by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
Whereas touring, I wish to seize VIDEO and PHOTOS as rapidly and simply as attainable.
BEST for me in 2026 is to easily carry my iPhone 16 Professional. Sometimes I shoot video in the usual Digicam app, 4K, 60 frames / second. HDR in computerized mode.
Solely 5x optical zoom is a little bit of a limitation, nevertheless it’s significantly better zoom than telephones up to now. (I’m tempted by the upper zoom within the 17 Professional.)
Relying on the video lighting circumstances, I’d take the time to lock focus and publicity.
I gave up final yr on the Anker MagGo Energy Financial institution, Extremely Slim 10000mAh Magnetic Battery Pack because it was too gradual. And tended to overheat.
As a rule, I carry my cheap tripod from Fotopro. (Much like JOBY GorillaPod — however just a little higher.)
The tripod works like a selfie stick. Or I can rapidly set it up virtually wherever.
That tripod has a easy ball head. To it, I connect the Ulanzi ST-27 Metallic Cellphone Clip to maintain my telephone safe. It matches a big sensible telephone with cowl.
I’m hooked on my Apple Watch — and use the Digicam Distant app as a viewfinder for taking pictures and movies from a distance. I’ve that app as one in every of my Problems on the Apple Watch face so it’s at all times rapidly out there.
For a number of day adventures, I’ll carry a number of exterior batteries. . HEAVY — YES. However they’re the most secure approach to recharge my electronics on the path. These brutes have saved me many, many instances up to now.
Presently my journey favorite is the cheap INIU Charger 22.5W 20000mAh with hooked up USB-C cable as a deal with. Actually I’m taking two of those on my subsequent journey as I’ll usually be away from electrical energy.
When I’ve electrical energy en route, I take advantage of my UGREEN Nexode 100W 5 Port USB C Charger Block.
It could actually cost 5 units concurrently together with a laptop computer, however I discover the 4th and fifth (USB-A) actually don’t get a lot juice in contrast with the primary 3 ports in line. Nearly all my units now are USB-C.
If biking — the place weight and bulk are much less a difficulty — I often carry alongside a brief extension twine. This makes it extra handy to plug into libraries, espresso retailers, hostels, purchasing malls, and so on. (The UGREEN tends to fall out of a free wall socket.)
I usually hike and cycle internationally. After all I add a global adapter.
For biking, I usually carry alongside my Insta360 Ace Professional motion digital camera. One additional battery. I’ve many equipment, however not often carry any of them.
Effectively … even attempting to maintain electronics as quick and straightforward as attainable, my recharging station for bikepacking may already appear to be this!
Right here I’ve added a second UGREEN Nexode 100W 5 Port USB C Charger Block. So may concurrently cost not less than 6 or extra units in a single day from one wall socket. A large number. 😀
The BIG determination for me final yr was whether or not or to not take the DJI Mini 4 Drone. The Controller is crucial. … Actually, to this point I at all times carry the cumbersome carrying case and three additional batteries. A significant dedication.
BUT I like capturing drone video. And I’m usually keen to endure with the additional bulk and weight.
Really, all this gear isn’t dangerous after I’m bikepacking. I add much more gear together with the world’s finest helmet. 😀
Sadly, I misplaced the Mini 4 in S.E. Asia on the final journey. And have now switched to the smaller, lighter, less expensive, extra sturdy DJI Neo 1. I name it a toy drone.
Click on PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Principally I’ll use this drone handheld. No telephone. No controller.
For extra sophisticated photographs, I’ll take the time to make use of my telephone as a controller.
For lengthy journeys, I carry alongside my previous MacBook Air and 3-4 exterior 2TB SSD drives for back-up and video / photograph enhancing.
I usually depart the Apple charging brick at dwelling, utilizing USB C charging, as an alternative.
Vital for biking is navigation. I take advantage of an previous iPhone with a QuadLock attachment to the handlebars. And a rain poncho, when vital. I hold my Canadian SIM card on this telephone to make sure texts nonetheless attain me on the finish of the world.
I’ll cease right here …. although there are occasions I carry even MORE alongside within the bike saddle luggage. 😀
IF I’d want mild at evening, I’ll carry my tiny Nitecore headlamp and brief charging cable.
Anker IQ wall plug for a fast cost at a espresso store. ??
Backside line? Present up along with your telephone and a back-up exterior battery. That’s what the sensible people do. 🙏
Me? I’ll at all times have the telephone and drone.
For instance, for my final worldwide journey (mountaineering, not biking) this was my MAIN recharging set-up. One electrical outlet ➙ mild extension twine ➙ Worldwide adapter ➙ my UGREEN Nexode 100W 5 Port USB C Charger Block ➙ 1) laptop computer, 2) INUI exterior battery (charging watch), 3) UGreen (charging telephone).
Cables are lengthy for comfort in awkward recharging areas. Cables are excessive velocity. Precedence is preserving my exterior batteries charged to be used away from {an electrical} outlet.
As well as are my units to be charged irregularly. I’ll do these as soon as the MAIN group of units is finished.
In overseas nations, I’ll put an area SIM card into the 16 Professional.
That is the cumbersome, heavy drone with 4 batteries. (My subsequent drone is lighter and smaller.)
I do have AirPods, as properly. Usually I high these up from the exterior battery when wanted. Actually, I carry a spare AirPod.
I not often take the Movement Professional 2 Gimbal — however that battery appears to remain charged virtually indefinitely. 😀
Electronics are carried in my trusty previous laptop computer case. Drone and equipment, separate.
For 2026 I’ve decreased bulk and weight of electronics. Subsequent journey I’m going to attempt to mix my laptop computer bag and day pack into one.
NEW ➙ My day pack cable can recharge Apple Watch, previous iPhone, USB-C, and USB-A.
