Gear Picks
Our 6 Favorite Solar and Portable-Power Products
Spend more time off-grid in 2019 with these solar panels and power banks
Featured
$28.00
from Amazon
If you’re looking for enough power to charge your phone a few times over a weekend, the Anker PowerCore 10,000 is your tool. It has one of the best power-to-size ratios on the market, with 10,000 milliampere-hours of power in a slim package that’s just seven ounces and fits in your pocket. It’ll charge your phone three times and, with Anker’s quick-charge tech, do it in a flash.
$100.00
$80.00
from REI
20% off
You can eschew carrying a power bank with the Nomad 7 Plus, a surprisingly portable set of solar panels with a seven-watt output capacity, making it ideal for extended backcountry trips when tech is necessary. The best feature? An LED indicator that lets you know the strength of the solar conditions. A single USB port allows you to plug a phone or tablet directly into the panels.
$137.00
$105.00
from Amazon
23% off
The Renogy 100-watt panel is the industry standard for vanlifers. This panel weighs 16.5 pounds and is designed for RVs and boats. It can be used alone, in a series of panels, or as a portable option. With built-in mounting holes and aluminum frame, you can even mount it to the roof of your van. And it’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about rain or snow.
$150.00
from REI
What this complete solar-power kit lacks in power, it makes up for in plug-and-play convenience. The kit consists of a six-watt solar panel, a control box that stores 20 watt-hours of power, and three lights with wall-mounting switches. It’s an easy way to dabble with solar power in your van or cabin—everything daisy-chains together for easy fuss-free installation.
$600.00
from Amazon
With 500 watt-hours of power, this lithium battery can power a weekend camping trip for the whole family, enough to run a mini fridge for nine hours or charge your phone 40 times. You get two USB ports as well as AC outlets and 12-volt DC ports. It’s splash-proof, has an LCD power display, and is surprisingly light at just 12 pounds.
$3000.00
from REI
This is a gas-free generator that can power almost anything in your home in an emergency. It stores more than 3,000 watt-hours of power in a lithium battery that also has Wi-Fi. It has every sort of port you could need and can power anything from your phone to a mini fridge or TV. But beware: it does take a full day to charge this beast via a wall outlet.
All Gear
$99
$49
from REI
51% off
These gloves are a staple in columnist Jakob Schiller’s year-round gear rotation. “With a waxed and baked leather outer, waterproof-breathable membrane, and Thinsulate insulation, they’re great for frigid resort ski days while being breathable enough for long backcountry missions,” he writes. “Once summer rolls around, I use them to collect firewood or move burning logs in the campfire.”
$100
$75
from REI
25% off
One of our editors just bought on of these for use on family camping trips and swears by it. Why? No more hiding behind trees or being surprised by guests while going to the bathroom in busy areas. It has a steel hook for hanging a water bag and four drain holes so you can use it as a shower too. Plus, it’s a breeze to set up.
$500
$400
from REI
20% off
This version of the popular action cam was the one that finally converted one of our testers—a professional photographer—to add one to his kit. “It’s ideal for ultrarunners, mountain bikers, surfers, kayakers, scuba divers, dirt bikers, and climbers who want to dip their toes in pro-level photo and video editing, without dropping thousands to get their feet in the door.”
$40
$30
from REI
25% off
This trusty headlamp has gotten Outside editors through many adventures both close to home and far afield. It’s easy to use, compact, and runs on three AAA batteries (we like to use rechargeables). The red light mode is great for not blinding tent mates and the IPX8 waterproofing has proven itself time and again in downpours.
Sponsor Content
Revo Descend N
$199
Revo's best-selling Descend N glasses features NASA-based polarized lens technology with a rimless design with panoramic views for when you need to see it all.
$70
$56
from Backcountry
20% off
Once you try a changing poncho, you’ll never go back to a normal towel—they’re that useful. This 100 percent cotton number from Vissla is soft, absorbent, and makes swaps to bathing suits a breeze. And you can’t go wrong with the halcyon, ‘70s-inspired print.
$550
$330
from Outside Shop
40% off
You’d be hard pressed to find a better adventure companion than the Fenix 6. This do-everything GPS watch is packed with features for every kind of activity, whether in town or high in the mountains: wrist-based heart rate, a gajillion sport modes, smart notifications and of course, excellent navigation.
$200
$160.93
20% off
Worn by two Canadian marathon runners in the Tokyo Olympics, these road running shoes are known for their soft roll and comfortable upper. As one of our testers noted, "I was pleased to have these late in the test because they are a blend of many of the best qualities of super shoes with stride-lengthening zippiness paired with float, cushion, and an exceptionally comfortable upper."
$100
$70.97
29% off
Bring style and warmth to the campfire with the Poler Poncho. We love the fun color combos and the fact that it offers a kangaroo pouch pocket to keep your hands warm, plus two snap pockets to stash all your cargo. The Thermastuff synthetic insulation acts like a blanket but with a bonus hood for ultimate coziness. O+ members can also use their additional 10% off perk on top of the sale.
$150
$74.93
50% off
Stay safe and cool on the trails with this polycarbonate helmet. The Lightweight 360° size adjustment system, plus SPIN technology to reduce rotational motion during impact, allows riders to find a snug and exact fit for improved protection.
$189.99
$161.49
15% off
These durable, breathable, and ultra comfortable hiking boots are Biocircular, meaning they are made only using materials with 100% proven paths back to nature. They also feature deep 6.0mm tread lugs to support stability over rocky, loose desert terrain. Save 15% sitewide with the exclusive code OUTSIDEJUNE22.
Gear Picks is a curated selection of products we’ve tested and heartily recommend. We stand by this gear—and the brands that sell it—and many of our editors and writers use this stuff weekly. Whenever possible, we provide a link to a past review so you can make sure it’s something that suits your lifestyle—ideally at a steeply discounted price. Happy shopping—and gear-picking.