Ask Martin Chester – Best chargers for outdoor activities
FALL-LINE’S BACKCOUNTRY EDITOR AND BRITISH IFMGA GUIDE MARTIN CHESTER ANSWERS YOUR OFF-PISTE PUZZLES
QUESTION: What do you think of the power supply options for outdoor activities? I’d like to keep my phone charged and in action when out in the wilds. Are there any chargers/boosters/solar solutions you have tried?
ANSWER: Good call! Phone batteries are notoriously poor in the cold, and navigating will drain the juice in no time. Rather than rely on my limited experience, I put this one to my outdoorsy following on Facebook (loads of outdoor pros on there) and the results were pretty consistent. Of course, the first question is how long you are talking about here?
If you are heading out for the day, a small portable charger is the answer. Anker consistently come up trumps and the Anker Astro E1 6700mAh Portable Charger (120g, £25) gets the majority vote, with people reporting two full charges of their phone. Keep it warm in your pocket and it will look after you when you need it.
For more oomph and longer life, Anker’s PowerCore Lite 20000 (just 380g, £36) gives 6/7 charges.
The Ravpower XTREME 26800mAh Power Bank (450g) gets great reviews from the outdoor posse……
…..whilst the Zendure A8 QC Portable Charger (26,800 mAh) is the chunkiest of the lot in a feature packed 480g.
For longer trips, many folk swear by the RavPower or PowerTraveller solar chargers.
Both these offer a waterproof system, with the PowerTraveller Sport 25 Solar Kit providing a solar panel and charger in a robust and weatherproof combo.
Beware the “adventure branded” chargers out there, as not everything outdoorsy needs a built-in torch or compass. Better to focus on the functionality for charge your phone.
Good luck!
