Decades of Remote Work: The 7 Laptop-Bag Essentials I Never Leave Home Without

Stay updated with ZDNET: Mark us as a preferred source on Google.

Key insights from ZDNET

• A productive mobile office means packing only what’s necessary—not every gadget you’d like to have.
• A reliable charger and portable power bank are essential for lasting through a full day.
• I also carry a handful of unexpected yet incredibly practical items, some of which I’ve created using a 3D printer.

It’s becoming uncomfortably warm in the office lately—temperatures reached a scorching 92°F here in the UK recently, so we’re already complaining and longing for winter—so I’ve been spending less time at my desk and more time on the move. But work doesn’t stop, so my dependable laptop usually tags along.

Also: How I quickly prepare my solar generators for storms—after years of emergency readiness

Just recently, I emptied out my laptop bag, tossed out a good amount of clutter that had built up over the past few months, and pared down what I was hauling around. (Turns out I really didn’t need a pile of USB-C cables!) Now I’m traveling with a light load that lets me roam freely while staying productive.

Here’s the core equipment I bring with me.

1. Laptop bag

The bags we use to carry our belongings are deeply personal—shaped by everything from individual taste to body type to how much we need to tote around—so recommending a specific bag isn’t particularly useful. But for those curious about my setup, here are my go-to bags.

Yes, bags—plural. I rotate between two depending on what I’m packing and where I’m headed.

Also: Your travel tech bag needs this clever security upgrade that won’t cost a fortune

The first is from high-end accessory brand Aer—the Travel Sling 2 X-Pac bag. It’s spacious enough to fit my 16-inch MacBook Pro along with all my essentials, durable enough to resist rips, tears, and water, and light and comfortable enough that I never complain about carrying it. With 18 liters of capacity, there’s ample room for everything I need without tempting me to overpack.

Also: I was skeptical, but this anti-theft tech bag genuinely stopped a pickpocket

When I’m bringing my iPad Pro along, I opt for the 10-liter Pacsafe Vibe, a fantastic bag loaded with anti-theft features—from lockable zippers to slash-resistant fabric—and these features genuinely work. I’ve had pickpockets attempt to open it while I was wearing it, and they couldn’t get in. This is the ideal bag for safeguarding your valuables in any risky environment.

Both bags are sling-style, so you can wear them on your back or across your chest depending on the situation. Wearing the bag on your back is great for comfort, but for security purposes or when hopping on and off public transit, wearing it in front is ideal—you can still sit down easily, and all your belongings stay within easy reach.

2. Hub

Since no laptop ships with enough ports these days, a hub has become an indispensable accessory.

When it comes to hubs, Satechi is my brand of choice. I alternate between two models—the 8-in-1 USB C Hub Multiport Adapter V2 and the USB-C Hub Multiport Adapter MX hub.

Both are excellent hubs that provide all the extra ports I need without going overboard. And since both draw power directly from the USB-C port, there’s no separate power adapter to lug around.

I’ve been using both docks extensively with my laptop and tablet, and they’ve both performed flawlessly.

3. Charger

Because I use a MacBook Pro, the included 140W single-port USB-C charger is a solid, lightweight choice. (Be cautious if you purchase it from anywhere other than Apple, since counterfeits are widespread.) However, when I need to charge multiple devices, being limited to just one port can be frustrating.

Also: This 205W GaN adapter has completely replaced my other travel chargers

Despite having plenty of chargers at home, for travel I’ve settled on a universal travel adapter that lets me charge whether I’m in the UK or overseas, offers a solid selection of ports, delivers enough power for even a laptop, and includes a pass-through plug so I don’t hog a wall outlet. For me, these are the perfect chargers when working away from the office.

Tessan offers a lineup of universal travel adapters with USB power outputs ranging from 35W to 140W. These are excellent adapters, and despite being designed for travel, mine have held up through months of everyday use. Another universal travel adapter I’ve been relying on heavily lately is the powerhouse Momax 205W 9-in-1 unit. If you’ve got a lot of devices to charge and want them powered up quickly, this is the charger to get.

4. Encrypted storage

I will never go back to transporting data on an unencrypted drive. That’s just inviting disaster.

Also: Can hackers crack encrypted USB drives? I put them to the test

I’m a big fan of the Apricorn Aegis Fortress encrypted SSD, but it’s fairly bulky, and whenever I take it out, the keypad and flashing LEDs tend to attract attention. So unless I need a high-capacity drive, I reach for the Kingston IronKey Locker+50 G2, which looks like an ordinary USB flash drive yet offers top-tier security.

The Kingston provides an impressive level of security — honestly, more than I actually require — and it blends in without drawing any attention.

5. Power bank

I limit myself to just one power bank. Part of me wants to bring at least two, but I know that’s overkill.

Also: The best GaN chargers of 2026: Expert tested

To make up for only carrying one, I go with a fairly hefty unit: the Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh 130W power bank. This portable powerhouse features two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and more than enough juice to keep my MacBook Pro and other gadgets charged.

It’s also approved for air travel: It falls under the 100Wh (roughly 27,000 mAh) threshold, so you shouldn’t run into any problems bringing it aboard a commercial flight.

The only downside is its size. When I want something more compact, I reach for the carbon-fiber-wrapped Nitecore NB10000, which is lightweight, powerful, and tough enough to handle rough treatment. This was one of the power banks I brought along on my Camino trek last year, and it endured everything Mother Nature threw at it — rain, frost, and freezing temperatures.

6. Cables

Alongside the MacBook’s own MagSafe charging cable, I now rely on the ChubbyCable Tri-Flex 3-in-1 cable, which charges my Apple Watch or AirPods on the charging pad plus two additional devices. Despite its quirky appearance, it’s an excellent cable that replaces three separate ones without any trade-offs.

Also: This 3-in-1 USB-C cable replaced every other cable in my travel bag – here’s why

Plus, its bright color makes it easy to spot in a cluttered Airbnb or hotel room.

I also carry a data-blocking cable from Plugable for those situations where I need to charge from an untrusted power source. This cable permits charging while completely blocking any data transfer attempts.

7. Multitool

You didn’t think I’d leave home without a multitool, did you? And since I’m bringing one along, I need something that delivers maximum functionality for minimal weight. I carry both a Bibury Multitool Pliers Pro and a NexTool “Black Knight” 11-in-1 multitool.

Also: Finally, I found a highly functional multitool that isn’t a gimmick – and it’s on sale

Both come equipped with full-size pliers, a solid pair of scissors, a blade, and screwdrivers. And since they’re both budget-friendly options, if one gets lost, stolen, or confiscated for any reason, I’m only out a few dollars.

But the moment I try to get either of these through security onto a plane (or a train, ferry, or cruise ship) is the moment I lose a multitool; for those trips, I depend on my reliable NexTool Mini, which has some of the best tiny scissors I’ve ever used, and it costs less than $25.

Random bits and bobs

• Pen and paper: Old-fashioned! I’ve tested plenty of pens, but I always come back to the Fisher Space Pen.
• Meshtastic LoRa radios: These two-way radios are useful when there are two of us at a site and we want to stay in touch using LoRa, a free, decentralized, off-grid communication network.
• A 3D-printed table dewobbler: You’d be surprised how irritating a wobbly table becomes after just a few minutes. I 3D printed a batch of these clever wedges last year, and they’ve been fantastic.
• USB power meter: I keep one of these USB meters in my bag for all those “Is this outlet actually working?” moments. It’s also handy for checking whether cables are functioning properly.
• Earbuds: I’m a big fan of my AirPods Pro and they travel everywhere with me. That said, there are times when I’ll switch to my Suunto Wing 2 bone conduction headphones since they’re more comfortable for extended wear in hot weather.
• Key-Bak retracting keychain: I’ve been using these heavy-duty retracting keychains for years. A while back, I decided I needed one clipped to my laptop bag. That turned out to be a great call. If you’re picking one up, don’t bother with anything other than Key-Bak.