Have you ever wondered how to charge your electronics while hiking? Maybe you’re a photographer or maybe you rely on your GPS device to navigate the trails. Whatever your reason, a solar backpack is the solution. But how do you know what are the best solar backpacks for you?
One of our big goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to make your life easier when it comes to gear shopping. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose a solar backpack and show you our selection of the best models of the year.
The Ultimate Guide To Find The Best Solar Backpacks For Hiking
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4 Things To Consider To Find The Best Solar Backpacks
1. Weight
Do you plan to go on longer hikes, including overnight treks? If so you’ll want to consider weight. Slightly heavier solar backpacks are fine for day hikes, as you will carry less gear, water and food. However, a backpack’s weight becomes a more important factor as the distance of the hike increases.
In general, always consider buying the lightest backpack in its category unless the extra weight is substituted for much more volume and/or solar power.
2. Size And Volume
Again, this one applies to the long distance and multi-day hikers. The volume of your solar backpack is almost directly related to its use. A small backpack is great for commuting to and from work, using it as a carry-on bag and during short day hikes. But if you want to do some serious trekking, a bigger backpack is what you need. Having to carry plenty of food and water, maybe even camping gear, makes a bigger solar backpack a necessity.
Again, both weight and volume depend on what you will use the solar backpack for. Generally, it’s lighter yet larger for long hikes. On short hikes, it’s okay to go for smaller and even slightly heavier ones.
3. Solar Power Capacity And Battery Power
The one main feature of the best solar backpacks is their solar capacity. It’s what distinguishes them from all other hiking backpacks. So, this is something to consider as well. The ideal solar capacity and battery power depend on how attached you are to your electronic devices.
Some solar backpacks provide just enough energy to keep your smartphone charged. This is perfect if you’re only using it in emergencies.
Other solar backpacks, however, have enough power to charge your smartphone, GPS unit, DSLR camera and even laptop. Those are superb options for hiking photographers. They are great if you spend significant time in the wild and need to keep your devices running.
4. Budget
Last but not least—budget. The cost is always a major factor in the decision-making process of outdoor gear. There is a significant price difference between the cheapest and the most expensive solar backpacks. This makes it necessary to weigh the pros against the cons.
A higher cost usually correlates with better quality, increased durability and, often, less weight. These factors are all worth considering. Look at a solar backpack as an investment. Money well spent will result in many more years of use.
Photo by Better Energy Systems, licensed under CC BY
SOLAR BACKPACKS REVIEWS
Top 10 Best Solar Backpacks For Hiking of 2016
ECEEN SOLAR BACKPACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Adventurers looking to hike, bike, camp, fish,…
REMOVABLE PANELS: Yes
VOLUME: 42 Liters
BATTERY: 10,000 mAH
DEVICES: Smartphones, tablets, GPS units and laptops
FEATURES: 7W solar panels, 5V USB port, micro-USB cable, PVC fabric
PROS: Ultra-lightweight, durable, large with multiple compartments, powerful solar panels and battery, ideal for multi-use
CONS: One of the most expensive solar backpacks
ECEEN SOLAR POWERED DAYPACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Hikers looking for a super-lightweight daypack
REMOVABLE PANELS: Yes
VOLUME: 33 Liters
BATTERY: 2,000 mAH
DEVICES: Smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, GPS units and other small devices
FEATURES: 3.25W foldable solar panels, 3 carabiners, micro-USB cable, PVC fabric
PROS: Water resistant, foldable, extremely lightweight for its size, spacious
CONS: Battery and solar power are sacrificed for weight and size, only for short-term use
ECEEN SOLAR POWERED EXTERNAL FRAME PACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Overnight & long-distance hikes
REMOVABLE PANELS: Yes
VOLUME: 42 Liters
BATTERY: 10,000 mAH
DEVICES: Smartphones, tablets, GPS units, laptops
FEATURES: 10W solar panels, charger cable, TCS bearing system
PROS: Waterproof, super-powerful solar panels, room for water bladder, external frame, spacious with various compartments
CONS: Expensive, heavier than other solar backpacks
SOLARGOPACK 7W SOLAR CHARGER BAG
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Hikers looking for a durable and flexible solar backpack
REMOVABLE PANELS: Yes
VOLUME: 40 Liters
BATTERY: 10,000 mAH
DEVICES: Smartphones, tablets, MP3 players and GPS units
FEATURES: 7W solar cells, micro-USB cables, durable solar panels, waterproof
PROS: Waterproof, powerful battery, good for multiple uses, large volume, comes with various USB cables
CONS: Heavy, expensive compared to similar solar backpacks
VOLTAIC SOLAR CONVERTER DAYPACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Hikers looking for an eco-friendly solar daypack
REMOVABLE PANELS: No
VOLUME: 16 Liters
BATTERY: 4,000 mAH
DEVICES: Smartphones, tablets, cameras, GPS units, laptops
FEATURES: 3.69 W solar panels, 6V USB port, micro-USB cable, laptop sleeve, made from recycled PET Bottles, self-healing urethane panels
PROS: Eco-friendly, waterproof, ideal for laptops, durable
CONS: More expensive than other models, less spacious (not suitable for long hikes), not-removable solar panels
ECEEN SOLAR HYDRATION BACKPACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Hikers who want a durable, powerful hydration backpack
REMOVABLE PANELS: Yes
VOLUME: 8 Liters
BATTERY: 10,000 mAH
DEVICES: Smartphones, tablets, MP3 players and GPS units
FEATURES: 7W solar panels, 1.8-liter water bladder, PVC fabric, 5V USB port
PROS: Light, contains hydration pack with tube, powerful battery and solar cells, various small pockets
CONS: Expensive, not suitable for overnight hikes
VIVO SOLAR POWERED BACKPACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Basic everyday use and short hikes
REMOVABLE PANELS: No
VOLUME: 25 Liters
BATTERY: 1,600 mAH
DEVICES: Smartphones, tablets and cameras
FEATURES: Several interior pockets, 7 adapters, 2.4W solar cells
PROS: Affordable, lightweight, plenty of storage space, multiple adapters
CONS: Less battery power, only for smaller gadgets, non-removable solar panels
ECEEN HIKING LIGHTWEIGHT DAYPACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Traveling & day trips
REMOVABLE PANELS: Yes
VOLUME: 16 Liters
BATTERY: 2000 mAH
DEVICES: Smartphones, tablets, MP3 players and other small devices
FEATURES: 3.5W foldable solar panels, 5V USB port, PVC fabric, 4 carabiners, 1 micro-USB Cable, 3 LED light modes
PROS: Built-In LED lights, lightweight, hip design, fairly inexpensive
CONS: Not big enough for long hikes, small, less powerful battery, average solar power
SOLARGOPACK 10K SOLAR POWERED BACKPACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Multi-use, including work, school, sports, hiking and travel
REMOVABLE PANELS: Yes
VOLUME: 27 Liters
BATTERY: 10,000 mAH
DEVICES: Smartphones, tablets, cameras and laptops
FEATURES: Waterproof, 5W solar cells, water bladder space
PROS: Powerful battery, waterproof, removable panels, available in multiple colors, room for water bladder, multi-use
CONS: Average solar capacity, heavier than other backpacks, unexciting design
SUNLABZ SOLAR CHARGER HYDRATION PACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Hikers looking for a lightweight solar hydration pack
REMOVABLE PANELS: Yes
VOLUME: 8 Liters
BATTERY: 10,000 mAH
DEVICES: Smartphones, tablets and other small USB-powered devices
FEATUES: 7W solar cells, 1.8-liter water bladder, multiple small compartments, 5V USB port
PROS: Ultra-lightweight, solid battery and solar cells, affordable, water bladder
CONS: Small, not suitable for trekking or camping
Now We’d Love To Hear From You! What Do You Think Are The Best Solar Backpacks?
Disclosure: The Adventure Junkies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. We also use other programs like REI, LeisurePro and others to keep our site independent. You can read more about how do we review here.
The post Top 10 Best Solar Backpacks for Hiking of 2016 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.
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