Best batteries, powerbanks and solar chargers for high-altitude trekking

You don't have access to electrical outlets on many high-altitude treks around the world, particularly those that lead you into highly remote regions (and aren't those the best ones?).

On some treks, like Nepal's Annapurna Circuit, you stay in lodges and do actually have access to electricity, but the supply can be unreliable.

So if you want to be assured of having the use of all your tech devices throughout your high-altitude trek, however long it may be, then you need to have a plan.

For some devices this might mean simply packing some extra batteries. For your smart devices, however, it would mean having a powerbank (and possibly a solar charger).

So let's talk about these three things to ensure you'll have what you need on your trek and that you've also thought through all of the practicalities ...

As we mentioned, the usual lifespan of a battery is reduced at high altitude because of the extreme cold.

We're talking here about both traditional cell batteries as well as the lithium-ion batteries that go into Internet-connected or smart devices. (Note that smart devices like smartphones, tablets and GPS watches are often referred to as IoT devices, IoT being short for Internet of Things. Knowing this acronym will help with your online research.)

Given that extreme cold shortens the lifespan of a battery, you want to pack your batteries deep within your backpack where they'll stay as warm as possible. The best place might be tucked into your sleeping bag or a woollen sock that's nestled in the middle of your backpack. Alternatively, if you want to be fancy, you could buy insulated pouches tailored to each device.

At night, pop your batteries into your sleeping bag with you so that your body heat helps to keep them warm.

Given that your cell batteries are going to drain more quickly than is the norm at high altitude, be sure to pack more spares than you usually would for a trek of the same duration done at a lower altitude.

If buying AA or AAA batteries for your camera, head torch (lamp) or other gadgets, note that lithium-based ones are the best for super cold climates as they're stabler than the alternatives, meaning they perform far better. All of the major brands like Energizer, Duracell and Phillips manufacture them, so they're easy to find.

It also makes sense to prolong the life of your batteries as much as possible when on a high-altitude trek to reduce the number of times you'll need to replace or recharge them.

With this in mind, here are a few tips for conserving the batteries in your IoT devices during a high-altitude trek:

Don't let your batteries be confiscated at the airport

Please be sure to do your due diligence into how the airline (or airlines) you're using to reach your trekking destination require you to pack your various types of batteries. Failure to comply could mean the batteries are confiscated, and then you're in a powerless pickle (pun intended).

For instance, did you know that some airlines won't allow you to carry loose batteries in your hand luggage? Or that a laptop battery in a checked-in bag can be confiscated?

Powerbanks, also known as portable chargers, allow you to carry backup energy with you on your trek so that you can charge your devices even when you don't have access to a traditional source of power (like an electrical plug point or outlet).

Small powerbank charging a smartphone

We recommend shopping around a bit for a lightweight, hardy and reliable powerbank that stores a decent amount of power. You don't want a brick of a powerbank if you're carrying lots of trekking gear or there's a weight limit in terms of what you can hand over to someone else to porter for you.

If you'd like specific brand and model recommendations when it comes to finding a reliable and lightweight powerbank, you might like to look into the:

If you're going on a very long trek, your primary concern might be the powerbank's storage capacity (not its weight), in which case you might like to look into the well-reviewed:

A solar charger is an eco-friendly way to capture and store power that you can use to charge certain batteries and devices, including powerbanks. Some trekkers opt for a solar charger in place of a powerbank, while others use it in conjunction with the latter.

The average solar charger has a longer lifespan than a traditional powerbank, and it can also charge and discharge power at the same time, amongst other advantages. That said, a solar charger is usually more expensive than a powerbank.

Also, importantly, solar chargers rely on the sun showing its face! So some folks love them, while others think they're a waste of time.

We suggest that you never rely solely on a solar charger if having a backup source of power is critical to you on your trek.

Portable solar charger

Solar chargers vary quite a bit in terms of design, size and storage capabilities. For instance, you can find small solar chargers with a loop for clipping onto your backpack (see above) or backpacks with a built-in one (see below).

Backpack with built-in solar charger

The type of solar charger you choose will depend on how much power you think you'll need on your trek for your gadgets. Our best advice is to speak to others who've done the specific trek you have in mind to find out about their experience and what they'd recommend.

That said, two examples of small and reputable solar chargers you could research for your high-altitude trek are the Powerness U36 Power Bank and INIU MegaPower Charger.

And that's the basics on batteries, powerbanks and solar chargers for high-altitude trekking! We hope it's been helpful. If you're keen to tackle a high-altitude trek, please check out our exciting treks – we offer shorter, introductory treks for neophytes as well as hardcore ones for highly seasoned high-altitude trekkers.