Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
I've just completed the final 75 miles of the Camino Frances in northern Spain, walking from Sarria to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in six days.
While the pilgrims of old didn't have smartphones, they are a vital part of doing the Camino in modern times, partly because you need to find and book accommodation (not to mention enter your passport details and the like -- there's a lot of bureaucracy in the modern world), and not to mention that finding shops, cafes and restaurants that are open in the winter season can be tricky.
Also: Finally, a reliable multitool for under $30 and doesn't feel like junk
So a smartphone is not a luxury, it's a vital bit of safety gear. A vital bit of safety gear that keeps you connected and needs charging! And for this vital task, I chose the Nitecore NB Plus.
The battery in my iPhone 17 Pro Max is vastly better than the one in my iPhone 15 Pro Max was, and lasts significantly longer. In fact, on a normal day, I can start the day with a full charge and still have half left by the evening.
But things are different on the trail.
There's navigation to consider, as well as a lot of back and forth between the Translate app (which works great for Spanish) and using WhatsApp to communicate with hostel owners and hoteliers. And there was the cold. Northern Spain is nothing like the southern part where I'm currently writing this, with temperatures in the early mornings and late afternoons dipping well into the 30s Fahrenheit.
Also: Your AirTag isn't truly travel-ready unless it has this accessory - here's why I vouch for it
Before the trip, I'd kitted myself out with Nitecore's new NB Plus is a 10,000mAh power bank that's built to be rugged and durable, and at the same time cram as much power into as little space as possible - it weighs 5.5 ounces and measures 4.8 x 2.3 x 0.5 inches. That thinness is a real boon, allowing the power bank to be slipped unobtrusively into a pocket or backpack. And, importantly for me, it's double the capacity of its predecessor, the NB Air.
... continue reading