How to get the most work out of a 'working' vacation

Many folks dream of a digital nomad career that looks like the picturesque snapshots that dominate social media. It takes just one episode of sketchy internet access during an important meeting to realize there’s more to it than meets the eye.

 The right setup can make or break your work experience, and it's important to figure it out before you go. Exploring the world with your office in tow requires your computer bag to function as efficiently as any desk.

Incorporating a bit of tactical gear can mean a more manageable mobile office. Tradespeople, soldiers and first responders use this type of gear to operate efficiently. You can too.

What follows are some top tips for using tactical office supplies to build a more functional traveling office.

Taming cords 

Removing these from your bag and pressing them into immediate service seems simple enough, at least in theory. In reality, it can leave you in a bit of a kerfuffle. Zippers, rubber bands and other doodads add anxiety when you're already adjusting to power outlet locations in a new workspace. The first items in this arsenal are tactical gear ties suited for a variety of field conditions. These can run $5 per pack from Nite Ize, and they work much like travel tripods with flexible legs. Available in different lengths, they can also be ordered with stretchable loops on the ends, allowing them to be left in place on your cords.

Their most obvious benefit is durability. Traditional twist-ties disintegrate quickly, and tracking down replacements when working in remote areas can be problematic. A less obvious use is fashioning them into hooks for lightweight items. Wrap one on the leg of a tray table and hang a grocery bag for a fast and free trash bag. Twist another on a headboard rail, and affix your headlamp for a functioning night light. Game changer. 

Longer cables are a must for hard-to-reach outlets. However, not every cord needs to be full size. Consider a 4-inch one from Rolling Square that has multi-charging capabilities. At 20 bucks it wasn’t cheap, but the space it saves is priceless. 

Paper, pen and tactical bands 

It’s true some digital nomad gigs don’t require consumable office supplies, but many do. If paper is a major player in your arsenal, consider adding some of the waterproof variety to your kit. Otherwise known as stone paper, it’s rip resistant and can be written on in the rain. 

Ink flow issues occur even in traditional workplaces when a writing utensil hasn’t been stored upright. Having one upended in a luggage compartment or car trunk increases the depth of this problem exponentially. One solution is pressurized pens, which work upside down and underwater. A midrange pressurized pen can run in the neighborhood of $30, with the refills ringing in around $10.  If you need to conserve funds and have another pen exterior you love, replacing the standard insert with a pressured one will keep you on budget and ready to roll. 

 Need to secure something swiftly and know it will stay put? Try tactical bands. These things are basically rubber bands on steroids. Standard ones can weaken and snap over time, leaving you open to lost tech when you least expect it. Tactical bands offer better tension, coverage and longevity, all at a low price. Many people make their own by cutting a bicycle tire inner tube into different widths. If that’s not your jam, it’s possible to order a pack of different sizes for $10 or less. Use them to tighten supply kits stored in recycled tins, or lash together small items not suitable for gear ties.

Whittling down your mobile office is both a personal journey and an exercise in patience. Tech gear and consumable supply requirements are unique to every situation, making a one-size-fits-all approach impossible. However, by drilling down on your personal project needs and using a bit of strategic discernment, you’ll discover your own best way to build a desk in a bag.