Who has two thumbs and doesn’t want to hold a flashlight? Hiking under the starlit sky or before dawn breaks is an exhilarating experience that unites us with nature’s sublime beauty. Yet, navigating the trails in low light conditions without the proper gear can be daunting.
That’s where the quintessential piece of equipment comes in – the headlamp. This guide is your beacon in the dark, illuminating the path to finding the best headlamps for hiking, ensuring your nocturnal treks are safe, enjoyable, and illuminated.
Me! I love the idea of hands-free illumination but finding a headlamp that performs well in multiple conditions and scenarios at a decent price, can be tricky.
Will those cheap ones keep working? Still, are the more expensive headlamp flashlight worth the money? We’ve reviewed the best headlamps for various outdoor activities and conditions.
Our reviews are focused on the performance, battery life, and special features of each model. As you plan for your next adventure and shop for top camping gadgets, here is our review roundup of the best headlamps for hiking, backpacking, and camping to light your way.
Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices, and customer reviews on Amazon
Table of contents
- Best Headlamps for Hiking Reviews
- Best Headlamps for Caving
- Best Headlamps for Running
- Best Waterproof Headlamp:
- Best Cheap Headlamp
- Best Rechargeable Headlamp:
- Best Headlamp for Backpacking
- How to Choose a Headlamp
- Headlamp LED types and Modes
- Headlamp Battery Options and Specs
- Other Considerations
- FAQs
- Summing it up
- Need More Advice on Gear and Footwear?
Best Headlamps for Hiking Reviews
Best for General Purpose Use: Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
- Best use: Camping
- Bulb type: LED
- Max light output: 350 Lumens
- Max beam distance: High: 85 meters; low: 8 meters
- Beam type: Flood/Spotlight
- Brightness level: variable
- Average run time: High: 3 hrs. 45 min.; low: 200 hrs. ; Reserve: 36 hours
- Water-Resistance Rating: IPX8
- Batteries: AAA
- Rechargeability: non-rechargeable
- Weight: 3 ounces
The Good…
- Simple, no fuss design
- Lightweight – 3.1oz
- Brightness memory – turns on at the setting you had before switching off
- Seven lighting modes – including red light
- Very comfortable strap
The Bad…
- IPX-8 rated but battery compartment isn’t
This low-profile head flashlight offers great performance and will cater to various activities. It’s light and comfortable enough to use while running but offers good floodlighting and proximity illumination too.
The 3 LEDs and 7 lighting modes give you plenty of versatility, including a red light night-vision mode. We love that it has a bright memory. This means that when you switch it on you don’t have to cycle through the modes to get back to the brightness setting you had before.
But, this isn’t the best headlamp to use in heavy rain. Although it’s IPX-8 rated, the battery compartment isn’t, which rather defeats the purpose.
The 300-lumen output and 80-meter beam distance coupled with plenty of versatility and a good price make this a great camping headlamp.
Best Headlamps for Caving
Fenix Headlamp HM65R
- Best use: Camping and backpacking
- Bulb type: LED
- Max light output: 1400 Lumens
- Max beam distance: Spotlight: 178 yards; Floodlight: 60 yards
- Beam type: Flood/Spotlight
- Brightness level: variable
- Average run time: Turbo: 2 hrs.; high: 22 hours.; low: 300 hrs.
- Water-Resistance Rating: IP68
- Batteries: 3500mAH battery or 2x CR123A
- Rechargeability: Rechargeable with USB-C
- Weight: 3.42 ounces
The Good…
- Brightest headlmap- Extremely bright – Up to 1400 lumens, 178 yards
- Rechargeable via USB-C
- 60-degree tilt mechanism offer versatile aiming
- IP68 rated – waterproof and impact resistant up to 2 meters (that’s 6.56 ft for y’all Americans)
The Bad…
- Heavy and bulky
If your main criteria is to have the brightest head lamp then the Fenix HP25R will dazzle you as few others will.
In spotlight mode, it puts out 1400 lumens and will shine a beam almost 600 feet. The insane brightness doesn’t mean you’ll have to sacrifice weight either! If you’re caving or walking trails at night, then choosing the floodlight mode will give you wide-angle lighting up to 60 feet AND a battery life from 21 to 300 hours.
The Fenix HM65R is not too heavy at 4.2 ounces and has a rather average quoted battery life of 2.0 hours on high. Still, that’s not bad considering the high output, and the 4 brightness levels give you a good degree of battery management options.
We like the fact that you can recharge the battery without removing it via a USB-C port. It uses two separate LEDs for the spot and flood with the flood offering pretty good close-proximity performance.
You wouldn’t want to take this below 2 meters if you go cave swimming but the IP68 rating means it’s waterproof up to that level.
Best Headlamps for Running
Petzl NAO+ Headlamp
- Best use: Backpacking, Trail running
- Bulb type: LED
- Max light output: 750 Lumens
- Max beam distance: Spotlight: 140 meters; Floodlight: 65 meters
- Beam type: adjustable
- Brightness level: variable
- Average run time: High: 1.5 hours.; low: 12 hrs.
- Water-Resistance Rating: IPX4
- Batteries: 2,600 mAh Lithium-Ion
- Rechargeability: Rechargeable
- Weight: 6.5 ounces
The Good…
- Reactive lighting technology eliminates manual mode settings – true handsfree
- Excellent close up and long distance illumination – 140 meters max beam
- Bluetooth enabled
- Extremely bright – 750 lumens max output
- 2600mAh rechargeable battery offers good battery life
The Bad…
- High price tag
- Reactive lighting technology not quite perfect yet
If you can get beyond the price tag then the Petzl NAO+ offers the best overall performance we’ve seen in a trail running headlamp.
The Reactive Lighting technology senses when you need long distance spotlighting or close up illumination. It automatically adjusts the angle and brightness of the illumination for true handsfree illumination.
Besides eliminating the hassle factor it also means you’re never using more battery than you need. It’s a cool idea and, when it works, it offers a level of convenience that other rechargeable headlamps don’t.
The technology isn’t foolproof yet and sometimes it will switch modes if the sensor encounters some dust or rain. This model is also ridiculously bright with a max output of 750 lumens. It’s powered by a strong 2600mAh battery that offers above average run time.
It has loads of brightness and light cone settings that you can even adjust via Bluetooth using the Petzl phone app. The app will also let you know how much luminous time you have left before the battery dies.
We like that you can use the app to tell the head lamp that you need it to last for a certain amount of hours. It will then manage the brightness for you.
If you’re an early adopter and are happy to pay for above-average performance then you’ll love the Petzl NAO+.
Best Waterproof Headlamp:
Black Diamond Storm 500
- Best use: Backpacking
- Bulb type: LED
- Light output: High: 500; medium: 250; low: 6 lumens
- Max beam distance: Spotlight: 100 meters; Floodlight: 9 meters
- Beam type: Flood/spot/strobe
- Brightness level: variable
- Average run time: High: 7 hours.; medium: 19; low: 350 hours
- Water-Resistance Rating: IPX7
- Rechargeability: integrated 2400 mAh lithium-ion battery that recharges via a micro-USB charge port
- Weight: 3.5 ounces
The Good…
- IPX-7 rated – excellent waterproof performance
- Robust, durable design
- Decent battery life
- Bright – 500 lumens, good beam and close up performance
- Red, green and blue modes
- Lockout mode prevents accidental activation
- Easy dimming and instant bright setting with PowerTap
- Complicated to use/li>
- Doesn’t click when adjusting angle to use/li>
As the name implies, the Storm offers excellent, fully sealed waterproof and dustproof performance coupled with above average specs. The IPX-7 rating means the casing and battery compartment can withstand being submerged in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes.
What’s more, it uses Quad Power and Double Power LEDs to deliver a maximum 500 lumens output for equally good trail-finding and close-proximity illumination.
It offers fantastic battery life because it’s rechargeable and offers several modes of light output. Overall, you’ll get around 5 hours of high mode operation and about 350 hours in low mode.
We like that the Black Diamond Storm 500 headlamp has red, green, and blue modes have dimming and strobe settings that you can select without having to cycle through the white light mode. This is great for retaining your night vision.
In addition, pressing the mode select button, adjusts the brightness and a quick touch on the PowerTap sensor gives you instant max brightness. Touching it again takes you back to your previous brightness setting.
There may be better performing led headlamps out there but the excellent waterproof performance makes this an above average option for wet weather hiking and backpacking.
Best Cheap Headlamp
Petzl Tikkina Headlamp
- Best use: Camping
- Bulb type: LED
- Max light output: 300 Lumens
- Max beam distance: High: 60 meters; Low: 10 meters
- Beam type: Flood
- Brightness level: variable
- Average run time: High: 2 hours.; low: 120 hrs.
- Water-Resistance Rating: IPX4
- Batteries: 3 AAA; also compatible with Petzl 1250 mAh CORE rechargeable battery (not included)
- Rechargeability: Non-rechargeable
- Weight: 3 ounces
The Good…
- Great value at a good price
- Great for close proximity use
- Three brightness settings – easy push button selection
- Adjustable full tilt lamp angle
- Lightweight – 3.03oz
The Bad…
- Not bright enough for trail finding. Max Beam distance is 60 meters
- Beam tyoe: Only Flood-lighting
If you’re looking for pretty good all-round, no-fuss performance headlights at a cheap price then the Tikkina doesn’t disappoint. It comes supplied with 3 AAA batteries and delivers a respectable 300 lumens at the brightest of its three settings.
There are no bells and whistles but the simplicity and ease of use add to the appeal of this light. Petzl quote a 100-hour run time on the low setting but in reality, you’ll get around half that which is still pretty good. Using the high lumen setting will get you a run time of 2 hours out of your head torch.
The wide beam offers great campsite performance and will give you an illuminated area about 5 feet across at an 8-foot distance. It’s not bright enough to shine a beam much further than 60 meters but that’s still pretty good considering the budget price.
So you’re not going to be heading up any search parties with this headlamp but it offers above-average performance around the campsite.
Best Rechargeable Headlamp:
Black Diamond ReVolt 350 Headlamp
- Best use: Backpacking
- Bulb type: LED
- Max light output: 350 Lumens
- Max beam distance: 80 meters
- Beam type: Flood/Spotlight
- Brightness level: variables
- Average run time: High: 4 hrs.; low: 200 hrs.
- Water-Resistance Rating: IPX4
- Batteries: Lithium ion
- Rechargeability: 1800mAh rechargeable or standard AAA
- Weight: 3.2 ounces (without batteries)
The Good…
- Convenient charging via micro-USB
- Can also use disposable batteries
- 3 level power meter for easy battery monitoring
- Lockout mode prevents accidental operation
- IPX-8 rated, durable casing
The Bad…
- Beam distance is below average
The convenient micro-USB charging port and good performance make this a great option if you’re looking for a rechargeable 350 lumens headlamp. It comes supplied with three rechargeable AAA batteries but will work with disposable batteries too.
You can even use other brand rechargeables but the internal charger won’t work with them. The batteries it comes with have a 1000mAh capacity but will only give you a below-average hour or so at the high setting.
The micro-USB charging port means you can connect your solar panel or power bank to charge it up again. We like the 3 level power meter that gives you a good idea of how much battery life you’ve got left in the tank.
At 80 meters the beam distance is not great but it offers good close-up illumination. If you’re tired of the cost of constantly replacing batteries and want decent performance then this is a solid option.
This rechargeable headlamp model is stormproof, tested to withstand sleet and rain from any angle. Getting caught in a camping in a storm means that you can count on this Diamond ReVolt 350 not to let you down.
Best Headlamp for Backpacking
Petzl Bindi Ultralight Rechargeable
- Best use: Multi-sport, camping, trail running
- Bulb type: LED
- Max light output: 200 Lumens
- Max beam distance: 36 meters
- Beam type: Flood
- Brightness level: 3
- Average run time: High: 2 hrs.; low: 50 hrs.
- Water-Resistance Rating: IPX4
- Batteries: Lithium-Ion 680 mAh
- Rechargeability: rechargeable with micro-USB
- Weight: 1.23 ounces
The Good…
- Extremely compact and light – weighs a hair over an ounce
- IPX4 rated – water resistant
- 3 easy to select modes – red, white, strobe
The Bad…
- Low light output – only 200 lumens
- Uses Lithium-Ion 680 mAh – hard to find, expensive
If you find yourself weighing every piece of kit before deciding to pack it or not then grab one of these. Weighing just over an ounce, the Petzl Bindi Ultralight led headlamp will satisfy even the lightest of gram-weenie backpackers.
This head flashlight is ultralight and great for everyday outdoor activities from running on trails to city streets. It’s 200 lumens max output is fine for in the tent and around the campsite but not much more. The low light output does mean that the battery life is above average.
Also, you can leave the batteries in for years without any issues. The Petzl Bindi uses Lithium-Ion 680 mAh batteries, which are a little harder to find and more expensive than AAA, but are a lot smaller and lighter.
When it’s properly off, it won’t drain the battery, like with some headlamp models. The rotating switch makes it easy to select the different lighting modes. We like that you can go with a single press, from the red light mode straight to “off” without having to go through the white light settings.
What’s more, the IPX4 rating means that you won’t have to worry if you drop it into a stream or getting rained on.
This backpacking headlamp is so lightweight and comfortable, that you’ll probably forget you’re wearing it. If you don’t like fussing with putting it on your head, then this can be worn around the neck.
How to Choose a Headlamp
Embarking on a journey through unlit trails demands not just any headlamp, but the best. The ideal headlamp turns night into day, enabling you to decipher the path ahead, spot potential hazards, and relish the nocturnal nuances of nature. But with myriad options on the market, how does one choose?
Understanding the specs
Confused by technical terms like IPX8 or lumens? We break it down faster than you can Google them, making it easier to shop and get back to hiking. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with 8 technical terms and you’ll be a pro before you read the next headline.
There’s no need to get all scientific, but a basic understanding of the different specs will help you choose the best headlamp for your needs. We’ll get into more details below, but here’s a quick look at some specs:
- Brightness Quoted in lumens, this figure gives you a rough guide for brightness comparison. The higher the number, the more light it delivers.
- Beam type The headlamp beam is either a spot beam (narrow, long distance) or a flood beam (wider area, short distance).
- Beam distance How far the beam will shine
- Adjustable focus Some headlamps will have an adjustable focus ring to change the beam type from spot to flood. Basically, a lot of the best flashlights have dispensed with the focus ring and rely on 2 or 3 separate LEDs for different illumination distances and angles.
- Mode Different brightness, color or strobe settings that you can select
- IPX rating Indicates the level of water resistance of body and casing. The higher the number, the more water resistant or waterproof it is.
- Runtime How long the batteries last before the light output drops to 10% of the maximum brightness.
- Battery type Does it use disposable, rechargeable or can it use both?
Headlamp Uses
While you do get general-use head flashlight, it’s worth buying one that has the features you need for your specific activity. If you’re going to be trail running then low weight and secure, comfortable strap will be more important than a myriad of functions or adjustable focus.
For alpine use or spelunking, durability is going to be crucial. Will you be using it around the camp, night trekking, or both?
You’ll need to take that into consideration when selecting a beam distance and the ability to vary it.
For nighttime summit attempts (eg. Kilimanjaro) you’ll want good battery life because they drain quickly in the cold.
Headlamp vs Flashlight vs Lantern vs Phone App
Do you really need a headlamp? The ability to have hands-free illumination is great but will you need it that often? Will a flashlight do instead?
A small flashlight may not offer the hands-free capability but often delivers brighter light, a longer run time and easier maneuverability.
A decent camping lantern will deliver far more light to a larger area. Even the LED on your phone will be plenty bright enough in a pinch.
Moreover, if you’re running, climbing, caving or even cooking on a campfire, a headlamp can be useful.
Brightness: How Many lumens do I need?
Every year LED manufacturers make significant improvements to the light output their products produce.
Also, some of the cheaper ones available put out double or triple the lumens you got from the best ones from a few years ago.
But how bright is bright enough? That all depends on the range of activities you’ll need the light for as well as the conditions.
- Around the campsite and for close-up illumination you’d be fine with an output of between 25 and 150 lumens.
- As soon as you need to see further down the trail to plan your route you should be aiming the other side of 200 lumens.
- The faster you move, the further ahead you’ll need to see. If you’re running or biking then you’ll want your lower limit to be no less than 250 lumens.
- If you’re heading into complete darkness or exploring a cave then you’ll need to compensate and aim above 250 lumens.
Certainly, at 250 to 350 lumens maximum output you’d cover most scenarios. Anything more than that may give you bragging rights but you’ll pay the price in weight and shorter battery life.
You should only use the lumen output as a rough comparison guide. Lumens refer to light output in any direction. The optics and how you focus the beam determine how effectively that light works to illuminate the area you need to see.
Headlamp LED types and Modes
Even the cheaper headlamps have multiple modes of operation. In its simplest form it will use an LED that will either deliver either a spot or a flood beam.
The optics and brightness of the LED will determine how much light you get, how much area it illuminates, and how far ahead the beam can shine.
Additional colors and a variety of operating modes give you extra versatility.
Spot vs Flood Beam
The spot beam is a narrow, focused beam that uses the maximum brightness setting to illuminate as far down the trail as possible.
This is great if you’re running, cycling or trying to plan your route. The flood beam offers a wider distribution of light, illuminating an area, rather than a spot. This is more suited to close proximity use around the campsite.
The best hiking headlamps will have a focus ring so you can vary the beam width and throw. Others use separate LEDs to give you the option of beam or flood by switching between modes.
Beam distance
Sometimes referred to as the “throw”, the beam distance gives you an idea of how far ahead you can illuminate. Below, the figure quoted in the specs refers to the distance at which the beam would offer the same illumination you’d get from a full moon.
The longer the beam, the narrower it will be and the less suited to closer proximity illumination. Being able to shine a light 300 feet is great if you’re running at night but not great if you’re trying to set up your tent in the dark.
Decide what the maximum distance is that you need and don’t get taken in by the hype that further is necessarily better.
Also, note that they measure quoted beam distance with a full battery and this will lessen as the battery discharges.
LED colors
Most headlamps only put out a white light while the better ones will also have red, green or blue light modes and filters.
Even on its lowest setting the white LED light can be both too bright and uncomfortable to look at directly. If you’re sitting around the camp talking to your fellow backpackers, then the red light offers enough illumination without blinding the person you’re speaking to.
The red light also works well as a comfortable reading light while hunters use the blue light. The other advantage of a red light mode is that it puts less strain on your eyes.
Because the red light doesn’t cause your eyes to dilate, you retain your night vision when you switch off the light.
Strobe mode
Having a strobe mode that flashes continuously gives you a great way to signal in case of emergency without running your battery down.
Some trail-running headlamps will also have a rear-facing strobe light for additional safety when running along a road.
Headlamp Battery Options and Specs
Runtime / Battery Life
When quoting the runtime, or battery life of a headlamp, pretty much every manufacturer is more than a little liberal with the truth.
A spec that says it has a beam distance of 200 feet, puts out 300 lumens and has a battery life of 30 hours, it does not mean that it will shine a 300-lumen beam for 200 feet for 30 hours.
If the manufacturer quotes the battery runtime according to the ANSI FL-1 standard, then the runtime is the time measured from maximum brightness to 10% of that brightness.
The fact is, many manufacturers have abandoned the ANSI FL-1 standard, so actual battery life may be a bit misleading.
Nowadays, battery runtime quoted refers to the time from maximum brightness to a point where it would produce the same brightness as a full moon at a distance of 2 meters.
A full moon producing that kind of light all around you is great. A headlamp producing a small spot of that light is pretty useless and you probably would have turned it off long before it got to that point.
As a rule of thumb, take the quoted battery life and divide by anywhere between 2 and 10, depending on the reputation of the manufacturer. This will give you a better feel for the useable amount of operation time you can expect.
Battery Type
A rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack will extract maximum brightness from your headlamp for the longest time. These packs can be both pricey and heavy.
Regular Alkaline AAA or AA batteries are lightweight and inexpensive but don’t offer the same performance as lithium-ion ones. If you’re not going to be using your headlamp that often and don’t need blinding light, then go for a cheaper AAA battery-powered option.
Do you need max brightness and reliability? If so, then a rechargeable battery pack is the safest bet. Some headlamps have a hybrid battery system that allows you to choose either the rechargeable battery pack or AAA cells.
If you’re going to be using your headlamp in cold weather conditions, then it’s worth spending a bit more to get a lithium-powered one. Lithium batteries perform far better in the cold than Alkaline ones.
Battery level indicator
Having a battery level indicator, even a simple 3 level one, helps to manage your battery life and avoid any surprises. If you see the indicator showing half or a third remaining, then you’re likely to be more frugal with the brightness!
Other Considerations
Headlamp Weight Considerations
The biggest contributor to weight will be the headband and the battery pack. Are you looking to shave a few ounces? Here are a few ways to go light:
- Opt for a single strap rather than dual-strap
- Choose a 2 or 3 cell battery pack, or even coin cells if the reduced brightness is acceptable
- Skip the multi-function headlamps and go for simplicity
Control buttons and locking
Single-button operation is great but if the headlamp has multiple modes make sure it has a memory function to save you from having to cycle through the modes each time you switch it on.
Look for a headlamp that has a lockout function. You’ll avoid accidentally switching it on and draining the battery.
Durability and Water Resistance
Cheap headlamps may be equally bright as the best headlamps or the expensive ones but the durability of the materials is worth noting.
Will it survive the inevitable drops and bangs you’re bound to put it through? How will it fair if it gets wet?
You may not need to get an IPX-8 rated fully waterproof headlamp but something in the IPX-4 to IPX-6 range is worth considering if you want to keep the lights on in the rain.
Straps and carrying comfort
You want your headlamp to be comfortable to wear. That means having a band that doesn’t squeeze you but is still tight enough to keep the light stable while you move around. Indeed, there are quite a few brands that offer headlamps that you can wear around your neck and head.
If you’re considering one with a large battery pack, then make sure it’s located at the rear of the strap for good balance.
But, if you intend to run with the headband, opt for a broader strap or even a dual strap (overhead) option to keep the light from bobbing all over the place.
FAQs
Key features to consider include brightness (measured in lumens), battery life, weight, water resistance, and beam distance. Additional comforts like adjustable straps and lighting modes (e.g., red light for night vision) are also beneficial.
For most hiking scenarios, a headlamp with 200 to 300 lumens is sufficient. For more technical trails or if you need to see further distances, consider models with higher lumens.
Rechargeable batteries are more eco-friendly and can be more economical over time, but disposable batteries can be more convenient for those who do not have regular access to a power source for recharging.
Yes, running headlamps can be used for hiking. They are usually lightweight and have a secure fit to prevent bouncing, making them a good option for hikers as well.
To maintain your headlamp, keep it clean from dirt and debris, store it in a dry place, and remove the batteries when not in use for extended periods to prevent corrosion.
Summing it up
The best headlamps for hiking in 2024 are designed to meet a variety of needs, from ultralight options to those with high lumens for bright visibility.
Conclusion- Well, what now?
There are literally hundreds of cheap models on the market today. If you’re looking for something to use at home in case of a power failure, then one of these will do fine.
If you’re heading outdoors and want some serious light you can depend on then you’ll need to spend a little more. The best headlamp doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Basically, your best value lies in one that has average brightness, good battery life, and features that you’ll actually use. Overall, any one of the products in the reviews above will be a great addition to your outdoor gear.
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Last update on 2024-11-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API