Power Play: How to Charge Your Gadgets in the Wild

Power Play: How to Charge Your Gadgets in the Wild

Knowing how to charge your gadgets in the wilderness could be a matter of survival or (more likely) avoiding boredom on a rainy day spent under a tarp

Let's face it: Even if you're a hardcore survivalist, a compass and a map just won't cut it anymore. Whether you're tracking your route with a hiking app, triangulating your location with GPS, or letting loved ones know you're safe, adventurers these days rarely leave home without at least one electronic device.

During my recent walk along the South West Coast Path, my smartphone provided me with entertainment in the form of reading material and music, directions to public facilities and campsites, train and bus timetables, the ability to track my walk, the freedom to photograph at will and, most importantly, a way to call Kia at the end of the day and report my whereabouts.

I was hardly cut off from the world and of course I could have done it all without a smartphone, but it definitely made life easier. All I had to do to have all this information at my fingertips was make sure my smartphone was charged.

Below, I take a look at how to charge your devices in the wilderness, covering everything from a light camping trip to a transatlantic trip.

Mini chargers

Price: from $15

For day trips, the easiest way to ensure you have quick, easy and accessible travel is to carry a mini charger. Typically about the size of a lipstick, mini chargers are lightweight (75-85g), small, and have enough power to charge a smartphone or e-reader. They charge quickly via USB so they can be connected to either a desktop PC, laptop or a power outlet.

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Mini chargers are also an ideal companion for bus and train journeys or flights. Kia and I both carry an MSC power stick in our daypacks when we travel. We prefer the Power Stick over our old Anker Astro mini because it has an LED display that shows how much charge is left.

Mobile solar power banks

Price: from $40

For longer trips like a multi-day camping trek, the next logical charger is a mobile solar power bank. These are still lightweight (160-200g) and typically about the size of a smartphone, but are more versatile than a mini power bank as they use UV rays to charge instead of mains power or another device.

In strong direct sunlight, a good mobile solar power bank should be able to fully charge a smartphone, e-reader or digital camera almost simultaneously with a mains connection. When there is less sunlight, they provide a constant solar trickle charge - enough to get you that important call or locate your position in an emergency.

Aside from solar power, they have multiple charging capabilities including mains, car charger or USB, meaning they can act as a backup bank of portable power even when there is no sun nearby.

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I recently purchased a waterproof mobile solar bank from MSC to replace a freeloader model that failed in the first week of use. This one seems to be doing much better. I used it every day on my recent hike around Cornwall and found that it worked best when I had it on the front of my backpack during the day, soaking up as much sun as possible. I would then charge it from a power outlet at a campsite.

Foldable solar panel chargers

Price: from $50

For continuous off-grid portable power, a foldable solar panel is the best option. They are well suited for sailing trips, camping and trekking expeditions, and long-term trips such as RV or overland trips.

Foldable solar panels charge larger devices like tablets and laptops and can charge multiple smaller devices at the same time. They are of course heavier (500g upwards) and larger, especially when extended, but fold up to about magazine size.

Kia and I are planning our next big trip - six months through South and East Africa, including Madagascar and Mozambique - so we've invested in a foldable 12W dual-panel solar charger. I'm not sure it's entirely necessary considering James Redden uses something similar in the Arctic Circle, but we need to run a blog!

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Power banks

Price: from $50

Power banks are used to store energy to provide a reliable power reserve that can be used to charge multiple devices at the same time. They are by far the most reliable and versatile and deliver the strongest currents. However, they are also the heaviest power solution - anything from 270g to 4kg!

Power banks are ideal whether you're keeping the kids entertained on a family camping trip or powering your only connection to civilization while crossing the Gobi Desert. You can choose rugged, waterproof smartphone charging models like this Aqua Trek or high-performance models that can launch light aircraft!

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They can charge almost anything with electricity, including solar devices, car and RV batteries, and grid power, and maintain their power for months.

Additionally, they can charge almost any device, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones, and the higher-end models can even charge model airplanes, drones, refrigerators, and televisions!

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Alternatives to solar energy

There are alternatives to solar energy and power banks, but most are not as cheap or reliable. Here is a selection of some alternative options.

Water: myFC Power Trekk Fuel Cell Charger Price: $200 This is an innovative design from Swedish company myFC that essentially uses a tablespoon of water and a pinch of salt.

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Wind: HYmini Wind TurbinePrice: $35 This micro wind powered device from HYmini looks ideal for sailing trips or weekends in Scotland!

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Hand: American Red Cross FRX3 Hand Crank Price: $55 The Red Cross hand crank has been around for decades, but as the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

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Camp Stove: BioLite Wood Burning Campstove Price: $120 This BioLite wood burner, which doubles as a charger, is ideal for campers.

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Power Wellies: Orange Got Wind Power WelliesPrice: TBCIis the world ready for thermoelectric wellies?

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