Best Solar Gear TheJourney 2024
I'm so excited when the weather gets nice, because it means summer trips out into nature, and I have some sweet solar-powered gear for those trips.
I've settled on a loadout that lets me stay charged up using the sun alone. Yeah, it's sustainable, but the big thing? I get to go properly off-grid without worry.
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My Favorite
BioLite Solar Generator 600 Kit
Solar Center
This kit gives you everything I need for a powerful solar set-up. The solar panel packs up easily. The battery pack has generous capacity and lots of plugs. I can't imagine hitting the outdoors without this combo.
There's no telling where I'm going to end up on my next adventure. Having this stuff in my trunk makes me feel perfectly comfortable about hitting the road and getting lost.
The core of this loadout is the BioLite Solar Generator 600 Kit.
It can keep all the essentials running. This is a must-have for any road trip I'm on.
What I Looked For
- Portability I'm on the move! I want to be able to set up quickly and pack up just as fast when it's time to move on.
- Performance Not all solar panels are made equal. I want to make sure I'm getting as much juice as possible.
- Design Solar panel cabling can get messy. I want to be able to charge with the bare minimum of adapters.
- Price I'm not made of money! I want to make sure I'm getting good bang for buck.
1. BioLite Solar Generator 600 Kit
I seriously love this kit.
The BioLite starter kit provides fully off-grid solar power and storage with a powerful 622 Wh power station and 100 Watt fold-up panel.
Climate Neutral Certified
BioLite is Climate Neutral Certified. They're being held accountable for reducing emissions every day. That's great, because not only can I feel good about using solar power, but I can also feel good about how these panels are built.
The power pack has outputs for everything I need: AC, USB, and DC. The display lets me keep tabs on how much battery life I've got left depending on how much stuff I'm charging up.
The wireless charging pad on top is especially nice. This way I can drop off my phone for a quick top-up while I'm making breakfast at the campsite, then grab it easily later when I'm ready for a hike.
The BioLite Solar Generator 600 Kit is everything I need for easy and clean campsite power.
If I want to get really gung-ho about my solar set-up, I can chain together multiple panels. I've been seriously thinking about splurging on more panels and BioLite's bigger battery pack for my off-grid cottage… Until then, the BioLite SolarPanel 100 hits all the right notes.
The panel unfolds neatly, and has a handy sundial to make sure you're getting maximum coverage at the right angle. A pouch in the back keeps all the cabling tidy and together. It also has three built-in USB plugs, so it can charge my stuff even without the power station. Not all solar panels have that!
I honestly wouldn't enjoy outdoor adventures as much without the BioLite Solar Generator Kit.
My Favorite
BioLite Solar Generator 600 Kit
Solar Center
This kit gives you everything I need for a powerful solar set-up. The solar panel packs up easily. The battery pack has generous capacity and lots of plugs. I can't imagine hitting the outdoors without this combo.
2. SolarBag
I bring plenty of water with my on my trips, but just in case I run low, I bring some SolarBags along. They can purify stream water just by leaving the bag out in the sun for awhile. Sorcery!
SolarBag
Cleansed by Sunlight
A patented chemical reaction cleans water that's stored in the SolarBag and exposed to sunlight.
3. GoSun Fusion
I've gotta eat while I'm out camping! The GoSun Fusion manages my cooking in a really clever way. It uses passive solar heat to cook food reliably. If it's getting late and there's not much sunlight left, you can use it to cook with electric power too.
GoSun Fusion
Sun-seared
Harness the sun directly to cook your dinner, or use electric power when you can't.
4. ThorFire LED Flashlight
When I need dedicated power, it's nice to not have to worry about whether the battery's charged. This torch from ThorFire not only has a built-in solar panel, but it has a hand crank too! IP78 waterproofing makes it well-suited to the outdoors.
ThorFire LED Flashlight
Reliable Light
A built-in solar panel and hand-crank make this flashlight perfect for outdoor adventures.
5. LuminAid Titan
Often enough I'll need more broad light at my campsite. It's been great having the LuminAid Power Lantern in my tent. It collapses for easy packing, and the built-in solar panel means it can charge up during the day with no fuss. If you need extra power it can charge your phone, too.
LuminAid Titan
Portable Solar Lighting
This collapsible lamp is great for keeping the ten well-lit using solar power.
It All Starts With the BioLite Solar Generator 600 Kit
No matter what else I include in my solar loadout, it starts with the BioLite Solar Generator 600 Kit. It works great. It feels great. It's sustainable. It makes electricty from the sun. What more do you want?
There are a lot of solar kits out there, but I think the thing that really pushed me over the edge with BioLite is what they're working on in the back-end.
BioLite makes big donations to modernizing the developing world. They outfit homes in Africa and elsewhere with solar power. This is a huge win for folks that would otherwise resort to dirtier forms of energy just to get by.
On top of having all my needs taken care of while out camping, I feel good about my money going towards that mission.
My Favorite
BioLite Solar Generator 600 Kit
Solar Center
This kit gives you everything I need for a powerful solar set-up. The solar panel packs up easily. The battery pack has generous capacity and lots of plugs. I can't imagine hitting the outdoors without this combo.
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