The best durable luggage combination for digital nomads

Luggage is one of the most important components of what digital nomads need. Not only are you traveling a lot, you’re probably also spending a lot of time outside of your suitcase – which makes it suitable for digital nomads to invest in the right luggage.

We’ve spent our fair share on the road and so far, we know one or two things that make a good suitcase key and a combination of different luggage for different trips. And we’ve found the perfect combination of luggage for digital nomads.

If you’re about to embark on a digital nomadic journey, keep reading.

Read related: Tips for traveling and working remotely

What makes the best luggage for digital nomads?

For the team at Travel Dudes, it involves four things:

1. It needs to have a smart design feature that makes the journey easier
2. It needs to be made from high-quality, durable material
3. The brand needs to support sustainable and environmentally friendly practices
4. It should look sexy

We recently tested three different travel bags from Horizn Studios and can happily say they ticked all the boxes – and much more!

They make a variety of luggage, from check-in suitcases and cabin bags to backpacks, weekends, laptop bags and cross-over bags. Something for everyone – including digital nomads!

Here is the perfect luggage combination for digital nomads

If you’ve ever packed your life (including your work gear) for travel and worked for long periods of time, you’ll know how it’s not possible to travel with just one bag.

You need a few different bags, and we’re glad to share that we’ve found the perfect combination of luggage for digital nomads.

For a seamless digital navigation experience, you need four different types of bags:

1. Large check-in suitcase (we prefer a tighter suitcase than a backpack because it is easier for long-term travel where you are staying in each place for a long time)
2. Cabin bags for extra luggage that you want easy access while flying
3. Backpack for your laptop and accessories
4. Small day bags to use once at your destination

Check-in suitcase: H7 smart / required

If you’re going to travel for a while, you need a decent-sized suitcase to carry everything – especially if you travel in multiple seasons!

We love the H7 suitcase from Horizn Studios because it is designed to last a lifetime. This luggage is complete with a premium polycarbonate hard shell (partially recycled) and recycled polyester lining. It is 100% vegetarian and produced in a way that is 99% waste free.

The smart version includes a removable smart charger and a compression pad.

This particular option is the 77cm (90L) size which is best for long term travel. They also have a 64cm (65L) size which is big enough if you only travel in one season and have the option of light packing.

The laundry bag also comes in handy if you need to separate clean and dirty clothes when you go.

Features

• Light and durable hard shell
• One-click removable smart charger – approved cabin for all airlines
• Four 360 Japanese spinner wheels
• TSA-approved lock
• Built-in compression pad to maximize volume
• Premium laundry bag

Details

• Width x Height x Depth: 52 cm x 77 cm x 28 cm
• Volume: 90L
• Weight: 4.9 kg

Revaluation

On our trip to Chimsi in southern Germany we were able to give the H7 Essential Suitcase a proper test.

Let’s start with the first impression: Super Light

I was very impressed when I first picked up the suitcase. Then I prefer four instead of two wheels. Okay, most suitcases nowadays have them, but I still think our old suitcase is only 2 wheeled. And the wheels felt soft while pushing the suitcase, but at the same time it was quite and easy to roll.

When I first opened the suitcase, I was surprised that there weren’t too many. But what did I expect? The job of a suitcase is to pack as much as possible. So everything extra is taking up space. Its section has two nets with zippers for holding clothes and that is it. My essential version is without the compression pad, which can be useful to have. On the other hand, 90 liters of fabric / volume should be enough. Those who pack their entire family can still go for the smart version, which includes compression pads. 3

I don’t think there are any scratches on the luggage to be well traveled. Each scratch belongs to a ride. But when the suitcase is brand new, I don’t need that scratch. I thought several times that I would add scratch when opening or closing that huge thing, because it moves a bit on the floor. No, I didn’t add a scratch, it’s not even time to load the trunk. The hard shell is super tough and light.

Cabin bag: M5 Smart

What’s better than walking into an airport lounge while wheeling a chic cabin bag? Wheel a smart cabin bag.

Horizn Studios’ M5 Smart has the world’s first removable smart charger that lasts up to five days. It also has a front pocket on your laptop that makes it sliding in and out while checking in at the airport!

Features

• One-click removable smart charger – approved cabin for all airlines
• Water-resistant front pocket for a 15 “laptop
• Lightweight and durable hard shell
• Four 360 Japanese spinner wheels and TSA-approved locks
• Built-in compression pads and premium laundry bags
• TSA-approved lock

Details

• Width x Height x Depth: 40 cm x 55 cm x 23 cm
• Volume: 33L
• Weight: 3.6 kg

Revaluation

Making a fabulous cabin bag is much harder than checking in with a suitcase. At least when it is used by me. Usually I try to travel with luggage in hand. I’m not a superhero, when it’s packed, but I quickly realize what I like and where a bag can be developed.

It is really important to have a storage space for laptops and to keep a small amount of liquid in the familiar 1-liter bag, which you can access quickly and without unpacking everything else. And I find it so annoying if you have to unzip the whole bag to do it and everyone else can look at your bag.
That’s what I like about the M5 right now. The front has an extra storage pocket for laptops, liquids and other items. All in all you will get one of those 6 extra bogies. Good to stay!

Do you know those ‘old fashioned’ airports that don’t have a plug to recharge your phone? Or maybe you’re just stuck in one with 2-3 plugs and they’re occupied by other passengers? But your flight is late and you often grab your phone or tablet and every time you see how the loading bar of your device is getting smaller every minute. Now it’s great that you have a smart version of Horizn’s luggage, because it has a smart-charger.
Then it’s time to finally get on the plane, but your phone may still need a little more power. How smart you can actually remove the charger and take it to your seat… or your backpack.

The trolley should fit your style, right? Then you will like that you can customize it! As you can see, I chose a graphite shell with an orange handle and a wheel cap. You can even add your own monogram to the luggage tag. And there are a few more colors to choose from for your own customized version. Take a look here.

The whole bag looks good and you will quickly realize that it is a strong and reliable product. The role of the four wheels is quiet and simple and the case itself is light and high quality material. It simply feels good.

Backpack: SoFo backpack travel

Probably the most important bag for you to get your digital nomadic backpack right. You need a backpack that will hold your entire digital life: laptops, accessories, multiple chargers and all the other gadgets.

The SoFo backpack from Horizn Studios is great because it is designed to let you pack and organize like a suitcase when you carry it as a backpack. You can open the backpack either from the side or from the top (like a duffel bag), allowing it to be used in multiple situations.

Multiple compartments all just make sense. There’s a place for everything, including a sleek hidden slide-in pouch to easily store your mobile phone and passport.

This backpack doubles as a great overnight bag for any of your short trips as well as a great backpack for hiking and other activities (it’s waterproof). It will work well with carrying camera equipment.

Features

• Waterproof base and lining
• Expandable to pack up to five days
• Breathable mesh padding on the back and shoulder straps
• Open back-panel for easy packing and access to the main carriage
• Padded rear bogie for a 16 “laptop
• Hidden back pockets and clever side and front pockets

Details

• Width x Height x Depth: 32 cm × 50 cm × 17 cm
• Width x Height x Depth (stretch): 32 cm × 60 cm × 17 cm
• Volume: 29L
• Size (stretch): 34L (without pocket)

Revaluation

I like when a backpack has a lot of different features, until they are understood. And they are on the SoFo backpack trip. It starts with two options for accessing the contents of the backpack, either by opening the top or rear zipper. This way it is much easier to grab what you are looking for without randomizing the order.

A bogie to store your laptop on the back and an extra zipper to get to the main bogie. So if you only want to hold your laptop (for example airport security) you don’t have to open the whole bag. It may be just an extra zipper, but this small detail makes a difference.

The backpack then got a large side and front pocket, which could be used to store sandwiches, drink bottles or liquid bags while flying. In fact the size of the whole backpack is large enough that enough things can be easily packed for a few days.

The backpack has got more useful pockets, such as the one hidden behind, which can be used to store phones, tablets and passports.

If I have the desire to add, I will go for an extra optional waist carrying strap, as you can expand the size of this bag upwards. That adds potential carrying weight. Instead of attaching the bag to the extended handle of your trolley / suitcase, this is also a nice feature.

Also these products feel really good and high quality. I look forward to using it many times.

Small day bags

Be sure to add a small bag to your suitcase to take out when you arrive at your destination that you can use when you go out.

The small So-Pho cross-body bag from Horizon Studio is a great option because it keeps your hands free with a few more small bits, including enough space to carry your mobile phone and purse.

Durable luggage

As travelers, we all want to make sure we travel as sustainably as possible. And that includes travel accessories that we purchase.

The most important thing to consider when buying durable luggage is to focus on high-quality materials. The most durable suitcase is one that lasts for decades. Most of their luggage is made from recycled materials and has been thoroughly tested to ensure their longevity.

In addition, they ensure waste-free and animal-friendly production (the world’s first luggage brand to carry the PETA-approved vegan logo). Also, their sustainability practices extend to their packaging, logistics and stores.

You can throw your old and broken luggage in their Berlin or London store and they will arrange for it to be recycled properly so that it doesn’t end up in the landfill. Also, you get 30 store credit!