The best power banks for hiking and camping (2022) – www.livefortheoutdoors.com/news
Some old-fashioned hikers might roll their eyes and groan at the suggestion of bringing a power bank on a hike because the outdoors is supposed to be about getting away from modern life. But don’t take any notice of that because a power bank can be as much as necessity as it can be a luxury on …….
Some old-fashioned hikers might roll their eyes and groan at the suggestion of bringing a power bank on a hike because the outdoors is supposed to be about getting away from modern life. But don’t take any notice of that because a power bank can be as much as necessity as it can be a luxury on a hike.
For example, you might have your OS maps downloaded on your phone and that’ll need to be recharged if you’re to save yourself from getting lost. A power bank can also recharge your headtorch and other modes of lighting. Additionally, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to listen to music on a device when you’re on the trails or at camp and a power bank helps you do that.
Here, we’re going to help you by recommending the best power bank options for outdoor endeavours, and it boils down to two options: a standard power bank protected by a dry bag, or a rugged power bank with a high IP rating.
What to look for in a power bank for hiking
Capacity: A smartphone requires between 2500 to 3500mAh to recharge. On this basis, a 10,000mAh power bank will provide about three recharges, for example. Consider how much you’re going to use your device(s) when on a hike and how much charge they demand. You can get more recharges of a headtorch from 5,000mAh than you can from a smartphone, for example.
Toughness: Power banks with decent ingress protection are always more suitable for outdoor endeavours, particularly for those who have a habit of being rough on their gear. However, it’s not strictly necessary. Regular power banks can be smaller and have more capacity, which is appealing, and you can pair them with a dry bag or case for protection. It comes down to personal preference.
Size: Cramming as much capacity into as small a size as possible is one of the ultimate goals of a power bank. Some brands are better at this than others, but it’s also important to remember that tough power banks with good IP ratings are never going to offer the power to weight ratio of regular power banks due to all that extra protection.
The best power banks for hiking and camping
As mentioned, there are rugged power banks and regular power banks. We’ve covered the best of both because they each have their strong points.
The market is swarmed with power banks, so we’ve kept things very simple for you. We’ve recommended the two best rugged power banks and two best regular power banks for hiking.
Goal Zero Venture 75
Verdict: A smartphone-sized power bank with a bit capacity and sound protection. It’s not cheap but it’ll survive the elements where most power banks will not.
©Goal Zero
Pros: Big capacity, IP67 rating, USB-C, reasonably compact, smaller version available
Cons: Quite expensive
The Venture 75 has a large battery capacity that is suitable for longer treks where you may need to recharge multiple devices, and perhaps more than once – four or five smartphone recharges, or about a dozen headtorch recharges. The inclusion of USB-C means the Venture 75 can charge and be charged quickly.
An IP67 rating means the Venture 75 is dust-tight and can be submerged in water at a depth of one metre for up to 30 minutes. It seems unlikely that will happen but it gives you very good peace of mind to know it will survive some rain or being dropped in a puddle.
It’s the largest power bank recommended here but it’s still reasonably compact, about the same size as a smartphone albeit a bit heavier. However, it does have a smaller sibling, the Venture 35, which is about half the weight and capacity of the Venture 75.
Capacity 19,200mAh | Dimensions 15.6 x 9.6 x 2.9cm | Weight 577g | IP rating IP67 | Output 1 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A
RUGD. Power Brick
Verdict: RUGD.’s Power Brick is as useful as it is cool to look at. It’s the power bank to go for if you want compact and tough in equal doses.
©RUGD.
Pros: Very tough, looks awesome, useful built-in light
Cons: Venture 75 offers better value
Goal Zero offers a smaller sibling to its Venture 75 but the RUGD. Power Brick is the better option because it’s smaller, lighter, and has a marginally larger capacity, while being just as tough.
We appreciate that RUGD. is confident enough in its tough power bank to provide a carabiner with it and say you can clip it onto your pack, you don’t need to hide it in a pocket.
In terms of performance, there’s everything you need. There are USB-C and USB-A ports, with the former supporting Power Delivery for fast charging compatible devices. In addition, there is a very bright two-mode light that can be used as a night light or for SOS.
Capacity 10,050mAh | Dimensions 9.7 x 9.7 x 2.8cm | Weight 280g | IP rating IP67 | Output 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A
Zendure SuperMini
Verdict: It’s tiny and light and those are very good traits for camping or hiking. Just be sure to keep it safe because it has no ingress protection.
©Zendure
Pros: Big capacity for its size, value, still includes USB-C and USB-A
Cons: No ingress protection
SuperMini is indeed an apt name for this power bank. With its 10,000mAh capacity and footprint of a credit card, this power bank is hard to beat in that regard. Like the rugged power banks above, the SuperMini provides fast charging via the USB-C port for compatible devices.
While it will fit almost anywhere, one of the obvious weak points with the SuperMini is its lack of ingress protection. It can still be used for your outdoor adventures, but you have to be careful with it.
Capacity 10,000mAh | Dimensions 7.9 x 5.6 x 2.6cm | Weight 180g | IP rating none | Output 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A
Goal Zero Flip 24
Verdict: The smallest power bank here squeezes in enough capacity for a day trip or overnighter – possibly even two. It’s good value too.
©Goal Zero
Pros: Very compact, good value, decent capacity
Cons: No USB-C, no ingress protection
The Flip 24 is the middle child in the Flip family and finds a great balance between tiny size and decent capacity. Like the Zendure SuperMini, the Flip 24 does not have an IP rating, but in return it’s extremely compact.
Expect enough capacity for one or two recharges of a smartphone or up to five recharges of a headtorch. That should be plenty for a day trip or an overnighter – and also your urban outings.
Capacity 6,700mAh | Dimensions 9.4 x 4.1 x 2.1cm | Weight 130g | IP rating none | Output 1 x USB-A
Recharging the recharging device
The easiest and fastest way to recharge power banks is by the same means you would with a smartphone or a laptop. However, away from mains power, options are limited.
Small, portable solar panels are a solution. Five and 10-watt solar panels are small enough to take with you on a hike, and many of them can be strapped to your pack so they charge devices while you walk.
By no means do these solar chargers achieve the same performance as a standard plug, but they are useful for keeping devices topped up.
BioLite and Goal Zero produce some of the best lightweight and robust solar chargers around. For example, their 10-watt solar chargers weigh about half a kilogram and can charge power banks or devices directly via a cable.
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