Minimal Travel Tech That Actually Earns Its Place
It’s 6:30 a.m. in a hotel room in Zagreb, and my backpack is sprawled open on the bed. There’s a tangle of cables, dongles, and more adapters than any sane person should own. Three years of remote work and nomad life, and I still find myself wondering: do I really need all this?
Minimalism isn’t just an Instagram trend. Your shoulders, sanity, and airport security lines will thank you for it. But how do you decide what gear actually deserves a spot in your bag?
Why Less Tech is More Freedom
When you’re juggling work calls from cafes and cramming your life into 40 liters, every ounce counts. Too much gear means extra weight, clutter, and—my personal nemesis—lost chargers. Plus, all those “just in case” gadgets rarely save the day. Most end up buried at the bottom of your bag, taking up space you could use for, I don’t know, an actual snack.
“The lighter my bag, the more I enjoy the journey—and the more often I actually find my headphones.”
So, I set myself a challenge: Could I get my daily work tech under 2 pounds? (That’s 900 grams for those of us metric-minded.) Here’s how it played out—plus a checklist to help you do the same.
The Real-World Audit: 2-lb Tech Challenge
My old setup looked impressive, but also criminally overstuffed:
- Laptop (MacBook Pro 14”)
- iPad (for “reading”)
- Wireless mouse
- Bluetooth keyboard
- Noise-canceling headphones & earbuds
- Power bank (20,000mAh)
- International adapters (3 types)
- USB-C hub
- HDMI cable
- Ethernet dongle (never used, but you never know, right?)
- Assorted cables (USB-C, Lightning, micro-USB)
- Portable SSD
- Random “spare” mouse pad
Total weight: 4.3 lbs (almost 2 kg). Not cool.
Step 1: Ruthless Reality Check
Ask yourself about each item:
- Did I use this in the last 2 weeks?
- Is there a lighter or multipurpose version?
- Can I do without it for 48 hours?
For me, the iPad was a glorified Kindle. Mouse pad? Never left the bag. The Ethernet dongle? Four countries, zero cables.
Step 2: Swap, Shrink, Streamline
Here’s what made the cut:
- Laptop: Main workhorse. No compromise here.
- Compact charger: Swapped the OEM brick for an Anker GaN charger (65W, half the size, global voltage).
- Universal adapter: Chose a single, lightweight model with USB-C and USB-A ports.
- Earbuds: Left the over-ear headphones at home—I’m not mixing an album on the road.
- USB-C cable + short Lightning cable: Covers all my devices.
- Power bank: Downsized to 10,000mAh—enough for a day of heavy use.
- Portable SSD: Only if I’m editing video; otherwise, cloud storage does the trick.
What got ditched? The iPad, mouse pad, Ethernet dongle, extra adapters, and half my cables.
Step 3: Test Drive—Can You Work With Less?
For two weeks, I stuck to my pared-down kit. A few surprises:
- No mouse, no problem. Trackpads are underrated (though if you can’t live without a mouse, consider a foldable one).
- One charger rules them all. A solid GaN charger with multiple ports is a game-changer.
- Cloud storage wins. I moved most files to Google Drive and Dropbox—no more lugging the SSD except for big projects.
- Earbuds are enough. Unless you’re doing serious audio work, the bulkier headphones aren’t worth it.
Keep / Replace List: Streamline Your Travel Tech
| Item | Keep? | Replace With | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop | Yes | — | Main work device; choose lightweight model if possible |
| OEM Charger | No | GaN multi-port charger | Smaller, lighter, universal voltage |
| iPad / Tablet | No* | — | Keep only if you truly use it daily |
| Headphones | No | Wireless earbuds | Much lighter, still good enough |
| Power Bank | Yes | Smaller capacity | 10,000mAh is usually enough |
| Adapters (multiple) | No | Universal adapter | Choose one with multiple ports |
| USB-C Hub | Maybe | Mini version | Only if you need extra ports |
| Ethernet dongle | No | — | Rarely needed, skip unless essential |
| Extra cables | No | Short, multi-purpose cables | Cut down to the essentials |
| Portable SSD | Maybe | Cloud backup | Only bring if doing heavy media work |
2-lb Tech Setup: The Checklist
- Laptop (under 3 lbs)
- GaN charger (3-4 oz)
- Universal travel adapter (2-3 oz)
- Wireless earbuds (1-2 oz)
- USB-C + Lightning cable (2 oz)
- Power bank (5 oz)
- Mini USB-C hub (optional, 1 oz)
- Portable SSD (optional, 2 oz)
Total: ~2 lbs (900g)
Weigh it! A digital luggage scale is your friend.
Tools & Links That Earned a Spot
- Anker Nano II GaN Charger – Packs a punch, weighs almost nothing.
- Epicka Universal Adapter – Handles most plugs and has USB ports built in.
- Sony WF-C500 Earbuds – Reliable, compact, not bank-breaking.
- Samsung T7 Portable SSD – Fast, tiny, and sturdy if you really need local storage.
- Google Drive or Dropbox – The cloud is lighter than any drive you’ll carry.
- Digital luggage scale – Don’t just guess; check your weight before every trip.
Quick Wins: 15-Minute Bag Audit
- Dump everything tech-related on your bed.
- Sort gear into used last 2 weeks and not used.
- Weigh each item (use your luggage scale or a kitchen scale).
- Pack only what you truly need for the next trip.
- Put everything else in a “maybe” box—if you don’t touch it for a month, donate or sell it.
“You’ll be amazed how much lighter you feel—mentally and physically—when your tech bag is under control.”
What I Learned (And Still Get Wrong)
Honestly, I still slip up. Sometimes I panic-pack a spare cable or think I’ll get serious work done on a tablet (I won’t). But trimming my tech to the essentials means I move faster, lose less, and have more space for the good stuff—like a proper paperback or a bag of Croatian snacks.
Remember: Minimalism isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about clarity—knowing exactly what you use, and trusting you can make it work. Your back (and brain) will thank you.
Some links above are affiliate. You pay the same price, and this blog may earn a small commission to keep the coffee flowing and the site rolling.
