Do you agree that it is not easy to stay away from your tech while you are hiking? Furthermore, we are aware that you cannot charge your relevant gadgets while you are hiking. But on the other hand, the nature does not demand you to stop using your tech while you are having a bit of healthy fun, as there is an easy solution for your tech craving.
Solar backpacks are the latest craze and one can be yours as long as you have the will to discover the latest technologies. The best solar backpacks are not just meant for one thing and this makes them more useful than usual backpacks.
Since sunny weather is when you will have the longest time for hiking, you can be smart and use that to your advantage with a solar pack on your back. This way, there won’t be a way for you to drain the battery.
Image credit: voltaicsystems.com
But, we know that it’s not easy to buy something new, as there are many unanswered questions. So, trust us that we will try our best to find the model for you because purchasing a solar backpack won’t be something that you will need to do alone.
To put your mind at ease, we will teach you how to keep an eye on the most important features that are crucial for your personal needs. And, you will also have a chance to read the reviews of some of the best models available on the market, so that you can make the perfect choice.
Our Top Picks
| Product Name | Weight | Size | Specific Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnerPlex Packr | 1.7 lb | 13.8 x 5.9 x 17.7 inches | Lightweight, USB connection. | Check price on Amazon |
| Eceen Q1GZT2 | 1.76 lb | 13 x 4 x 18.5 inches | Energy efficient, made of multiple reliable materials | Check price on Amazon |
| Wosports DTV4I | 2 lb | 20 x 8.6 x 12 inches | Stylish, flexible and lightweight,made from water resistant nylon fabric,provides strength and long-lasting performance | Check price on Amazon |
| Voltaic Systems 1022-C | 4.5 lb | 19 x 7 x 11 inches | Multiple solar batteries, compatible with numerous devices | Check price on Amazon |
| UP Voltaic OffGrid Solar | 3.5 lb | 16.5 x 9 x 10.5 inches | Very quick charging, quality fabric, compatible with multiple devices | Check price on Amazon |
| Enerplex PREXECGY | 2.9 lb | 12 x 7.9 x 17.7 inches | Executive quality, expandable by 2 inches, rugged | Check price on Amazon |
| SolarGoPack QXCSQ | 3 lb | 17 x 6.2 x 14 inches | Multiple charging, removable panel | Check price on Amazon |
Features To Consider Before Buying
There are a few things that should definitely look for before buying nay backpack, but especially solar powered ones. Of course it all comes down to a subjective choice depending on what you are planning on using it for, or which are your needs. However, we came up with the most relevant characteristics to help you choose wisely.
Material
A material for a backpack is not that irrelevant as you may think it is. It determines the overall quality of the product or whether it is going to be light or heavy.
If you love some different designs, then material is also important as different materials can be used with different designs and patterns. They determine the overall quality of a backpack too.
Number Of Solar Powered Watts
It depends if you want to use your solar backpack for charging a laptop or a tablet and a camera. If you are looking to charger larger gadgets then you will need a backpack with a solar battery that has more watts.
This means that there will be more power for your device to utilize and thus the charging process will take less time. It is pretty obvious, but you will have to consider if you are taking a phone or a laptop with you when you are hiking.
Number Of Panels
Numbers of panels mean that this is a feature, which is closely related to the second one as it determines the same things. There is only one difference and that is you will get more power to your solar battery.
You could be the one who does not need this as additional panels will get you more power, but you will need to pay more. It depends really on your tech preferences while you are hiking. This is not an appropriate economic option so think through it carefully.
Top Solar Backpacks Review
Choosing the best solar powered backpack might be complicated, models seem similar, but at the same time they all include different features or have different uses. That’s why we came up with a review of the models we consider the best, so that you can choose accordingly, based to your needs or expectations.
EnerPlex Packr 
Price: Approx. $35
Weight: 1.7 lb
Dimensions: 13.8 x 5.9 x 17.7 inches
Specific features: Lightweight, USB connection
Best use: Hiking, camping, everyday use
Description: EnerPlex Packr is an easy solution for taking all your hiking gear with you. This is an ideal backpack for business people as there are a lot of compartments where you can store safely your notes and business cards.
Every serious man or a woman needs a solar backpack like this. Hikers who cannot leave their professional obligations at home will love EnerPlex Solar Powered Backpack.
Nice compact design will ensure that you get the most out of your new solar backpack. This solar powered backpack consists of several compartments and the major one contains a laptop sleeve that has a charger for your favorite gadgets. You will be able to use the compartments for storing any item that will be useful for storing any item that you will need while you are hiking.
It is equipped with solar battery (3W) that will be able to charge your smart phone battery in less than five hours. That is not all as you can charge any device that has a USB connection. This means that your camera, laptop or a MP4 player. The battery is very rugged so it will not be damaged during your tougher hikes. This is the basic solar backpack so if you are looking for something more advanced; you can check a bit more.
PROS:
- Ideal for carrying a laptop and for everyday use
- The USB connections might be very practical
CONS:
- Most reviewers consider the materials poor quality
- Panel can fall down after use
Related: The Dizaul P7LV8 Solar Power Charger can be a good, cheap add-on to buy with the backpack. It is another battery, which is also waterproof and dust proof that you can choose to use as an alternative or as an extra source of energy.
Eceen Q1GZT2 
Price: Approx. $40
Weight: 1.76 lb
Dimensions: 13 x 4 x 18.5 inches
Specific features: Multiple materials, energy efficient
Best use: Hiking, camping
Description: ECEEN Q1GZT2 is a new one of the kind solar backpack that is a right pick for the avid hiker who wants to bond with the nature and create one of the kind connections between the nature and a hiker.
There might be something that would drop when you are hiking, but you can be safe that this will not happen with this solar backpack. Enjoying the sights that you see during your hiking will help you charge your batteries.
The Eceen Solar backpack is made of two different material nylon and polyester so this solar backpack is very light and thus perfect for long hiking trips. The solar battery that is provided with this model is 22 percent more efficient.
This will make it better as it is going to take much less time as the overall power of the solar battery is 7 Watts, The USB port is another feature that will make your hiking highly entertaining. It is made out of the best materials so it is going to last very long. The only setback is that side pockets are not that large.
PROS:
- Comes in many different colors
- Very compact and easily foldable
- Good quality
CONS:
- The charger seems to be pretty unreliable
Related: This bag is commonly bought alongside the ECEEN ECE-Torch Flashlight, another handy gadget for when you go hiking or on any trip.
Wosports DTV4I 
Price: Approx. $54
Weight: 2 lb
Dimensions: 18 x 12.8 x 3.7 inches
Specific features: Lightweight, great design
Best use: Trailing, hiking
Description: The Wosports DTV4I is a one of the kind solar backpack that looks like a regular school bag.
However, a regular school bag is not even close to that as the this Solar Bag is much more, as you will be able to enjoy in your weekly hiking trip without worrying that your phone, tablet or even camera batteries will die on you. Plus, it is much easier to have a solar backpack that looks like a regular backpack
Wosports Solar Backpack has a great design and its modern color combination will allow you will to match it perfectly with the majority of your hiking clothes. The power of a solar battery is 7 W so, as mentioned, you can charge your phone, tablet or a digital camera. It is very light so you can carry it easily during your trekking. You can add additional batteries to get more power to your solar charging capability. The only setback is that there are not too many pockets on the outside of the backpack.
PROS:
- Comes with multiple adaptors for different types of connections
- Good quality fabric
- Great customer service
CONS:
- Reviews consider the zippers to be poor quality
Related: This bag can be purchased with the LEDOWP SSV2X3 Solar Powered Lantern, for those who love camping and using more traditional looking sources of light.
Voltaic Systems V1022-C 
Price: Approx. $300
Weight: 4.5 lb
Dimensions: 16.5 x 9 x 10.5 inches
Specific features: Multiple solar batteries, compatible with various devices
Best use: Camping, hiking
Description: Voltaic Systems V1022-C represents the must have solar backpack for a professional hiker. It is not every day that you will be able to find a solar backpack such as this one that has so many potential and features that are made for professional hikers. Your juices will never be dry as long as you take Voltaic Systems Array with you.
Any weather condition will not be a problem for this solar backpack as its unique design makes it waterproof and UV resistant. It is also lightweight and that is an extraordinary fact, as there is a laptop sleeve and many other pockets that you can use to store all those stuff necessary for a hiking trip.
There are three panels that are waterproof and shockproof that comes with a removable and portable battery that can be charged using the wall and car charger. Fast charging is a feature that will help you charge your laptop ultra fast. There is a USB so you are able to charge a large variety of devices such as DLSR cameras. It might be a bit pricey for hikers that do not need so many features.
PROS:
- Up to 25l of storage, which is a lot
- 10W of solar power, which is a lot
- Plug any cable to the standard USB port
CONS:
- Expensive
- Some models have come with defects
Related: The bag can be bought with the Voltaic Systems ARC20W-KIT Solar Power Laptop Charger, in case you want to work outside and don’t have the backpack next to you.
UP Voltaic OffGrid Solar Backpack 
Price: Approx. $200
Weight: 3.5 lb
Dimensions: 19 x 7 x 11 inches
Specific features: Quick charging, quality fabric
Best use: Trailing, hiking
Description: UP Voltaic OffGrid Solar Backpack might seem as a simple backpack with a dual solar panel, but that is all that a casual hiker needs. There is no need to carry around an overly complicated solar backpack if you are planning to go for a short hiking trip.
Carrying a lot of unnecessary weight on your back might cut short your hiking trip due to back pain. The Off Grid is the answer that you are seeking for if you want a full smart phone battery while you are hiking.
Two solar batteries have a power of 4 W with the total output of 6 or 12 Watts and this depends on the device that you are charging. This enables you to charge any type of smart phone in five to six hours while you can speak for three hours with just one hour of charge time.
As expected you will be able to charge you your laptop via the USB connection and this last for a little less than six hours. Being quick is a trademark of this unique solar backpack. As mentioned earlier, this backpack is not really the most suitable option for long hiking.
PROS:
- Charges in just 3 hours
- Universal USB port, ideal for any cable
CONS:
- Many negative reviews about the bag being poorly sewn
Related: The RAVPower RP-PB058-2 Power Bank can be a great match with this backpack, just charge the power bank with the backpack, to then have extra energy stored.
EnerPlex PREXECGY 
Price: $35 – $100
Weight: 2.9 lb
Dimensions: 12 x 7.9 x 17.7 inches
Specific features: Executive quality, rugged
Best use: Hiking, camping
Description: Enerplex PREXECGY lives up to its name as you will be getting a solar backpack that is worthy of the most successful CEO. No Need to be humble as you are going to need the solar backpack that can stand a lot of toughness.
A hiker who plans to see and pass a lot of landscapes on his and her hiking trip needs to be sure that laptop and smart phone batteries are not dead. The Enerplex Executive Solar backpack is manufactured using the best materials and the latest manufacturing processes.
If you are looking for a lightweight and powerful solar backpack, then Enerplex Executive Solar Backpack is a must check hiking solar backpack. You can charge your smart phone, camera or a laptop in a less than five hours as this model features a three cell battery. It will be very hard to break the solar battery as it is very rugged and it is a waterproof.
There is not only the laptop sleeve as there are more extendable sleeves where you can put any type of your things. You will get a lot of room, but the design is not really suitable.
PROS:
- Expandable by about 2 inches
- Very light, solar panel
CONS:
- Complaints about poor quality materials
- Solar panel can be badly positioned depending on the way the backpack is worn
Related: The RAVPower 6usbport Charging Station is a good add-on to this or any other solar powered backpack, connect it to the backpack and charge multiple devices at a time.
SolarGoPack QXCSQ 
Price: Approx. $128
Weight: 3 lb
Dimensions: 17 x 6.2 x 14 inches
Specific features: Multiple charging, removable panel
Best use: Hiking, camping
Description: SolarGoPack QXCSQ is a solar backpack with the best design and great features that will serve you well on your hiking trip. No need to worry about losing your hiking stuff as with this solar backpack you will have enough room to store all of them.
SolarGoPack backpack is not just another solar backpack as it has to offer so much more and some features that cannot be found that easily.This solar backpack is going to last for a very long time and it has a standard pattern that is very well suited for hiking.
You will be able to charge every electronic device and not just that you can charge two smart phones .The solar power can be removed so you will be able to add another solar power that suits you more. Your hiking partners will be grateful as you can charge their devices as well. This is a perfect solution for the whole group.
PROS:
- Holds up to 27 liters which is a lot
- The backpack is waterproof
CONS:
- Complains about the quality of the panel and the bag
Related: Alongside this backpack you can buy the NIWA UNO LED Lantern, a powerful lantern that can be used at night, either at home or on a camping trip.
Wrapping It Up
Before you pick a model and decide to buy it, there is one important thing to consider and that is – Are looking for more storage or a stronger solar battery? Once you figure that out, it is only a question of picking the perfect one for you and we hope that among the products that we reviewed there is at least one that suits your needs.
Before we end our article, we only have to add that you should have in mind that hiking will never be the same as all of those devices will be available to you. We also hope that our article helped you in making the right choice and if you have a question or a comment, feel free to post it in the comments section below.
Well, well, well, this is exciting. I did not know they made backpacks that have solar panels attached. How cool would it be to charge my phone while continuing with my hiking without the need to slow down? Does the ECEEN Foldable Backpack come in a bigger size and can it charge a galaxy s6?
Two quick questions: Can the Voltaic 1010 OffGrid Solar Backpack charge a laptop? and if so how long would it take for let’s say a standard Dell laptop to charge? Second, does the backpack have enough padding for me to carry my laptop in it without fear of damage?
The ECEEN comes in several models, you might want to take a look at their site or follow the link in Amazon. You would be happy to know that yes, it can charge a Galaxy S6, even the latest Note.
Hi Jimmy! If you go to the Voltaic website, it shows you the complete specification of the product and lists the V72 Laptop included with a capacity of 19,800 mAh / 73 watt hours. Check your Dell laptop battery and see its requirements.
An ordinary laptop can be charged once using the Voltaic and will take 11 hours to charge in the sun. The backpack is well-padded which ensures the safety of your laptop, so you don’t have to worry.