The Best Head Flashlights for Outdoor Activities
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The Best Head Flashlights for Outdoor Activities
A head flashlight is an LED headlamp you can attach to a hard hat or use as a regular headlight to illuminate an area during nighttime activities.
Head flashlights are necessary for use in many leisure activities. For example, hikers chasing that epic sunrise or spelunkers venturing down dark caverns find them invaluable. However, they are also crucial for some jobs, and campers find them useful, too.
There are aspects you need to consider before buying a head flashlight. The brightness, for example, is essential. There's little point in purchasing a lamp that isn't bright enough for your purpose. On the other hand, buying the brightest one out there is unnecessary if you only need it around the campsite.
Here are the best head flashlights available today.
With the LedLenser H15r Work, you get 2,500 lumens and an excellent throw of 250 meters. The powerful battery reduces the anxiety of working in critical conditions thanks to the magnetic charging system that ensures you can perform your tasks uninterrupted.
In addition, its IP67 classification makes it resistant to dust, shock, and water. Therefore, this well-protected headlamp is the perfect choice for demanding users. It is easy to adjust the lamp's brightness using the convenient wheel switch on the head. Additionally, you can quickly aim the light where you need it by seamlessly rotating the lamp up to 120 degrees.
On the downside, it may be a little heavy for leisure activities due to its weight. However, it can still be used in and around the campsite and won't be problematic on short nighttime walks.
- Neutral white and flicker-free light
- High color rendering
- Silent dimmer switch
- Brand: LedLenser
- Battery: 2x Li-ion battery pack 21700 (included)
- Dimensions: 3.35 x 5.71 x 8.27 inches
- Max beam distance: 250 meters
- Max output: 2,500 lumens
- Weight: 13.4oz
- Max runtime: 80 hours
- High lumen output
- Long beam range
- Excellent battery life
- Resistant to the elements
- On the heavy side
- No red light or strobe
The Black Diamond 400 Storm Headlamp achieves an excellent 400 lumens of brightness; more than required for most leisure activities. Thanks to the convenient PowerTap technology, using this head flashlight is simple. One button activates and dims the power, making the transition between brightness levels easy, while the other toggles between modes.
These modes include proximity and distance settings. You can use the proximity setting for nighttime cooking or looking for a grip while hiking or climbing. The distance setting has a throw of 100 meters allowing for a good scope inside caverns or hiking up mountains at night to catch the sunrise. Also, you can choose from no less than three different night vision colors. They are excellent for keeping vision on your approach to the cave or when simply reading at night in your tent.
On top of this, turning the lamp off doesn't require cumbersome resets when switching back on due to the Brightness Memory feature, and the lock feature ensures it stays off while traveling.
- PowerTap tech for easy brightness transition
- Easy mode selection switch
- Three colors for night-vision mode and strobe
- Brightness Memory feature
- Lock mode
- Brand: Black Diamond Equipment
- Battery: 4x AAA batteries (included)
- Dimensions: 7.09 x 4.72 x 4.72 inches
- Max beam distance: 100 meters
- Max output: 400 lumens
- Weight: 4.2oz
- Max runtime: 150 hours
- Compact and comfortable design
- Lightweight
- Excellent battery life
- Dust and water resistant
- No lamp hinge
- No rechargeable batteries included
The Petzl Tikkina is a steal for such a bright, compact head flashlight. The brand's 50:50 Brightness-to-Burn-Time ratio ensures that their head flashlights retain at least 50 percent of their brightness with the battery at 50 percent charge. This claim is pretty impressive for such an economically-priced headlamp.
The brightness itself is ample for just about any leisure activity. However, the beam throws relatively short at 60 meters, although it should still leave you feeling fulfilled in most of your adventures.
Its simple design allows you to power it on and off and sift through its three brightness modes with a single button. However, if consistently using the lamp at its highest brightness, don't expect more than four hours of usage. You can use the included AAA batteries or invest in a CORE rechargeable battery for convenience. Using this battery will enable you to charge via the handy USB port.
- Three white-lighting levels
- Compatible with separately-bought CORE rechargeable batteries
- Reliable Brightness-to-Burn-Time performance ratio
- Brand: Petzl
- Battery: 3x AAA batteries (included)
- Dimensions: 5 x 4.8 x 2 inches
- Max beam distance: 60 meters
- Max output: 250 lumens
- Weight: 2.8oz
- Max runtime: 120 hours
- Lightweight
- Single-button use
- Affordable
- No spot beam
- No night vision mode
The Coast FL85r emits an impressive 700 lumens meaning you will always have enough light whenever required. It's bright enough to be peering down deep crevices and can illuminate wide enough when in flood mode to be suitable for most occupations.
The Bull's-Eye Spot beam has an impressive throw of 200 meters, while the Ultra View Flood beam offers clear coverage over a wide area. You won't find any halos or hot spots as you smoothly transition from flood to spot beams using the trademarked Twist Focus technology. However, the battery life doesn't perform that well.
Expect less than two hours at full brightness and less than nine at its lowest setting. On the other hand, with this lowest setting being 90 lumens, you won't be struggling to see as you might expect. Those using this headlamp for work will need to recharge the lamp daily.
- Twist Focus tech
- Reflective strap
- Red Beam
- Hard hat clips
- Brand: Coast
- Battery: 3x AAA (included)
- Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.9 x 4.3
- Max beam distance: 200 meters
- Max output: 700 lumens
- Weight: 4.5oz
- Max runtime: 8.5 hours
- Impressive lumen output
- Weather resistant
- Choice of rechargeable or AAA batteries
- Not dustproof
- Poor battery life
Don't be fooled by this compact, lightweight headlamp. Even though it is featherlight at 1.2 ounces, the Petzl Bindi has enough brightness for just about any pursuit. On top of its lighter weight, the ventilated strap and fast adjustment features make this a good head flashlight for runners.
Those who enjoy after-dusk trail running can also feel confident with three hours of battery life at a medium setting of 100 lumens. You will likely get around 50 hours of power at five lumens for everyday use around the campsite and in the tent. It's perfect for doing chores, reading and various campsite activities.
In cases of emergency, this headlamp has a unique safety feature where it will shine at three lumens for up to 1.5 hours. Additionally, the strobe feature is visible from 400 meters, while the reflective strap gives extra nighttime security.
- Ventilated and reflective strap
- Red beam and strobe
- Power reserve safety feature
- Brand: Petzl
- Battery: 680 mAh rechargeable battery (included)
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 2 inches
- Max beam distance: 36 meters
- Max output: 200 lumens
- Weight: 1.2oz
- Max runtime: 50 hours
- Ultra-lightweight
- Fast adjustment straps
- Weather resistant
- Low beam distance
- No spot beam
The Actik Core is an impressive headlamp that Petzl guarantees will retain 50 percent of its brightness halfway through burn time. The company claims this is 20-30 percent better than its competitors. However, at its highest setting, the head flashlight burns quickly.
Although the brightness is an impressive 450 lumens, you can only expect two hours at this setting. On the other hand, at low and mid-level settings, this headlamp performs much better. You can expect around eight hours of 100-lumen brightness, more than enough for many leisure pursuits. You can also anticipate decent throws of around 50 meters to light up the trail in front of you at this setting.
The Hybrid Concept design enables you to use a single rechargeable battery or three AAA batteries. This concept also allows for using one with the other as a backup, giving spelunkers, among others, peace of mind. You will also feel secure with the strobe feature you can use in emergencies, and you can maintain your night vision with the red beam. You needn't worry about a bit of rain, either. With its IPX4 classification, the light is water-resistant.
- 50:50 Brightness-to-Burn-Time ratio
- Red beam and strobe
- Hybrid Concept design for choice of battery source
- Brand: Petzl
- Battery: 1,250mAh
- Dimensions: 5.3 x 4.9 x 1.7 inches
- Max beam distance: 90 meters
- Max output: 450 lumens
- Weight: 2.5oz
- Max runtime: 130 hours
- Lightweight
- High lumen output
- Good beam throw
- Water-resistant
- Power drains quickly at the highest setting
The Fenix HL60r is the best headlamp to buy if you anticipate getting wet. It has an IPX8 rating, meaning it is practically waterproof; you can submerge it for up to two meters for 30 minutes. Spelunkers will feel confident using it, and trekkers in poor weather conditions can relax in the knowledge their light won't let them down.
At its maximum brightness, an exceptional 950 lumens, this light will only burn for around 45 minutes. However, it's unlikely you will need the light at that brightness for any length of time hence the "boost' term for this setting.
With an easy-to-use dial, you can find four more appropriate light settings. These are High (400 lumens), medium (150 lumens), low (50 lumens), and economy (five lumens). On the downside, the light is a bit heavy at 6.3 ounces, and runners and cyclists may find it a little challenging to use.
- Waterproof
- Two red beams and a strobe
- Easy-to-use controls
- Brand: Fenix
- Battery: 18650 rechargeable battery (included)
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 2 x 1.75 inches
- Max beam distance: 116 meters
- Max output: 950 lumens
- Weight: 6.3oz
- Max runtime: 100 hours
- High lumen output
- Good beam throw
- Five brightness outputs
- On the heavy side
- Poor battery performance at highest brightness
Q: How Many Lumens Is Good for a Headlamp?
The more lumens your headlamp emits, the farther and broader the light will reach. However, at a higher output, the battery will drain much quicker.
Generally, most situations that require a large amount of light only need it for a short time. Most headlamp users won’t need too much more than a maximum of 300-350 lumens. This emission is enough to light up your immediate path and give your beam a decent throw.
More demanding activities such as night skiing and mountain biking require better vision. Therefore, 600+ lumens is preferable. This output is also a good level for peering into deep, dark crevices while spelunking.
High-speed nighttime sports will need 1000+ lumens. Finally, for those working outdoors, you have to consider the size of the area you need to be visible. The higher the lumens, the greater the reach.
Q: Why Do Head Flashlights Have Red Lights?
The red beam is convenient in many situations. Firstly, a red beam doesn't have the same effect on the eyes as white light, which means it won't spoil your night vision. It's also much less intrusive to other campers when you answer nature's call or read in your sleeping bag.
Lastly, it doesn't blind your fellow hikers or spelunkers when your headlamp shines in their eyes.
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