My Current Carry – A Nomad Packing List

Everyone has their own philosophy when it comes to packing. Striking the right balance between staying light and being prepared for diverse situations is an interesting challenge. I don’t pack as minimally as some, but many are surprised by how little I bring along. In general, I aim for enough clothing to last at least a week without laundry, and enough options and little luxuries to feel at home wherever I am. Checking a bag provides that extra space and flexibility, and I like not having to deal with a carry-on when I fly. Here’s what I currently bring along with me.

Bags

Money & Documents

I try to buy most things with a credit card, and don’t carry a lot of cash. Sometimes I’ll switch my credit card to a new one that I am trying to earn a bonus for.  I also have one backup credit card, and one backup debit card. Here’s the current lineup:

• RFID front pocket wallet 
• Osprey Arcane Zip Wallet. This is the best passport, card, and cash organizer I have found so far. It’s compact, well-organized, and well-made. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing there aren’t many available. I’m unsure if they plan to keep making them.
• Citi Premier Credit Card
• Ally Debit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card (backup)
• Capital One Debit Card (backup)
• Cash & coins. I don’t usually carry much, but typically a little for when I invariably need it. When I run low I just head to an ATM.
• Passport. I carry it on me when I’m moving between places, but when I’m staying somewhere I usually just leave it at my place, and keep a picture of it in my wallet and on my phone.

Clothes

I try to have enough different types of clothes that I can get by in almost any climate or social situation I’m likely to encounter. I also want to have sufficient changes to go a week without doing laundry. 

One challenge I face in this department is that I’m tall and have trouble finding clothes that fit me. That’s doubly true when I am out of the country, so in general I try and stock up when I’m in the states.

Tops

• 8 t-shirts. These are my bread and butter, for hanging around the house, workouts, you name it. I like the broken-in t-shirts from JCrew, since I can order them in tall sizes. I usually get the ones with a pocket. 
• 5 golf shirts. Travis Mathew is my go-to right now. I like their style and fabrics, and can generally find ones that fit.
• 3 button down short sleeve
• 4 button down long sleeve

Bottoms

• 2 pairs of jeans, one dark wash and another lighter.
• KUHL Renegade shorts
• Swim trunks
• 8 pairs of underwear

Outerwear

• Eddie Bauer fleece. This is a good layer to put on when it’s a little chilly, and they have tall sizes too.
• REI rain jacket

Shoes & Accessories

• OnCloud running shoes
• Leather sneakers. For something I can dress up a little more.
• Flip flops
• Belt
• Suncloud Sunglasses
• Crew socks. One pair for more dressy occasions and colder weather.
• 3 pairs of no-show athletic socks
• Lightweight beanie cap
• 2 nike golf caps. One for hikes and workouts that can get a little sweaty.

Electronics

• MacBook 15”
• Cord organizer. Power bank, cords, adapters
• Jabra Elite 75 earbuds
• Airpods
• ROKU 4K streaming stick
• Travel Speaker
• Spare batteries

First Aid

• Hand sanitizer
• Ibuprofen
• Antibacterial ointment
• Band-aids
• Loperamide

Liquids

• Sunscreen
• Shampoo

Toiletries

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Razor
• Shaving cream

Grooming

• Braun All-in-One Style Kit Series 9 Groomer
• Oral-B Genius X Limited, Electric Toothbrush

Odds and Ends

• Gerber Armbar Cork, Pocket Knife Multi-Tool with Cork Screw, Orange
• Scissors
• Server’s helper
• 2 reusable grocery bags. My favorites are some I picked up at Chedraui. Besides groceries they’re also good for the beach, and carrying clothes to the lavanderia.
• Travel towel
• Hand towel
• Laundry detergent sheets
• Leftover food, such as coffee, nuts, or sardines.
• Pullup & Dip pads

Things I No Longer Carry

There are a few things I go back and forth on, such as:

• Coffee tumbler. The use case is if I go for a walk in the morning, maybe to the beach or a park. Or when I have rented a car, something to carry my coffee in that will fit in a cup holder. But often there is something I can use in the place where I am staying, or I can just buy a coffee somewhere. In any case I’m currently of the mind that it’s not worth carrying around.
• ASUS ZenScreen 15.6″ 1080P Portable Monitor. This worked great, and it was nice having another screen besides the one on my laptop. I’m currently not carrying it with me though, trying to avoid the extra weight and setup involved.
• Huntsman Swiss Army Knife, Blue. This was the multitool I carried before the Gerber. I mostly used the main knife and scissors, but also the toothpick, bottle opener and corkscrew.