Flashlights and Headlamps

You'll want to see at night.

Recommendation:

• Costco Headlamp

  • Economical

  • Works fine

  • Put in new batteries before campout or bring extra set

  • Generally come in sets of 3, so you have two backups after you lose yours on an outing

• Petzl Tikkina

  • Affordable headlamp

Please note that headlamps and flashlight tech changes.  The following list was put together in 2024.  That said, lights are still pretty basic.  They consist of an LED or set of LEDs and a battery pack.  

• The brighter the light used, the shorter the burn time

  • Super bright lights are generally not needed

• The larger the battery pack, the longer the burn time

• Larger batteries weigh more than smaller batteries

• Ultralight lights generally have smaller battery packs and sometimes dimmer lights

  • Ultralight lights many NOT be suitable for many outings

Basic/Economy Headlamps

Headlamps are basically flashlights that you wear on year head.  This frees up your hands for trekking poles, carrying gear and for balance.  They all work about the same and you don't need to spend a fortune for a usable light. 

• Costco Headlamps

  • Costco sells headlamps all the time

  • Get a bundle for a reasonable price 

    • Duracell LED Headlamps 575 Lumens, 3 Count

    • Set of 3 may cost less than a single budget headlamp from REI

  • These work just fine

  • Choice for site (car) camping and young Scouts

• Petzl Tikkina

  • Affordable Headlamp

  • NOT fully waterproof

  • Simple to use

  • Max lumens 300

    • Bit less bright than others

  • Weight: 3.2 oz

  • Burn Time Low/High: 100/2 hrs

Quality and Specialty Headlamps

You may want a better light for High Adventure and other specialty outings.  Features may include longer burn times, brighter lights, waterproofing, and/or cold weather performance. 

• Black Diamond Spot 400-R Rechargeable Headlamp

  • High Performance Light

    • Excellent light for the money

  • Rechargeable

    • Longer burn time than most rechargeable headlamps

  • Fully waterproof

    • IP67 (submersible)

  • Complicated

    • Need to learn how to use all the features

  • Reasonable price for a high end light

  • Weight: 2.6 oz

  • Burn Time Low/High: 225/4 hrs

  • Black Diamond Spot 400 (not 400-R) is AAA version of same light

    • Rechargeable BD 1500 lithium-ion battery optional

    • Weight: 2.7 oz

    • Burn Time Low/High: 200/2.5 hrs

• Petzl Actik Core

  • High End Light

    • Expensive

  • Rechargeable

    • Can also use AAA batteries!

  • 600 lm - brighter than you need

  • Simple to use

  • Water-Resistance Rating IPX4 (repels splashing water)

  • Weight: 3.1 oz

  • Burn Time Low/High: 100/2 hrs

  • Petzl Actik (non-Core) is the AAA version of same light

    • Weight: 3.5 oz

    • Burn Time Low/High: 100/2 hrs

• Fenix HM50R V2.0

  • Mountaineering Light

    • Cold weather battery option

    • Big button can be used with gloves

  • Waterproof (IP68)

  • 700 lm - very bright!

  • Expensive

  • Weight: 2.8 oz

  • Burn Time Low/High: 42 hrs./3 hrs.

    • Rechargeable battery for regular use

    • Can use CR123A batteries for low temperature use

• Ledlenser MH10

  • Night Hiking Light

    • Also good for caving

  • 600 lm - high output light

  • Rechargeable battery pack in back

  • Expensive 

  • NOT Waterproof

  • Weight: 5.6 oz

    • Heavy

    • Bulky

  • Burn Time Low/High: 120 hrs./10 hrs

• Black Diamond Distance 1500

  • Ultramarathon Light

    • GREAT for night hike

    • Also good for caving

  • Expensive

  • 10 second boost of 1500lms

  • On full battery lasts 8 hours at 300lms

    • 2 batteries last 8 hours at 600lms

  • Submersible IP67 waterproof rating

  • Lumens

    • 15lm 40hrs

    • 300lm 6hrs

    • 800lms 1.7hrs

• Coast HL8R

  • Superbright light for worksite use

    • Hardhat compatible

  • 800 lm - way brighter than you will need

    • Great for worksites 

    • Search and rescue

    • Great Scoutmaster Light for site camping

  • Uses Rechargeable battery or 4xAA

    • HL8R replaced the HL8 (non-rechargeable)

  • NOT good option for backpacking

    • Heavy

    • IP54-level water resistance - NOT fully waterproof

    • Expensive (has been sold at Costco in past)

  • Burn Time Low/High: 62/4.25

Ultralight Options

You can lighten your load by about an ounce by selecting a Ultralight Light option.  Expect to sacrifice burn time, brightness, and possibly durability when selecting something that is ultralight.  This may be an acceptable tradeoff if you plan to NOT walk at night and are comfortable walking in the dark.  These are generally not good options for Scouts and tests what "be prepared" means.

• Nitecore NU25 UL

  • Ultralight headlamp with shockcord strap

    • Weight: 1.6 oz (45g)!

    • Not as durable as other lights

    • Short burn time

  • Affordable

  • Waterproof

  • Rechargeable

  • Multiple LEDS

    • Flood (6lm) 45hr / (60lm) 10hrs / (200lm) 4.2hrs

    • Spot (60lm) 10.5hrs / (200lm) 4.2hrs

    • Flood/Spot Mixed (60lm) 10.4hrs / (200lm) 4.6hrs / (400lm) 2.6hrs

    • Red (10lm) 16hrs

  • Too many light options

  • 400 lm

  • Burn Time Low/High: 10.4/2.7 hrs

    • Good for short trips

• Petzl Bindi Ultralight Headlamp

  • Watertightness: IPX4 (weather-resistant)

    • NOT waterproof

  • Multiple LEDS

    • Flood (6lm) 50hr / (100lm) 3hrs / (200lm) 2hrs

    • Red (1lm ) 33hrs

  • Weight: 1.2 oz (35 g)!

  • Burn Time Low/High: 50/2 hrs

• Biolite Headlamp 325

  • Ultralight 

    • 1.8oz

  • Very comfortable

    • Padding behind lamp

    • Great light for runners

  • NOT fully waterproof

  • Burn Time Low/High: 40/3 hrs

  • BioLite 425 is a bit brighter and has a longer burn

• Emergency/Backup Light

  • These are listed below

  • These generally don't produce enough light to illuminate a trail enough for safe trekking

• Ultralight Headlight Straps

  • Many UL hikers have switched to shock cord for straps

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGuheHdwMbg 

Backup Lights

If you aren't carrying a light with a LONG burn time or extra batteries, you really should have a backpup light.

• Petzl E+LITE Headlamp

  • 30 Lumens

    • Low light output on High (30lm) provides 3 hour run time

    • 13 lumens will provide dim light for 11 hours

  • 26g

  • Some use this as a primary ultralight options, but it is too dim for night hikes

  • Burn Time Low/High: 11.5/3

• Photon Micro Light 

  • Keychain style light

  • On/Off Switch

    • This was a big upgrade compared to the first model that just had a momentary squeeze button

    • The Photon Micro Light I does NOT have this feature

  • Waterproof (IPX-7)

    • The Photon Micro Light II is NOT waterproof

  • Photon Micro Light I 

    • Momentary Squeeze Button: YES

    • One/Off Switch: NO

    • Waterproof: YES

    • Weight: 6.3g6.6g 

  • Photon Micro Light II 

    • Momentary Squeeze Button: YES

    • One/Off Switch: YES

    • Waterproof: NO

    • Weight: 6.6g  

  • Photon Micro-Light II Pro 

    • Momentary Squeeze Button: NO

    • One/Off Switch: YES (squeeze style)

    • Waterproof: YES

    • Weight: 7.3g

    • Photon Freedom is a fancy version with more features

  • Small and Light

    • Hang from pack strap

  • 4.5+ Lumens

  • Replaceable lithium battery provides bout 12 -14 hrs of light

    • Advertised: 18+ Hour Run Time-- Energizer lithium