Dark Energy Spectre 18W Folding Solar Panel, HiVis Orange

Day three of a backcountry elk hunt, and your phone's GPS map and your headlamp are both running low. The Dark Energy Spectre 18W solar panel is built for that moment, turning daylight into charging power without adding much weight to your pack.

This folding solar panel weighs just 8.9 ounces and puts out up to 18W. You get two ports: USB-C at 18W (9V/2A) and USB-A at 15W (5V/3A), so you can plug in the cables you already carry. The panels use Dark Energy's Photo-Skyn CIGS technology, which the brand says performs better in shade and cloudy conditions, a real help under timber or on overcast mornings.

It is made to handle rough use. The panel carries an IPX7 waterproof rating and a 200 lb crush rating, so rain on the outside of your pack or a knee on it in the tent is less of a worry. When you are done, fold it up and stow it.

This version comes in HiVis orange, which is easy to spot when it is laid out on a rock or hanging off your pack in camp. If you want a light, tough way to top off devices on multi-day trips, the Dark Energy Spectre 18W solar panel is worth a look.