Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Meet Your Next Camp Lantern: The Solar-Powered, Extremely Portable Biolite SunLight

At a certain point in life, you get over the whole standing in line thing. Shake Shack opening? Meh … we’ll come back when it’s less busy. Hamilton tickets? Not since the new cast moved in. The newest iPhone release day? We’re not even going to answer that one.

However, we’d gladly queue up for hours if it meant first crack at the newest product from BioLite.

After bringing outdoor enthusiasts a fire-powered camp kettle, USB charger, and pizza oven, BioLite has fixed its sights upon harnessing the power of the sun. If you needed any more reason to begin planning your spring break backpacking trip, the new BioLite SunLight will illuminate new possibilities. (Pun fully intended.) This solar-powered outdoor lantern lightens your load (again, pun intended) by making batteries and extra bulbs a thing of the past. Just drop the 3.5-oz SunLight in your pack and you’ve got everything you need for five night-hikes in a row, plus a dance party afterward.

Boasting 100 lumens for a 50-hour charge, the SunLight is tricked out with all the user-friendly details we’ve come to expect from BioLite:

  • Fitted with a handle that doubles as a kickstand, the SunLight can either be attached to your pack or propped at the sunny edge of your campsite for optimal charging wherever you happen to be.
  • Where other solar lights run the risk of popping or deflating, the SunLight’s flat profile and durable construction let it take a light beating (that pun was unintentional) in your backpack or gear box.
  • In addition to a sundial-optimized solar cell, the SunLight is also chargeable via USB.
  • A four-hour reserve mode lets you keep the lights on while you look for a better spot to recharge.
  • An IPX4 rating means you don’t have to freak out if it starts to rain. (Save your phone first.)
  • The dimmable component means not only conservative use of the charge, but also customizable illumination for your needs. (After all, some camping activities require less light than others, right? Nudge nudge.)
  • Just for fun, the SunLight comes with a spectrum of three different colors — red, blue, and green — for either continuous use or, when set to Party Mode cycle, for use as a solar-powered disco ball.

BioLite SunLight is barely any bigger than a Klondike bar, a comparison that makes us eager for hot summer nights eating nostalgic treats in the deep woods, while singing along to that Weezer record we haven’t listened to since middle school. Alas, we’ll have to wait a couple more weeks to get our hands on the SunLight, since the first run has already sold out. Consider us signed up for the mailing list, so that the next time BioLite comes out with something this nifty, we won’t have to wait in line.

The BioLite SunLight is available for pre-order at $25, or save ten bucks and order the four-pack for $90. You can expect the online store to be restocked by March 15.

Chelsea Batten
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chelsea Batten is a writer, photographer, and Kerouac groupie. One of the original digital nomads, she was seduced from life…
Espresso martini, hot toddy, and more: These 6 apres-ski drinks perfectly cap a day on the slopes
A warm drink after a frigid day just hits different
Friend enjoying après ski in a ski lodge

When the sun dips below the horizon and your day on the slopes comes to an end, there's nothing quite like the ritual of enjoying apres-ski drinks to warm up and unwind. Whether you're nestled in a cozy mountain ski lodge or savoring the crisp alpine air, these wintery sips add an extra layer of magic to your winter adventures.

If you're looking for ways to spruce up your downtime on the slopes, let's explore six delightful apres-ski drinks that have become cherished traditions for winter sports enthusiasts. From the aromatic mulled wine to the rich espresso martini, we'll dive into the origins and appeal of each drink. So, grab a seat by the fire, and let's embark on a journey through the world of treasured ski lodge winter beverages.

Read more
Legendary outdoor brands Ball and Buck and Luminox combine for the ultimate field watch
This Luminox, Ball and Buck field watch collab is amazing
Luminox field watch on bag

Men are explorers and adventurers at heart. We like to discover the furthest reaches of the Earth, dive to the deepest depths of the oceans, and fly to the highest points. Of course, we can’t do any of that without the tools of the trade, and watches have become one of the best tools in any industry. Field watches have become the go-to for any land-bound explorer or any man thirsting for adventure. Ball and Buck has been a staple in men’s adventure for a decade and a half and has now collaborated with military and industry specialists Luminox to bring you a once-in-a-lifetime watch. Perfect for the outdoor and adventure enthusiasts.

Mark Bollman, Founder of Ball and Buck, commented on the collaboration: “As a company that’s synonymous with the rigors of special warfare deployments, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Luminox and to infuse Ball and Buck’s signature style into their performance platform. As a brand dedicated to only offering premium gear, this collaboration embodies all that we stand for - authenticity, durability, timeless style.”

Read more
These national parks have the most gorgeous winter hiking trails
Here are some of the best national parks for winter hiking.
Teton National Park in winter.

As the winter season starts to creep into your favorite US national parks, you might be thinking that it's time to put away your hiking boots. Not so fast! There are several national parks that have trails open during the winter time. In this article, we'll discuss four gorgeous national parks and what hiking opportunities lie in store for you.

Yellowstone National Park
While many roads are closed at Yellowstone National Park during the winter season, there are several trails that remain accessible to hikers. You'll need to go to the North entrance in Montana because that's the only one that's open in winter. They have guided skiing and snowshoeing tours. Roads can close in snowy weather, so make sure you check the conditions before you visit.

Read more