What's In My Backpack? A 2025 Guide To On-The-Go Tech

The advent of the new year presents the perfect opportunity to reevaluate your gear and upgrade to something better in 2025. This article will update you on the objects I carry on a daily (and nightly) basis when I’m working, traveling, or just hanging out at home. These are my absolute necessities for any occasion.

I hope this list helps patch some gaps in your everyday carry setup, or helps jumpstart a gift idea for a gear-head loved one or tech-obsessed friend. If you don’t have one of those yet, get cracking because 2025 will only bring more wifi problems, tech-addled in-laws, and devices that just won’t work right. So check out my picks, and get something nice for yourself this Cyber Monday.

See below or click here for a PDF of the guide.

Note: As prices fluctuate, there may be discrepancies; hoping you find the best tech and the best deal.

In My Backpack

The Backpack ($46.40)

This backpack has cushioned internal storage space for my 14-inch Macbook Pro, a separate zippered front compartment for my 11-inch iPad Pro, internal pockets to hold the items described below, a bottle holder on the side, and a hidden strap on the back to slot over the handle on my rolling suitcase when I travel.?

Even packed to the brim, it remains compact, sleek, and lightweight and also comfortable enough for travel and daily commutes (and it slides very easily under the airplane seat in front of me).?

At a low price point, this is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to graduate from a ratty Jansport but isn’t quite ready for the gravity and weight of a fancy leather briefcase.

Anker 67W Wall Charger ($35.99)

Of all the charging bricks I’ve used this Anker 67W charger is by far the best. Small enough to tuck into a side pocket but powerful enough to charge three devices (including your laptop, tablet, and phone) in a flash, this is a huge upgrade over those legacy chargers rattling around your briefcase.?

It’s got 2 USB-C slots plus a USB-A outlet, so it should have you covered no matter what generation your tech is. Also, the 2023 refresh of this charger has a higher wattage that allows users to charge multiple devices simultaneously and faster than ever.?And it’s on a great sale for Cyber Monday, so grab one while you can and ditch all those other laptop and phone charging bricks.

Adaptable Charging Cord (2x) ($11.99 - $12.79)

This cord has attachments for USB-C, Lightning, and USB-A cables so all of your devices can use the same cord. Simple, and it keeps weight down. These come in 4ft and 6ft lengths, and I carry one of each for flexibility.?

Anker Wall Plug ($12.99)

With this tiny foldable 30W charger and a high quality USB C cable (like the 6-ft cable mentioned below), your phone, watch, and AirPods will all be at full power overnight. Important to note -- I now carry one of these in my backpack at all times as it fits perfectly in airplane outlets and won’t fall out like the larger, heavier charging cubes.

6ft USB-C Charging Cord (2x) ($12.99)

This has become my go-to charger for all my devices, especially after upgrading to the iPhone 15 and the latest generation of accessories, which are all now fitted with USB-C ports. The future is bright for universal charging standards!

I use this for my Anker 3-in-1 and Anker wall plug on airplanes, but it’s long enough and fast enough that it should be up for any job, whether you want to lounge in bed with your tablet, or use your laptop while it’s plugged at the end of a conference room.?

Chipolo Thin Wallet Finder ($27.99)

Who hasn’t felt that stomach-churning sense of fear you get when you realize you lost your wallet? I know I have. Eager to guard against that risk, I added the Chipolo Thin Wallet Finder to my device lineup.?

This thin card slips easily into a wallet or money clip, and works seamlessly with iOS and Apple’s AirTags so that I can track all my items (car keys, backpack, wallet, luggage etc) in one convenient place.?

Though the Tile equivalent of this device was handy, Chipolo’s ease of use with the iOS Find My app makes it the clear winner in this category. Make 2024 the year you don’t lose a thing.

Airfly Duo ($34.15)

This handy gizmo allows you to connect a bluetooth headset to any device with a 3.5mm headphone jack input. Whether you’re watching TV on a plane monitor, trying to use clunky, outdated gym equipment, or connecting to a rental car’s audio, the Airfly Duo will come to your rescue.

Additionally, it functions as an old-fashioned splitter, allowing users to connect multiple pairs of Bluetooth headphones to the same device, enabling easy audio sharing as you watch or listen together. Really handy for traveling families, couples, or lone commuters looking to make friends.

SanDisk Flash Drive ($22.49)

Just like a good lawyer, portable data storage is one of those things that’s far better to have and not need than need and not have, whether for reading or editing a critical motion or reviewing a collection of large files.?

This drive in particular has both USB-C and USB-A male ends, enabling you to connect to virtually any device with ease, plus it boasts a plentiful 256GB capacity.?

An additional handy tip: Enable device encryption with a complex password so that even if you lose the physical drive, you can rest easy knowing your data is secure.?

Soundcore by Anker Sport X10 Bluetooth Headphones ($49.99)

I know, I know, AirPods are great. But frankly, I’ve used these as my daily headphones for months now, and I have not noticed any drop-off in audio quality compared to my old AirPods, and these come in at less than half the price. The 2024 refresh also offers an added ear loop for extra stability during active workouts, meaning you won’t lose one on a run or an airplane.

For a high-quality listening experience, state-of-the-art noise cancellation and a great fit, these headphones are a clear favorite. I recommend them to anyone who wants to try out wireless earbuds without breaking the bank.

Anker MagSafe Power Bank ($29.92)

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s getting stuck with a dead phone and no backup. This battery pack is slim and small, but with a 5,000mAh capacity, it’s got enough juice to charge your phone fully.

The best part is, you don’t even need a cord. With any MagSafe enabled iPhone, just click the bank into place on the back of your phone, and voilá. Your phone is immortal.

The above items stay in my backpack each and every day, whether I’m going to and from the office, on the road, or even on vacation. Below are some suggestions for items that have a permanent spot in my suitcase whenever I travel overnight.

In My Suitcase

Anker 3-in-1 Charging Platform ($82.49)

Though I have preached about my love for The Cube in years past, Anker’s refresh of this charging platform does just about everything the Cube did, but with a smaller form factor, faster charging abilities, and a better price point. We’re talking 30W+ power output while charging your iPhone or Apple Watch. And right now, it’s on sale for just over $82.

Sonos Roam 2 Bluetooth Speaker ($139.99)

Remember: I love music. You love music. The residents of the adjoining hotel room definitely love music. That’s why I now recommend the latest refresh of this speaker, the Sonos Roam 2. It’s a perfect travel speaker; rugged, compact, waterproof, and powerful enough for everything from shower karaoke to an impromptu party. It packs a punch when you’re on the go, and even pairs up with other Sonos devices to boost your playback.

LG Gram + View 16in Portable Monitor ($271.98)

This is a more recent addition to my travel lineup and after using it for the last year, I find myself unable to go without it. This slim, lightweight monitor slides easily into a suitcase pocket but still boasts 2k resolution and a slick magnetic cover that doubles as a stand. I use this as a companion to my Macbook whenever I travel, and it more than doubles my available screen space. Its bright display and excellent color rendition make it the perfect tool for everything from working with small text to editing large spread sheets on-the-go.

And that’s it! I hope you enjoyed this list and maybe even picked up a new toy. If you disagree with one of my choices here, let me know in the comments or send me an email and we can hash it out. But it will be tough to convince me, because this stuff is the best.

Happy Holidays to all!