Recharging in the Woods: How to Pick a Power Source

Some outdoor enthusiasts are staunch opponents of lugging electronics into the wild. Sure, it’s a time to disconnect from the rat race and reconnect with nature, but on the other hand, there are certainly benefits of bringing a cell phone, action camera or even bigger and bulkier tech into the woods.

Whether you are trying to charge up to get the shot or simply want to have a line of communication should your trip go awry, there are a few questions to ask yourself before picking a charging device:

1. How big a device do you want?

Goal Zero Switch 10 Recharger Starting at: $38.40 Where are you going? For how long? Are you going to be lugging everything on your back? If you are road tripping, for example, you can definitely bring along a larger power source, while if you’re on a trekking trip, you want to bring the lightest solution possible.

2. What are you charging?

Enerplex Jumpr Stack 6 This question is intrinsically related to the first, as size directly correlates to the amount of output a power source can supply. But it isn’t just juice that you need to consider: you also need to consider output. Most portable power sources have a USB output. This is good and well for a cell phone. However, if you are looking for something that can charge your laptop, you’re going to need a bigger source that can accommodate a standard AC output.

3. How much power do you need?

Enerplex Kickr IV Starting at: $95.00 Mobile power banks and external phone batteries have a finite amount of juice that they can store. Solar panels, on the other hand, can continually replenish your tech. If you’re only going to be away from civilization’s sockets for a couple days, a power bank might be the easiest and most reliable option. Longer trips suggest a solar solution as you won’t be restricted by the stored wattage.

4. Can you combine a solar panel with a battery pack to create a sustainable, reusable system?

Goal Zero Venture 30 Solar Kit $162.31 - $163.16

]This question stems from the previous one, as remote travelers may need power for weeks at a time. Solar panels are great, but using a solar panel by itself will only allows you to charge your electronics as the sun permits. And what happens when your GoPro or phone is fully charged? That solar panel is now capturing energy without any place to store it. If you combine a solar panel with a compatible power bank, you can make the most of sunny days and store energy long after your main electronics are fully charged.

Click here for 5 Active Junky portable power recommendations. For more information on the three main types of chargers (solar, portable power banks and wood stoves), click here.