0

Your Cart is Empty

5 Best Solar Chargers for Cross Country Skiing Trips: Essential Options for Your Next Adventure

August 01, 2024 7 min read

Cross-country skiing trips offer a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature's beauty and embrace the adventure of the great outdoors. Having a reliable source of power is critical for keeping your devices charged.

A snowy mountain landscape with skis propped against a backpack, while a solar charger is attached to the backpack, capturing the sun's rays

In this article, you'll discover the top five solar chargers that are perfect for your cross-country skiing excursions. From keeping your smartphone powered up to ensuring your GPS device stays active, a good solar charger is an essential part of your gear. With these options, you'll stay connected and safe throughout your journey.

1) Anker 21W Dual USB Solar Charger

The Anker 21W Dual USB Solar Charger is a standout option for cross-country skiing trips. With its 21-watt output, it can efficiently charge two devices simultaneously through its dual USB ports. This makes it ideal for keeping your smartphone and GPS device powered during extended outdoor adventures.

This solar charger is designed with three high-efficiency solar panels that convert sunlight into usable power, providing reliable energy even in partial sunlight. Its compact and foldable design allows you to easily pack it in your backpack without taking up much space.

The Anker 21W Dual USB Solar Charger is water-resistant, which is crucial for snowy and wet conditions. This durability ensures that you can rely on it in various weather conditions typical of cross-country skiing trips.

It also comes with advanced safety features, including protection against overcharging, short-circuiting, and overheating. This helps maintain the health of your devices while charging.

The charger features smart charging technology, which recognizes your device and delivers the optimal charging speed. This efficiency maximizes battery life and minimizes charging time, important when you're on the go.

Incorporating high-quality materials, the Anker 21W Dual USB Solar Charger is built to last. Its robust construction is designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use, providing a reliable power source throughout your adventure.

Whether you are trekking through forests or skiing across open plains, this solar charger provides a dependable solution for keeping your key devices operational.

2) BigBlue 28W Solar Charger

A snowy mountain landscape with a clear blue sky, featuring a BigBlue 28W Solar Charger set up on a flat surface, with cross country skiing equipment nearby

The BigBlue 28W Solar Charger is known for its efficiency and reliability. It features polycrystalline solar panels, which provide a high energy conversion rate.

You will appreciate its foldable design, making it easy to pack and carry. The charger includes three USB ports, allowing you to charge multiple devices simultaneously.

Its waterproof and durable construction ensures it can withstand harsh outdoor conditions. Integrated smart charging technology protects your devices from overcharging and short circuits.

Additionally, it comes with a built-in ammeter, so you can monitor the charging current. This allows you to position it for optimal sunlight exposure.

The BigBlue 28W Solar Charger is lightweight, weighing just over 1.3 pounds. This makes it an ideal choice for long cross-country skiing trips.

With its reliable performance and rugged design, you won't have to worry about your devices running out of power in remote locations.

3) Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus Solar Panel

The Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus Solar Panel is perfect for cross country skiing trips. It is compact, portable, and designed for outdoor use. The panel weighs only 12.8 ounces, making it easy to carry in your backpack.

This solar panel offers a maximum output of 7 watts, sufficient for charging your small devices like phones and headlamps. It features smart charging technology, which optimizes charging times by detecting the connected device.

Weather-resistant and rugged, the Nomad 7 Plus is built to withstand harsh conditions. The detachable kickstand allows you to angle the panel properly, ensuring maximum sun exposure. Additionally, it has convenient loops for easy hanging on your pack.

You can connect multiple Goal Zero portable chargers to the Nomad 7 Plus, providing flexibility in how you store energy. The intuitive LED indicator assesses sun strength, so you can position the panel for the best performance.

4) Nekteck 21W Solar Charger

The Nekteck 21W Solar Charger offers a strong performance for your cross-country skiing adventures. Compact and foldable, it is easy to carry in your backpack without taking up much space.

Equipped with high-efficiency solar panels, this charger can convert up to 24% of solar energy into free energy. This efficiency ensures that your devices charge quickly, even in less-than-ideal sunlight conditions.

For your convenience, the Nekteck 21W features two USB ports. You can charge multiple devices simultaneously, which is essential during long ski trips. The ports provide up to 2.0A each, offering decent charging speeds.

Made with durable canvas and PET polymer, this charger can withstand the rigors of outdoor use. Its water-resistant design protects against occasional snow and moisture, making it suitable for various weather conditions.

With built-in smart IC technology, the Nekteck 21W adjusts the current to match your device's needs. This feature helps prevent overcharging and protects your equipment, extending the life of your batteries.

Weighing just 17.3 ounces (490 grams), this charger is lightweight enough not to add any significant burden to your gear. Its well-thought-out design prioritizes usability and efficiency, ensuring a reliable energy source.

5) RAVPower 24W Solar Charger

The RAVPower 24W Solar Charger is a reliable option for your cross country skiing trips. Equipped with three high-efficiency solar panels, it converts up to 23.5% of solar power into free energy.

Its durability is impressive. The rugged build protects against harsh weather conditions you may encounter while skiing. The ETFE construction ensures it's resistant to both water and dust.

On the portability front, this charger shines. It weighs just 1.65 pounds and folds down to a compact size, making it easy to carry. You can conveniently attach it to your backpack using the included hooks.

Charging capability is strong. Dual USB ports with iSmart technology deliver optimal charging speed for your devices. You can charge two devices simultaneously without sacrificing speed or efficiency.

The device is user-friendly. LED indicators show the strength of sunlight and charging status, keeping you informed. There's no need for an external battery; it draws power directly from the sun.

It's versatile too. You can use it to charge smartphones, tablets, GPS units, and even some cameras. This makes it an excellent addition to your gear for extended trips in the wilderness.

For safety, RAVPower includes multiple protections. These safeguards protect against short circuits, overcharging, and overloading, ensuring your devices are secure while charging.

The RAVPower 24W Solar Charger offers an efficient and durable solution. It's a great companion for adventurers needing a reliable power source.

This charger provides a mix of efficiency, durability, and portability, making it a valuable tool for cross country skiing trips.

Benefits of Using Solar Chargers

Bright sun shining on snowy mountains, with solar chargers attached to backpacks. Skiers gliding through the pristine landscape, powered by renewable energy

Solar chargers are an excellent choice for cross-country skiing trips due to their positive environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and convenience. They can greatly enhance your outdoor experience by ensuring your devices remain powered throughout your adventure.

Environmental Impact

Using solar chargers reduces the reliance on disposable batteries, cutting down on waste. These chargers harness the sun’s energy, a renewable resource, thus minimizing your carbon footprint.

By opting for solar power, you support the shift towards sustainable energy solutions. Unlike traditional battery-powered chargers, solar chargers do not emit harmful pollutants. This choice helps protect the natural beauty of the skiing trails you enjoy.

Cost-Effectiveness

Once you've purchased a solar charger, the energy it gathers from the sun is free. This can lead to significant savings over time, especially if you often find yourself on extended skiing trips.

Traditional chargers require purchasing disposable batteries or finding electrical outlets, which can be inconvenient and expensive. Solar chargers eliminate these recurring costs, providing a one-time investment that keeps powering your devices without any additional expenses.

Convenience and Portability

Solar chargers are designed to be lightweight and portable, making them easy to pack for your cross-country skiing trips. With integrated panels and compact designs, they can effortlessly fit into your gear.

You can charge your devices on-the-go, without needing access to power stations. This ensures you have the power needed for navigation, communication, and entertainment while skiing in remote areas.

Simply attach the charger to your backpack or set it up during breaks, and it will start collecting energy immediately.

How Solar Chargers Work

Solar panels absorb sunlight, converting it into electricity. A backpack with a solar charger is placed on a snowy mountain, powering electronic devices

Solar chargers convert sunlight into electrical energy, store the energy, and then transform it into a usable form for your devices. The process involves three main components: photovoltaic cells, energy storage systems, and power conversion modules.

Photovoltaic Cells

Photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells, are the heart of a solar charger. They absorb sunlight and generate an electrical current. These cells are typically made from silicon and work through a process called the photovoltaic effect.

When sunlight hits the solar cells, it excites electrons, creating an electric flow. This flow is then captured as direct current (DC) electricity. The efficiency of a solar charger is largely determined by the quality of its photovoltaic cells.

Energy Storage

Energy storage is crucial for using solar energy when sunlight is unavailable. Most portable solar chargers come with built-in batteries to store the generated electricity. These batteries are often lithium-ion or lithium-polymer types.

Charged during the day while the sun is shining, these batteries can then supply power to your devices at night or on cloudy days. The capacity of the storage battery is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh) and determines how long and how many times you can charge your devices.

Power Conversion

Power conversion ensures that the stored electricity is supplied to your devices in a usable format. The electricity generated and stored in the solar charger is usually in direct current (DC) form. Many of your devices, however, require alternating current (AC).

Solar chargers include power conversion circuits that convert DC to a usable voltage level compatible with your devices. These circuits often include USB ports, as many modern gadgets charge via USB. Efficient power conversion is key to minimizing energy loss.