Choosing a headlamp for hiking
Lighting
Once you decide to start doing overnight hikes there are additional pieces of gear that you need to consider like a sleeping bag, tent and also some sort of light. By far the most commonly used light for hikers is a headlamp but with so many to choose from how do you decide what to purchase? In this article we discuss key considerations for choosing a headlamp for hiking but having said that you may find that you end up with more than one!
Why headlamps over other forms of lighting?
Headlamps are the light of choice for most hikers as shown in a survey we conducted where over 90% of hikers used this type of light as their main light source. This is backed up by our experience on the trail during multi-day hikes where just about everyone you see is using a headlamp and for very good reasons.
As a generalisation headlamps are usually small, compact and lightweight (more on this later) and will go with you anywhere making it easy for you to see. Using a headlamps means that you have both hands free for whatever activity you are undertaking so they are the best choice for a personal light. If you are into serious night hiking where you may even be hiking late into the night or starting really early in the morning, which I do from time to time, a headlamp is really the best option for you particularly if you are using trekking poles.
Things to consider
Lumens
What’s a lumen? You can find some very technical definitions online to define the term lumen but put simply a lumen is a unit for measuring the amount of light something produces (e.g. a light) and describes how bright it is.
When you look though the large range of headlamps on the market, the range of brightness available varies widely from lights that put out 30 lumens all the way up to 1100 lumens and once you move in the commercial style headlamps even above 2,500 lumens.
So how much do you really need and why choose one over another? Surely more lumens is better?
Light beam shape/distance
Two seperate considerations here but usually linked. Most modern headlamps will come with a duel lighting beam. One that doesn’t have much distance but provides good lighting up close for use in camp or in the tent. The other is a long distance concentrated beam that allows you to see well into the distance. Most lights will usually allow you to use both at the same time but with that comes a higher power use.
If you are hiking in an open unfamiliar plain where the ground is a bit treacherous having a really long beam is a good option. If however you are hiking in dense bushland where the trail is a bit twisty then having an excessively long beam isn’t crucial, and in fact you may likely be carrying extra weight and bulk on your head for no reason.
Petzl Swift RL 1100 Headlamp
Petzl Swift RL 1100 Headlamp beam patterns showing a broad spreading beam along with a spotlight beam. This combination of beam patterns is common on headlamps these days. This light at its most powerful has a beam that will project 155 metres from the user
Use
So before you choose a particular headlamp based on a lumen capacity you need to have identified what you are planning on using your headlamp for. The following general uses are indicative power requirements only and are based on our experience over the years that we have found meets a decent power level suitable for the identified activities.
- An emergency light/just around the campsite
- If all you are ever planning on using a headlamp for is to find things in the tent or to go to the bathroom then you don’t need a particularly powerful light
- 30-200 lumens is a good range
- General all-purpose lighting
- If you want a ‘one size fits all’ light that’s going to suit a range of hikes on well marked, well formed trails then a mid lumen range is what’s needed
- 200-350 lumens is a preferable for all-purpose lighting
- Serious night hiking
- If you are into serious night hiking, over unfamiliar terrain, where having good lighting is critical then the top is best
- 450-600 lumens
Most headlamps have the ability to be adjusted from a lower level of lighting power to a higher range. In regard to lighting capacity, if you only want one light then choose what is going to suit your style of hiking. In my case I will actively try to hike at nighttime if the conditions are right so I will typically use a headlamp that sits in the 450-600 lumens range.
Weight
Today the weight of a headlamp is typically based on the power of a headlamp. Most hiking headlamps will weigh 100 grams or less. Surprisingly enough I find that with my two larger headlamps that weigh 100 grams and 88 grams, a difference of only 12 grams is noticeable. Admittedly the power difference between these two lights is almost double so when choosing which light I need to consider if maximum light or long term comfort is the main priority.
Batteries
The type of battery you use is really one of personal choice but be aware of the advantages and disadvantages.
Rechargeable batteries
- Are great for a lot of nighttime use as the cost of disposable batteries can add up quickly
- The downside is that on longer trips you will need to be able to access a power source of some type at regular intervals or bring a portable power pack to charge them up
- You can choose to use a generic high quality rechargeable battery or choose the dedicated rechargeable batteries that the headlamp comes with
Disposable batteries
- Are often cheaper to purchase but the weight can add up if you need to carry multiple spares on a long trip
- Most of you will notice the vast range of disposable batteries available on the market. If you can afford them, use lithium batteries for longer trips. While they may be more expensive to purchase, they are more cost effective for longer trips and reduce the amount of batteries you carry
When choosing a headlamp from a battery perspective look at how often you are going to be using it. If you are using it just around camp on a shorter hike, disposable batteries may be the way to go. When doing a lot of camping over a longer period we use rechargeable batteries and carry a power bank to recharge as required. It works out cheaper in the long run.
Whichever type of battery you use, ensure they are fully charged if using rechargeable batteries or fairly new if using disposables. Remember to take disposables home with you and don’t throw them away on the trail.
In a poll we conducted on nighttime lighting we found a fairly even split between the type of battery hikers used:
- Non rechargeable 47.6%
- Rechargeable 52.4%
Petzl Accu Core Headlamp Battery suits a number, but not all, 0f the Petzl brand headlamps
Which batteries do you use? Lithium batteries are far more expensive but last much longer, weigh slightly less, and perform better in cold conditions than other types of batteries.
Belkin BoostCharge USB-C Portable Charger 10000mAh-Power Bank allows you to recharge your electronics, including your headlamp
Comfort
Most modern headlamps prioritise comfort and they do so by having a wide, comfortable, elasticised headband. Some headbands are really easy to adjust and others take a degree to work them out but that’s not a problem if you aren’t always loaning your light to others.
In addition, some headlamps will also shift the battery unit to the rear of the headlamp leaving just the lighting unit at the front. In use this is very comfortable but doesn’t work so well if you lay on your back to read.
Price
Unless you are going to the extreme in your headlamp purchase most models on the market sell for between AUD$60-$200. If you aren’t after a serious night hiking model you will have a lot of choice in the AUD$60-$120 range (as at February 2025).
While everyone has a budget to work within, identifying the features that are most important to you will help narrow down the options.
Headlamp etiquette
The thing we never talk about when it comes to headlamps is how to use them. This goes a bit beyond etiquette but here is our list of things to ensure you don’t upset your fellow hikers:
- One thing that definitely falls under ‘etiquette’ is don’t blind other hikers, regardless of the type of light that you use
- You need to keep in mind that if you turn to face someone you need to ensure that the lighting beam is tilted downwards (which is easily done)
- Many headlamps come with a ‘red light’ mode that allows you to see what you are doing but minimises the impact on your night vision as well as that of others. In addition the red light mode uses very little power
- Moving quickly and flashing light all over camp!
- It never ceases to amaze me how jittery people become when you put a torch in their hand or on their head!
- Slow deliberate movements are best and this includes when you’re returning from that long walk after a nature call
- If you have ever pitched your tent next to an avid torch user, you’ll know that you don’t need to be on the inside of their tent to be disturbed by the light
- When its dark, be aware that every flicker of your torch/headlamp inside your tent can disturb others nearby
Some recommended options
There is a huge range of headlamps on the market but here are some the lights that we own and use.
At under 30 grams in weight the Petzl E+Lite this is the lightest headlamp on the market and one of the easiest to use. Petzl market this as an emergency light but this headlamp has found a lot of favour on the US long distance hiking market. This light is great for emergency use around the house as well as for those hikers who just need to to make there way around camp at nighttime
BioLite HeadLamp 330. This is one of those headlamps that has the lighting unit at the front and the battery at the back. It has a punchy long distance beam and is very comfortable to wear unless you are lying on your back to read
My current headlamp of choice is the Petzl Actik Core 600. As an avid night hiker this hits the sweet spot for all my nighttime hiking needs
Petzl Swift RL 1100 Headlamp. This is a powerful and very versatile headlamp but for the average hike I find it a bit heavy so I will only tend to use this when a maximum beam power is critical and that’s when it really shines (pun intended)
Final thoughts
The type of headlamp you use is a surprisingly personal choice. To ensure you make the right choice you need to know why you are buying it. For the average hiker it’s typically for use around camp so a lower capacity (also cheaper) light will probably be the way to go.
As you progress with your hiking you may find that you want to hike at nighttime to a lesser or greater extent. On a muti-week hike one of the pieces of planning I do is to identify full moons, preferably early in the morning or not long after dark. It means I cam continue hiking into the evening and early night at the end of the day or start early in the morning so I ensure I carry a headlamp that will provide the light I need. I can justify owning multiple headlamps due to the amount of time I spend hiking at night but if you aren’t sure start with a cheaper less powerful option and if you decide night hiking is for you, then you can look at an alternative option and keep the original as a spare.
Additional reading on overnight hiking
For further information about transitioning to overnight hiking go to the following link Transitioning from Day Hiking to Overnight Hiking