Best Headlamps for Hiking, Backpacking, and Trail Running
If you hit the trail early in the morning or finish up a long trek late at night, you may spend some time navigating the backcountry in the dark. You’ll also be doing so as you move around camp after sundown. A light will be necessary to keep you on the trail – and on your feet! That’s why we consider a headlamp a piece of essential gear for any backpacker. But don’t be fooled by the cheap and fragile headlamps you can find online. If you’re serious about your outdoor hobby, you’ll want one of the best headlamps for hiking, backpacking, trail running, or whatever activity you love to do in the backcountry.
Below is a list of our favorite headlamps for hiking, backpacking, and trail running, followed by a breakdown of features we think are most important to look for in a new headlamp.
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them we will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!
Why Do You Need a Headlamp?
You may be wondering if you even need one of the best headlamps for your hiking and backpacking hobby. While some people can certainly get by without one, a headlamp is a great piece of gear to have on your packing list.
For people who strictly day hike, keeping a headlamp in your day pack is a good practice. If you get lost or if the hike takes longer than planned, you’ll want a light handy when the sun starts to set. A headlamp can also be used to signal for help in an emergency.
Backpackers should always bring along a headlamp for multi-day trips. The light will allow you to move around your campsite, take bathroom breaks, and see the inside of your tent at night.
Trail runners who jog in the early morning or late afternoon will need a headlamp to see the trail ahead of them and any obstacles in the path.
While you could bring along a flashlight or use your phone as a source of light, a headlamp is typically much lighter and more compact. A headlamp is also handsfree, which is ideal for when your setting up camp, cooking, or gathering firewood.
Our Picks for the Best Headlamps for Hiking, Backpacking, and Trail Running
Best All Around:
Black Diamond Spot 350
- Batteries: 3 AAAs
- Beam Distance: 280 ft
- Max Brightness: 350 Lumens
- Max Burn Time: 200 Hours
Our pick for the best all around headlamp for hiking, backpacking and camping is the Black Diamond Spot 350. It will suit the needs of most backcountry explorers without breaking the bank or weighing down your pack. It is also waterproof and made of durable materials, so it can hold up during your most wild adventures.
There are a lot of great features that sets this headlamp apart. For one, it has incredible dimming capabilities. You can dim it to the exact brightness you need and the headlamp will default back to that most recent setting the next time you turn it on. It also offers beam, flood, and red modes, along with plenty of settings in between.
We also love the easy-ready battery life indicator and the light locking function. These help you make the most of your battery life when you need it the most.
Best All Around Runner Up:
Petzl Tikkina
- Weight (With Batteries): 3 oz
- Batteries: 3 AAAs
- Beam Distance: 196 ft
- Max Brightness: 250 Lumens
- Max Burn Time: 120 Hours
This headlamp is an excellent choice for the simple backpacker or camper who wants something simple, affordable, and easy to use. It will get the job done well without too many frills or settings to fiddle around with.
The Tikkina has 3 brightness levels to choose from, maxing out at 250 lumens at it’s highest setting. It’s not super powerful and doesn’t reach far distances, so it is best suited for spending time around camp. Also be sure to note that this headlamp is water resistant, not waterproof, so it isn’t as durable as our number one pick.
If reducing waste is important to you, look into getting a Petzl rechargeable battery. The Tikkina headlamp is compatible with these rechargeable batteries so you don’t have to use AAAs.
Find it here!
Best Rechargeable:
Petzl Actik Core
- Weight (With Batteries): 2.8 oz
- Batteries: 3 AAAs or Lithium Ion Petzl Core
- Beam Distance: 295 ft
- Max Brightness: 450 Lumens
- Max Burn Time: 130 Hours
If you’re looking for a powerful rechargeable headlamp, the Petzl Actik Core is our pick. It comes with the long lasting lithium ion Petzl Core battery pack, so you don’t have to purchase one separately. It also has the versatility to use AAA batteries, so you can bring along backups for a long trip.
This headlamp can cast a far and bright beam for a headlamp under $80. For times when brightness isn’t necessary, you can choose from of the 3 dimmer levels or the red-light mode. When the headlamp is not in use, it’s locking feature keeps the lamp from turning on unintentionally.
One downside to this headlamp is that it is not waterproof. Being water resistant, it won’t be destroyed by a few light splashes but it might not hold up in prolonged exposure to moisture.
Find it here.
Best Ultralight:
NiteCore NU25
- Weight (With Batteries): 1.8 oz
- Batteries: Rechargeable
- Beam Distance: 266 ft
- Max Brightness: 260 Lumens
- Max Burn Time: 160 Hours
One of the best headlamps for ultralight backpackers and hikers is the NiteCore NU25. Only 1.8 ounces including it’s rechargeable battery makes it one of the lightest options out there. It is also designed to be incredibly compact, so it won’t take up much room in one of your pockets.
Aside from being lightweight, this headlamp comes with some other great features. It is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking from prolonged water exposure. It also comes with a battery life reader, so you can keep an eye on your remaining battery life between charges.
Something to note about the max brightness is that it only reaches the 360 lumen in it’s 30 second turbo mode. After that, the next highest of the 4 brightness settings reaches 190 lumen. You are also restricted to wide beam light only.
Find it here.
Best for Cold Weather
Fenix HM504 V2.0
- Weight (With Batteries): 2.8 oz
- Batteries: CR123A
- Beam Distance: 377 ft
- Max Brightness: 700 Lumens
- Max Burn Time: 42 Hours
Winter backpackers need something a little more durable and powerful for the long cold nights ahead of them. This headlamp will hold up to whatever the weather throws at it. It is also easy to use so you don’t have to fiddle with settings while your hands are cold.
This Fenix headlamp is waterproof to hold up against the elements and utilizes some heavy-duty batteries to keep it working well as the temperature dips. There is even a battery reader so you can keep an eye on how much power is left. The downside to these tough batteries is that they are more difficult to find than your basic AAA.
The brightness of this lamp is incredible, though not entirely necessary for most backpackers. Don’t let the brightness of the max setting keep you from noticing the short max burn time. Be sure to bring along some spare batteries!
Find it here.
Ledlenser MH10
- Weight (With Batteries): 5.6 oz
- Batteries: Rechargeable
- Beam Distance: 492 ft
- Max Brightness: 600 Lumens
- Max Burn Time: 120 Hours
If you’re looking for a touch headlamp with a longer burntime than the one above, the Ledlenser MH10 might be a better fit. It still boasts a powerful brightness at it’s max setting, but with a much longer burn time.
There are a few downsides to this headlamp that kept it in second place on this list. For one, it is not fully waterproof. It is also rather bulky and heavy, so it may not be fitting for backpackers who are concerned about weight and pack space.
Find it here.
Best for Trail Running
BioLite Headlamp 330
- Weight (With Batteries): 2.4 oz
- Batteries: Rechargeable
- Beam Distance: 246 ft
- Max Brightness: 330 Lumens
- Max Burn Time: 40 Hours
For the readers who spend their time running on the trail, a lightweight, balanced, and bright headlamp is ideal. That’s where the BioLite Headlamp 330 stands out.
What is impressive about this lamp is the slim design that provides exceptional balance by keeping the battery pack on the back of the head. This limits shifting and bouncing, a common annoyance among runners. It may be small, but it is incredibly powerful. It beams at 330 lumens reaching around 246 at it’s max setting, giving runners the visibility they need for their faster pace.
The downside to this light is the short battery life. This won’t be an issue if you are using it strictly for short trail runs. If you plan on taking it on a multi-day trip, you might blow through that battery life rather quickly.
Find it here.
Petzl IKO Core
- Weight (With Batteries): 2.8 oz
- Batteries: Rechargeable or 3 AAAs
- Beam Distance: 328 ft
- Max Brightness: 500 Lumens
- Max Burn Time: 100 Hours
If you’re looking for a more powerful trail running headlamp than the one above, this Petzl model is perfect. It boasts an impressive brightness level and beam distance for such a lightweight and low-profile design. It also has a decent burn time, so you can trust it to hold up in multi-day excursions.
What is interesting about this headlamp is the rigid band design. The band curves around your head with a headgear-like design to keep it secure and stable as you walk or run. Since the band is stiff, it can also be used as a stand when it isn’t on your head.
The downside to this is that is can feel less comfortable than a typical headlamp band. It may take some getting used to. Some hikers would rather deal with the reduced stability and increased comfort of a typical fabric band. Our suggestion is to take this headlamp for a test drive before committing to it.
Find it here.
What to Look For in a Headlamp
Durabilit
What’s the use of a headlamp if it’s broken? The best headlamps for hiking and backpacking are durable ones that can hold up when dropped, rained on, or crushed.
Ideally, a headlamp should be water proof. Water resistant models can typically hold up to a light rain, but still might break if you’re caught in a downpour or your water bladder leaks.
To check whether the headlamp is water proof or water resistant, look for an IP rating on the packaging. The IP Ratings scale shows how well a piece of gear can hold up against moisture. IPX0 means that there is no protection at all while an IPX8 means it can withstand full, prolonged submersion.
If you’re concerned about your headlamp breaking from moisture, look for one with an IP rating of IPX7 or IPX8. This indicates they can be submerged in 1 meter of water for over 30 minutes.
You’ll also want to check that the headlamp is made from quality materials. The headlamps made of cheap plastic have the tendency to break when they are dropped. Look for something that is made to withstand a few bumps and bruises.
Weight
As with every piece of backpacking gear, weight is a concern when evaluating headlamps. For the most part, headlamps are pretty lightweight compared to other items on your packing list. However, when it comes to keeping your pack lightweight, every ounce counts.
When it comes to choosing the best headlamps for hiking and backpacking for you, look for the lightest options that cover your basic requirements.
If you are a summertime backpacker, don’t look into the heavy-duty winter trekking headlamp. Instead, look for a lightweight option that has the proper beam settings for your activities. If you tend to stay put after sundown, you can make due with a stripped-down and basic, ultralight headlamp. Don’t sacrifice weight for unnecessary features.
Battery Type
Most headlamps will use common disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries. Either option has it’s pros and cons.
Disposable Batteries
A lot of headlamps will require the typical disposable batteries that you probably have stowed away in a junk drawer somewhere. These are great because you can bring spares that are lightweight. You can also find them in most stores no matter where you travel to, so you can always replenish them on the road.
The downside to these is that they are wasteful. You throw out the dead batteries and replace them, which results in a decent amount of garbage. These also require more frequent replacements than a rechargeable battery would. So over time, you might end up paying more.
Rechargeable
Batteries that you can charge are certainly the more environmentally friendly option. It can also be economically beneficial to use rechargeable batteries since you won’t have to keep buying new ones once they die.
Unfortunately, rechargeable batteries do have some downsides. For instance, it’s not as easy and lightweight to bring along spares. Unless you bring along an energy pack, you can’t charge them up on the trail. These also tend to have shorter burn times than other battery options.
Comfort
If you plan on doing some night hiking or spend a lot of time prepping your campsite after sundown, you’ll want to be sure to get a headlamp that feels good to wear. The best headlamps for backpacking and hiking will have a soft, adjustable strap with a good weight balance.
Ideally, the strap will be made from a moisture-wicking fabric. A strap that holds onto moisture will hold on to sweat and rain, which is uncomfortable and can make you cold when the temperature dips.
Balance is also an important factor, especially if you plan on jogging while wearing it. The balance of a headlamp depends on where the batteries are located and how heavy the light is. A lamp with poor balance will slip down your face as you move around, no matter how tight the strap is. Headlamps that have the best balance often place the batteries on the back of your head with the lamp on the front.
Brightness
Headlamps come in a variety of brightness levels. These are typically measured in number of lumens, which you will be able to find written on the packaging. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light at its highest settings.
100 lumens or less is fairly dim, but is a suffiecnt amount of light for reading or doing small tasks inside your tent. If you plan on walking around a bit in the evening, 300 lumens or more is ideal.
For most backpackers and campers, a light that reaches into at least 250 lumens will cover your bases. Trail runners, climbers, or late night hikers could benefit from a more powerful light. A higher level of lumens can help you see farther ahead and see your nearby surroundings more clearly.
Regardless of how powerful a headlamp is at its highest setting, most headlamps will have dim settings for when you don’t need max lumens.
Modes
Along with brightness settings, there are typically a variety of light modes to choose from. These change the direction, concentration, and color of the light from your headlamp.
For instance, many headlamps come with beam and flood modes. A beam light directs the light in a narrow and concentrated stream, like a spotlight. This is good for seeing a small area at a greater distance, which makes it excellent for night hiking and trail runs. Flood light, on the other hand, casts a broad but short stream of light. This is great for getting the maximum view of what is in front of you. A flood light is great to use when you’re setting up camp or cooking dinner.
Red light modes are also fairly common. The red light uses less battery power than the white light does, so it is a great mode for conserving power. The red light is also easier on your eyes at night. Your pupils don’t have to readjust when you turn it on, so you can see more easily in the dark while using it. The red light is also less appealing to insects and is less likely to disturb your tent mate when they’re sleeping.
Another mode that you might find in a headlamp is a strobe mode. This is used mainly for partying.
Just kidding. A strobe light can be used to make yourself more visible to others and can be used to signal for help in an emergency. This mode shoots out short bursts of very bright light without using up too much energy.
Photo by Štefan Štefančík on Unsplash
