The best power banks for camping and hiking

A curated list of the best power banks for camping, from small devices for day hikes to multi-plug charging stations for large groups

Let’s face it: even if you’re a hardcore survivalist, a compass and map simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Whether it’s tracking your route with a hiking app, triangulating your position using a GPS device or reading by headtorch while waiting out a downpour, adventurers these days rarely leave home without at least one electronic device.

On Denali last year, whenever we had a few hours of downtime, the whole team were stringing up their solar panels and power banks to make sure phones, cameras, radios, watches, headlamps, GPS devices and e-readers had enough juice for the next stage.

And recently, when I’ve been on climbs with larger base camps, I’ve noticed that noisy and smelly generators have now largely been replaced with quieter and cleaner portable power stations running off daisy-chains of foldable solar panels.

With that in mind, whether you’re looking for a lightweight power bank to keep your smartphone charged on the trail, or a power station big enough to run the fairy lights and fridge at base camp, we’ve put together a list of the best power banks for camping and hiking.

Best power bank for day hiking: Goal Zero Flip 24

Charge time: 4 hours
Battery capacity: 74 watt hours
Battery storage capacity: 20,000 mAh
Size: 17 x 8 x 2.5 cm (6.7 x 3.2 x 1 in)
Price: $29.95
Buy on: REI, Amazon

If you’re just hitting the trail for a day, chances are your phone will probably last the hike. However, if you take a lot of photos and videos, or use a GPS device such as a Garmin inReach, then you should carry some back-up power. Likewise, navigation apps can also drain a smartphone’s power.

Compact and lightweight, the Goal Zero Flip 24 should reliably give two recharges on most smartphones as well as most GPS devices, headlamps and fitness trackers. It will also top up a tablet but won’t charge it completely.

Its size means it fits easily into a backpack, fanny pack, purse or even a pocket. No power buttons make it easy to use and the flip-out USB port makes for simple charging of the power bank in a wall charger or other power source. It will also recharge off most solar panels or any USB power source.