The Remote Work Gear our Editors are Actually Using on Their Trips Right Now

I frequently travel by bus, and also spend a lot of time camping in the backcountry and generally hanging out in small mountain towns where great WiFi isn’t a guarantee. I’ve recently started bringing the TravelFi WiFi Router with me as a backup for when the signal is less than stellar (or even non-existent) and it’s been a breath of fresh air on many occasions. Plans are available based on data usage, with unlimited plans running $129 and throttled plans costing as low as $19 per month.

I bought the Griffin Elevator Laptop Stand in 2018 and I still use it regularly in 2025. That alone is a testament to its usefulness and versatility – but wait, there’s more. I’ve traveled internationally with this stand for extended remote work trips. I’ve kept it for months, years even, on my coworking desk. And I’ve used it in my home office more times than I can count. It assembles (and disassembles) in about 10 seconds and I partially credit this laptop stand with my ability to still type without significant wrist pain. It fits easily into a carry-on backpack, and I can tell you from experience that if you cover the base of it with stickers, you look quite hip and cool.

I first bought a pair of blue-light blocking glasses about a decade ago after I began noticing eye strain from staring at a computer all day. I had the same pair for about 10 years and just upgraded to these Gunnar Enigma glasses. The lenses are clearer than my prior pair and after about six months of use I’m confident they’re just as versatile.

I’ve tried Airpods (loved ‘em but lost ‘em) and numerous other brands of noise-canceling headphones, but I’ve come back to the Bose Quiet Comfort Bluetooth Headphones for a second purchase because I notice significantly less tinnitus and ear strain than I have with anything else (as long as I don’t fall asleep on my side without music on, the noise-canceling does seem to impact me then). The sound quality is top-notch and the battery life is more than enough for long-haul flights.

The Patagonia Refugio is the best backpack for remote workers. That’s because it combines the design of a work-and-travel pack with the durability and ecological ethos of Patagonia. The Refugio has a back compartment with a removable laptop sleeve (that also fits accompanying work gear including a charger, the headphones mentioned above, and a notebook, in my case). It has a larger main pouch that fits food for the day, a change of clothes (ideal for gym days), and whatever else you need in there – I’ve on many occasions stuffed a pair of shoes in for carry-on only flying. In the small zippered front pouch I keep essentials like pens, biodegradable coffee pods for hotel rooms, and other miscellanea. It also can be tightened for comfort during bike commutes. Each side has a bottle holder, so bringing coffee and water with you is no problem. I’ve had mine for over three years now and rarely leave the house without it.

Matador managing editor Nick HInes is a phone worker – that is, he handles much of his day from his phone, and this portable keyboard makes writing—whether it’s an email or a full story—effortless. The ultra-slim, foldable design slips easily into a pocket or bag without taking up valuable space, making it a smart choice for anyone working on the go.

If I had to choose one piece of tech for working overseas, it would be a VPN. I signed up for ExpressVPN last year, and it’s made my workdays (and streaming evenings) much easier — enough that I’ve just renewed my annual subscription. I use it to stream shows in other countries, log into country-specific sites I need for work, access regional URLs, and even find deals on flights. ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption, has a strict no-logs policy, and offers thousands of servers in 105 countries. In practice, that means you can connect securely and avoid blocks that pop up when you’re traveling. Features like a kill switch (which protects your data if the VPN drops), split tunneling, and a media streamer are easy to use, even without a tech background. Read my full review for more tech specifications. — Katie Gavin

Countless websites extoll the virtues of the MacBook Pro – it has its own processing chip (currently the M4, about three times faster than its M1 chip that came out barely five years ago), 16-hour battery life with constant use, and excellent media capabilities. I’ve been using MacBooks for about a decade and see them more frequently than any other laptop when on the road. I believe that’s partially because they require little maintenance and if they do, or if you lose your charger, it’s very easy to source help and replacement parts. I once had to send an older MacBook Pro in for service and had it back within 72 hours, free with coverage plan.

Several years ago I applied for and received the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. It has since changed nearly every aspect of my travel days, most notably through two inclusions – a Global Entry credit and Priority Pass membership. The latter gives you access to more than 1,800 airport lounges around the world, the ability to order food delivered to your airport gate, and even additional perks like food credit at certain airports (though this perk is no longer available through credit card memberships). Some lounges, like the one in DFW, are basic and minimal, while others, like the one in Istanbul IGA, are extravagant, with fresh buffets of food and an on-site chef whipping up Pide to order. The best part of Priority Pass, no matter the lounge, is having great Wi-Fi and a desk or table to work at.