphones (even if no music - signal "don't disturb")
The Budget Tiers
Minimum Viable Setup: $1,500
- M2 MacBook Air 13" ($1,100)
- AirPods (regular, not Pro) ($130)
- Anker power bank ($90)
- Universal adapter ($30)
- Backpack ($150)
Optimal Setup: $3,500 (my setup)
- M3 MacBook Pro 14" ($2,000)
- ASUS ZenScreen portable monitor ($250)
- AirPods Pro 2 ($250)
- Anker 737 power bank ($150)
- Keychron K3 keyboard ($90)
- Roost laptop stand ($80)
- OneAdapt adapter ($50)
- Aer Travel Pack 3 ($300)
- Software subscriptions ($330/year)
Luxury Setup: $5,000+
- M3 Max MacBook Pro 16" ($3,500)
- All the above + ergonomic gear
- Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones ($400)
- Not necessary. You're past diminishing returns.
The Real Secret
It's not the gear. It's the discipline.
You can code from anywhere with:
- A decent laptop
- Internet connection
- Headphones
Everything else is optimization.
The $500 laptop developer who ships consistently > $5,000 setup developer who doesn't.
Focus on the work, not the aesthetic.
The Starter Plan
Month 1: Work from cafes locally with your current setup. Identify pain points.
Month 2: Invest in fixing your #1 pain point (battery life? Screen size? Audio quality?).
Month 3: Test the setup on a 1-week trip. Adjust.
Month 4: You're ready for extended travel.
Traveling while coding isn't about having the perfect gear.
It's about having reliable enough gear to focus on the work.
Ship code. See the world. Repeat.
Emmanuel Ketcha | Ketchalegend Blog Currently writing this from... honestly I've lost track. The gear works everywhere.