Best solar panels for hiking

Are you into hiking and outdoor activities and need the best solar panels for hiking ? Then it is possible that you are aware of the challenges of connectivity that come with these fun hobbies. Many people love disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature.But it is also true that, at times, it is important to remain connected. This is why a solar panel can be an excellent item to carry with your luggage when going on hikes.

Solar panel charging devices absorb energy from the sun and transform it into electricity. With this electricity, you can charge your electronic items, such as mobile phones, tablets, smart watches, GPS, and more. You can also use it to charge portable batteries. The best advantage of solar panel devices is that, as long as you have sunlight, you can always have a source of energy anywhere you go. Thus, you do not depend on having access to electric outputs.

But, how can you choose the best solar panels for hiking? If you are new to the world of solar energy, this article will be very useful for you to make a decision about which solar panel charger will be your best choice.

Why should you consider having a solar panel with you when hiking?

As we have mentioned above, solar panels are a great solution for hikers and for people who love spending time outdoors. As they operate with sunlight, they are amazing choices for hiking. When doing this activity, you spend a lot of time outdoors. Thus, in good weather conditions you will have access to sunlight almost every time. Moreover, it is very unlikely that you will have easy access to electric outputs in the middle of nature. For all these reasons, solar panel chargers are the best option for hikers.

When choosing the best solar panels for hiking, there are several things that you must take into account. Furthermore, depending on your hiking experience, your budget and your preferences, it is likely that one type of solar panel will be more suitable for you than others. In order to help you make this decision, we will share with you some of the most important things to take into account when selecting the solar panel charger that will accompany you on all your awesome hiking adventures.

Key things to consider when choosing the best solar panels for hiking

With advances in technology, we can now access a wide range of different types of solar panel chargers. These devices vary in price, size, type, weight, additional features, and more. It can be a bit overwhelming to make the right choice if you still do not know much about solar panel chargers. This is why we have developed this list of some of the most important things that you should consider when choosing the best solar panels for hiking.

• Output: the output of solar panels is measured in watts. This is a very important aspect to consider, because it will determine the rate at which the device can convert sunlight into energy. As a general rule, you should know that the higher the output is, the more sunlight that the device will be able to convert to energy.

• Type: overall, we can mention 3 different types of solar panel chargers: the panels-only, the panels with integrated battery pack, and the panels with a detachable battery pack.

The panels-only are devices that can be used to charge any type of electronic gadget. You just have to connect the solar panel to the device of your choice and the charging will begin. It is important to make sure that the panel-only device of your choice is compatible with the gadgets that you want to charge. For this, we advise you to make sure to check the connector type of the solar panel charger.

The panels with integrated battery packs consist of solar panels and battery packs that come together in one single, compact piece. They are very comfortable to carry around, but they cannot be separated from each other.

The panels with detachable battery packs are just like the panels with integrated battery packs. But, in this case, you can detach the battery pack from the solar panel.

• Constitution of the solar panel: when considering the fabrication materials, you can find two types of solar panels. These are the rigid solar panels and the semi-flexible solar panels. The rigid solar panels are more resistant. The semi-flexible solar panels can be folded. This makes them more comfortable to carry around.

• Weight and size: smaller solar panels for hiking are much more comfortable to carry around than bigger and heavier ones. Nevertheless, the bigger and heavier the device is, the faster it will charge the battery pack.

• Attachment points: solar panels for hiking tend to have several attachment points for you to attach them to your backpack. Keep in mind that the attachment points are very important features of solar panels. For these devices to work, they need to be exposed to sunlight. Thus, you will need to carry them outside your backpack.

5 best solar power banks for hiking

Now that you know a bit more about solar panel devices, we are going to present to you with 5 of the best solar panels for hiking available in the market. All of these options that we have selected are of excellent quality and top performance. They differ in certain features and aspects. Thus, depending on your budget, your type of hiking activity and your preferences, you may find that one solar panel is better for you than others.

1. Goal Zero Nomad 5 Solar Charger

The Goal Zero Nomad 5 Solar Charger has a power of 5 watts and comes with a Flip 12 Power Bank. It is very comfortable to carry around. This is because it has a collapsible stand that allows you to hang it wherever you prefer. With it, you can also easily locate the solar panel anywhere you want. This means it can be adjusted to different positions to harness sunlight.

It weighs around 430 grams. The size of the solar panel is 24 x 17.8 x 2.0 cm. The size of the powerbank is 9.4 x 2.1 x 2.1 cm. As you can see, it is compact, lightweight and easy to transport. The recharge time with the solar panel is between 4 to 6 hs. The recharge time with USB is around 3 hs. It is very user-friendly and easy to operate. This makes it a great option for those who are taking their first steps into the world of solar panels for hiking.

2. Lincorne 5

The Lincorne 5 solar charger is a cable-free portable charger with high power capacity. It has a 2300 mAh battery that can be charged very quickly. Its power is 5 watts. It has 6 outputs, 2outports and 2 imports. This makes it able to charge multiple devices at the same time.

In this sense, the Lincorne 5 is a great device for those techies who tend to have many electronic devices, such as smartwatches, mobile phones, or tablets. An interesting plus is that it comes with a flashlight on the top edge. This makes it also quite handy for night hikes or for outdoor camping adventures.

The size of the solar panel can be a bit small compared to other devices. This is why, in the case of the Lincorne 5, it is always better to count with the fully charged power bank. This solar charger weighs 1.4 pounds and has dimensions of 6.9 x 3.3 x 1.2 inches.

3. Lixada 10W

As its name shows, the Lixada 10W is one of the most potent of the devices that we will describe in this article. It has a power of 10W. This makes it an ideal option for those looking for top performance when it comes to power.

This solar panel has an epoxy resin surface seal and is made of monocrystalline silicon cells. This makes it resistant and of top quality. It has one standard USB port in which you can connect your devices. It weighs only 102 grams and its dimensions are 26×14 cm, with a thickness of only 2 mm. It is designed to be perfectly fit for hanging it wherever you need. As you can see, it is comfortable to carry around and to hang from your backpack.

The versatile design, along with the high quality materials of this solar panel, make it a very resistant option. This is why this device is recommended for those who are very frequent hikers and spend a long time doing outdoor activities.

4. ECEEN 13W

Another very powerful solar panel device, the ECEEN 13W has a high performance power of 13 watts. It is foldable, lightweight and small in size, which makes it very comfortable to carry around. This is why the ECEEN 13W is recommended for those who travel long distances during hikes.

Another feature that can be highlighted of this device is the charging speed. Whatever electronic item you choose to connect will be rapidly charged if you use the ECEEN 13W for your outdoor adventures. Moreover, it is made of high quality polyester, which makes it also highly resistant to different weather conditions. It has several hooks that allow for it to be attached to any backpack, anywhere you need.

5. BigBlue 3

The BigBlue solar panel has a high power capacity of 28W. Even though it is bigger than other devices, it has top performance. With it, you can charge up to 3 devices at the same time. It is also foldable, so you can easily fit it into any backpack.

As we mentioned above, it is bigger and heavier than other options. It weighs 666 grams and its dimensions are 28.1 x 16 x 3.4 cm. It is waterproof, so you can count on it being protected under different weather conditions. Finally, it is compatible with several types of electronic devices.

Full connection for you adventure

As you can see, there are many benefits of using solar panel chargers when you go hiking. Whichever option you choose, all of the devices that we have introduced here will definitely be top solutions for you. Solar panels for hiking are gaining popularity amongst outdoor lovers. More and more people choose these devices over traditional portable chargers. And, as you can see, this makes total sense! The best solar panels for hiking ensure energy at all times. All you need is the power of the sun. Have you already tried a solar panel charger? Which one of these options would you choose? Whether you prefer a bigger and more powerful one, or a smaller one which is more comfortable to transport, all of these devices will transform your hiking experience for the better.