When a winter storm brings the power down, the problems arrive in order: the lights go, the heating stops, phones stop charging and — because mobile masts run on backup batteries that don't last forever — the signal can follow. A short outage is an inconvenience; a long one on a cold night is a genuine welfare risk, especially for older relatives or young children.
This is the kit that keeps a household running through it. We've picked a large power bank to keep phones and a torch alive, a portable power station for anything that needs a proper mains socket, a rechargeable head torch so your hands stay free, a wind-up radio that needs neither mains nor signal to pull in emergency broadcasts, and hand warmers to take the edge off until the heating's back on.
A portable battery pack keeps your phone, GPS, and headlamp charged when mains power is unavailable. Essential for maintaining communication, navigation, and emergency calling capability in the field.
For survival use, a minimum of 10,000mAh provides 2-3 full smartphone charges. A 20,000mAh unit covers a multi-day expedition comfortably. Balance capacity against weight — every 10,000mAh adds approximately 200 grams. For day hikes, 5,000mAh may suffice; for extended trips, go larger.
Look for at least two USB output ports so you can charge multiple devices simultaneously. USB-C Power Delivery (PD) or Quick Charge support significantly reduces charging time. Ensure the output is sufficient for your devices — phones typically need 5V/2A minimum for efficient charging.
Standard consumer power banks are fragile and water-sensitive. For outdoor and survival use, choose a ruggedised model with an IP65 or higher water-resistance rating, rubber bumper protection, and a dust-proof charging port cover. Some models include a built-in torch — a useful bonus.
Lithium-ion batteries lose capacity significantly in cold temperatures — up to 40% at freezing point. For UK winter use, keep your power bank inside your jacket close to your body. Some premium models use lithium polymer cells that perform better in cold conditions.
Always fully charge your power bank before any trip. A 20,000mAh power bank at 50% charge is effectively a 10,000mAh unit. Make charging your power bank part of your pre-trip preparation checklist, and keep your home emergency power bank on a maintenance charge cycle.
A power bank is useless without the correct charging cables for your devices. Carry a short USB-C and Lightning cable (or whichever your devices require). Keep dedicated cables stored with the power bank so they are never forgotten. Consider a multi-tip cable to cover all eventualities.
In a survival situation, ration your power bank capacity for genuine needs: emergency calls, navigation, and essential lighting. Avoid using it to scroll social media, take photographs, or play music. Put your phone in aeroplane mode when not actively using mobile data to dramatically extend both phone and power bank life.
A high-capacity 20,000mAh pack that keeps several devices going across a long outage. The choice when you need days of backup power, not hours.
A compact 256Wh LiFePO4 power station with a 300W pure sine wave socket and 100W USB-C. Light enough to carry one-handed, big enough to keep phones, a router and lights running through an outage, and it recharges fully in about an hour.
A bright rechargeable head torch with a strong beam and the option to swap to AAA batteries in a pinch. A dependable step up for regular outdoor use.
A hand-crank and solar radio with a built-in torch and USB charging, so you stay informed with no mains power. A core item for staying updated during a prolonged outage.
Air-activated hand warmers that give hours of gentle heat with no batteries or flame. Cheap, packable warmth to stave off cold hands in an outage or outdoors.