Chargers

[5Vincent]

I'm excited to be starting the Camino Frances in just under a fortnight.

I'm not sure whether I should invest in a solar charger. Is it easy to charge your phone at the hostels?

 

[Stivandrer]

a solar charger with a built in battery bank is easier left in a socket in ther hostel overnight, so as the mobile itself wont get stolen. If solar charger gets stolen it it cheaper to replace than the phone itself...
-hung on the rucksack the solar will charge again over an entire day, whereas a solar panel without battery bank does not provide sufficient to charge the mobile itselt, I have found.
More frequent now, newer hostel have outlets near to your bed and usually supply is sufficient...

 

[5Vincent]

Great, thank you.

 

[tomnorth]

Most albergues have enough outlets. I suggest bringing a small multi-USB port power unit so that you can share an outlet.

 

[Koidream]

If you only use your cell phone in an emergency and for the rest as the first pilgrims used it, then you do not need extra chargers or batteries

 

[C clearly]

It is easy to charge your phone in the albergues. However, you should always keep it in sight. A solar charger is not needed. Instead you can take a power bank that you charge at the albergue. Being less expensive than your phone, it is less of a risk to leave unattended, although that is still not a good idea. Take a charger with at least two USB ports so you can share the outlet or charge both your phone and power bank at the same time. During the day, if your phone battery runs low, you can plug in your charged power bank.

 

[Sixwheeler]

My own experience is that solar chargers are a waste of time. Get a USB charger with at least two sockets (so you can share) and a European plug plus a decent power bank as a back up. Ultreïa

 

[David Tallan]

I thought about a solar charger before my Camino. There is certainly enough sun in the summer months! But in the end we went with a small multi-USB port power unit (As tomnorth suggests) and it did fine for us. It was lighter and less bulky and, as you will discover, that is an important factor on a camino. It does, however, make you value the albergues with the outlets next to the beds.

 

[CaminoGlen]

Rather than a solar charger i would take a power bank. They're small, cheap, and you can leave it charging without worrying about losing an expensive phone and then charge your phone from the power bank.

 

[NomadBoomer]

Most albergues have enough outlets. I suggest bringing a small multi-USB port power unit so that you can share an outlet.

This worked for me as some alburgues do not have enough power points for everyone. If you have a small powerbank that will get you thru when you can not charge for some reason. I personally am not a fan of extra things hanging from my backpack and the solar option may not be so effective if it rains for a week. YMMV.