Camping is often seen as an opportunity to leave your tech at home, but that’s not always the best idea. There are many technologies that can enhance your enjoyment of the outdoors, not to mention keep you safe.
A well-protected smartphone
Even if you want to spend some time offline, away from social media and constant business emails, it’s still a good idea to pack your smartphone. Whether you’re traveling by car, hanging out at a campsite or walking up a mountain; your iPhone or Android smartphone can be invaluable in an emergency.
The best way to prepare for any eventuality is to ensure your smartphone is protected from the elements. Investing in a rugged, waterproof case like the Lifeproof FRE for iPhone provides water and drop protection that far exceeds your manufacturer’s “bare” rating.
Lifeproof FREE
Lifeproof haven’t followed Android trends so if you don’t have an iPhone, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Instead you can buy something like Ghostek NAUTICAL for Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22 (or Plus and Ultra models).
Ghostek NAUTICAL for Galaxy S22
If you will be near water, such as camping in a canoe or kayak, a floating waterproof case like the CaliCase Universal Waterproof Floating Case may be a better choice. It attaches to a lanyard that can be worn around the neck and will keep your device afloat in case you drop it in deep water. There are two layers of clear PVC for added protection and most devices up to 6.1″ tall will fit.
Smart Watch or fitness tracker
If you’re going camping, hiking, and doing other physical activities, a smartwatch or fitness tracker can have some real benefits.
A good smartwatch like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 will track your activity and total steps, record GPS information including your route, and provide quick information about weather, UV index, and more. You can often avoid taking your smartphone out of your pocket altogether by simply lifting your wrist. Apple Watch’s drop detection could even save your life, provided you turn it on before you leave.
Apple Watch Series 7
iPhone users should stick with the Apple Watch, but Android users have a few other options including Samsung’s Galaxy range. There’s also the Garmin Venu 2 and Fitbit Versa 3 for those who want more fitness-focused features. Keep in mind that smartwatches can increase the drain on your smartphone’s battery due to the need to be paired with the device, and will also need to be charged every day or so.
Fitness trackers are a good alternative to a smartwatch, and they’re cheaper to boot. Trackers focus on tracking your activity rather than providing you with information the way a smartwatch does, which means they also enjoy better battery life. While fitness trackers have improved over the years, Fitbit is still king.
Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit Charge 5 takes the crown as our top recommended fitness tracker, and even manages to include GPS tracking. The Garmin Vivosmart 4 is another solid choice with excellent battery life, though it lacks GPS tracking.
Solar, turbine or manual charger
Solar chargers are everywhere, and the cost of photovoltaic panels is falling as the technology becomes more widespread. You can use portable solar chargers like BigBlue 3 28w or FlexSolar 40w to charge smartphones, wearables, tablets, GPS devices and power banks as long as the weather is on your side.
Solar charger FlexSolar 40w
Solar chargers don’t need to be used in a static location, and many backpackers will slip them over their bags on the go. Using a solar panel to charge a USB power bank is a good way to “stock up” on those days when the weather is dull or rainy.
If you’re camping near a water source and prefer not to rely on solar power, consider a turbine charger like the WaterLily Turbine Charger. By placing the turbine in the water, you can use the current of the water to directly charge the power bank or your devices. You can also transform WaterLily into WindLily, a portable wind turbine.
If you’d rather convert people’s energy into battery power, a handheld charger might be just what you’re looking for. Note that many small hand-operated chargers do not produce enough charge to be particularly useful outside of powering a low-wattage LED bulb. You’ll have to spend more money on a bigger and heavier charger to avoid disappointment.
Powerhouse 60w hand crank
Check out something like the Powerhouse 60w Fast Charger. Reviews suggest that you should get about 10% of your iPhone charged in about 5 minutes of boot time. The downside is the large size and weight, which is 9 lb (just over 4 kg). This makes manual chargers more suitable for keeping in the car, on the bike or for trips where you have enough money in the pack for that much weight.
Check out some other ways to charge your gadgets while camping.
Battery
Many chargers do not include batteries, meaning they only work while your device is connected and charging conditions are met. If you want to maximize your charging potential while you’re off the grid, invest in a portable battery pack and keep charging it up.
The best durable portable charger
The Techsmarter 20000mAh USB-C PD Power Bank gets our recommendation for its rugged and waterproof design, large capacity and 18W fast charging capability. If you want something smaller and lighter that’s a little less rugged, the Anker PowerCore 10000mAh is a good option.
Lights for when the sun goes down
For tent lighting, handheld lights are good because they provide a modest amount of light for the time you’re out and about, and you don’t have to worry about batteries or charging. Some even support USB charging, meaning you can recharge when you’re able.
Something like a basic 3000 mAh camping light should do the trick, with three power options: solar panel, USB compatible battery and hand crank. You can charge during the day by leaving the light outside (30 minutes of sunlight should give you about 30 minutes of light), by turning the crank manually (10 minutes of cranking should give you about 20 minutes of light), or by plugging in the 5V/2A USB connections (two hours for full charge).
Tent lights are useful, but they’re not the only light source you should invest in. A good headlamp provides a much brighter beam of light while freeing up both of your hands. This is ideal when rooting around your tent at night, going through bags or preparing food in the dark.
PETZL Woodpecker
PETZL makes some of the best headlamps for any budget. The PETZL Tikka is a great basic light that reaches 300 lumens of brightness, uses disposable AAA batteries and has a red light to preserve night vision. If you want to spend a little more, get the PETZL ACTIK CORE which can reach 450 lumens and comes with a rechargeable battery.
Action camera
Your smartphone probably has a good camera, but an action camera might serve you better. These devices record extremely good quality videos and photos, with a range of features on the latest models, including excellent video stabilization, wireless data transfer and voice-activated recording.
GoPro still makes the best action cameras, and while they aren’t cheap, the quality won’t let you down. You can pick up the latest GoPro HERO10 v2 Black for less than half the price of an iPhone, or save some money by picking up an older model like the GoPro HERO8 Black that still offers an impressive feature set.
GoPro HERO10 black
Thanks to the aforementioned voice activation, you can mount the GoPro anywhere and use it to take photos and videos of anything you want. Grab the chest strap or attach it to your bag and record your hiking adventures, stick it to your mountain bike or kayak for a new perspective, or simply walk with it in hand.
They’re lightweight and durable, have a waterproof chassis (or optional case), and will save your smartphone’s battery. You can expand these with the GoPro Media Mod for the HERO10 and HERO9 Black, which includes a better microphone and cold shoe mounts in a weatherproof housing.
Unlike most modern smartphones, the GoPro system uses removable batteries and microSD cards, which makes shooting even more convenient.
Satellite communicator
If you’re going far off the grid, a smartphone may not be enough. If you’re worried about mobile reception, it might be worth investing in something like the ZOLEO satellite communicator.
ZOLEO satellite communicator
This subscription-based gadget uses a network of satellites to ensure you can always stay connected. You can use two-way messaging, send SMS and email, get your GPS coordinates and access weather information by connecting ZOLEO to your smartphone. Get more than 200 hours of battery life on a single charge and depend on IP68 resistance in all weathers and conditions.
The downside is that in addition to spending a few hundred dollars on the unit, you’ll also have to take out a monthly subscription fee of $20, $35, or $50. The ZOLEO isn’t the only communicator of its kind, as the Garmin inReach Mini 2 provides most of these features in one unit (complete with display) at an even higher asking price.
Enjoy your trip
If you’re heading out into nature, consider taking a Thermacell device that helps kill mosquitoes by creating a zone of protection around you. ReviewGeek has also rounded up some of the best camping stoves, emergency lanterns, and camping lamps and sleeping bags.
If you’re looking for places to hike, check out some of the best trail-finding apps for iOS and Android.