What’s in my Bag (2026 Edition)

Let’s be honest: I am a huge fan of how people get work done. It’s one of those nerdy topics that always gets me excited. That’s why, when The Verge premiered their What’s in Your Bag? blog post series in their early days, I read every single entry—even when they started using it primarily to highlight DJs and musicians.

What people carry around in their backpacks to stay productive is endlessly fascinating to me. We all have our own curated collection of tools we haul to offices, coffee shops, and conferences just to stay operational. I even wrote about my own setup back in 2018 (you can check out that original post here).

As I work on getting back into the habit of writing and reflecting regularly, it made me re-examine what I’m carrying these days. I mean after all, a clean mind begins with a clean backpack. We are what weighs us down. That said, here is a look inside my backpack in 2026. (I’ve included links where possible, though a few items are unfortunately no longer available.)

What Cole Watts Carries in His Backpack in 2026

The Backpack: Let’s start with the anchor holding it all together. My go-to backpack is a Solo New York backpack. This thing is an absolute beast—it has routinely carried 30 to 40 pounds of laptops, chargers, and books without breaking a sweat. While I couldn’t track down my exact model, you can check out Solo’s current lineup on Amazon.

My Machines: Just like back in 2018, I’m still running a two-laptop setup. My GFL issued work computer is a standard issue HP Probook, which handles all my daily marketing tasks, meetings, and corporate demands. My personal machine is a M5 MacBook Air. In my opinion, nothing beats the form factor of a MacBook Air for travel and fun. It’s both remarkably light and plenty powerful.

My iPad: My iPad is primarily a content-consuming machine for video, and well, the occasional classic Square Enix RPG. It’s an essential travel companion, especially on long flights when you need a distraction from a noisy neighbor or when you’re stuck in between airports. I’m currently carrying the 11-inch iPad Air model.

My Phones: (Not pictured.) Yes, I carry two iPhones. I’m one of those people. I keep an iPhone 16 as my personal device alongside an iPhone 12 provided by GFL for work.

My Headphones: A reliable pair of headphones is mandatory for surviving travel and noisy workspaces. I carry a mix of wired and wireless options to cover all bases. Yes, I still keep a few pairs of old-school wired Apple EarPods in my bag, as they’re reliable and never need charging. For wireless earbuds, my go-to remains the Jabra Elite 7 Pro. Sadly, Jabra exited the consumer headphone market last year. For over-ear listening, I rely on Sony’s noise-canceling line and carry a pair of the Sony WH-1000XM5s.

Business Cards: It is 2026 and I still carry business cards. They might be glorified bookmarks in today’s world, but you never know when dropping off a simple card on a desk might turn into an opportunity.

Mouse: A traveling mouse is needed for traveling computers. I don’t need anything fancy in a coffee shop or in someone else’s house, so the Logitech’s M185 is more than enough to get the job done.

Notepad & Pens: (Not pictured.) I’m not a notebook snob by any means, but I always keep a simple notepad and a spare pen tucked into a bookbag pocket. You never know when inspiration will strike or when you’ll need to jot down a quick note off-screen.

Yup, That’s My Stuff

And that’s the current state of my everyday carry. If you happen to spot me working out of a coffee shop in your town, feel free to say hi. You can also find my contact information over at ColeWatts.com.