It is impossible to hike during the night without some sort of light. The best possible light you can have is a headlamp when you are hiking in the wilderness. A headlamp frees up your hands which allows you to use them to hold hiking sticks or whatever you want. There are lots of headlamps to choose from, you can get something expensive with lots of features or something affordable. I have listed a couple that I know are amazing. I feel that you will be happy with one of the headlamps below because they are very high quality and they illuminate the trails rather well.
Best Hiking Headlamps – Quick Chart
| Hiking Headlamps | Weight | Lumen | Battery Type | Dimensions |
| 1. GearLight LED Head Lamp | 3 oz | 200 | 3 AAA | 6.5″ x 2.75″ x 2.25″ |
| 2. EverBrite 5-Pack LED Headlamp | 3 oz | 150 | 3 AAA | |
| 3. Petzl TIKKINA Headlamp | 3 oz | 150 | 3 AAA batteries | 2.5″ x 1.1″ x 0.5″ |
| 4. ENERGIZER LED Headlamp | 3.53 oz | 260 | 3 AAA | 4.29″ x 2.36″ x 1.93″ |
| 5. Foxelli Headlamp Flashlight | 3.2 oz | 165 | 3 AAA | 1.6″ x 2″ x 1.6″ |
| 6. Fenix HL60R 950 Lumens Headlamp | 4.2 oz | 950 | One rechargeable battery or two CR123A batteries | 3.4 x 2 x 1.8 inches |
| 7. Nitecore HC60 1000 Lumen USB Rechargeable LED Headlamp | 3.47 oz | 1000 | 1x 18650 or 2x CR123A | 9.1 x 4.7 x 2.2 inches |
| 8. Coast XPH30R 1000 Lumen USB-C Rechargeable Dual Power Headlamp | 11.3 oz | 1000 | Rechargeable Pack & 2 x CR123 | 7.24 x 2.91 x 2.48 inches |
| 9. ThruNite TH30 Rechargeable Headlamp | 8.8 oz | 3350 | Rechargeable 3100MAH 18650 IMR battery | 4.21 x 1.12 x 0.94 inches |
| 10. PETZL, ACTIK CORE Headlamp | 2.65 oz | 450 | CORE battery or 3 AAA | |
| 11. Fenix HP25R V2.0 CREE LED Headlamp | 8.4 oz | 1600 | 5000mAh Li-ion battery | 2.35″ x 1.85″ x 1.3″ |
| 12. Ledlenser, H19R Core Rechargeable Headlamp | 13.2 oz | 3500 | 2 Lithium ion batteries | 3.35 x 5.71 x 4.72 inches |
| 13. Acebeam H30 Headlamp | 0.5 lbs | 4000 | 21700 battery | 8.94 x 4.45 x 2.13 inches |
| 14. PETZL – NAO+ Headlamp | 0.41 lbs | 750 | AAA, E362002B | |
| 15. NITECORE HC35 Headlamp | 15 oz | 2700 | 1 Lithium ion battery | 11.54 x 10.13 x 2.36 inches |
How To Choose A Hiking Headlamp
Types Of Lights Used For Hiking
Flashlight
Flashlights are often used in a lot of outdoor activities and events like hunting, backpacking and hiking. Flashlights these days are very powerful, lightweight and very compact. Recent innovations with batteries, and bulbs have made flashlights these days very compact and very good.
Lantern
Lanterns are often very big and not that compact but they offer a 360-degree light that is great for people that go on backpacking trips or car camping trips. There are many different kinds of lanterns and many uses for lanterns. I often use them by placing them on a table while I eat or cook while I am in a camping trip.
Headlamp
Headlamps these days are pretty amazing. Most hikers will have one on their backpacks just in case they end up hiking at night. Headlamps will often have the light or bulb in the front of the head while the battery will be at the back of the head. They will be connected with some sort of cord. Headlamps’ prices can range from cheap or low cost to very expensive.
Reasons To Choose Headlamps Over Flashlights And Lanterns
Hand’s Free
Since headlamps are mounted on the top of the head, they allow the user’s hands to be free. We can use our hands to hold hiking sticks, hold maps, hold water bottles to drink water and so on. Being able to use our hands gives us more options and more advantages compared to using a lantern or flashlight.
Beam Direction
The beam direction is always straight which means that you do not need to position yourself all the time. The beam will always be directed in front of you so there is no setup time and you do not have to keep setting up the headlamp to point straight. It will always point straight which saves us energy, time and effort.
Less Risk Of Breaking Due To Falls
Since we are not holding the headlamp, there is less risk of it breaking compared to a flashlight or a lantern. If we ever fall down, there is a chance we will end up using our hands to break the fall. Since we are often holding the flashlight or lantern, there is a big chance they will break. The headlamp is in a more secure place which is on top of our heads.
Multi-Purpose
Headlamps are very multipurpose. These can be used at home while working on circuit breakers, or other projects. Headlamps allow us to use our hands which means we can do a lot of things while using the headlamp. We can use the headlamp for work, home and other types of activities.
Beam Type Of Your Headlamp
Strobe Or Flashing
Strobe or flashing beams are often used for emergency situations where you want people to know where you are. Flashing lights can grab people’s attention and these lights can be seen from very far away. Great for emergencies or survival situations.
Flood
Flood is great for hiking and backpacking in the dark. Flood lights are often very mellow or gentle on the eyes while illuminating a wide area. We can illuminate a trail or path very easily with flood lights. These are great and very good for hiking and backpacking.
Focus
Focus beams are very strong beams of light that can reach a very far distance. These beams are meant to illuminate objects that are very far away. I don’t really use this beam type while hiking or backpacking. Even if I do, I will often use the lowest setting.
Red Light
This is a great beam type that does not attract insects or bugs. Insects love white light but they are not interested with red light. This type of light does not use a lot of battery power as well. Great for emergency situations, photography and more. Flashing red light can be seen from a distance a lot easier than flashing white light.
Main Characteristics And Features To Consider
Here are the main characteristics that I often want whenever I want a headlamp for hiking purposes.
Lumens
The lumen of the headlamp is very important. This will dictate how powerful the headlamp is. However, you really do not need anything very powerful. Even if you get something with high lumens, you are not going to use all of those lumens. Whenever I use high powered headlamps and use the highest setting, the people around me get annoyed. It is just too bright. Hurts people’s eyes and disorients them.
Waterproof / Water Resistance
The weather is unpredictable and there will be times when you are expecting sunshine but get rain instead. There is a possibility that your headlamp will get destroyed if it does not have any waterproofing or any water resistant capabilities. It is best to get headlamps that can defend themselves from rain and other types of weather.
Battery Life
This is very important if you are going to be backpacking for multiple days or doing day hikes for multiple days. It is best that you understand how long your batteries are going to last. You don’t want to end up in the dark without any light because your batteries unexpectedly died on you.
USB Rechargeable
There are a lot of headlamps that can be recharged using the USB and a lot that cannot. Being able to recharge your headlamp via USB is very useful because people often bring a power bank. A power bank uses USB to recharge devices, phones and other gadgets like headlamps, lanterns and flashlights.
Weight
Since the more weight that you carry, the more fatigue you are going to get, it is important to have headlamps that are very light. There are lots of headlamps that are lightweight and there are lots also that are pretty heavy. Always pay attention to the type of battery that the item uses. It is because the battery will have a weight also.
Dimensions
You should also make sure that the item is very compact. Most of the time, you are not going to use the headlamp. It is still nice to have them inside the backpack in case you end up using them or in case of emergencies. You only have a limited amount of backpack space. It is best that you get something that is compact and does not take a lot of space.
Price
The price of the headlamp varies depending on the manufacturer. If you want high lumen headlamps, you will have to pay a lot or around $100. I have a lot of those. You really do not need anything expensive. Even $20 headlamps work well. You don’t need to create a portable sun in the woods or mountains. You just need to illuminate your path. However, if you really want a good headlamp then go get the expensive ones. They are very nice, I have lots of them.
Additional Characteristics And Features To Consider
Durability / Impact Resistance
Headlamps that are meant for outdoors has to be durable. There are many headlamps that are not so make sure that you are getting something that is made out of high quality materials. The outdoors is not that friendly. You can fall, slip and you may even hit the headlamp while it is in the backpack. You need to make sure that the item you are getting is somewhat shock absorbent and will not break apart after falling off your head or backpack.
Bulb Type
LED bulbs are the most popular bulb type right now. Most headlamps that you will see will have a LED bulb. These bulbs are just very good and lasts for a very long time.
Modes
It is best that your headlamp can cycle through power settings or lumen settings where you can adjust the amount of lumens or brightness that your headlamp puts out. This way, you can control how much battery power is being used and you can conserve a lot of energy by not using the brightest setting.
Power Source Of Your Headlamp
AA or AAA
These batteries are very popular and a lot of devices use them. I still see a few headlamps, flashlights and lanterns that use these batteries but they are not the most popular these days. These days, people want very powerful and high voltage batteries. These batteries just do not provide the most power or volts anymore.
18650 batteries
These batteries are very powerful and can provide 3+ volts. These batteries are often rechargeable so you will see a lot of headlamps use these. These can power up your headlamp to create very powerful light that can shine a great distance or illuminate a big area.
CR123A batteries
These batteries can only be used once most of the time. There are some rechargeable batteries of this type but this is known for being disposable and not rechargeable. These batteries provide a lot of power to the headlamp and can make the light very bright or powerful as well.
Best Hiking Headlamps – Affordable
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Very affordable headlamps.
1. GearLight LED Head Lamp
Weight: 3 oz
Lumen: 200
Battery Type: 3 AAA batteries
Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.75 x 2.25 inches
Feature Summary: Premium head lights are designed with a 45 degree adjustable head, water resistant and shockproof, the S500 headlamp flashlight is suitable for rain or snow, generate a brilliant, long-lasting beam with daylight color and definition
Short Review: This hiking headlamp is incredible that I love making use of it. This is a powerful hands-free LED camping lights generate a brilliant, long-lasting beam with daylight color and definition. This comes with removable, washable, and adjustable headband on this LED headlamp comfortably fits adults and children alike. This features premium head lights are designed with a 45 degree adjustable head to direct the light. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Many men and women get this item simply because of the affordable price and the positive customer reviews. You do not need a very powerful light. All you need is something good enough to light up the path in front of you. This works well for various hiking trails.
2. EverBrite 5-Pack LED Headlamp
Weight: 3 oz
Lumen: 150
Battery Type: 3 x AAA
Dimensions:
Feature Summary: Rotate the head from 0 to 90 degrees, design is ergonomic and built with high-end materials to make it durable and able to withstand harsh conditions, can be used at home, in garage or in case of emergency like sudden power outage, hurricane
Short Review: This headlamp for the outdoors is amazing and it has a great deal of positive consumer recommendations. This features an extremely comfortable design that adjusts to your head shape and fits both adults and children. Each light is powered by 8 LEDs which have a lifespan of more than 100,000 hours. You get five headlamps for a very cheap price. This is great if you need multiple headlamps. Maybe you need one for your car, for your hiking backpack, emergency bag, barbecue equipment and so on. Uses 3 x AAA batteries that are included already or you can buy your own rechargeable ones. Overall, a very inexpensive yet functional headlamps that work very well.
3. PETZL, TIKKINA Outdoor Headlamp
Weight: 4 Ounces
Lumen: 250
Battery Type: AAA batteries or CORE rechargeable battery
Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 2 inches
Feature Summary: Close range light is ideal for activities like a sunrise hike or camping with the family, longest burn time at 220 hours, compatible with the CORE rechargeable battery
Short Review: This is certainly one of the greatest hiking headlamps that I know of. This provides 250 lumens which is pretty powerful and good enough for most hiking activities. Affordability and the capability to illuminate the trail and path during the night are the primary reasons why I recommend this item. Petzl is a great company with a lot of items that are pertaining to light. This is very simple but this works well for hiking purposes. This has has three white lighting levels which are proximity, movement and distance. I am sure you will love this since the price tag is also incredibly affordable. You will be extremely joyful with this one simply because this is one of the finest.
4. ENERGIZER LED Headlamp
Weight: 3.53 Ounces
Lumen: 260
Battery Type: 3 AAA batteries
Dimensions: 4.29 x 2.36 x 1.93 inches
Feature Summary: 250 lumens with state-of-the-art LED technology, 4 light modes: spot light, flood light, spot and flood light combined, adjustable, washable band and includes a pivoting headlight, red light for night vision
Short Review: This outdoor headlamp is unbelievable and I know you will love it. Energizer is a very good company and this headlamp is amazing. The usefulness this brings for hiking purposes is amazing. This features a powerful beam reaches up to 50 meters and puts out up to 200 lumens with state-of-the-art LED technology. You have the option of 4 light modes which are high, low, spot, and flood. This is constructed out of IPX4 water-resistant construction withstands splashing. A very useful item for the outdoors plus this is made out of high quality materials. A pretty good headlamp for outdoor activities.
5. Foxelli Headlamp Flashlight
Weight: 3.2 oz
Lumen: 165
Battery Type: 3 AAA batteries
Dimensions: 1.6 x 2 x 1.6 inches
Feature Summary: Super bright cree-3w led technology, waterproof and durable, MX20 is built to last. It is rated to IPX5, adjustable, ergonomically designed elastic headband
Short Review: I just like this headlamp for backpacking simply because it is marvelous. This is rated to IPX5, which means it is protected against splashing or spraying water from any angle. This uses leading technology MX20 provides more light with less power used, resulting in up to 45 hours of run-time and comes with an ergonomically designed elastic headband makes this light perfect for long distance runners looking for a comfortable fit. The positive consumer feedback of this item are correct because I find this item to be amazing. This is one of the most lightweight headlamps that I know of. The price is pretty good too. You will really like this high quality item due to the fact this is outstanding and works well.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – pocket blanket – hiking backpacks – hiking gloves – map cases – hydration bladder backpack |
Mid Range Headlamps
These headlamps are also very powerful with a lot of modes and features. These are very good for hiking and backpacking. The price is not that high or not that expensive which makes these headlamps great especially for a lot of outdoor enthusiasts.
6. Fenix HL60R 950 Lumens Headlamp
Weight: 4.2 oz
Lumen: 950
Battery Type: One rechargeable battery or two CR123A batteries
Dimensions: 3.4 x 2 x 1.8 inches
Feature Summary: light can stay in Turbo mode for nearly an hour and in Eco mode for over 100 hours, neutral white LED bulb means superior definition and penetration in high-humidity environments, all-metal housing and ANSI rated
Short Review: This outstanding camping headlamp will amaze you. This delivers a max 950 lumen output for over 127 yards. You can easily adjust the beam angle of the HL60R up to 160 degrees. Fenix is an amazing company when it comes to flashlights and headlamps. If you are going to be hiking all your life then getting a headlamp like this one might be best. This should lasts for a very long time since it is very durable. This is pretty resilient. We should acquire items that are durable and not items that crumble easily. You can also get the rechargeable batteries on the Internet.
7. Nitecore HC60 1200 Lumen USB Rechargeable LED Headlamp
Weight: 3.47 oz
Lumen: 1000
Battery Type: 1x 18650 or 2x CR123A
Dimensions: 9.1 x 4.7 x 2.2 inches
Feature Summary: Remarkably wide 100° beam angle for more even illumination, easy-to-use single switch interface allows for easy one-hand operation, memory function saves last used brightness level
Short Review: If you’re searching for an amazing hiking headlamp then you need to think about this. This hiking item is good to have and this is very high quality as well. This reduces the eye strain that you can experience and see details more clearly with a beam color temperature of about 4000-5000k with a relative high CRI (>80%). This is one of the highest quality items that I am aware of. This is pretty powerful and can output 1200 lumens for an extended amount of time. You don’t really need 1200 lumens for hiking but it is nice to know that it can produce that kind of light. This can reach 142 yards of illumination as well. You will more than likely be satisfied with this item that I have listed simply because this is simple to use and works well for hiking purposes.
8. Coast XPH30R 1000 Lumen USB-C Rechargeable Dual Power Headlamp
Weight: 11.3 ounces
Lumen: 1000
Battery Type: Rechargeable Pack & 2 x CR123
Dimensions: 7.24 x 2.91 x 2.48 inches
Feature Summary: Pack two powerful beams into one and seamlessly twist focus system, patented focusing technology adapts to your need, headlamp body also easily detaches from the head
Short Review: There are a number of headlamp for the outdoors in the Internet however this is really excellent. This item is fantastic. This features rechargeable-dual power because this comes with a ported zithion-x rechargeable battery and is also compatible with cr123 battery types. This is powerful and has the signature turbo mode for 1000 lumens of light for critical situations. This item is incredibly simple to use that any person can use it effectively. A great headlamp for hiking, backpacking and car camping purposes. You can use this also when you are at home or in case of emergencies. The headlamp is very powerful and can output around 1000 lumens for a very long time. This was precisely what I was looking for and this exactly does what it claims to do. This is very resilient and works well.
9. ThruNite TH30 Rechargeable Headlamp
Weight: 8.8 ounces
Lumen: 3350
Battery Type: Rechargeable 3100MAH 18650 IMR battery
Dimensions: 4.21 x 1.12 x 0.94 inches
Feature Summary: Settings include full strength in proximity and distance modes, dimming, strobe, red night-vision and lock mode, brightness Memory allows you to turn the light on and off at a chosen brightness without reverting back to full power
Short Review: There are a great deal of people that really like this headlamp for backpacking. This provides a max beam distance of 170 meters which is pretty far reaching and good enough to light up a trail. This features 1.5-meter impact-resistant, a waterproof rating of IPX8, and a dustproof system. I have read this article which recommends this item. This is very durable and also really effective. This is very bright and very powerful as it can produce a very intense light of about 3320 lumens. This item has an incredible design that enables it to be incredibly effective while having a decent price tag. This can survive 2 meters under the water so it is pretty good for a rainy day as well.
10. PETZL, ACTIK CORE Headlamp
Weight: 2.65 oz
Lumen: 450
Battery Type: CORE battery or 3 AAA
Dimensions:
Feature Summary: multi-beam design, 3 brightness levels and a red light mode, this headlamp provides the right light for any situation, single-button design is intuitive and easy to operate, equipped with a detachable, washable headband
Short Review: This is an excellent camping headlamp that you will find on the net. This features 450 lumens of power, runs for up 140 hours and features a multitude of lighting options. The headlamp provides high-performance lighting in dynamic outdoor activities. This has a whole lot of positive customer reviews and this works well also. This is very lightweight and a lot of joggers and runners use this headlamp also. There are a lot of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who love this item also. This can run on either the CORE rechargeable battery or three AAA/LR03 batteries without an adapter. This headlamp is fantastic and worth the price it is asking for.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – hiking water bottle – hiking shoes – backpacking bowls – camping cutlery sets – airplane neck pillow |
High End Headlamps
These headlamps are somewhat expensive. They have a lot of features and they can light up the night with their powerful LED bulbs. You will have to use 3.7 volt batteries though. The good batteries are not that cheap.
11. Fenix HP25R V2.0 CREE LED Headlamp
Weight: 8.4 oz
Lumen: 1600
Battery Type: 5000mAh Li-ion battery
Dimensions: 2.35″ x 1.85″ x 1.3″
Feature Summary: Amazing company specializes in lots of items, 1600 lumen maximum output with versatile spotlight and floodlight combination and 4 brightness levels, cool white for high brightness, neutral white for wide angle visibility
Short Review: This is one of the most powerful and very bright headlamps that I know of. This headlamp emits up to 1600 lumen spotlight reaching 317 yards. You get a Fenix 5000mAh lion battery also which means that the running or operating time is very long. This also has wide-angle floodlight, or an auxiliary red light to preserve the night vision. You can vary the light intensity as well. This has an expensive price though so you will end up paying for more. Do we really need a high end headlamp like this for hiking purposes? Probably not but it is nice to have. More power is always better.
12. Ledlenser, H19R Core Rechargeable Headlamp
Weight: 13.2 ounces
Lumen: 3500
Battery Type: 2 Lithium ion batteries
Dimensions: 3.35 x 5.71 x 4.72 inches
Feature Summary: Lights up any situation with ease, true multipurpose headlamp ready for any challenge, Fusion Beam technology allows you to individually adjust flood and spot lighting
Short Review: This headlamp that you are going to check out is quite fantastic. This features 2 powerful lenses and an impressive 3500 lumens, this headlamp lights up any situation with ease. Lights up to 300 meters for up to 20 hours. Having a great item like this is great for the outdoors and this is very useful also. This can output 3500 lumens at full power which is very bright. If you want to blind people then point this headlamp at full power at them at night. It will hurt their eyes. This is how powerful this is. A great item for a lot of outdoor activities and can be used in a lot of ways also. Can be used at home, for work, or for leisure activities like hiking.
13. Acebeam H30 Headlamp
Weight: 0.5 lbs
Lumen: 4000
Battery Type: 21700 battery
Dimensions: 8.94 x 4.45 x 2.13 inches
Feature Summary: Designed the lightweight adjustable strap, high quality material-Reflective headband design with sweat channels, all Aluminum alloy shell, more durable, IPX8 water-resistant material
Short Review: If you wish to get an awesome headlamp for the outdoors then you need to try this out. This is constructed out of aluminum alloy shell which is very durable, and IPX8 water-resistant rating to calmly deal with harsh environments. This features high quality material-Reflective headband design with sweat channels. It is wonderful that this is extremely high quality and that it is also very powerful at the same time. This has a lot of options, functionalities and can output around 4000 lumens at the full setting. Are you going to use 4000 lumens while hiking? Most likely not but it is nice to know that you can. A very bright headlamp and running time for the lowest setting is unbelievably high too. A little bit expensive but well worth it.
14. PETZL – NAO+ Headlamp
Weight: 0.41 lbs
Lumen: 750
Battery Type: AAA, E362002B
Dimensions:
Feature Summary: Comfortable, adjustable headband, povides up to 750 lumens and shines up to 140m, senses light levels and automatically adjusts the brightness
Short Review: The way I view it is that this headlamp is a very good deal. This headlamp has a very unique design in that it looks kind of cool. This is meant for night time athletes who want to work out or train at night. The lightweight design is so that people can train without a heavy headlamp on top of their heads. This can be used for outdoor purposes also like hiking, fishing and camping. This is perfect when you need something that can illuminate the trail and path during the night. It is much easier to purchase this online that in my local stores. I love that the company made this item very light so it will be perfect for us who love the outdoors. Versatile item that makes the outdoors a lot more fun and this is high quality as well.
15. NITECORE HC35 Headlamp
Weight: 15 oz
Lumen: 2700
Battery Type: 1 Lithium ion battery
Dimensions: 11.54 x 10.13 x 2.36 inches
Feature Summary: capable of 2700 lumens at over 146 yards, quick detach bracket, used as a handheld flashlight or work light with a magnetic tail cap and pocket clip
Short Review: This is certainly among the best hiking headlamps that I know of. I like the fact that you can detach the head from the adjustable strap. Once you detach the head, it can be used as a flashlight. This is very powerful and very bright. This is powered by a quad LEDs setup with a max brightness of 2700 lumens at over 146 yards of beam throw. This has a lot of options and features plus this is very durable also. Comes with wide flood angle provides illumination for all your needs. This has plenty of positive customer reviews which should be adequate to allow people to make an informed decision. I typically favor items that are very simple to use such as this one. There is not a great deal to say with the exception of that this works well.