Working from a coffee shop can be a refreshing change from your usual workspace, offering a relaxed atmosphere and a change of scenery. However, packing efficiently for a productive day at a coffee shop is essential to ensure you have everything you need while keeping your setup portable and organized. In this blog post, we'll share tips on how to pack your essentials for a successful workday away from the office.

1. Choose the Right Bag:
Selecting the appropriate bag is the first step in packing efficiently. Opt for a compact, lightweight backpack or messenger bag with compartments and pockets to help keep your items organized. UrbanCred offers a range of stylish and functional bags designed for urban professionals on the go. Bags like the Able Carry Daily line and Code of Bell's X-Type are great daily runners while the Modern Dayfarer's Backpack is a subdued look for the workplace and the Max from Able Carry is great for travel. Take a look at our carry section for even more options.

2. Essential Tech Gear:
Make sure you have all the necessary tech gear for a productive work session. This includes your laptop or tablet, charger, headphones, and any adapters you might need. Consider investing in a compact laptop stand or riser to maintain ergonomic comfort.

3. Stay Powered Up:
A portable power bank is a lifesaver when working remotely. Ensure your devices stay charged throughout the day, even if power outlets are limited. Look for a power bank with multiple USB ports to charge multiple devices simultaneously. We use the Shargeek batteries cause of their performance and look. We also enjoy using Anker batteries for a variety of sizes and shapes.

4. Organize Your Cables:
Tangled cables can be frustrating and time-consuming to unravel. Use cable organizers or clips to keep your charging cables, earphones, and other cords neatly coiled and easily accessible. Consider the Oakywood felt cable ties or even the Orbitkey's Portable Desk Organizer, the Nest.

5. Productive Accessories:
Bring along accessories that enhance your productivity, such as a wireless mouse, a portable keyboard, or a stylus if you're using a tablet. What helps the most for us are the multi slot tech hubs that have multiple slots for SD cards, USB-c slots, and more. This is more prevalent now compared to before since many laptops are running less ports to stay slimmer, lighter and put that space to components that power the laptop. These accessories can make tasks like typing and navigating your device more efficient.

6. Note-Taking Tools:
Don't forget a notebook or a digital tablet with a stylus for jotting down ideas, making to-do lists, or sketching out concepts. Some prefer to have everything digital to be able to access them anywhere while others remember and retain information better after physically writing it down. Having a dedicated note-taking tool can help you stay organized and creative. Check out the Field Notes for compact note taking or even UGMONK analog system for notecards.

7. Comfort Essentials:
Working comfortably is essential for productivity. Pack a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and ergonomic support accessories like a travel-sized lumbar cushion or a neck pillow for added comfort during extended work hours.

8. Snacks and Refreshments:
Coffee shops offer great coffee, but having some healthy snacks on hand can help you stay focused and energized. Consider packing a small snack container with nuts, granola bars, or fruit to keep your energy levels up.

9. Portable Wi-Fi:
While many coffee shops offer Wi-Fi, there are those who don't. So it's a good idea to have a backup plan. Consider investing in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot or ensure your smartphone can act as a mobile hotspot in case you encounter connectivity issues.

10. Secure Your Belongings:
Lastly, keep your belongings secure. Use anti-theft features on your bag, or bring a small combination lock to secure your bag to a fixed object when you need to step away from your workspace briefly. Even utilizing a carabiner or a Heroclip to hook to a chair or desk can help rather than just leaving it open to grab.

Bonus Tip:
Bring a thermos bottle to hold water so that you can hydrate yourself as you drink coffee. Coffee is great to keep you up and alert for at least 6 hours but it also doesn't hydrate you as well as other options. The 32 oz Founder Element Bottle from Purist is a great bottle to last the full day. So bring some water to drink throughout your WFCS (work from coffee shop) session. And if you plan on picking up your coffee to go and working elsewhere, take the Purist 10oz Maker Element Bottle for either hot or chilled Cortado to go. 

Packing efficiently for a productive workday at a coffee shop is all about finding the right balance between carrying everything you need and keeping your setup streamlined. With the right bag, essential tech gear, and thoughtful organization, you can make the most of your coffee shop work sessions, staying focused and comfortable throughout the day. So, grab your UrbanCred bag, pack your essentials, and head to your favorite coffee shop for a productive day of work!