It’s been a full day of getting from Amsterdam to Krakov. It’s close to midnight and I just checked into my hostel. I shimmy up three flights of narrow stairs, my pack brushing up against the wall as I turn corners. I make my way down a dimly lit hallway till I see Door #16. I slowly turn the door knob and quietly push my way inside.
My eyes take a minute or two to adjust to the darkness. Every bed seems to have a bulge or a mound or a heap. Some of the dark bulky masses stir as I grope around trying to find the bed that’s empty.
My feet ache and my back is tired. I unclasp my chest strap and hip belt. I pull my arms from the weight of my pack and it drops to the floor with a louder thud than I anticipate.
Someone groans and rolls over.
I slip off my shoes and tuck my passport pouch under my pillow. Then I pull out my phone and see a lovely red “12%” in the upper right hand corner.
Where are the wall outlets?
Are any of them free?
Which adapter do I need to use here?
I pull out my WakaWaka from the top compartment of my pack, climb into bed, and plug my phone into it.
I lay my head down and yawn, “It doesn’t even matter” I think to myself, already drifting off to sleep.
The WakaWaka Solar Power&Charger is every backpackers dream!
Whether it’s for a night out under the stars, a long weekend at a music festival or spending months abroad, the adventurous spirit you know will undoubtedly put this gadget to use. It’s strap loops make it easy to hang on your pack, in a tent, on your bike, and a number of other places that may come in handy. It can also be placed on any bottle with a standard size top. It’s small, lightweight and USB compatible.
Check out the black option here. It looks a bit more chic and fashionable, although I personally have the yellow and LOVE IT!
This little tool definitely gives me a sense of security, since once it’s charged it can last weeks with “stand-by” solar energy. It gives me peace of mind to know it’ll be ready whenever an emergency may come up. For that reason it’s great to keep in a glove compartment and around the house too. I keep mine in an “emergency drawer” – it’s better than having just an old school flashlight! This can charge my phone when the power goes out, ahh… a sigh of relief.
Even if you’re staying in a place with electricity and outlets, you can bypass the issue of there not being enough wall receptacles or the need for an adapter with the handy WakaWaka.
Not to mention it also has a flashlight feature which is a relief when your phone is dead and your headlamp has been lost to the sheer chaos in your pack.
Let’s go over a few stats
Emits 4 levels of LED illumination – From 5 to 75 lumens for up to 150 hours of bright light on a single charge.
It’s “SunBoost Chip” enables the charger to fully rejuvenate its battery after 8-12 hours in the sun.
SOS emergency beacon enables you to signal for assistance if needed.
The WakaWaka can be charged by the sun, (obviously) but also by plugging into the wall as well.
The one and only con for me personally is that sometimes my device will only get to about 85% charged. This isn’t the case every time, but it does happen. I’d say maybe 3 out of 10 times. I guess it doesn’t take a whole lot to please me though – 85% charge is better than a 0% charge!
Fun Fact: WakaWaka is the Swahili word for, “Shine bright.”
The WakaWaka foundations mission is to end poverty in our lifetime, through trade not aid. Through support for women-led solar enterprises and through consumer and entrepreneur micro financing.
For every WakaWaka you purchase, one is donated. Each one comes with a “Give code” located inside the packaging which allows you to select a location in the world to donate a WakaWaka light. Proceeds benefit those without light
Every purchase helps fund the WakaWaka Foundation’s efforts to end energy poverty and bring light to the 1.5 billion people in the world without electricity.
Take a look at these short videos to learn more!
Excellent tool for backpackers. I love to hike and all that, so this definitely is a+ to have from now on. I will be including this in my camping list eventually. Thank you for the information.
Glad ya found it useful!
What a cool gadget!! I’m not much of a traveller but this is so useful! Even for a day at the beach or a hike in the mountains! Thanks for sharing it! Awesome site too by the way! 🙂
Thanks so much Heather, it is pretty cool! And thanks for the compliment! Cheers!
Hiya, Courtney – brilliant job – absolutely brilliant. Focusing on things that help people is good – focusing on ways to help in several directions at once is a great and wonderful idea.
I hope this goes really well for you because your heart is clearly in the right place.
All the best and thanks for sharing this with us. All the best
Andre Kish
Thank you Andre! Hope to see you more around here 🙂
I’m definitely sold! I’ve been looking for a portable charger but having so much trouble making a decision (I really need to work on my decisiveness!) until this one came along. The ‘buy one, give one’ thing always gets me. Thanks for a great review.
You’re more than welcome, Shirley! It’s the best!
Thanks for introducing me to the WakaWaka. What a fun name! That’s fabulous that the WakaWaka foundation gives back to help people in need. I prefer to give my business to companies that are not just in it for themselves.
I agree with you, Sandra. I also like to give to companies that make an active effort to “Pay it forward.”
Hi Courtney,
Thanks for enlightening me about the WakaWaka. I appreciate you throwing in the fun fact and it’s great to know that one is given when one is purchased.
Thanks also for the videos. It helps put things in perspective. You and I live in relative paradise. I wish you all the best!
Blessings,
Mike Jay
Thanks so much, Mike! Happy you liked it!
This is a cool item. If you are outdoors for long periods of time this will become a necessity since we have so many things that need to be charged these days. Excellent review.
Absolutely, Ronnie! As much as we love the idea of “disconnecting” … we still want the ability to charge and use our electronics! Also, the SOS Beacon is very handy!
Hey Court it’s cool to know that waka waka light was a success! I hope folks will check them out thru your link because they are doing a lot of good in the world. This is from their site : “WHEN YOU BUY A WAKAWAKA PRODUCT, YOU’LL GIVE ONE TO THOSE IN NEED.1.2 billion people around the world have no access to electricity. WakaWaka is an impact driven, social venture that fights to abolish energy poverty throughout the world. For every WakaWaka solar light or charger that’s purchased, one WakaWaka Light is donated to leading humanitarian aid organization The International… Read more »
Very cool! I knew that but failed to mention it, so I’ve went back and incorporated it into my post! Thank you for bringing that point up! I love opportunities where I can “pay it forward” and hope others will take advantage of it too! This product seems to be a hit, thank you so much for introducing me to it! It’s definitely on my, “Must Pack” list whenever I go on a trip!
WakaWaka Solar Power and Charger is a great idea. That type of gift is always handy whether at home, camping or where ever you may be.
It is a good idea to travel once a year. We all can use a break sometimes.Some individuals will argue that they do not afford to travel often but one does not have to go out of the country. Just finding another community away from home to relax for a while may be enough.
Thanks for the post.
I agree Luna! Traveling isn’t so much about where ya go, but experiencing something new! Thanks for your input, I always enjoy someone else’s perspective!
Thanks for the valuable advice! I have a friend who is a backpacker, so you have given me great ideas for gifts! I did not know about the solar power charger – that will come in very handy.
Happy to help! I’ll be adding to the list as I gather more ideas. Thanks for visiting my page and I hope to see ya again in the future!
Courtney,
The solar power and charger is an excellent choice. I could have used one of these on many occasions. I’d also like to add a couple of great books by Maarten Troost, Getting Stoned with Savages and The Sex Lives of Cannibals. They are his first hand account about his time living in Fiji. Both fun reads.
Thanks for the great ideas.
Shane
Hey Shane!
Thanks so much for the recommendations! I’m always looking for my next great read, I’ll definitely read these and add them to the list. I haven’t yet made it to Fiji so I’m very interested in his accounts! And as for the WakaWaka – yeah, saved me several times 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Courtney