It is important to have some sort of light whenever you are hiking at night. It is because in the wilderness, there are no street lamps. It is always completely dark in the forest at night. It is impossible to follow the trail without some sort of light. I highly recommend getting at least one of the hiking flashlights below. The flashlights below are very powerful and very effective while remaining to be affordable. I am certain that they will help you out if you ever find yourself hiking in the dark or at night.
Best Hiking Flashlights – Quick Chart
| Hiking Flashlights | Weight | Lumen | Battery type | Dimensions |
| 1. GearLight S1050 LED Flashlight Pack | 2.4 oz | 800 | Three AAA battery | 6.06″ x 3.74″ x 1.93″ |
| 2. PeakPlus Super Bright LED Tactical Flashlight | 11.2 oz | 1000 | 18650 Lithium Ion Battery or 3 AAA batteries | 1.6 x 5.3 x 1.1 in |
| 3. Coast HP1 Focusing 190 Lumen LED Flashlight | 0.32 oz | 190 | 1 AA alkaline, NiMH rechargeable and 14500 lithium batteries | |
| 4. ThruNite Ti3 EDC Cree XP-G2 R5 AAA Torch | 0.42 oz | 120 | AAA Battery | 4.45″ x 1.54″ x 0.75″ |
| 5. Helotex VG1 CREE LED Adjustable Focus AA Zoom Flashlight | 0.5 lbs | 1600 | AA Battery | 7.37″ x 1.66″ x 1.66″ |
| 6. Fenix PD35 TAC CREE XP-L LED Tactical Flashlight | 3.1 oz | 1000 | 18650 rechargeable Li-ion battery or two 3V CR123A Lithium batteries | 137mm (5.4 in.) Length x 25.4mm (1.0 in.) |
| 7. Nitecore MH25GTS 1800 Lm Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight | 2.82 oz | 4400 | 5000mAh NL2150HPR | 4.62 x 1.13 x 1.11 in |
| 8. Streamlight 88061 ProTac 1L-1AA | 4.8 oz | 350 | CR123A Lithium Battery, One AA Alkaline OR AA Lithium Batteries | 0.8 x 4.25 x 0.8 in |
| 9. ThruNite TN12 EDC LED Flashlight | 10.2 oz | 1100 | One 18650 battery | |
| 10. SureFire G2X Series LED Flashlights | 2.4 oz | 400 | 2 RCR123 or 16340 | 1.25 x 5.2 x 1.25 in |
| 11. Fenix LR40R 12000 Lumen Flashlight | 1.10 lbs | 12000 | 12000 mAh or 1x-4x 21700 | 6.06″ x 3.15″ x 2.01″ |
| 12. NITECORE TM9K TAC 9800 Lumen Flashlight | 7.71 oz | 9800 | 5000mAh built-in battery | 4.92″ x 1.57″ x 1.1″ |
| 13. ThruNite TN36 Limited Version 11000 Lumen | 15.1 oz | 11000 | 4 * IMR 18650 Lithium Ion | 5.24″ x 2.52″ x 2.05″ |
| 14. ACEBEAM L30 Tactical Flashlight | 1.76 lbs | 25000 | 4 18650 3100 mAh batteries | 6.7″ x 4.1″ x 3.5″ |
| 15. SureFire Defender Series | 2.79 pounds | 14000 | Built-in three 3.6V 5000mAh 21700 | 7.01″ x 6.22″ x 3.62″ |
How To Choose A Flashlight
Types Of Flashlights used For Hiking
Penlight
Penlights are often used in a lot of hospitals and clinics by Doctors and medical professionals. But with recent innovations and technology, people can also bring penlights to the outdoors. These lights are pretty powerful and very good. The drawback is that these are not that durable and shock resistant.
Keychain flashlights
Keychain flashlights are very portable and very compact. These are very lightweight as well which makes them ideal for hiking. The problem with these flashlights is that the battery does not last long. They can last for a few hours or just enough for a day hike. The batteries cannot be recharged also.
Compact Flashlight
Compact flashlights are ideal for hunting, backpacking and other outdoor adventures. These flashlights are very small, lightweight and very easy to carry. They are very powerful and very bright. The batteries can be recharged and these flashlights do not need a lot of maintenance.
Large Flashlight
These are often used for search and rescue missions where you want to go look for lost hikers or people that are missing. These flashlights are very bright and can brighten up a big area. These can easily blind people though and these are often worth $200 or more.
Bicycle Lights
A lot of people that are cyclists and hikers use bicycle lights for hiking as well. Bicycle lights are practically the same as compact flashlights but the container is different. There will be pieces or parts meant for mounting the flashlight to the bicycle. These are often lightweight and
Hand Crank / Solar Flashlights
Hand crank flashlights are often used for emergency purposes. These are often found in a lot of first aid kits and survival gear that people have. There are not a lot of hand crank and solar flashlights that are used for hiking because these flashlights are often very heavy.
Essential Features To Consider
These are the main features that I look for when getting a flashlight for hiking, camping or backpacking.
USB Rechargeable
It is best that the flashlight can be recharged using the USB. Not a lot of flashlights can do this. I mostly see this feature in a lot of headlamps. But if you can charge the batteries using the USB then you can use your car or your power bank to recharge the flashlight.
Lumens
The lumen of the flashlight is an important factor we need to look at. It often means how bright the flashlight is going to be. Unfortunately, when it comes to hiking, you cannot really use the highest setting all the time. If the flashlight is using a lot of lumens, it is going to be consuming a lot of battery charge as well. It is nice to have a portable sun in the dark but you really don’t want to get stuck in the woods or mountains without a light.
Battery Life
Battery life is very important especially if you are going to be on a backpacking trip for multiple days. You don’t want the batteries dying on you. You will be stuck in the dark and unable to move or do anything without batteries. Make sure that you look at the battery run time of the flashlight that you are thinking of getting.
Waterproof And Water Resistance
Since hiking and other outdoor related activities will be done in the outside where the weather is unpredictable, it is best to get a flashlight that is waterproof or water resistant. Flashlights that get destroyed by getting hit by a little bit of rain will ultimately just end up wasting your money.
Dimensions
The more compact the flashlight, the better. We are not going to be using the flashlight all the time. It is for those rare occasions where you end up hiking at night. We all have a limited amount of backpack space. So saving room for other important hiking equipment is a good and wise decision. A small or a pocket flashlight is ideal for hiking purposes.
Weight
The weight of the flashlight is also something we need to consider. Keep in mind that you also have to factor in the weight of the batteries. You want a flashlight that is compact but also lightweight. We are going to be bringing lots of other hiking equipment. They will all have weight. The more weight we carry, the more fatigue and tired we are going to get.
Price
The price of the flashlight is also very important. You don’t really need a very expensive flashlight. You will hardly use the item. For me, I get the expensive ones that are around $100. I like my items to be very powerful but in reality, you really do not need something expensive. Something that is very reliable and can illuminate the path is good enough.
Beam Type Of Flashlight
Focused
Focused beam will allow the flashlight to emit a very powerful light that can illuminate an object from very far away. This beam will be narrow and very focused. This beam type uses a lot of batteries and requires a very powerful flashlight if you want to illuminate objects from a very far away distance.
Flood
Flood is a wide beam that is often mellow or gentle to the eyes. Flood beams are often used in a lot of hiking and backpacking trips. This is the preferred beam type when walking in the dark along the trail. Most headlamps will have this mode or beam type.
Adjustable
The power of the light can often be adjusted. Most flashlights will allow you to use a lot of lumens to very little. The brighter the flashlight shines, the more batteries or power it will use. The lower the lumens, the less battery power it will consume.
Additional Features That Are Also Relevant
These are additional features that I look for. These are not the most important but they are still important.
Durability / Impact Resistance
The durability of the flashlight is very important. We really do not want any flashlight that is not very durable. I have dropped flashlights while hiking all the time. Some survived every time I drop them and some stopped working after one drop. You really want an item that is somewhat shock absorbent. Flashlights being dropped or falling to the ground are very common occurrences.
Modes
Very good flashlights will have different modes. It can switch from high lumens to low lumens or somewhere in the middle. Most flashlights have this option so that you can conserve battery power if you want or use a lot of it by creating a very powerful light.
Bulb Type
Most flashlights will use a LED bulb. LED bulbs are the preferred bulb types these days because these are very durable and will last for a long time.
Beam Distance
The more power that you put to the flashlight, the more distance the light will travel. Not very useful for hiking or backpacking in the dark because most of the time, you will only use the lowest setting or lowest lumens possible to conserve battery power.
Choosing The Type Of Battery
Disposable
There are a lot of disposable batteries. These are often very cheap and cannot be recharged again. These are not recommended because you will end up paying for more in the long run. These are not good for hiking also because you want to be able to recharge your batteries using a power bank as well.
Rechargeable
Rechargeable batteries are very common and very popular. These batteries are very cost efficient and you will most likely just need a few for a very long time. You may most likely just need 2-3 rechargeable batteries for 3-5 years. These batteries are not that expensive but there are many rechargeable batteries that are very cheap that do not hold a charge on the Internet though.
Renewable
Renewable sources like the sun, fire and hand crank or manual labor are also possible. Flashlights that use these renewable sources of power tend to be very bulky and heavy though so they are not ideal for hiking or backpacking.
Best Hiking Flashlights – Affordable
These are flashlights that are very affordable and most of them are less than 20 dollars. They are good enough for most hiking trails so if you don’t want to spend a lot of money then these flashlights are suitable for your needs. All product links are affiliate links.
1. GearLight S1050 LED Flashlight Pack
Weight: 2.4 oz
Lumen: 800
Battery type: Three AAA battery
Dimensions: 6.06 x 3.74 x 1.93 inches
Feature Summary: Fit this mini flashlight in your pocket, backpack, or purse, tactical flashlight is virtually indestructible, ideal for camping and hiking preparedness, dog walking, or use around the house
Short Review: If you are looking for an awesome hiking flashlight, then this is a good choice to try. This features a high lumen LED technology casts a wide-narrow beam making it the perfect versatile flash light. This is constructed out of military-grade aluminum, it’s also water-resistant, and strong enough to survive a 10-foot drop. The affordable selling price of this item combined with high quality materials makes this a good deal. This is a good starter flashlight since it is good enough for most hiking trails. It lasts pretty long and has a lightweight construction which is good for outdoor activities.
2. PeakPlus Super Bright LED Tactical Flashlight
Weight: 11.2 oz
Lumen: 1000
Battery type: 18650 Lithium Ion Battery or 3 AAA batteries
Dimensions: 1.6 x 5.3 x 1.1 in
Feature Summary: Durable and made to last for many years, 10 times brighter than old incandescent flashlights, water resistant, anti-abrasive, skid proof, compact design
Short Review: One of the greatest items which I have ever tried is this small flashlight. This features water resistant, anti-abrasive, skid proof, compact design makes it the top pocket flashlight for all situations, outdoor activities. This is a fantastic item! The item is pretty good for hiking and for backpacking. You can choose from a wide beam of light or a focus beam of light. All settings have their benefits and disadvantages. An all around flashlight that is lasts for a battery long time also. This can be powered using a rechargeable battery or use three AAA batteries to power this up. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money then this is a good choice as well.
3. COAST HX5 130 Lumen Pure Beam Focusing LED Flashlight
Weight: 0.32 oz
Lumen: 130-345
Battery type: 1 x AA, Li-Ion, or NiMH
Dimensions:
Short Review: This is an incredible outdoor flashlight that I know you will love. This features Wide Angle Flood Beam that illuminates the broadest possible area with vivid, consistent light from edge to edge. Comes with Bulls-Eye Spot Beam fixes a bright “hot spot” on the object, surrounded by a soft halo of transitional light to increase the total field of view. I have discovered this item to be amazing and I like recommending this to large amounts of men and women. This is a pretty small flashlight that works well. It powers up beautifully and can be used in a variety of ways. The item is water resistant and durable enough that it can be used for hiking and other outdoor activities. This is very affordable as well so a good choice for people that do not want to spend that much on a hiking flashlight.
4. ThruNite Ti3 EDC Cree XP-G2 R5 AAA Torch Max120 Lumens
Weight: 0.42 oz
Lumen: 120 Lumen
Battery type: AAA Battery
Dimensions: 4.45 x 1.54 x 0.75 inches
Feature Summary: 3 light modes with extra strobe, great item for the outdoors, pocket clip is 2 ways reversible, convenient twist switch design, portable and economical EDC light
Short Review: If you want to obtain an awesome small flashlight then you need to try this out. This is constructed out of Premium type III hard-anodized surface finish and can withstand impacts of 1 meter. It’s also IPX8 rated and allows use in heavy rain and snow. This is a very very small flashlight that works well. This is lightweight and small enough to fit in your hand which works well for backpacking trips. If you want an item that is good enough for hiking and for emergency purposes then this is a good choice. It is very cheap or that the price tag is very low but it is good enough for a lot of tasks and good enough for a lot of outdoor activities.
5. WdtPro High-Powered LED Flashlight S3000
Weight: 0.5 Pounds
Lumen: 1600
Battery type: Four AA Battery
Dimensions: 7.37 x 1.66 x 1.66 inches
Feature Summary: Compact to save space, items with intuitive designs come from this company, this is very high quality
Short Review: The way I view it is that this hiking flashlight is a very good deal. This is durable and has anodized machined aluminum construction that promises long-time durability, no matter where you go. This features IP67 construction that is waterproof, now you can stop worrying about unexpected weather rain or snow. This is an exceptionally good hiking flashlight, and it is very powerful. It is a little bigger than I hope it would be but it can light up the way rather well. A very good flashlight that works well for hiking, camping and for other outdoor activities as well. This is an incredibly good high quality item. This is waterproof, shines even when in heavy raining. For the price that the company is asking for, it far exceeds my expectations.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – hydration bladder backpack – deet bug spray – hiking shoes – backpack rain cover – hiking windbreaker jacket |
Mid Range Flashlights
These flashlights are somewhat expensive, ranging from around 40 to 80 dollars. These are very good and have a lot of capabilities.
6. Fenix PD35 TAC CREE XP-L LED Tactical Flashlight
Weight: 3.1 oz
Lumen: 1000
Battery type: 18650 rechargeable Li-ion battery or two 3V CR123A Lithium batteries
Dimensions: 137mm (5.4 in.) Length x 25.4mm (1.0 in.)
Feature Summary: Does not take a lot of space, one rechargeable Li-ion battery or two 3V CR123A Lithium batteries, 1000 Lumen max utilizing Cree XP-L (V5) LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours
Short Review: If you acquire this hiking flashlight, you will end up amazed at how wonderful this is. This features a steel pocket clip that can be attached to backpacks, belts, and MOLLE systems for easy access. It is a very simple flashlight that is also very powerful. At maximum setting, it can hurt the eyes of people if you shine it directly at them. It is not a good toy to play around with. When the battery is fully charged, it can lasts for a very long time which is great for emergency situations. The only drawback is that it is hard to find the batteries at your local stores so if you go on a trip and forget your batteries, you may end up not being able to use this flashlight at all.
7. Nitecore E4K 4400 Lumen EDC Compact Rechargeable Flashlight
Weight: 2.82 ounces
Lumen: 4400
Battery type: 5000mAh NL2150HPR
Dimensions: 4.62 x 1.13 x 1.11 in
Feature Summary: Control beam shape with one hand, wide angle flood beam illuminates the broadest possible area, built for the hand, designed for performance.
Short Review: This is a very good mini flashlight. This is constructed out of IP68 with waterproof rating and 1 meter impact resistant rating. This item fits well with one hand and can be used with one hand also. This has fast charging USB-C rechargeable 5000mAh battery. It is easy to cycle through the settings while also offering a very intuitive grip. The item is very effortless to use while also having the capabilities of producing powerful beams. Flood or wide setting is great for hiking as it can illuminate a wide area which means you can light up the path rather easily. The price of this item is also very reasonable and not that expensive.
8. Streamlight 88061 ProTac 1L-1AA
Weight: 4.8 oz
Lumen: 350
Battery type: CR123A Lithium Battery, One AA Alkaline OR AA Lithium Batteries
Dimensions: 0.8 x 4.25 x 0.8 in
Feature Summary: High quality material made this very durable, perfect everyday carry light that accepts a single lithium or alkaline battery, ultra-bright white LED, impervious to shock, with a 50,000 hour lifetime
Short Review: I love this flashlight a good deal and I know you will also. I enjoy making use of this item for countless of reasons. This is lighter than most flashlights while also producing a very powerful beam. The good news is that you only need one battery and can use AA alkaline batteries also. This is powered by one CR123A lithium battery, one AA alkaline or AA lithium batteries. However, this can also mean that it cannot be as bright and as long running as the other flashlights. A great item for hiking in the dark and more than enough for lots of other outdoor activities.
9. ThruNite TN12 EDC LED Flashlight
Weight: 10.2 oz
Lumen: 1900
Battery type: One 18650 battery
Dimensions:
Feature Summary: Amazing and durable item that will last for many years, CREE XP-L V6 LED to give out max 1100 lumen with one 18650 battery, compact & reliable EDC flashlight, improved circuit design makes the brightness difference between High and Max modes more obvious
Short Review: The top quality components used to create this outdoor flashlight made it great. This is constructed out of aluminum alloy that is treated with a scratch-resistant anodized finish, identical in size to fit comfortably in your hand. This is another very durable flashlight that offers a very bright beam at maximum setting. This is definitely more than enough for a lot of tasks and works well. The flashlight uses only one battery which is great since it makes the flashlight a little bit lighter in terms of weight. The bulb is very good and produces a huge amount of light. Great little flashlight for hiking and for camping purposes.
10. SureFire G2X Series LED Flashlights
Weight: 2.4 oz
Lumen: 400
Battery type: 2 RCR123 or 16340
Dimensions: 1.25 x 5.2 x 1.25 in
Feature Summary: Virtually indestructible LED emitter, high of 600 lumens for maximum light, and low of 15 lumens for extended runtime, tough Nitrolon body, anodized aluminum bezel
Short Review: This high powered flashlight can be one of the best things that you have ever bought. This features precision micro-textured reflector creates smooth, optimized beam. This has a virtually indestructible LED emitter regulated to maximize light output and runtime. Really, who would not love this item? This works great and very powerful. The item is made out of very durable materials so it should lasts for a very long time. I doubt you will need to buy another one as long as you don’t lose this one. Different light settings for different types of tasks. Again, high powered setting can hurt people’s eyes.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – hiking boots for kids – mosquito jacket – backpacking stove pot holders – camping cooking equipment – travel duffle bag |
High End Flashlights
These flashlights are like portable suns that can blind people at a very high setting. They are expensive but very powerful. They are meant for search and rescue, very harsh weather, low visibility fog and so on.
11. Fenix LR40R 12000 Lumen
Weight: 1.1 Pounds
Lumen: 12000
Battery type: 12000 mAh or 1x-4x 21700
Dimensions: 6.06″ x 3.15″ x 2.01″
Feature Summary: This is made to last for a very long time, power of 18 LEDs provides amazing visibility and coverage, spotlight is capable of 845 yards of beam, perfect for search and rescue and outdoor adventures
Short Review: You have to look at this outdoor flashlight because it is amazing. Versatile item that makes hiking a lot more fun. This flashlight is very powerful as it can produce 12000 lumens reaching over 2,536 feet. It is not one of those flashlights that you are going to need for hiking but it is a lot of fun. The good news is that this comes with a 12000mAh built in battery that can be recharged or you can also use 1x-4x 21700 batteries that you can buy on a store. A strong flashlight that is really meant for search and rescue type of operations. Did I mention that this is very powerful?
12. NITECORE TM9K TAC 9800 LumenFlashlight
Weight: 7.71 oz
Lumen: 9800
Battery type: 5000mAh Built-in
Dimensions: 4.92 x 1.57 x 1.1 inches
Feature Summary: Amazing and durable item that will last for many years, super bright tactical flashlight, 9800 lumen beam that reaches an impressive 306 yards, touch instant access to 9800 lumen turbo mode
Short Review: This is a very amazing flashlight that is also very powerful. This features one touch instant access to 9800 lumen turbo mode. Double tap for strobe. 4 standard brightness modes. I don’t know why people would buy a flashlight like this for hiking but it is very powerful. It has 9800 lumen that can reach up to 306 yards. It is like a portable sun. It is great for emergencies though and a great way to signal for help if you are in trouble while hiking in the dark. For normal hiking purposes, this is just way over the top. This flashlight is not needed but it feels good to have this baby.
13. ThruNite TN36 Limited Version 11000 Lumen
Weight: 15.1 Ounces
Lumen: 11000
Battery type: 4 * IMR 18650 Lithium Ion
Dimensions: 5.24 x 2.52 x 2.05 inches
Feature Summary: Compact and amazing design, small as a 330ml-capacity Coke can, memory function to remember last mode, low voltage indication, which will glow red when the battery power is running low, strong illumination with a throw of up to 386 yards
Short Review: I like this powerful hiking flashlight and I know that you will too. This features intelligent temperature control, preventing overheating by reducing the output and low voltage indication, which will glow red when the battery power is running low. The design of this item is splendid and this has a great deal of features. This is really very powerful, one of the best flashlights that can produce immense amounts of light. The flashlight can produce 11000 lumen which rather amazing. But like I said, the price of this is rather expensive. So it is one of the high end flashlights out there.
14. Acebeam X80 Tactical Flashlight
Weight: 1.76 pounds
Lumen: 25000
Battery type: 4 rechargeable 18650 3100 mAh batterie
Dimensions: 162mm (length) x 48mm (head dia.) x 25.4mm (body dia.)
Feature Summary: High power rechargeable flashlight with a max output of 25000 lumens, 52 hours and beam distance of 332 meters, IPX 8 Waterproof, impact resistant, can be used handheld or on a tripod
Short Review: You simply will not make a mistake if you choose this outdoor flashlight. This is very powerful with 34,000 lumens, optimized beam with wide illumination area, lifespan up to 50,000 hours. This is constructed out of Constructed from aerospace grade aluminum body, water-Resistant IPX8 standard, full waterproof submersible to 30 meters. There are many people that love this. There are a whole lot of reasons why this is extremely sturdy and the design of it plays an important role. It does what it describes so no grievances here. Very powerful and very durable. Another very powerful flashlight that is also very pricey.
15. OLIGHT Marauder 2 Rechargeable Flashlight
Weight: 2.79 pounds
Lumen: 14000
Battery type: Built-in 54Wh rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack
Dimensions: 7.01 x 6.22 x 3.62 inches
Feature Summary: Simple toggle switch to select either spotlight or floodlight, take 2.5 hours to fully charge, thermal sensor, a proximity sensor, and cooling fins to protect against overheating and obstruction, silicone surface for a solid grip
Short Review: Another very strong and powerful flashlight that can put out intense amounts of light. What I like about this compared to the others is that this can be used as a portable power bank. It can charge phones and other small devices. At the highest setting, this can put out 14000 lumens floodlight beam from 12 surrounding LEDs and it can reach around 800 meters in spotlight mode. One of the most powerful flashlights that I have ever come across. Of course, there are definitely more powerful flashlights out there but they weight too much already for hiking and other outdoor activities. This has a lot of capabilities but it is definitely expensive.