Your headlamp could be tiny, however chances are high it’s one of the vital essential items of drugs you personal. Whether or not you’re a consummate night time hiker otherwise you simply rise up to pee lots in the midst of the night time, nearly each thru-hiker wants handy, hands-free lighting every now and then. There are a number of options to think about when searching for one of the best backpacking headlamps for thru-hiking, from weight to battery life.
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The Greatest Headlamps for Backpacking:
NiteCore NU25 UL | All-Round Greatest
Black Diamond Spot | Greatest Dimmable
Petzl Actik Core | Greatest Rechargeable
Biolite 425 | Most Snug
Petzl Tikkina | Most Reasonably priced
RoyVon Aurora A5R G4 | Greatest Ultralight Camp Headlamp
Petzl Swift RL | Brightest / Greatest Battery Life
Princeton Tec SNAP | Most Versatile
Backpacking Headlamp FAQs
How a lot ought to a backpacking headlamp weigh?
Rechargeable vs. Alkaline Battery
How vivid ought to my headlamp be?
Ought to my headlamp have a pink mild setting?
What’s the level of a locking function on a headlamp?
Are there waterproof backpacking headlamps?
The Greatest Headlamps for Backpacking of 2024
Nitecore NU25 | All-Round Greatest Backpacking Headlamp
MSRP: $36.95
Weight with batteries: 1.6 oz.
Greatest headlamps for backpacking: Nitecore NU25.
“The Nitecore NU25 has been standard amongst ultralight backpackers for a number of years because of its slim, light-weight design and full suite of helpful options. Nitecore made important updates to the lamp in late 2022, and the brand new NU25 UL is pretty totally different from the beloved 2017 model, which has since been discontinued. It’s now brighter, lighter, and options longer battery life and a a lot anticipated USB-C cost port.” — The Editors
Particulars
Gentle Output / Battery Life*:
- Excessive: 400 lumens / 2.7 hours
- Medium: 200 lumens / 4.7 hours
- Low: 60 lumen / 10.5 hours
- Ultralow Flood: 6 lumens / 45 hours
Pink mild / Strobe / Locking: Sure / Sure / Sure
Batteries: USB-rechargeable
Beam sample: Spot and flood
Watertightness: IP66 (dust-tight and may proceed to work in heavy rain)
*Battery life primarily based on blended spot/flood beam
In late 2022, Nitecore up to date the headlamp with a USB-C charger, longer battery life, further beam patterns, increased peak brightness, a cost stage indicator, and—because of a brand new ultralight shock-cord headband—a barely decrease general weight.
The high-CRI auxiliary mild has been eradicated, as has the secondary low-lumen pink mild. Sadly, the beam depth in any respect brightness settings has additionally decreased considerably, as has the affect resistance (from 1.5 meters to simply 1 meter within the new model). And whereas the battery capability has improved, it’s nonetheless not that nice in comparison with different headlamps with comparable lumen outputs.
The brand new NU25 retains one 10-lumen pink mild, a locking function, and glorious tilting vary. The brand new USB-C cost port might be the up to date lamp’s most-hyped function.
We just like the NU25’s twin battery operation: one button controls turns the lamp on and adjustments the brightness, whereas the opposite cycles via spot, flood, blended, and pink mild. In comparison with the previous NU25, the brand new model does a greater job distinguishing the 2 buttons by dimension, form, and texture.
The usual NU25 has all the identical options of the UL model aside from a extra snug, conventional headband. It prices and weighs barely extra —an additional three {dollars} and 0.4 ounces, respectively.
Price noting: the usual NU25 shouldn’t be confused with the old-fashioned 2017 model of the headlamp, which had a reasonably totally different lighting sample. In case you hear different hikers waxing nostalgic in regards to the previous NU25, they’re most likely speaking in regards to the 2017 model.
Execs: Ultralight; a number of headband choices; a number of mild modes/brightness settings; locking function; energy indicator; USB-C cost port; better-than-average water resistance; improved buttons; good tilting vary
Cons: Lowered beam depth in comparison with authentic; decrease affect resistance; now just one pink mild mode; battery life nonetheless not appropriate for frequent night time mountaineering
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Black Diamond Spot | Greatest Dimmable Headlamp
MSRP: $49.95
Weight w/ Batteries: 2.7 oz.
Greatest headlamps for backpacking: Black Diamond Spot.
“Light-weight and it provides you a whole lot of choices so far as lighting for various eventualities with white and pink mild. Plus, I’m nonetheless a fan of carrying backup batteries vs. having to cost a headlamp.” — Alex Murphy
Particulars
Gentle Output / Battery Life:
- Excessive: 400 lumens / 2.5 hours
- Medium: 200 lumens / 5 hours
- Low: 6 lumens / 200 hours
Pink mild / Strobe / Locking: Sure / Sure / Sure
Batteries: AAA (3)
Watertightness: IPX8 (no information on stable particle ingress, however ought to survive complete submersion to a depth of 1.1m)
Beam sample: Spot and flood
The Black Diamond Spot headlamp is dimmable between 6 and 400 lumens, so that you’re not boxed into fastened excessive, medium, and low settings. We love the power to fine-tune the brightness. This headlamp has a powerful battery that, in our utilization, persistently lasts every week or extra between expenses when used for camp chores and some hours of night time mountaineering every day. Since AAA batteries energy it, you may carry a spare set together with you to rapidly re-up the cost and make sure you by no means run out of juice.
The Spot isn’t the lightest headlamp on our checklist, but it surely’s extremely practical and sturdy. It’s additionally probably the most waterproof headlamp we’ve featured and the one one able to withstanding complete submersion in water.
Execs: Dimmable; robust battery life; glorious water resistance; battery indicator lights
Cons: No rechargeable battery possibility; on the heavy aspect
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Petzl Actik Core | Greatest Rechargeable Headlamp
MSRP: $84.95
Weight w/ CORE rechargeable battery: 3.1 oz.
Greatest headlamps for backpacking: Petzl Actik Core.
“I’ve put my Actik Core via lots through the years, together with mountaineering with it for hours throughout a literal hurricane. It’s top-of-the-line backpacking headlamps on the market. I really like the versatile cost choices and that the brightness robotically steps down when the battery will get low. I begin mountaineering a minimum of an hour or two earlier than daybreak most days, and though the specs say the battery lasts simply seven hours at medium brightness, in my expertise, a single cost persistently lasts 10 hours or longer on medium.” —Kelly Floro
Particulars
Gentle Output / Battery Life:
- Excessive: 600 lumens / 2 hours
- Mid: 100 lumens / 7 hours
- Low: 7 lumens / 100 hours
Pink mild / Strobe / Locking: Sure / Sure / Sure
Batteries: USB-rechargeable 1250 mAh CORE (included); additionally AAA-compatible
Beam sample: Spot and flood
Watertightness: IPX4 (no information on stable particle ingress however ought to resist mild to average rain)
The Actik Core distinguishes itself from most different headlamps on this checklist due to its versatile charging choices. It’s suitable with each rechargeable and AAA batteries, so you may resolve which model fits you finest. In case you’re anxious about operating out of energy and getting stranded in the dead of night, this can be the headlamp for you. By carrying a battery financial institution to recharge the Petzl CORE battery and a set of spare AAAs, you can also make it nearly unimaginable to expire of energy.
Additionally, when the battery will get low, the headlamp will flash a couple of occasions after which robotically swap to the bottom brightness setting to preserve the battery. The step-down function prolongs its life and offers you ample warning that it’s about to die. By the way, the rechargeable CORE battery weighs roughly half an oz. lower than the three AAAs it might take to energy the headlamp in any other case.
The Actik Core isn’t the lightest headlamp on the checklist, but it surely’s versatile and has confirmed extraordinarily sturdy in our testing. It’s additionally one of many brightest headlamps featured right here, having been not too long ago up to date to churn out as a lot as a whopping 600 lumens (up from 450 within the previous model). The most recent model additionally (lastly!) has a locking function. Our greatest beef is that $85 is a little bit ridiculous for one thing so simple as a headlamp.
Execs: USB-rechargeable and AAA-compatible; good battery life; super-bright.
Cons: Costly; solely average water resistance; 600 lumens = overkill for backpacking.
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Biolite HeadLamp 425 | Most Snug Backpacking Headlamp
MSRP: $59.95
Weight w/ Batteries: 2.8 oz.
Greatest headlamps for backpacking: Biolite HeadLamp 425.
“Biolite is thought for its tremendous snug headlamps, glossy aesthetic, and long-lasting battery life. The brand new 425 steps it up with a max brightness of (you guessed it!) 425 lumens, dimmable all the best way down to simply 5.” — The Editors
Particulars
Gentle Output / Battery Life:
- Excessive: 425 lumens / 4 hours
- Low: 5 lumens / 60 hours
Pink mild / Strobe / Locking: Sure / Sure / Sure
Batteries: USB-rechargeable
Beam sample: Spot, flood, and combo
Watertightness: IPX4 (no information on stable particle ingress however ought to resist mild to average rain)
In contrast to most headlamps, Biolite separates the battery pack for his or her 425 HeadLamp and locations it behind the headscarf. This leads to a balanced, streamlined match (though, in equity, our reviewer discovered the cumbersome rear battery pack a little bit annoying). The scarf suits snugly and, as soon as correctly adjusted, received’t slip down and require fixed adjustment.
We like that this headlamp has the power to mix the spot and flood beam patterns so you will get wide-angle, diffuse mild and a protracted, centered beam concurrently for max illumination. The battery life on the Biolite 425 is middle-of-the-road however needs to be ample so long as you’re not a heavy night time hiker.
Try our full evaluate of the Biolite Headlamp 425 right here.
Execs: Battery indicator mild; moisture-wicking adjustable headband; light-weight; dimmable
Cons: Costly; single, small management button makes it exhausting to function; rear battery is clunky
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Petzl Tikkina | Most Reasonably priced Headlamp
MSRP: $24.95
Weight w/ Batteries: 3.2 oz.
Greatest headlamps for backpacking: Petzl Tikkina.
“I used the Petzel Tikkana on my AT thru-hike. It lasted the entire method with one battery change and continues to be going robust on my hike of the Vermont Lengthy Path this yr. I did flip the batteries the mistaken method on goal after I wasn’t utilizing it to make sure it wouldn’t activate in my pack by chance. My solely criticism is the only button for each kind of sunshine— at occasions, it might take a couple of presses to get to the type I wished.” — Julia Gladstein (“Puma”) AT 2019*
*The Tikkina has since been up to date with an extra medium brightness setting and a strobe function.
Particulars
Gentle Output / Battery Life:
- Excessive: 300 lumens / 2 hours
- Medium: 100 lumens / 10 hours
- Low: 7 lumens / 100 hours
Pink mild / Strobe / Locking: No / Sure / No
Batteries: 3 AAA; additionally suitable w/ USB rechargeable Petzl 1250 mAh CORE (not included)
Beam sample: Flood
Watertightness: IPX4 (no information on stable particle ingress however ought to resist mild to average rain)
The Tikkina is a straight-ahead headlamp. It doesn’t have many bells and whistles (no locking function, pink mild, or spot beam sample), and it’s on the heavier aspect. However at simply $25 (with no worth hikes over the previous yr, regardless of inflation), the worth is true. It has respectable battery life throughout its three brightness settings. Output ranges between seven and 300 lumens, which is greater than ample for many thru-hikers’ functions.
The Tikkina’s one extravagance is that it does have versatile charging choices. You’ll be able to energy it with AAAs or with the Petzl CORE rechargeable battery (bought individually). This makes it extra versatile than most headlamps in the case of the facility provide.
Execs: Cheap; robust battery life; versatile charging choices
Cons: No pink mild or locking; flood sample solely; on the heavy aspect; not one of the best mild high quality (very blue and low CRI)
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RovyVon Aurora A5R G4 | Greatest Emergency/UL Camp Headlamp
MSRP: $37
Weight w/ Batteries: 0.6 oz
Greatest headlamps for backpacking: RovyVon Aurora A5 G4
“A number of brightness settings, pink mild, lockability… verify, verify, verify. The RovyVon’s battery life and performance are restricted in comparison with some on this checklist, but it surely has excessive lumen output, vary of options, weighs little or no, and received’t break the financial institution.
“It isn’t a lot a headlamp as a conveniently-shaped mini flashlight with a clip on the again so you may stick it on the brim of your hat. The hat clip trick generally is a bit disorienting at first because it does restrict your visual view, however the weight financial savings are value it for hardcore ultralighters.” — The Editors
Particulars
Gentle Output / Battery Life:
- Excessive: 650 lumens / 1.5 hours
- Medium: 200 lumens / 2 hours
- Low: 25 lumens / 8 hours
- Moon (additional low): 0.6 lumens / 72 hours
Pink mild / Strobe / Locking: Sure / Sure / Sure
Batteries: USB-C rechargeable
Watertightness: IPX6 (no information on stable particle ingress however ought to resist heavy rain)
The RovyVon Aurora weighs underneath an oz. altogether but has many of the normal options hikers search for, together with a number of brightness settings and a pink mild. The polycarbonate physique even glows in the dead of night, which is enjoyable.
The Aurora has high-output entrance mild in addition to diffuse aspect lighting. For the entrance mild, you may select between the next output LED or a high-CRI one (the previous produces extra lumens general whereas the latter renders colours extra precisely). For the aspect mild, you may select between white/UV or white/pink. If you need pink mild and strobe performance, you should choose the latter.
Our greatest beef is that it’s not tremendous practical for night time mountaineering. The design isn’t headband suitable, so that you’ll should clip it onto the brim of a hat if you wish to use the sunshine hands-free (and it doesn’t tilt). The battery life can also be restricted; 8 hours on the low setting really isn’t too dangerous, however you may’t get a lot achieved at 25 lumens. The 200-lumen medium setting is vivid sufficient for night time mountaineering, however you’ll must be very cautious with the battery as a result of RovyVon reviews simply two hours of run-time at that output.
However if you happen to not often hike at night time and solely want a just-in-case headlamp for peeing in the dead of night, and so forth., you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a extra practical mild on this weight vary.
Execs: Ultralight; versatile; magnetic base; USB-C rechargeable; full suite of options; very vivid on the very best setting
Cons: Restricted battery life; not headband suitable
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Petzl Swift RL | Brightest Headlamp / Greatest Battery Life
MSRP: $139.95
Weight w/ Batteries: 3.5 oz.
Greatest headlamps for backpacking: Petzl Swift RL
The Petzl Swift RL is the brightest mild on our checklist by far, maxing out at a searing 1100-lumen output. Most hikers don’t want even a 3rd of that brightness, however when you’ve got imaginative and prescient limitations or simply occur to need the brightest headlamp on the face of the earth, this factor is vivid sufficient to show night time into day.
Designed for top pace sports activities like snowboarding and mountain biking, this efficiency headlamp makes use of Petzl’s reactive lighting expertise to preserve battery, typically stretching the run time by practically an order of magnitude in comparison with normal lighting. — The Editors
Particulars
Gentle Output / Battery Life:
- Excessive reactive: 1100 lumens max / 2 – 35 hours
- Excessive normal: 700 lumens / 2 hours
- Medium reactive: 275 lumens max / 7 – 45 hours
- Medium normal: 160 lumens / 7 hours
- Low reactive: 100 lumens max / 10 – 70 hours
- Low normal: 10 lumens / 100 hours
Pink mild / Strobe / Locking: Sure / Sure / Sure
Batteries: 2350 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable
Beam sample: Spot and flood
Watertightness: IPX4 (no information on stable particle ingress however ought to resist mild to average rain)
Eleven hundred lumen max mild output is flashy, however Petzl’s reactive lighting expertise is the Swift RL’s most attractive function for thru-hikers. The headlamp has a sensor that adjusts the LEDs’ beam sample and light-weight output primarily based on mirrored ambient mild. For example, if you happen to’re touring via an open subject underneath a full moon, the headlamp will robotically dim itself since you have already got a good quantity of sunshine round you. Once you move into dense forest cowl, the sunshine output will improve once more by itself.
This optimizes energy consumption—extending the battery life dramatically—and makes the headlamp hands-free. The battery is rechargeable, but it surely’s necessary to notice that it’s not interchangeable with the CORE battery that powers different Petzl headlamps just like the Tikkina and Actik Core.
The Swift RL is likely one of the few Petzl fashions to come back with a locking function to cease it from turning itself on in your backpack, which is sweet. The up to date model lastly options pink mild and a strobe sample and the general brightness and battery life have been improved, all with out rising the whole weight. 3.5 ounces is a bit heavy in comparison with many headlamps on this checklist, however you get lots on your ounces.
Execs: Ergonomic, removable headband; insanely vivid; robust battery; locking; reactive lighting; versatile
Cons: Freaking costly; heavy; rechargeable battery not interchangeable with different Petzl batteries; excessively vivid for thru-hikers
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Princeton Tec SNAP Modular Headlamp | Most Versatile Headlamp
MSRP: $51.99
Weight w/ Batteries: 3.5 oz.
Greatest headlamps for backpacking: Princeton Tec SNAP.
The SNAP headlamp’s declare to fame is its modular design. It’s actually a headlamp equipment that comes with equipment for attaching the sunshine to bike handlebars or grasp it inside your tent. The sunshine detaches simply from the headscarf so you should use it as a motorcycle mild, lantern, or handheld mild as wanted.
This is likely one of the finest backpacking headlamps for multi-sport lovers who desire a headlamp that works equally nicely for biking, backpacking, and automobile tenting. It’s additionally nice as a lantern if you happen to plan to spend so much of time in your tent. — The Editors
Particulars
Gentle Output / Battery life:
- Excessive: 300 lumens / 10 hours
- Low: 10 lumens / 155 hours
Pink mild / Strobe / Locking: No / Sure / No
Batteries: AAA (3)
Beam sample: Spot
Watertightness: IPX4 (no information on stable particle ingress however ought to resist mild to average rain)
The SNAP modular headlamp comes with mounting brackets, so you may connect the sunshine to a scarf (included in buy) or your bike handlebars or grasp it like a lantern. It additionally comes outfitted with a powerful magnet that can connect to most metallic surfaces. This intelligent, multifunctional design ought to enchantment to backpackers who wish to do extra with much less gear.
The SNAP headlamp additionally has one of many longest-lasting batteries on our checklist for the excessive setting. Examine the SNAP’s purported 10 hours of battery life at 300 lumens to the Biolite 425’s 4 hours at 425 lumens, for example. Ten hours’ capability is greater than sufficient for many night-hiking backpackers, and 300 lumens is loads of output for the duty. The headlamp is dimmable, so you may simply alter the brightness to your wants.
Then again, the SNAP is on the heavy aspect and is mild on options (no flood, locking, or pink mild, although it does have a strobe operate for emergencies and high-vis purposes). A minimum of this streamlined simplicity makes it straightforward to make use of: with comparatively few settings, toggling via with the only management button may be very intuitive.
Execs: Modular/simply removable; vivid; glorious battery life on excessive; dimmable
Cons: No pink mild or locking; spot sample solely; heavy
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Greatest Backpacking Headlamps of 2024: FAQs
How a lot ought to a backpacking headlamp weigh?
Headlamps weigh wherever from one ounce to over half a pound. Each ounce counts for thru-hikers traversing 1000’s of miles. That’s why one of the best headlamps for backpacking weigh three ounces or much less. Be sure you’re wanting on the weight with batteries to get probably the most correct numbers on your base weight spreadsheet.
Trying to shave grams wherever you may? Take away the headscarf and substitute it with a size of shock wire to avoid wasting about an oz.. Swapping out the headscarf is simple on some headlamps, just like the NiteCore NU25, and difficult on others, just like the Petzl Actik Core.
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Rechargeable vs. Alkaline Headlamp Batteries
Rechargeable headlamps remove the necessity to carry spare batteries. If in case you have a battery financial institution in your pack, you’ll nearly by no means have to fret about operating out of juice. You’ll pay a premium for this function, nevertheless. You’ll additionally swap the burden of additional AAAs for one more cost cable.
Additionally value noting: powering a chargeable lamp takes time and requires forethought and planning. In case you’re the kind to run your headlamp to zero by chance, you’re higher off with a AAA-powered headlamp. That method, you may immediately swap out useless batteries and get again on observe.
You also needs to think about battery life when searching for a headlamp. In case you plan to do a whole lot of night time mountaineering, you’ll want extra battery capability than somebody who simply wants sporadic mild round camp. Eight to 10 hours of average (50-100 lumen) output on a single cost is ample for many thru-hikers.
READ NEXT – The Final Information to Via-Mountain climbing Electronics
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How vivid ought to my headlamp be?
Lumens are a unit of brightness. Most backpackers desire a headlamp that gives a spread of brightness settings between 5 and 200 lumens. That method, you may toggle between lumen outputs relying in your wants, conserving battery.
- 10 lumens and underneath: sufficient for camp chores and getting as much as pee in the dead of night
- 80-150 lumens: sufficient for night time mountaineering
- 200-400 lumens: helpful if you wish to throw a protracted beam into the woods (“what was that sound?”) or search the bottom for one thing you dropped
- Above 400 lumens: most likely overkill for backpacking. Drives up weight and worth whereas gobbling battery. The exception is if you would like one headlamp that works for journey sports activities (path operating, mountain biking, climbing, and so forth.) along with mountaineering, or if you happen to’re imaginative and prescient impaired and wrestle in low mild settings.
You also needs to take note of your headlamp’s beam sample. A spot sample is a slim, centered beam of sunshine that may illuminate issues a good distance away. Spot lighting is useful for night time mountaineering. In the meantime, flood lighting casts a extra diffuse beam that’s most helpful for up-close duties, like camp chores, and space lighting inside your tent.
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Ought to my headlamp have a pink mild setting?
Different folks’s headlamps are tremendous annoying. Shiny white LEDs can blind fellow campers and impair peripheral and night time imaginative and prescient (together with for the wearer). They create a tunnel imaginative and prescient impact that may persist even after switching the sunshine off.
Many headlamps include a pink mild setting to be used round camp or on easy footpaths the place you don’t want a whole lot of illumination to navigate safely. Not solely are they gentler on the eyes, however pink lights additionally preserve battery and appeal to fewer bugs.
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What’s the level of a locking function on a headlamp?
There’s nothing extra annoying than having your headlamp flip itself on inside your pack, killing the battery lengthy earlier than you attain camp. Energy is treasured on the path, which is why one of the best headlamps for backpacking have a locking operate to maintain this from taking place.
In case you use a AAA-powered headlamp with no locking function, you can too simply take away the batteries or flip them the mistaken method round to stop the lamp from turning on by chance. It’s a little bit extra labor intensive however works simply as nicely.
Are there waterproof headlamps?
Sure, and so they’re value wanting into, however do not forget that waterproofness is relative. In case you spend sufficient time on the path, every part you personal can have a run-in with moisture in some unspecified time in the future, and your headlamp is not any exception. That’s why it’s so necessary to choose one which’s fairly waterproof or a minimum of water resistant.
The headlamp’s IP (Ingress Safety) code denotes its waterproofness. Right here’s learn how to interpret it:
- IPx4: Resists splashing from any path. Sufficient to guard from mild to average rain.
- IPx5/IPx6: Resists “water jets” and “highly effective water jets,” respectively. Sufficient to guard from heavy rain.
- IPx7/IPx8: Resists complete immersion as much as one meter or deeper than one meter, respectively. Solely one of the best backpacking headlamps are this waterproof.
The x in that code represents stable particle ingress safety (i.e. mud and grime). An x means there’s no information, whereas a quantity between zero and 6 represents the extent of safety. Zero means no ingress safety, and 6 means it retains out every part as much as and together with high quality mud particles.
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Associated
Why do you have to belief us?
As a result of we’re so extremely clever, after all! Enticing, too. (To not point out extraordinarily humble).
But when that isn’t sufficient to impress you, there’s additionally the truth that everybody who contributed to this text is an skilled thru-hiker with 1000’s of on-trail miles underneath their belt. We’re gear nerds who love placing our tools to the check on trails lengthy and brief, and we’ve examined dozens of headlamps in pursuit of higher illumination within the backcountry.
Furthermore, we do our greatest to remain plugged into the path group’s gear preferences (we’re undoubtedly these obnoxious folks on path who at all times wish to know what everybody else is packing). Meaning our picks for one of the best backpacking headlamps aren’t simply our opinions: they’re primarily based on years of suggestions from the thru-hiking group. To all you folks within the feedback part: we’re listening to you too. Because of everybody who commented on final yr’s checklist—we incorporate your ideas and requests within the checklist as typically as doable.
Competence and backpacking proficiency personified.
Alex “GPS” Brown and Rachel Shoemaker contributed to this checklist.
Featured picture: Graphic design by Chris Helm (@chris.helm).
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