This post is just an overview of the main ‘Kit’ I’m going to use if I (don’t) choose to become a digital nomad from September… NB I’m including a lot of ‘kit’ that will also enable me to just ditch the car and go for a very long walk!
This is my ‘cheap as chips’ version, utilising the stuff I’ve already got to hand, and ‘reasonable budget’ buys where I don’t have the stuff. NB As I see it, if I’ve got a car, I may as well use the space to give myself a bit of luxury, so this isn’t an especially minimalist version of nomadism.
Anything in italics is something I need to buy!
Pack/ camping equipment
I’m going with the full on ‘luxury of options’ range - large tent, small tent, hammock and tarp.. So I can spread myself out if I’ve got the space, or go micro (hammock and tarp) if it’s just me parked next to a couple of trees on rough ground.
- Main pack - An Osprey Talon 33 litre. bought this several years ago, it does the job nicely as a mid-size pack.
- Day sack 1 - A Vango Vector 25 litre, used pretty much every day for work for the last 16 years.
- Mini daysack - A Berghaus Cubic 10, which I use occasionally, great for day trips to London, and briefer trips out. TBH it’s not that great, but it’s what I’ve got.
- Dry bag- just a basic, 10 litre dry bag I use to keep anything I need dry on longer walks.
- A range of canvas bags to sort clothes
- Tent 1 - If I’ve got a car, I may as well buy a large tent that I can ‘sit in’ - the Coleman 3 person tent seems to be adequate to give me sufficient room to ‘live’ in.
- Tent 2 - I might also buy this Vango Soul 100 1 person tent if I ever have to make do with a more cramped pitching spot.
- Hammock - The DD Superlight Hammock (£55) might be useful sometimes
- Tarp - 1 3*3 meter DD tarp.
- Ground sheet - I've got a basic cheap waterproof 'ground sheet' large enough for sleeping on but for some reason I have this irrational urge to buy this more expensive DD version.
- Sleeping bag - I've got a Vango Ultralight Pro, but TBH I'll probably chuck a blanket and a pillow in if I've got the car too!
- Sleeping mat(s) - I’ve actually got an Xklymit Inertia sleeping mat, the lightest mat on the market. I've also just got a few, very basic sleeping mats which I bought for yoga/ weight training (to protect my downstairs neighbours). May as well chuck 'em all in.
- 25 meters DD paracord - just too useful not to have!
Clothes
I generally subscribe to the Steve Jobs 'outdoors upscale' strategy of clothing - basically find the highest quality outdoor item of clothing you can find, and buy a lot of them. (As long as you have somewhere to store them!)
- Waterproof shell - I’ve got a ridiculously over the top Mountain Equipment waterproof jacket, suitable for hiking in the Himalayas, and cheaper versions.
- Fleece jacket - I’ve had my RAB fleece for about a decade now… It’s not exactly contoured to my body anymore, but thankfully I don’t really care that much about style! This is quite possible my favorite item of clothing!
- Trousers - I bought a pair of these Craghopper Kiwi Stretch Trousers years ago, they’re just great…. Comfortable, cool wearing, quick drying, just one pair. I'm going to buy another pair or two. Now I'm quitting work, I can't think of any other trousers worth wearing!
- Shorts *2 - again, Craghhoppers, just can’t go wrong!
- Helly Hansen base layers - *2 - they’re skin tight, so you can only really get away with them if you’re buff, which I am, so lucky me.
- T shirts *several - A la Steve Jobs the only T shirts I buy are Hanes body fit, although you have to be well-buff like me to get away with the body fit. Chunky lads might prefer the 'comfort fit'.
- Underwear *3 - I’m not an brand name undwear snob, I just buy whatever's cheap and comfortable really!
- Socks *4 - I buy whatever decent ‘hiking socks’ I can find on special: typically Bridgedale’s or something along those lines
- Boots - I’m going to treat myself to a pair of ‘Scarpas’ - my current 10 year old pair are just a bit too battered.
- [Running shoes] - again with a car, I can treat myself to luxury of having a decent pair of Asics - I get through about 2-3 pairs a year: I typically buy whatever variety’s on special: one pair for the trail, one for the track.
- Sandals - just a budget pair of hiking sandals.
- Warm hat - just a classic Ronhill Beanie.
- Sun hat - Craghoppers again, does the job….
- Work gloves - a basic cheap pair from Wilko’s.
Tools
Just a few...
- Knife - A Mora, basically the cheapest ‘decent’ knife you can buy.
- Multitool - the Stanley 12 in 1 multi-tool - not the best out there, but the best budget option according to vrious review sites.
- Folding saw - A Bahco Laplander folding saw
- Pens - Numerous, basic biros.
- Kindling - cotton wool
- Lighter - cheap, disposable.
- Matches - swan-vestas.
- A Fire starter kit - I'm planning on buying a ‘Friendly Swede’ ferro rod and striker.
- Pegs - just a few, for drying clothes outdoors
Cooking/ Water/ Food
- Water bottles - I’ve got two Nalgene wide mouth 1 litre bottles. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, but I like them.
- Stove 1 - I'm keeping it simple and am going to buy an MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Pans - Or rather pan - The MSR Titanium Kettle; and one Bodum insulated Cup. - Cleaning cloth
- Water filter - haven't decided on this yet, need to buy one!
- Food boxes - a few plastic tubs to keep food in!
- Ablutions/ first aid
- First aid kit - just a basic, basic first aid kit!
- Toothbrush - A Braun electric toothbrush
- Beard grooming kit - brush, comb and Percy Nobleman’s Beard Oil
- Deodorant/ Shower gel/ toothpaste
- Pack towel - I’ve got an ultralight pack towel for walking, and just a regular medium sized towel.
Tech Gadgets/ luxuries
Odd to think that just 20 years ago this wouldn't have even been a category!
- Phone - A Galaxy Samsung J5 16 GB - I got an 8GB on a cheap contract with EE just over 2 years ago - I’m probably going to upgrade to a 16GB for £150 and keep the same contract.
- Solar charger - I’ve got an Anker 8W solar charger and tiny little Anker battery to go with it, suitable for overnight walks. I’ll upgrade my solar/ system battery pack if I’m camping long term, but for now, this and the car will do!
- Keyboard - I'm planning on buying a foldable keyboard to go with the phone for walks and blogs
- Laptop - I bought a ‘budget’ Le Novo Ideapad last year, on the basis of already having a work lap-top. It was only £300, but I wish I’d have paid more, it’s already getting a bit clunky!
- Ipad
- Various Chargers
- 1 contact juggling ball.
Did I mention I contact juggle? I'm actually quite good. Unfortunately you need to be magnificent in order for it not to look totally crap to your audience, and I'm only 'good', so it's not quite showtime yet!
No doubt I've missed out a few things, but this is basically my base material collection for possibly the next year... still waiting on that completion date!