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If you’re planning on embarking on some adventures this season, owning the right gear can make all the difference. In remote locations, having a good light source, ways to navigate, gadgets that can help make chores easier, and the necessary emergency equipment can be the difference between a great trip and a disaster. Plus, some of these just make your time away more fun—and you’re allowed to have fun while you’re exploring.
Light sources
Having a light source handy when you’re off the beaten path is always wise, but without access to traditional chargers, this can be tricky. A hand crank lantern like this 600 lumen one from Goal Zero will allow you to have a light source even without access to sunlight for charging. You can charge the battery by plugging it in and by using a portable solar charger as well if you choose. For a less bright but slightly more versatile option, you can use a lantern that combines solar charging with hand crank charging and will double as a cell phone charger, like this 200 lumen lantern from Mesqool. For a simpler option, you can opt for a compact flashlight with solar and hand crank charging options like this set of two flashlights from Simpeak. While flashlights have a more limited beam spread than lanterns, they can serve as a more portable option for hikes or emergency kits.
Firewood tools
If you’re in a place where cutting your own firewood is an option, a battery-powered chainsaw can be a big help. Ryobi makes a cordless 18-volt chainsaw that can help you quickly tackle branches for firewood. For splitting wood, you can put down your ax if you have a good log splitter, like this one from Speed Force. It’s relatively small, but not portable enough for long hikes. If you plan to be at a remote location for an extended period, you can opt for a Ryobi 40 volt log splitter that will mechanically split your wood for you. This machine and the battery can cost around $1,000, so it’s not a tool for weekenders, but if you have a longer off-grid adventure planned, it can save you some precious time and energy.
Portable solar chargers
For charging your cordless tools on the go, a six-pound, foldable Ryobi solar panel is a good choice because it’s compact, light, and versatile. You’ll need a power source to charge tools with it, but you can charge cell phones and other devices straight from the panel. For charging devices, the FlexSolar 10 watt foldable panel can come in handy because of its compact size and resistance to dust and moisture. Your cell phone and other smaller devices can be plugged directly into this solar panel, or you can use a power bank to save up a charge for when it’s dark outside.
Hand tools
For off-grid adventures, having a good knife is important for cutting food and all manner of other incidental items. For a lightweight option, this fold-out combination knife and rope/seatbelt cutter knife from Good Worker is small and multi-functional. It has a smooth and serrated blade surface for different types of cuts. For campsite cooking, a Gerber Gear Quadrant plain blade knife is a good option; it collapses for safety and space conservation and comes with a lifetime warranty. If you’re not bringing a vehicle on your adventure, a hatchet like this one from 7th Science Gear is a good alternative to battery-powered saws for collecting firewood. It’s small enough to be portable, but big enough at 15 inches to allow you room for a healthy swing when you’re chopping wood.
Emergency gear
When you’re out having your adventures, you should always be prepared for the worst. Having a well-stocked emergency kit will give you peace of mind and can save your life as well. Kits like this one from the American Red Cross are a good call for adventures with enough room for a backpack. Having hand warmers, emergency blankets, first aid supplies, and a noisemaker for if you’re lost or stranded are all recommended for those traveling outside of cell phone reception or outside of normal first responders’ boundaries. If you’re not able to carry such a large pack, you can opt for a well-stocked first aid kit like this one from Protect Life, but you should supplement it with some other emergency supplies like a whistle and an emergency blanket.
