There is a lot to be afraid of outside. Bears, cougars, and snakes are all near the top of the list. But one thing trumps them all… your camera running out of battery. You flick the camera on and off hoping its just a glitch but no luck. Your screen remains black and its shutter stays closed. Your heart sinks and you long for dealing with killer bees, rather than missing that epic shot. This week-long backpacking trip took you months to plan and your life changing memories hang in the balance. You’re a smart cookie though and you came prepared with the Power Practical Lithium 4400 power bank to charge that dead battery. Was it the right choice though?
Features of the Power Practical Lithium 4400
At its core, the Power Practical Lithium 4400 does an excellent job with its main goal of charging your mobile devices. It does however also come with some unnecessary features.
Portable Power
This 4400 mAh portable battery pack has the ability to charge any USB mobile device. In my experience, you can replenish a smartphone from empty to 100% twice before you need to plug it in to charge itself. Obviously, in the backcountry, you don’t have the option to recharge the power bank so it must be used wisely. Depending on how much you use your device, the Power Practical Lithium 4400 could be useful for a week-long backpacking trip.
Reliability is also key to judging a power bank. The Power Practical Lithium 4400 is the most reliable and long-lasting power bank I have ever owned. It may be tempting to buy a cheap knock-off which would be fine if you were within a few minutes or hours of electricity, but if you want dependable power for multi-day trips consider the Power Practical Lithium 4400.
LED Lantern
The Power Practical Lithium 4400 is equipped with 4 powerful white LED lights. The light lasts 30+ hours but drains the battery which your electronics also use so you sacrifice power. When considering this for outdoor use, this feature makes less sense. You should already have a headlamp or flashlight with you while you hike or camp thus rendering the incorporated lantern as a backup if you end up using this feature at all.
Compact
The Power Practical Lithium 4400 can fit in the palm of your hand and is advertised as lightweight but you can definitely find lighter power banks on the market.
My Best Experience
I stress tested the Power Practical Lithium 4400 on a road trip through Utah’s National Parks in September 2017. I was able to charge my camera and my phone at the tail end of our 7-day journey in Zion National Park. I had a cheap power bank that failed on me the night before. If I had missed getting photos from hiking Angel’s Landing, I would have been devastated. Luckily I also brought along the Power Practical Lithium 4400 as a backup and it saved the day. It has been my primary power source ever since.
Who is this for?
As a power bank, the Power Practical Lithium 4400 is reliable and powerful which makes it great for long trips. However, it’s flashlight and heavier design makes it less suitable for backpacking. If you are a traveler who frequently takes week-long trips that aren’t always outdoor adventures this is the right power bank for you.
Let us know if you have any questions about the Power Practical Lithium 4400 in the comment section below!
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.
