When backpacking, it’s tough to keep your battery, charger, and power bank ready. Your battery life drains quickly from using maps, your camera, or cold weather.. No solar panel or battery pack works well in the rain. Most solar chargers charge at a gradual pace or malfunction. Cables get lost or stop working. Many forget to charge their phone or their battery bank before hiking. And carrying heavy external batteries adds more weight. In this guide, we’ll share easy tips to keep your phone charged while backpacking. You can avoid stress and dead phones.
Why Your Phone Battery Dies Quickly While Backpacking
In the backcountry, keeping your phone battery charged can be tough. You begin with a full charge, but a few hours later, it’s nearly dead. Why does this happen? Let’s explore.
🔻 Cold temperatures drain phone batteries faster.
Cold weather is the biggest enemy of your battery life. When temperatures drop, your phone’s battery slows down and drains faster. Even if your phone is fully charged, it might not last long when exposed to freezing air. That’s why many backpackers store their phones in a pocket close to their bodies. This keeps them warm.
📡 Poor Signal Areas Use More Battery
In the backcountry, the signal is weak or gone. But your phone keeps searching for a network, and this burns through your battery fast. If you don’t need to use your phone at all, switch to airplane mode. Saving battery life is easier when you’re off the grid and can’t charge your phone.
🧭 GPS, camera, and apps keep running in the background
Using GPS for directions, taking photos, and using trail apps can be handy. But these activities can quickly drain your battery. Many apps run in the background and consume power, even when you’re not using them. Always close unused apps and reduce screen time when you use your phone on a hike. Also, try to rely on offline maps to help conserve battery. This is why your phone battery drains so fast during backpacking trips. It’s not one thing — it’s the cold, poor signal, and how you use your phone that matters. Next, we’ll explain the careful planning process. This way, your gear stays fully charged before you hit the trail.
Always start with a full charge
Before you go into the backcountry, charge your phone and get your gear ready. You never know when you’ll find the next power source, so preparing at home can save you from stress later.
🔋 Charge your phone, power bank, and battery pack fully
Charge your phone, backup battery, power bank, and battery pack fully the night before you go. Don’t wait until the last minute to charge. Your wall charger might fail or charge slowly. Double-check every device to ensure you start your trip with 100% power.
🔌 Pre-charge your solar panel if it has a built-in battery
Charge your solar panel charger, like some Anker models, from a home power source first. This way, you won’t have to depend only on sunlight on day one. Many backpackers don’t know they can use solar gear like a regular power bank before their trip.
✅ Test All Devices Before Leaving for the Trail
Always test your phone charger, cables, and backup battery before you pack. Some cables can fail over time. You don’t want to find that out in the wild. Also, set your phone to airplane mode while packing — it helps conserve battery until you’re ready to use it.
🎒 Keep Your Electronics Safe and Organized
Before uploading your backpack, organize your gear. Use a small bag or a zipper bag to keep your electronics dry. Make sure power banks and chargers are easy to reach. This way, you won’t waste time looking for a quick charge. Starting your backpacking trip with charged gear gives you peace of mind. You’ll know your power is ready, your Anker gear is full, and your phone won’t die hours into your hike. Next, let’s see how to choose the best power bank for your outdoor adventure.
Best Power Banks for Backpacking
When you’re backpacking, the right external battery pack matters a lot. Choosing the right power bank helps save battery life. It keeps you connected when your phone needs a charge.
⚖️ How to Choose the Right Size and Weight
Power banks come in many sizes. The bigger the battery size, the more times it can recharge your phone. But bigger power banks also weigh more and take up space in your backpack. A medium-sized power bank is ideal for most hikers. It can charge your phone 2 to 3 times, striking a good balance between power and portability.
🔄 Check how many full charges it provides
Look at how many times a power bank can fully charge your phone while hiking. This depends on its capacity and your phone’s battery. A 10,000mAh rechargeable battery usually charges a phone two to three times. This is ideal for a day or two of camping or hiking.
⚡ Fast Charge Rate vs. Slow Charging
Some power banks offer fast charging, which fills your phone quickly. This is great if you have limited time near a power source. Others take longer but can be more reliable over time. Choose one that matches your device’s charging ability and your travel pace.
🌞 Solar Power Backup Options
If you like the off-grid adventure, you can think of a power bank with solar or solar water. Remember that solar charging is slow and depends on sunlight. It is a great way to charge your equipment on long camps or hikes when there is no electricity.
🔌 Other Charging Options: Car Charger and More
If you drive to trailheads, use a car charger. It can recharge your phone or power bank before your hike. This adds another way to charge your devices and keeps your battery ready for outdoor time. Picking the right power bank saves battery and keeps your phone charged on any adventure. Next, we’ll talk about how to get the most from your solar panel when charging on the trail.
Using a Solar Panel the Right Way
If you live off-grid and need to power your devices, you must use a solar panel correctly. It’s a smart backup option for any camping trip, but only when used correctly.
🌤️ When Solar Panels Are Most Effective During Hiking
Solar panels work best in direct sunlight with little cloud cover. Try to hike when the sun is out, and place your panel where it gets full exposure. If you need to charge, plug your phone in while the panel absorbs sunlight. Keep in mind that it may not work well in the shade or during bad weather.
🎒 How to Attach and Angle Your Solar Charger for the Best Results?
A useful tip is to clip your solar panel to the back of your backpack while hiking. Position it to face the sun for consistent charging. This way, your phone stays charged as you walk. It works well during breaks or slow climbs.
🌧️ Limitations of Solar Charging in Poor Weather or Shade
If you hike under trees or on cloudy days, solar panels may drain your battery more than they charge it. They charge slowly. Sometimes, the battery can’t give enough power to run your phone completely. That’s why it’s smart to pair a solar panel with the best power bank — charge the bank with solar first, then your phone. Next, let’s share some simple tips to extend your battery life on the trail.
Tips to Extend Battery Life on the Trail
When you’re deep, keeping your phone’s battery from dying is a real challenge. You might not always have a battery pack to charge your phone. So, it’s smart to know a few easy steps to extend your battery life.
✈️ Use Airplane Mode or Battery Saver mode
Turning on airplane mode is one of the easiest ways to use the battery wisely. It stops your phone from wasting energy looking for a signal. Battery saver mode stops background apps from draining your phone’s battery quickly. This is great for light backpacking.
🌙 Reduce screen brightness and app usage
Your screen is one of the biggest battery killers. Lower the brightness to a comfortable level. Close any apps you aren’t using. If you use your phone as a camera, take your photos and close the app right away. These small habits make a big difference. They also reduce how often you will need to charge.
❄️ Keep Your Phone Warm in Cold Weather
Cold weather can drain your phone’s battery fast, often in just minutes. Keep your phone close to your body or inside your backpack, wrapped in something soft. This prevents unexpected shutdowns and keeps your phone ready when needed. These small habits help you extend your battery life on your trip. Next, let’s discuss the essential cables and accessories to pack.
Don’t forget the right cables and accessories
Many people think about power banks. But they often forget the small stuff—like cables and accessories. On a long hike, these can affect your ability to keep your devices charged and working when you need them.
🔌 Carry high-quality, short charging cables
Always carry strong and short charging cables — they’re easier to manage and less likely to tangle. Cheap cables can damage the battery or fail when you need to charge your phone. Go for quality, especially if you’ll use it to charge many times a day.
📦 Store cables safely to avoid damage or tangles
Pack your cables in a small pouch or soft case to keep them safe. Keeping them loose in your backpack can bend the ends or break them. Always keep it warm and dry inside your bag — moisture and cold can damage the battery or connectors.
🔌 Pack an adapter if needed for your devices
If you’re using a solar panel to recharge or a power bank in a bright sunny spot, you’ll need the right cable type. Whether your device uses USB-C, Lightning, or Micro USB, carry an adapter. It’s a small detail, but it really helped on a past backpacking trip. I found out that one cable didn’t fit my new phone.
💡 Pro Tip: Match cable strength to battery output
If your power bank to charge your phone supports fast charging, use a cable that can handle it. Some cables slow down charging even if your mAh battery pack is powerful. Choosing the right one saves time to charge and improves how much battery life you get during your hike. The right cables, adapters, and storage are as important as battery size or phone capacity. Always prepare and pack to charge smart — you’ll thank yourself later. Okay, next, I will conclude and share some final thoughts to help you keep your phone charged on any backpacking trip.
Conclusion
To keep your phone charged on any hiking trip, plan wisely. Start with a fully charged phone. Include a reliable 2,000 mAh battery pack or power bank to charge your equipment. Use flight mode and reduce the brightness of the display to save battery. Always keep it warm and protect your equipment to prevent damage. A solar panel for recharging is a great backup when you’re off-grid. Here are simple steps to save battery life. Enjoy your adventure without worrying about your phone dying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to keep a phone charged when backpacking?
- Carry a power bank for charging.
- Use airplane mode.
- Lower the screen brightness to the minimum.
- Keep your device warm.
- Use a solar panel to recharge.
How do people charge their phones when camping?
People came in some ways and charged their phones. They can use a power bank to charge their equipment. A solar panel can help charge the battery. Also, a battery pack can keep your phone warm and save battery life.
What’s the best way to use a power bank?
Use your power bank to charge only when the battery is low. Don’t charge all the time. This helps save battery life for your phone and the battery pack.
How does a solar panel help recharge my phone?
A solar panel to recharge can be very useful in the wild. Set it up in a power bank in a bright, sunny spot to get the best charge and keep your battery pack fully charged.