From One Empty Package to Full-Fledged Fan: How Nomad Gear Became My Travel Essentials

I ordered the Nomad Ultra 46mm Atlantic Blue Sport Band for my Apple Watch Ultra 2, but when the package arrived, it was empty—a first for me. I contacted NomadGoods.com, and their customer service response was immediate and solid. They apologized and sent out a replacement right away. That one moment of follow-through and integrity stood out.

Even more impressive? I had added a 30W plug to the cart because it was listed as free, but I hadn’t realized it had to be bundled with another item. I emailed them, and they replied, “No problem—we’ll include it anyway.” That’s when I took notice.

After that, I started browsing their site, thinking, What else do they make that would be useful on my travels? I picked up the Nomad Card Wallet Plus with a tracking card, in beautiful brown Horween leather. When it arrived, I was impressed by the quality—sleek, minimal, practical, and easy to track with Apple’s Find My.

A couple of weeks later, I added the Stand One Max MagSafe charger, which now lives in my travel setup. It charges my iPhone, Watch, and AirPods Pro 2 all at once, and I paired it with their compact 65W GaN adapter. Clean, powerful, and efficient—everything I need in a charger when I’m on the go.

Why It Works for a Traveling Photographer

As someone who’s always on the move—from airports to remote beaches—gear has to earn its space in my bag. Here’s why Nomad gear makes the cut:

* Card Wallet Plus with tracking: Lets me travel light and still find my wallet if it slips between airplane seats or under a hotel bed.

* Stand One Max MagSafe Charger: No more multiple charging cables tangled up. One clean setup for all my essentials.

* Leather Watch Strap: Functional, stylish, and tough enough for long days out exploring.

Who is Nomad?

Nomad Goods was founded in 2012 in Santa Barbara, California. The company launched a Kickstarter campaign for a credit-card-sized charging cable called the ChargeCard. Since then, it has expanded into a full suite of premium tech accessories—all with a rugged, minimalist vibe that fits perfectly into an on-the-go lifestyle.

One of their smartest moves was partnering with Horween Leather Co. to create accessories that function beautifully and age with character. In 2020, Nomad became carbon-neutral, reflecting a commitment to sustainability that more and more travelers appreciate.

Their Values Match My Travel Philosophy

Nomad Value Why It Matters to Me

Adventure-ready design, Small, durable, and travel-tested gear

Premium materials, Leather that looks better over time

Customer-first service, Fast, friendly support—essential when you’re traveling

Sustainable philosophy, Carbon-neutral, and responsibly made

Final Thoughts

This whole thing started with a missing Apple Watch strap. But Nomad’s response made me a lifelong customer. Every item I’ve bought since has impressed me—from the way it feels in my hand to how it works on the road.

If you’re looking for travel gear that’s beautiful, reliable, and backed by great people, Nomad’s worth checking out. Their stuff isn’t cheap, but it’s gear you’ll use daily. And that’s what makes it essential.

TLDR:

Nomad turned a mistake into a lasting impression. Now their gear is part of my everyday travel setup. It’s all solid, well-thought-out gear, from leather wallets with tracking to MagSafe chargers and adapters.

Explore Nomad Goods (not an affiliate link—just a fan).

A H Oftana

Guam-based freelance photographer |

I take pics of most things |

Freelancer NYT, WSJ, ThePost |

ASMP |

USMC Veteran!

http://www.oftana.com
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