In a world that’s looking more toward natural, infinite energy sources to help us power our lives, it just makes perfect sense that outdoor gear manufacturers would get on board with the movement. For those who simply cannot leave their electronics behind, or just prefer electronic devices on their outdoor adventures, solar-powered gear is a great long term investment. Here are a few really cool solar-powered gadgets that will help maximize your energy capacity on all your outdoor expeditions.
Sierra Designs Taquito Tent Organizer with Solar Panel – $149.95 $49.95
It happens to the best of us — a tent bag somehow inevitably goes missing. Whether it got rolled up in someone else’s tent, misplaced in another storage container, or carted away by a wild animal, none of these changes the fact that you really need some kind of organizer for your tent and all its components. Do yourself one better and get the Taquito tent organizer with a bonus solar panel from Sierra Designs. With compartments to house your tent, poles, and rain fly, all you need to do is roll it up and secure it with the attached compression straps for simple and lightweight storage. And with the addition of the solar panel that comes with two rechargeable AA batteries and a USB port, you’ll be able to stay powered up while you’re staying neat. Just place in the sun and relax!
Solio Clip-Mini USB/Solar Rechargeable LED Light – $38 $26.95
For the ultimate in cyclical, green energy, try this USB/solar rechargeable clip LED light from Solio. It’s about as simplistic as it gets, with a solar panel that’s rechargeable by either solar energy or through a USB cable you can easily connect to your computer at home. The carabiner-style clip function makes it easy to clip this light off to a belt loop, bootlace, backpack, or anywhere else you need light, and you never have to worry about replacing or recharging separate batteries. With 5 different lighting modes to choose from, you’ll get anywhere from 3-33 hours of continuous use from this compact and efficient light, all for the continuous cost of nothing because it’s powered by the sun.
Brunton Explorer Foldable Solar Panel – $96 $74.95 FREE SHIPPING!
For those who just want accessible solar power for whatever device needs charging, the Brunton Explorer foldable solar panel is just the thing. This solar panel is optimized for use with smartphones, digital audio players, and portable game consoles, meaning there’s basically no handheld gadget it can’t handle. It offers a relatively powerful 5V output for such a small package, and folds up neatly to fit in even the most limited space of any backpacker’s pack. If you need a little more juice than the Explorer can provide, it is compatible with other Brunton power systems, giving you the capability to create your own off-grid energy network.
