Riding for hours with your phone mounted to your handlebars, GPS draining battery in the background, Bluetooth earphones plugged into one earbud, and even attaching a camera to record your every pedal stroke can deplete your battery incredibly quickly. This is when solar power backpacks start to become useful.
I’ve reviewed and researched dozens of solar backpacks while keeping cycling as the center use-case. Here’s the truth: Not all solar backpacks are made for riding. Some sit poorly on your back, some sway around during rides, and others don’t generate enough power to make a real difference.
In this post, I will only be reviewing solar power backpacks that actually work for cyclists. How they feel when you’re riding, stability, breathability, consistent charging output, and real-world usage is far more important than focusing on marketing specifications.
- Why Cyclists Choose Solar Power Backpacks
- Things To Look For In A Solar Backpack For Cyclists
- Best Solar Power Backpacks Reviewed For Cycling
- How Much Charge Can You Expect While Cycling?
- Solar Backpack vs Normal Power Bank For Cycling
- Solar Backpack Products To Avoid
- Who Is The Solar Power Backpack For?
- Final Verdict
Why Cyclists Choose Solar Power Backpacks
Solar backpacks should not be looked at as your primary charger to replace power banks or wall chargers. They are meant to supplement your existing charging setups and prolong your battery life while you ride.
For cyclists, consistency and convenience are the biggest benefits. No more stopping at cafes to plug in your phone charger. You don’t need to worry about conserving GPS usage or turning your phone on airplane mode halfway through a ride.
Solar backpacks are perfect for:
- Long-distance rides and bike tours
- Bikepacking and multi-day excursions
- Commuters riding during peak daylight hours
- Delivery riders that use navigation apps all day
- Adventure cyclists that ride without power access
Solar backpacks do not have much value for short city rides or night riding where there is little sunlight.
Things To Look For In A Solar Backpack For Cyclists
Before I jump into my top picks for solar backpacks for cyclists, you should know what qualities separate a solar backpack built for cycling from your typical outdoor solar backpack.
Panel Size vs Placement
Unlike household solar panels, your placement while riding matters more than raw wattage. Solar panels need to lay flat against your back and remain facing upward while you ride. Bags with dangling fold-out panels will shift around or flap against your body at speed, which drastically reduces their efficiency.
Look for fully integrated, rigid solar panels or semi-flexible panels that do not fold out at all.
Steady Charging
Solar backpacks will not give you constant power while you ride. Clouds passing overhead, bumps in the road, and your riding position all impact output.
Look for solar backpacks that have either a buffer battery built-in or allow you to plug in a compatible power bank. You don’t want your charging to cut in and out while you’re riding.
Weight Distribution
Solar backpacks with tons of panels that ride low on your back will tug backward while riding and strain your shoulders. A good cycling solar backpack should feel centered on your back with thick, supportive shoulder straps.
Breathability
Solar panels lock in heat. A poorly designed solar backpack will make you sweat uncontrollably in the summer. Look for backpacks with mesh back padding and cut-outs for airflow. This is especially important if you ride in tropical areas.
Best Solar Power Backpacks Reviewed For Cycling
Voltaic Systems Array Solar Backpack
The Voltaic Systems solar backpack is one of the best solar backpacks for cyclists. The solar panel itself is very sturdy, integrates seamlessly with the backpack, and does not flap around at all while riding.
Panel output is enough to provide a decent amount of trickle charging on long rides during the day.
The backpack itself feels very stiff and stable. It’s ideal for touring cyclists or commuters who want something sturdy they can rely on day in and day out. It is heavy but worth it for the build quality.
Great option if you use your phone for GPS, cameras, or phone navigation multiple hours each day.
ECEEN Solar Backpack With Built-In Battery
ECEEN solar backpacks tend to be more lightweight and budget-friendly. They make great entry-level solar backpacks for cyclists who don’t want to break the bank. The solar panel does not offer a lot of power output, but it can hold your phone battery for an entire day of riding.
Having a built-in battery is a nice bonus. It acts as a buffer so you don’t feel drastic power decreases when a cloud passes by.
Comfortable enough but definitely not the best at breathability.
Great for commuters and casual long-distance cyclists that don’t want to deal with heavy solar charging bags.
Sunnybag Explorer Solar Backpack
The Sunnybag Explorer is a step up in quality with European craftsmanship. The solar panel works extremely well when you’re riding in direct sunlight.
It even comes with the ability to remove the panel completely. Ideal if you want a normal cycling backpack on cloudy days or nights.
The backpack has great ventilation and back padding.
Ideal for touring cyclists that ride through changing weather conditions.
Voltaic OffGrid Solar Backpack
Need to go deep into the backcountry with your bike? The OffGrid Solar Backpack by Voltaic is for you. It has one of the highest panel outputs out of any solar backpack on the market.
The backpack is on the heavier side. Unless you’re going on a weeklong bikepacking trip orurance tour, this bag is better suited for off-grid conditions.
Best solar backpack for multi-day adventures.
How Much Charge Can You Expect While Cycling?
Here is the biggest myth with solar backpacks.
Your solar backpack will not be able to 100% charge your phone from empty to full in one ride. However, what solar backpacks are good at is preventing your battery from draining completely.
In direct sunlight, you can expect most solar backpacks to:
- Keep your phone charged while using GPS
- Charge your power bank while riding
- Give your action cameras more breathing room
- Extend Bluetooth headphone battery life
The trick is to pair your solar backpack with a power bank. Have the solar panel slowly charge the power bank as you ride, and plug your devices into the power bank.
Solar Backpack vs Normal Power Bank For Cycling
A normal power bank offers you a set amount of charging gigabytes. Solar backpacks offer you near-endless charging as long as there is sunlight.
Cyclists that go on long bike rides should have both. Plug your main devices into a power bank for guaranteed power, and let your solar backpack keep it topped up all day.
Solar backpacks aren’t necessary for basic commuters.
Solar Backpack Products To Avoid
While searching for solar backpacks online, you will run into products that seem too good to be true. When looking for a solar backpack for cycling, avoid…
- Solar backpacks with dangling flexible solar panels
- Solar backpacks without any internal cable management
- Solar backpacks that offer no sort of battery buffer
- Backpacks with terrible shoulder strap support
- Solar backpacks that don’t ventilate sweat
Also keep in mind that not every day is going to be sunny 75°F (24°C). Rides in the early morning, night rides, and forested areas will all suffer from poor solar output.
Who Is The Solar Power Backpack For?
Solar backpacks are fantastic for:
- Cyclists that ride 3+ hours at a time regularly
- People who use GPS apps and phone navigation
- Traveling cyclists that tour by bike
- Sunnier climate commuters
- Bikepackers and adventure cyclists
Solar backpacks aren’t for everyone. They won’t get you very far if you’re a casual city rider or riding at night.
Final Verdict
Pick a solar power backpack for cycling that feels the most comfortable to you. The last thing you want is a solar backpack that feels uncomfortable after 2 hours of riding.
For cyclists, solar backpacks with built-in rigid solar panels and battery buffering tend to be your best bet. Voltaic and Sunnybag are proven winners with years of great product feedback, while ECEEN provides lightweight alternatives for budget shoppers.
Take your riding far enough into the sun and solar charging won’t seem like a gimmick anymore. It becomes one of those quiet lifestyle advantages that you quickly come to love.
Let me know in the comments below if you’re already a user of solar backpacks for cycling. I want to know how they hold up to your longest rides. Real-life product reviews from fellow cyclists is the best way to help others learn what works and what doesn’t.
