On a recent camping trip, I had the unique and spectacular experience of a wildlife encounter. In the early morning, a family of moose walked within mere feet of our tent, only to be chased away by a friend’s dog. We retreated to our cars, and the family came back, slowly lumbering toward the nearby stream. I hurriedly took out my phone, hoping to capture the incredible moment—and then promptly the screen went black. Its battery had died.

It’s a problem we’ve all experienced: The woes and limits of technology at the most inopportune moments. Enter the Kickr IV, a lightweight solar charger from Thornton-based EnerPlex that’s durable enough to take on a backpacking trek and small enough to fit in a day pack. The tool is valuable for anyone who enjoys disconnecting, away from power outlets. EnerPlex IV advertises having a similar charging speed to a wall charger. While we didn’t necessarily find the speed up to that caliber, it worked well in direct, strong sunlight. And lucky for us, Colorado has no shortage of sun.

Sarah Banks
Sarah Banks
Sarah produces, photographs and researches the photography in the print edition of 5280. In addition, she photographs and writes for 5280.com.