Updated: February 2023
When I’m not writing about vaping, I like being outdoors.
Much of my spare time is taking up with surfing, going for long walks and growing vegetables in my garden.
I know I’m not alone. After switching to vaping, many people gain a renewed enthusiasm for outdoor activities.
But whether you simply enjoy the outdoors, or whether you have a job which requires you to spend a lot of time outside, it’s well worth considering what vape equipment you choose.
For example, while I love simple but effective devices like the PockeX (for reasons I highlighted in our Classic Vapes post), I find they can easily get clogged up with dirt and sand.
Fortunately, whether you prefer a simple pod system or a chunky and powerful mod device, you’ll find a number of devices suitable for outdoor use. In this post we review the features you need for outdoor vaping, and highlight some suitable vapes for using in tougher conditions.
Also see: The Best Vape Kits for 2022
Contents
- Drip tip cover/cap
- Robust battery capacity
- External batteries
- Reverse charge
- ECO mode
- Robust construction & coating
- Dustproof, shockproof, waterproof
- IP ratings
- Working temperature range
- Grip
- Lanyard
- Size
- Vape glass
- Best outdoor vapes
Features to Look For
One simple feature which can easily solve the issue of dirt and sand getting in your device is a drip tip cover. The Endura T1811 comes with a magnetic drip tip cover which clips into place over the cap - and if you lose this, it’s easy to buy a replacement cap. You can also purchase silicone caps to cover drip tips for as little as a pound.
If you’re going to be out and about for long periods of time, one thing to look for is an impressive battery capacity.
The larger the mAh, the more capacity the battery has and the longer it can last. Of course, it’s not just about battery capacity - if you use a higher wattage when you vape, you’re going to run down the battery more quickly.
So if you’re going to be hiking for several days, you might be best switching to a lower wattage, a higher resistance coil and adopting a mouth-to-lung style of vaping. Scroll down to the end of this post for our highlighted outdoor vape mod to see an example with a huge battery capacity.
All batteries run out eventually, which can be a pain if you are camped out miles away from a plug. So it’s well worth considering a mod that uses external batteries, as you can easily charge these up at home and carry spares around with you. Alternatively, or if you have a device that has fixed internal batteries, consider carrying around a portable power bank like the Pebble Explorer.
It’s also worth considering a device that not only has a large battery capacity but also has the ability to share that battery life with your other devices. There’s nothing worse than being out for the day and your mobile phone battery running flat with no way of charging it. Some modern devices have reverse charge capabilities, meaning they can be used as a portable power bank to charge other devices such as phones or tablets. Although, remember this will affect how long you can use your vape for...but is ideal for emergency situations.
Some mods, including several in the Vaporesso range, come with an ECO mode. Switch to this mode and your battery will last for longer between charges. Of course, there’s a reason why ECO mode isn’t on all the time - the vape is just not as satisfying. ECO mode doesn’t replace the need for a good battery capacity, but in a pinch it will still beat no vaping at all!
It’s no good having a great battery capacity if the tank is going to crack when you drop it at the top of a mountain. Look for a tank which comes with a metal construction around the glass, such as the Innokin Adept Zlide. It’s well worth carrying a spare glass or two with you just in case - some vape kits now come with spare glass included, but you can also buy these separately.
If you don’t have a robust tank, and don’t want to go to the expense of buying a new one, it might be worth getting a silicone vape band to go around your tank. These don’t offer the same protection as a steel casing, but do reduce the risk of cracks.
Don’t forget the mod either. Look for a mod with a tough construction and a rubber or rubber-like finish. For example, the Aspire Minican comes with a high grade, anti-dust rubber paint finish.
Going a little bit further, a small handful of mods are now starting to come with features that go beyond simply a robust construction. Of particular note are dustproof, shockproof and waterproof capabilities.
The Innokin Adept Zlide kit combines all these features with a hefty battery capacity of 3000mAh, while the Geekvape Max 100 mod is able to withstand water immersion up to 1 metre.
But perhaps the most impressive piece of kit is the Geekvape Aegis L200, which is 30% tougher than other pod systems in Geekvape's already legendary Aegis series.
If you want to know how durable your vaping device is, it’s worth taking a look at its IP rating. Applied to all categories of electrical or mechanical devices, including vapes, IP (Ingress Protection) ratings refer to the level of protection a device offers against dust and water. The two-digit code on a device’s IP rating will show you how dustproof and waterproof it is.
Dustproof rating (1st digit): is expressed between 1 and 6 - with 1 meaning the device offers no special protection from dust and 6 meaning it is dustproof.
Waterproof rating (2nd digit): is expressed between 1 and 8 - with 1 meaning there is no special protection from water and 8 meaning the device can withstand complete, continuous water submersion.
For example, the Innoken Adept Zlide’s IP67 rating means it is dustproof and can withstand immersion in up to 1 metre of water for up to 90 minutes without being affected - making it a great outdoor vape for withstanding the elements.
An even tougher device to consider is the Geekvape T200 (featured below) which uses ‘Tri-Proof’ technology and goes one step further than IP67 - with a rating of IP68! This means it is not only dustproof and shockproof but can survive a water immersion depth of 1.5m for 30 minutes.
Another feature that makes the Aegis T200 a great outdoor device is its working temperature range of -20°C to 50 °C.
Being outdoors means you may experience extremes in both heat and cold. If you’re camping in the middle of the night where the temperature drops to freezing or vaping at the beach in the boiling midday sun you still want your vape to work without the extreme temperature affecting its performance.
If you’re looking for a vape to use in extreme weather then the working temperature range is something to check.
Out and about in the heat? Sweaty hands are not the best for holding a smooth metal device. Fortunately, many of the mods with robust, rubber-like construction also have good grip. It’s also worth looking for a mod with a textured layer to further improve grip.
The Innokin Kroma-R mod is a good example of a device with a textured grip.
I suspect many of the lanyards that seem to come with every vape mod today are rarely used. However, it is worth considering when you are hiking. When you are clambering over a style in a field, ascending a mountain or climbing up a ladder, it can be dead handy to keep your hands free! Of note here is the Innokin MVP5 which includes a lanyard and charger rolled into one.
Of course, sometimes you might not want a large device for space reasons. If so, you might want to consider a smaller device with decent battery life. The Vaporesso Xros 3 Mini is (as the name suggests) small and compact, but surprisingly has a battery that lasts up to 2 days' use between charges.
Unfortunately, tanks and vape kits are limited by legislation to 2ml, which ensures that heavy users waste time continually refilling their tanks. Vape glasses with additional capacity can be bought seperately, but if you do buy an extender, it’s probably a good idea to avoid bubble glass - they look great, but crack a lot more easily than regular vape glass. So if you do buy an extender, look for one which goes straight up rather than outwards!
Geekvape T200
The Geekvape T200 (Aegis Touch) mod kit is a great outdoor device for Direct-Lung vapers who value power, toughness and vapour production.
Retaining the legendary toughness of the Aegis series, the T200 boasts an IP68 rating, meaning it is dustproof, shockproof and can withstand continuous water immersion. This makes it perfect for withstanding the elements. Replaceable batteries also mean you don’t need to be within reach of a charging point as you can just switch the batteries with charged replacements.
An impressive device all around, the T200 features a large touchscreen display for easy operation. The mod has 6 modes to choose from - including ‘Smart Mode’ which makes operation easy by auto-selecting the best wattage for your coil. This means that the T200 isn’t restricted to use by the most advanced vapers. But, with a power output of up to 200W, we wouldn’t recommend this kit to a beginner.
Pros:
- Tough design
- User-friendly touchscreen
- Replaceable batteries
Cons:
- Only supports Direct-Lung vaping
- Not suited to beginners
Smok IPX80
Portability can be a big factor when it comes to choosing a device for outdoor vaping. While the previously mentioned T200 has all the features needed, it’s not the most compact kit. Smok’s IPX80 pod kit, however, has a similarly tough design - but is far more lightweight and portable.
Rated IP67 dust, shock and waterproof, it is able to withstand the elements while still being able to fit in your pocket.
Accessible to vapers of most experience levels, the device’s 80W of power and choice of compatible pods and coils also means it can support both MTL and DL styles.
The only downside may be the fixed-battery design. While the 3000mAh battery is long-lasting (especially at lower wattages), it will need to eventually be recharged when it runs low, so we’d recommend purchasing a power pack for longer trips.
Pros:
- Water, dust & shockproof design
- Compact & portable
- Supports both MTL & DL inhale styles
Cons:
- Fixed battery
What’s your favourite device for outdoor vaping? Let us know in the comments!
