6 Best Power Banks For Thru Hiking That Balance Weight and Capacity
Finding the right power bank for a thru-hike means balancing mAh and grams. We review the 6 best options delivering maximum power for minimal trail weight.
You’re five days out from the last town stop, watching the sunset paint the ridgeline in brilliant orange and purple. You reach for your phone to capture the moment, but the screen stays black, the battery icon a final, mocking silhouette. On a long trail, your electronics aren’t just for photos; they’re your map, your journal, your connection to safety, and your lifeline to a weather forecast, making a reliable power bank a non-negotiable piece of kit.
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Calculating Your Trail Power Needs and Priorities
Before you even look at a specific model, you need a clear picture of your power consumption on trail. A thru-hiker navigating with a phone all day has vastly different needs than a weekend backpacker who keeps their phone in airplane mode. The key is to think in terms of recharges, not just the number on the box. A 10,000mAh power bank will not give you four full charges for a 2,500mAh phone; due to energy loss during transfer, you can realistically expect about 2.5 to 3 charges.
Start by listing the devices you’ll need to charge between town stops: phone, headlamp, satellite messenger, watch. Check the battery capacity (measured in milliamp-hours or mAh) for each one. Then, ask yourself the most important question: how many days will you be between opportunities to recharge the power bank itself? This will determine the capacity you need.
A good starting point for most thru-hikers is a 10,000mAh battery. It provides a solid balance of weight and power, typically offering enough juice for 4-6 days of moderate use. If you’re a vlogger, photographer, or just listen to a lot of music, you might consider a larger 20,000mAh unit, but be prepared for a significant weight penalty. Remember, every ounce matters when you’re carrying it for a thousand miles.
Nitecore NB10000: The Ultralight Thru-Hiker Favorite
When you’re counting every single gram, the Nitecore NB10000 is the undisputed champion. Its carbon fiber frame makes it astonishingly light for its 10,000mAh capacity, often weighing two or three ounces less than its competitors. That might not sound like much, but over the course of a long trail, those ounces add up to pounds.
This isn’t just about weight savings. The NB10000 is a well-engineered piece of gear with both USB-A and USB-C ports, with the latter providing faster Power Delivery (PD) charging. It’s slim, easy to pack, and has a simple LED indicator to show remaining power. It’s the choice for the hiker who has their kit dialed in and wants maximum efficiency for minimum pack weight.
The main trade-off here is durability and cost. The carbon fiber construction, while incredibly light, doesn’t feel as bombproof as an aluminum or plastic-cased unit. It’s a premium product with a premium price tag, but for dedicated ultralight backpackers on the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail, the weight savings are often worth the investment.
Anker 313 Power Bank: Reliable Power in a Slim Design
Imagine you’re caught in an unexpected downpour and need to quickly check your digital map, only to find your off-brand power bank has given up the ghost. Reliability is paramount on the trail, and that’s where Anker shines. The Anker 313 (often known as the PowerCore Slim 10000) is a workhorse, trusted by hikers for its consistent performance and solid build quality.
While not the absolute lightest in its class, the Anker 313 is impressively slim, making it easy to slide into a hip belt pocket or the brain of your pack. It offers both USB-C and USB-A ports and includes a trickle-charging mode, which is ideal for safely charging low-power devices like wireless earbuds or some GPS watches without damaging their batteries.
This power bank represents a fantastic middle ground. It’s lighter than the ruggedized options but more robust than the most delicate ultralight models. For a first-time thru-hiker or anyone who values dependability over shaving the last possible gram, the Anker 313 is an exceptionally smart and affordable choice.
INIU 10000mAh: A Compact and Lightweight Trail Option
For the backpacker on a budget, finding gear that is both lightweight and reliable can be a challenge. The INIU 10000mAh power bank consistently emerges as a top contender in this space, offering features found in more expensive models at a fraction of the price. It’s impressively compact and light, competing directly with many premium brands on the weight-to-capacity ratio.
Beyond its excellent value, this power bank is thoughtfully designed for trail life. It features a clear digital display showing the exact percentage of power remaining, removing the guesswork of simple dot indicators. It also includes both USB-A and USB-C ports, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices you might carry.
The INIU proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a capable, trail-worthy power bank. It’s a perfect option for section hikers, weekend warriors, or thru-hikers who need to allocate their budget to other big-ticket items like a tent or sleeping bag but still want a dependable power source.
Charmast 10400mAh: Maximum Power for Minimal Weight
The Charmast 10400mAh power bank occupies a fantastic sweet spot for hikers who want ultralight performance without the ultra-premium price. It consistently ranks as one of the lightest power banks available for its capacity, rivaling top-tier models in the critical power-to-weight ratio. This makes it an immediate contender for anyone looking to lighten their pack.
This unit is slim, sleek, and incredibly packable. It typically comes equipped with three output ports (two USB-A and one USB-C), giving you the flexibility to charge multiple devices at once if needed—a handy feature when you and a hiking partner are sharing a single power source. The LED indicators are straightforward and easy to read at a glance.
Think of the Charmast as a high-performance alternative for the weight-conscious hiker. If the price of a carbon fiber model is a barrier, but you still want to carry as little weight as possible, this power bank delivers. It provides the core function—delivering reliable power in a lightweight package—without any unnecessary frills.
Goal Zero Venture 35: A Durable, Weatherproof Choice
If your trail takes you through the notoriously wet conditions of the Pacific Northwest or the unpredictable shoulder seasons in the Rockies, durability becomes just as important as weight. The Goal Zero Venture 35 is built for these exact scenarios. With an IP67 rating, it is fully waterproof and dustproof, meaning a river crossing mishap or a week of relentless rain won’t leave you powerless.
This power bank is unapologetically rugged. It’s encased in a protective rubberized sleeve and features sealed ports, giving you peace of mind that it can handle the abuse of a long-distance hike. It also includes a small, built-in flashlight, which can be a useful backup in a pinch.
All this durability comes with a significant trade-off: weight. The Venture 35 is one of the heavier power banks in its capacity class. This is not the choice for an ultralight purist, but for a hiker who prioritizes bombproof reliability over a few ounces, that extra weight is a worthwhile insurance policy against the elements.
BioLite Charge 40 PD: Fast Charging for Multiple Devices
You’ve finally made it to town, but you only have a few hours to do laundry, resupply, and recharge everything before heading back out. This is where charging speed makes a huge difference. The BioLite Charge 40 PD is designed for efficiency, using 18W USB-C Power Delivery (PD) to charge your devices—and itself—significantly faster than standard power banks.
With a 10,000mAh capacity and multiple ports (one USB-C and two USB-A), it can serve as a mini charging hub for your entire electronic ecosystem. You can quickly top off your phone, headlamp, and watch, minimizing your downtime in town. The stainless steel body is durable and slim, striking a good balance between ruggedness and packability.
This is the power bank for the modern, connected hiker. If you’re managing multiple devices or simply want to spend less time tethered to a wall outlet, the fast-charging capabilities of the Charge 40 PD are a massive quality-of-life improvement on a long trail. It’s a practical choice for those who rely heavily on their tech.
Key Features: Passthrough Charging and Port Selection
Beyond the core specs of weight and capacity, a couple of key features can make a huge difference in usability on the trail. Passthrough charging is one of the most valuable. This allows the power bank to charge a device (like your phone) while it is also being charged itself. In a hostel or motel with only one available outlet, this is a game-changer, letting you wake up with both a full phone and a full power bank.
Port selection is another critical factor. At a minimum, look for a power bank with both USB-A (the classic rectangle) and USB-C ports. USB-C is the modern standard, offering faster charging speeds for both input and output. Having both ensures you can charge older devices with legacy cables while future-proofing your kit for newer gear.
Finally, pay attention to the input charging speed. A power bank that can accept a high-wattage input (like 18W PD) will recharge itself in just a few hours, whereas a standard one could take all night. When your time in town is limited, a faster recharge means more time resting and less time waiting, getting you back on the trail where you want to be.
Ultimately, the perfect power bank is the one that disappears into your pack and simply works when you need it. Don’t get paralyzed by analysis; pick the one that best fits your power needs and weight priorities, then get outside. The best memories are made on the trail, not by staring at gear spreadsheets.
