{"title":"Backcountry Solar","description":"\u003cp\u003eSolar charging gear built for people who go where the power grid doesn't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe backcountry runs on daylight — and with the right solar kit, so does everything you carry. White Brothers Electric Supply curates solar charging solutions specifically for multi-day hikers, backcountry hunters, and off-grid adventurers who can't afford to come back to a dead GPS, a silent inReach, or a phone with nothing left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe don't sell cheap panels. We don't carry gear we wouldn't trust in our own packs. Every product in this collection has been selected for real-world backcountry performance — the kind of performance that matters when you're three days from the trailhead and the weather turns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur flagship is The Backcountry Solar Kit — pairing the Wirecutter top-rated BigBlue SolarPowa 28W panel with the INIU 20,000mAh 45W power bank into one complete charging system. It's the kit that keeps your phone, your GPS, your satellite communicator, and your headlamp running from the first day to the last.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e30 years of electrical and backcountry experience. Built into every recommendation we make.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFree US shipping on all orders. Questions about which setup is right for your trip? Email us — we actually know what we're talking about.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"backcountry-solar-charging-kit","title":"The Backcountry Solar Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe solar panel \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-solar-battery-pack\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Wirecutter magazine article for best portable solar battery charger.\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eWirecutter\u003c\/a\u003e calls \"the most powerful portable solar charger we've tested\" — now paired with the INIU 20,000mAh 45W power bank into one complete backcountry kit.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost solar setups for a trip into the backcountry disappoint. They're underpowered, can't maintain the demand, or too heavy to justify the weight. After one bad trip, most people leave them at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Backcountry Solar Kit is different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt around the BigBlue SolarPowa 28W — the highest-efficiency foldable solar panel available, using the same SunPower N-type cells found in premium residential solar — paired with the INIU 20,000mAh 45W power bank with built-in USB-C cable, this is a complete, tested system designed for the way backcountry hunters and multi-day hikers actually use power in the field.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right way to charge in the backcountry isn't plugging your phone directly into a solar panel. It's solar panel → power bank → device. The panel charges the bank. The bank charges your devices — cleanly, stably, day or night, sun or cloud. This kit is built around that system from the ground up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 2.16 lbs total, it clips to your pack and charges while you move. Get 4–5 full phone charges, 10–12 Garmin inReach charges, and enough power for a complete 7-day backcountry trip — all starting from a single full power bank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything you need. Nothing you don't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's In The Kit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSOLAR PANEL — BigBlue SolarPowa 28W\u003cbr\u003e• 28W peak output | 25.4% efficiency (SunPower N-type cells)\u003cbr\u003e• 2 × USB-C + 1 × USB-A — charge 3 devices simultaneously\u003cbr\u003e• IP44 splash and rain resistant\u003cbr\u003e• Built-in digital ammeter — real-time output display\u003cbr\u003e• Built-in device pocket — keeps power bank shaded while charging\u003cbr\u003e• 4 × aluminum carabiners included\u003cbr\u003e• Folded: 11.1 × 6.3 × 1.3 in | Weight: 1.25 lbs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePOWER BANK — INIU 20,000mAh 45W\u003cbr\u003e• 20,000mAh capacity | ~74Wh (FAA carry-on compliant)\u003cbr\u003e• 45W USB-C PD fast charge — iPhone 16 to 70% in 25 minutes\u003cbr\u003e• Built-in USB-C cable — no loose cables in the field\u003cbr\u003e• USB-C + USB-A additional ports\u003cbr\u003e• LED digital display — exact battery % at a glance\u003cbr\u003e• Protocols: PD 3.0, QC 3.0, PPS, AFC\u003cbr\u003e• Weight: 12.2 oz | 3-year warranty\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCABLES AND ACCESSORIES\u003cbr\u003e• Built-in USB-C cable (INIU integrated)\u003cbr\u003e• USB-A to USB-C cable (3.3 ft)\u003cbr\u003e• USB-C to USB-C cable (60W, 3.3 ft)\u003cbr\u003e• 4 × aluminum carabiners\u003cbr\u003e• Printed field setup guide\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTOTAL KIT WEIGHT: 2.16 lbs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWHAT YOU CAN CHARGE (full power bank)\u003cbr\u003e• Smartphone: 4–5 full charges\u003cbr\u003e• Garmin inReach \/ SPOT: 10–12 charges\u003cbr\u003e• GPS device: 8–10 charges\u003cbr\u003e• USB headlamp: 12–15 charges\u003cbr\u003e• GoPro \/ camera: 6–8 charges\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDAILY SOLAR OUTPUT (real-world)\u003cbr\u003e• Full sun: 3–4 phone charges worth of power per day\u003cbr\u003e• Partly cloudy: 1–2 phone charges per day\u003cbr\u003e• Overcast: 0.5–1 phone charge per day\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSetup Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTHE RIGHT WAY TO CHARGE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolar panel → Power bank → Your device\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo not plug your phone directly into the solar panel. Solar output fluctuates as clouds pass and the panel shifts. Your phone detects this as an unstable connection and will disconnect. The power bank acts as a buffer — it absorbs the variable solar input and delivers clean, stable power to your devices on demand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQUICK SETUP\u003cbr\u003e1. Unfold the panel fully — all four panels open\u003cbr\u003e2. Clip to tent, branch, trekking poles, or pack using carabiners\u003cbr\u003e3. Connect USB-C cable from panel to power bank input\u003cbr\u003e4. Slide power bank into the panel's built-in device pocket\u003cbr\u003e5. Plug your device into the power bank\u003cbr\u003e6. Check LED indicator — solid blue means charging correctly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePOSITIONING FOR MAXIMUM OUTPUT\u003cbr\u003e• Angle directly at the sun — not just toward the sky\u003cbr\u003e• Adjust every 2–3 hours as the sun moves\u003cbr\u003e• Check the ammeter display — 1.0A+ in full sun is good\u003cbr\u003e• Avoid any shade on the panel surface, even partial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/5386\/7312\/files\/backcountry_solar_kit_setup_guide.pdf?v=1777588433\" title=\"Backcountry Solar Kit Setup Guide\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDownload Setup Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQ1: Can I charge my phone directly from the solar panel?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically yes — but we strongly recommend against it, and here's why.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolar output fluctuates constantly as clouds pass, the panel shifts, or shadows move. Your phone's charging chip detects these fluctuations as an unstable connection and will repeatedly disconnect and reconnect. On some phones, it will stop recognizing the charge entirely until you unplug and replug manually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe correct method is: solar panel → power bank → your device.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe power bank acts as a buffer — it absorbs the variable solar input and delivers clean, stable power to your device on demand. This is how professional field photographers, guides, and backcountry hunters use solar, and it's the approach we've built this kit around.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a bonus, the power bank charges your device overnight from stored energy, even when the sun is down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e──────────────────────────────────────────────────\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQ2: How many times can it charge my phone on a full power bank?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe INIU 20,000mAh 45W power bank provides approximately 4–5 full smartphone charges under real-world conditions, accounting for standard conversion efficiency loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA few honest caveats: if you're running multiple devices simultaneously — say, a phone, a Garmin inReach, and a headlamp — you'll go through the bank faster. Cold temperatures below 32°F will reduce capacity by around 8%. And if your phone has a large battery (like a modern iPhone Pro Max or Samsung Ultra), you'll be on the lower end of that range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a typical 7-day backcountry trip running one phone and one GPS device, a full power bank combined with daily solar topping gives you effectively unlimited power for the duration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e──────────────────────────────────────────────────\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQ3: Does it work on cloudy days?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — but output drops significantly, and we'd rather be honest about it than oversell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn partly cloudy conditions you can expect roughly 1–2 phone charges worth of power generated per day. On a fully overcast day, it's closer to half a phone charge. In dense forest shade or heavy smoke, output may be near zero.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is why we always recommend starting every trip with a fully charged power bank. Think of the solar panel as your daily top-up and insurance policy — not your primary power source. On sunny mountain trips and high desert hunts where you get 8–10 hours of direct sun, the panel genuinely keeps up with daily usage. On cloudy coastal trips, the pre-charged bank does most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is designed for real backcountry conditions, not marketing brochures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e──────────────────────────────────────────────────\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQ4: Can I bring this on a plane?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — the power bank in this kit is carry-on compliant on virtually all major airlines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe INIU 20,000mAh 45W has a capacity of approximately 74Wh, which is well under the FAA's 100Wh carry-on limit. Most international airlines follow the same standard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportant: the power bank must go in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage. This applies to all lithium-ion batteries regardless of size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe solar panel itself has no battery and can go in either carry-on or checked baggage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlways confirm with your specific airline before travel, as policies can vary. We've never had a customer report an issue with this kit at security.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e──────────────────────────────────────────────────\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQ5: How long does it take to fully recharge the power bank from solar?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn ideal full-sun conditions, the 28W panel generates enough power to recharge the 20,000mAh bank from empty in approximately 2–3 days of continuous solar exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn practice, most users don't need to fully recharge from solar. The typical pattern on a multi-day trip is: start with a full bank charged at home, use the solar panel to top off daily, and arrive home with the bank at 40–60% — no recharge anxiety needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're planning a long expedition where you can't pre-charge before resupply, we'd recommend our upcoming Expedition Kit with the higher-wattage panel for faster solar recharge times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e──────────────────────────────────────────────────\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQ6: What devices does this kit charge?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny device that charges via USB-C or USB-A — which covers essentially all modern backcountry electronics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConfirmed compatible devices include: iPhone (all models), Android smartphones, Garmin inReach Mini and Mini 2, SPOT Gen4 and X, Garmin GPS handhelds (eTrex, GPSMAP series), Garmin Fenix and Epix watches, GoPro Hero series, DJI Osmo Pocket, USB rechargeable headlamps, Bluetooth earbuds and AirPods, Kindle and e-readers, and most satellite communicators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot compatible with: laptops, large portable power stations (Jackery, EcoFlow, Goal Zero Yeti), or any device that requires a dedicated wall charger. If you need to power larger devices at camp, check out our Car Camping collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e──────────────────────────────────────────────────\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQ7: What's the total kit weight?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complete kit — panel, power bank, all cables, and carabiners — weighs 2.16 lbs (980g).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBreakdown:\u003cbr\u003e- BigBlue SolarPowa 28W panel: 1.25 lbs (567g)\u003cbr\u003e- INIU 20,000mAh 45W power bank: 0.76 lbs (346g)\u003cbr\u003e- Cables and carabiners: approximately 0.15 lbs (67g)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor context, 2.16 lbs is roughly the weight of a full Nalgene water bottle — but unlike the Nalgene, it keeps your devices charged for a week. It fits in the side pocket of most 40–65L packs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e──────────────────────────────────────────────────\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQ8: Is it waterproof?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth components are weather-resistant but not fully submersible — here's the honest breakdown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BigBlue 28W panel carries an IP44 rating, which means it's protected against rain, light splashes, and wet fog. We've tested it in steady rain without issue. Do not submerge it or leave it in standing water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe INIU 20,000mAh power bank is designed for outdoor use and handles rain and pack splashes confidently. For river crossings or true downpour conditions, we recommend storing the power bank in a waterproof stuff sack or dry bag as an extra precaution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe panel can stay deployed in rain — that's what it's designed for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e──────────────────────────────────────────────────\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQ9: Why is this worth $219 when I can buy a solar panel for $35 on Amazon?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFair question — and if you've tried a cheap solar panel before, you already know the answer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's what you're actually getting for $219:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BigBlue SolarPowa 28W uses SunPower N-type cells — the same technology used in high-end residential solar — with a verified 25.4% efficiency rating. The $35 Amazon panels typically run 15–18% efficiency with polycrystalline cells that degrade quickly and perform poorly in partial shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe INIU 20,000mAh 45W is a purpose-built power bank with 45W fast charging, a built-in USB-C cable, and a 3-year warranty — the longest in its category. A comparable quality bank alone retails for $60–80.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit also includes the correct cables for your setup, a setup guide that explains how to actually use solar effectively in the field, and a brand that stands behind the product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou're not paying $219 for a solar panel. You're paying $219 for a solved problem — one that works on day 7 of a backcountry hunt when your navigation, emergency communication, and camera all need power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e──────────────────────────────────────────────────\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQ10: What if something arrives damaged or stops working?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe stand behind this kit. Here's our commitment:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf anything arrives damaged: contact us within 7 days with a photo and we'll ship a replacement at no cost to you — no return needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf a component stops working within 30 days: full replacement or refund, your choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond 30 days: the INIU power bank carries a 3-year manufacturer warranty — the best in its category. We'll help you navigate the warranty claim process if you run into any issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmail us at info@whitebrotherselectricsupply — we respond within 24 hours on business days. We're a small team and we actually read every email.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e──────────────────────────────────────────────────\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping and Returns\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSHIPPING\u003cbr\u003e• Free standard shipping on all US orders\u003cbr\u003e• Ships within 1–2 business days\u003cbr\u003e• Arrives in 5–8 business days\u003cbr\u003e• Your kit ships in two packages — one for each component. Both tracking numbers will be emailed to you when they ship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e→ View full Shipping Policy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRETURNS\u003cbr\u003e• 30-day returns — no questions asked\u003cbr\u003e• Free return shipping on eligible returns\u003cbr\u003e• Defective items replaced immediately — no return required\u003cbr\u003e• Contact us at [your store email] to start a return\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e→ View full Return Policy\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"White Brothers Electric Supply","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":66556474360112,"sku":"BSK-001","price":219.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/5386\/7312\/files\/The_Backcountry_Solar_Kit.png?v=1777587610"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/5386\/7312\/collections\/The_Backcountry_Solar_Kit.png?v=1777609778","url":"https:\/\/whitebrotherselectricsupply.com\/collections\/backcountry-solar.oembed","provider":"White Brothers Electric Supply","version":"1.0","type":"link"}