My Electronics Kit for Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking
My Electronics Kit for Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking
This week I want to run through the contents of my electronics kit for backpacking, and talk about how keep my electronics charged while on the trail. Hope you enjoy!
More about the inReach Messenger: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rwph3lUWtzg
BACKPACKING GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
Powerbank: https://geni.us/Qh2RyBX (Amazon)
Wall charger: https://geni.us/CUb4 (Amazon)
USB-C to USB-C cable: https://geni.us/kVNg (Amazon)
USB-C to lightning adapter: https://geni.us/5h44W (Amazon)
USB-C to micro USB adapter: https://geni.us/6BZGA (Amazon)
Kindle (new version): https://geni.us/jbqQ5LQ (Amazon)
Satellite messenger: https://geni.us/lnLog4D (Amazon)
Headlamp: https://geni.us/AhM6EKC (Amazon)
VIDEOGRAPHY GEAR
Waterproof camera backpack: https://geni.us/PAftnR (Amazon)
Lightweight, full-frame camera: https://geni.us/HyNJK (Amazon)
Wide zoom for vlogging: https://geni.us/jBbeUq1 (Amazon)
Mid zoom for b-roll: https://geni.us/PeuC (Amazon)
My mic: https://geni.us/fvbT0E (Amazon)
Lightweight tripod: https://geni.us/fFSFX (Amazon)
VNDs for shooting outside: https://geni.us/BuxS1BH (Amazon)
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I care which phone, since most development of phones push the capacity of the battery and the amount of features that increase weight. My old phone is 130 grams and, from a quick search, most modern phones seem to be around 220 grams … which is a significant weight difference for the UL backpacker. For reference, my lamp is 17 grams heavy.
I recommend buying a set of cable adapter keepers to attach those adapters to the cable ends to prevent losing them. Also, in general you can usually find those adapters and cables in colors other than black to prevent loss and "all cables look like mine" confusion. Another tip, wrap a small piece of colored electrical tape around the cable at once or both ends. Makes it easier to identify the ends and guaranteed no one else has that cable.
If you’re looking for a power bank, save your money and get the Veektomx mini 10,000. It outperforms virtually any 10,000 bank. It’s actually a 14,000 mAh. It’s almost as light as the nitecore, performs better and is a fraction of the price.
Also, no sharp corners that will put holes in your dyneema bags. 🤓
I bring the same headlamp and the Nitecore thumb as a backup for 2 oz.
5:27 uncertified adapters are not going to do damage to the phone, in all likelihood, but the adapter is more likely to conk out on you at an inopportune time. I bought some second party charging cables for my iPhone a couple of years ago and they worked for a while (months maybe) but they did stop working much more quickly than the cheap ones that come with the phone did.
Do you use a data blocker for communal charging ports to prevent your info from being stolen?
Nice kit. My needs are a bit different, as I’m optimising for travel across countries with different plug types primarily, rather than hiking, but weight/size are still important factors. I’ve gone with the Gen 3 Nitecore powerbank as my everyday walking around battery, and just tested on a recent Europe holiday for a week and so far it’s great. The differences as far as I can tell, are that it only has two USBC plugs now (which may be an issue for some, but isn’t for me), and the corners are now slightly rounded, and a softer rubber material, so it definitely shouldn’t rip through bags. Definitely worth considering. I am curious how your current Nitecore bank has held up over a year+ though, the biggest knocks against them I’ve heard are reliability over time.
Any recommendations on a ultralight solar panel to go along with this?
I use the same power bank for charging my headlamp, phone, and Flextail Tinypump out on the trail. I’ve found the large size DCF zipper pouches from Hartford Gear Co. (available at Garage Grown Gear) to be PERFECT for holding the bank, cables, and a handful of my other ditty items on the trail. The material is tough, water-resistant, and lasts much longer than a Ziploc.
I think at least one longer cable will save a lot of frustration for in towns unless your staying in a room, but even then that places your charging out of site and often out of mind.
Checked out the nitecore carbo lite 20000 or 10000? They are even lighter than the one you have, but i think you lose certain fast charging not sure.
I charge all my devices from the battery, and then just charge the battery off the wall socket. As the battery is usually on the floor of my shelter charging devices in the morning, short cables are ok. However, to charge the battery from the wall adapter a three foot cable is really the way to go. Does it weigh more than the one-foot cable? Yes, but only about three Sour Patch Kids of weight.
Any updates to this setup for this year? Thanks!
I’ve also used a similar adapter to charge my iPhone, and it stopped working during a multi-day trip. So if you go that route, I would make sure to have a spare with you because it sucks if you can’t charge your phone if you use it for navigation.
Solar charging power bank. Just got back from an 8 day canoe trip to the BWCA, lots of sunlight, no electrical outlets.
Awesome video. I love my NU25.
Thanks for the video. I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews for the Nitecore powerbank, but it sounds like you haven’t had an my issues with it. At the end of the day it’s only a couple of ounces less than tried and true Anker power banks (that have rounded corners) that come in at half the cost.
I’ve had great success with the Charmast USB 26800mAh charger. Only weighs 11.2 ounces. And it’s under $40. Two Charmasts kept my iPhone Pro 14 Max and all other electronics fully charged for 12 days on trail at Philmont. And I used my iPhone continuously when we were trekking camp to camp.
Regarding that NU-25 headlamp, there’s actually a fourth light intensity setting. With the white light on, press and hold the light selection button for a few seconds and the light with enter “Direct Access Turbo Mode.” It only stays on for 30 seconds at a time to prevent heat-related issues, but if you’ve got to shine a bear in camp, it’s a good mode to have.
I’ve been looking for electronic kits the last week for backpacking, so I’m glad this just popped up in my subscription feed. Why do you choose the 10K over the 20K Nitecore?