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10 tips for the ultimate digital road warrior bag

By Boris
May 8, 2009
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10 tips for the ultimate digital road warrior bagNext to being an Internet Entrepreneur I also consider myself a true mobile worker. I started my first company in a bar in Amsterdam and started my second company, HubHop – a WiFi hotspot provider – so I could work anywhere with WiFi.

Being a mobile worker requires good preparation. I bought a TUMI bag years ago to protect my Powerbook/MacBook Pro. As you might know the TUMI has lots of hidden pockets in which you can store stuff. I decided to compile a list of things that every Mobile Worker should have in his bag to turn any place into a temporary office. Built on years of experience I hope it is useful for you:

1: Gadget Kit
Laptop (with DVD player for long flights), iPhone/iPod, Digital Camera.

2: Emercency Back-up Kit
USB Stick, Spare Keys, Laptop Lock, Spare Batteries (laptop, phone + other stuff), one or two rewritable CDs or DVDs, Food (stuck in meeting, airport or traffic!), Original Laptop Installation CD/DVD.

3a: Cable Kit
Ethernet, Monitor/projector adapters, Airplane Power adapter, Adapters for Phone, Laptop and Other Gadgets, Spare iPod/iPhone Headset.

3b: Cable Kit
The most important cable you might want to pack is a cheap power extension cord. I have one that is almost 4 meters long and it is my most used gadget. Most places have wireless internet but the power sockets are always inconveniently hidden somewhere. A simple extension cord gives you a lot more freedom!

4: Medical First Aid Kit
Aspirin, Sleeping pills (lethal dose to escape boring meetings), Cough Suppress Pills (Mints/Drops/Anything that works for you), Bandages.
(Optional: tampons and/or condoms).

5: Personal Hygiene Kit
Toothbrush and Toothpaste (Take mini set from plane or hotelroom) and/or Mints and/or Chewing Gum, Toothpick and Floss, Nail file and Nailclipper, Comb, Small Mirror.

6: Papers
Passport, Businesscards, 3 ballpoints, 1 Permanent Marker, Notebook (moleskine), Book or Magazine (for when batteries are empty (inevitable) and you are bored), 4 Paperclips (to eject disks, sim cards from iPhones or poke between teeth when bored).

7: Assorted Tools Kit
Leatherman/pocket knife, Screwdriver, Tie rips, Ziplock Bag (for storing liquids such as drinks, beauty products and vomit), small umbrella.

8: Money Kit
Spare Change, 100 Dollar/Euro/British Pounds, Credit Card Emercency Numbers, Electronic Banking Identifier Gizmo.

9: Other Accesories
Sunglasses, Eye Cover (so you can sleep in the airplane) & ear plugs, Inflatable Neck Rest Device.

10: Anti-Gravity Engine
Because your bag, filled with all this stuff, now weighs at least 200 kilos!

Please send me your suggestions and let me know what else you keep in YOUR work bag.


  • Or just buy yourself a "Mobile Office SUV", work everywhere without carrying a 200kg bag. http://www.limousinesworld.com/mercedesGL450_CE...
  • great list

    also always have a digital camera; never know what you might come across...
  • I have a similar list, and I heartily agree with the extension cable! I hate carrying bags though. For my daily commute I have a moleskin notebook, iPhone, Victorinox credit card-sized thing with knife, pen, tweezers etc, and a 16Gb memory stick. I always have a bandaid in my wallet too. I've cut myself a few times in the hustle and bustle my daily commute.
  • Yes, bandages, sleeping pills and assorted medicine is always good to have on you.
  • alain
    Personal hygiene kit, right. You need to take that ??? What is this; a list for complete nerds ??
  • Ah right, I should have added the penis enlarger for you. Completely forgot about that one... ;-)
  • Why do je need a mirror? You can use Photo Booth for that! ;-)
  • Peter
    and for the next road warrior car office, I would get that one!http://www.limousinesworld.com/cadillacescalade_CEO_Ultimate.htm
  • I posted all the stuff in my bag here, with notes. Anything missing?
  • The extension cord is a great idea. I will add that.

    I have replaced all the charging cords with one iGo & tips.
    As for the Leatherman & screwdriver, you may want to exclude these from carry-on luggage if you're flying. I would hate see my Leatherman end up in the bucket with the toenail clippers.
  • Cool list, thks for sharing!
    I'll add 1 more item: A glass breaker hammer.

    Osram has one that's

    • a torch,
    • emergency blinker,
    • seat belt cutter &
    • glass hammer all in 1 handy gadget.

    Likely this won't pass through the airport clearance though (?). Once in yr hotel, put this gadget in yr go-anywhere bag.

    It may just save yr life at the needed moment.

    Tip: Always have with U with a mini torch. With no light, nothing else really matters huh? Fortunately this gadget is a torch too!

    Cheers! :-)
  • Being somewhat of an outdoorsman, I don't like to go anywhere without a magnifying glass (for starting fires) and a compass. Back when I was still a smoker, the magnifying glass came in handy once to fire up a smoke after a long flight, my lighter having been confiscated at the airport.

    They´re both small items that I may never need, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared for whatever.
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