How to Pick a Reliable Headtorch to Safely Navigate Through the Darkness

As a huge camping enthusiast, I’ve found that a good headtorch is a necessity for any kind of outdoor activity, whether it’s camping, hiking or mountain biking. A light strapped to your head will allow you to see exactly where you’re going, while also keeping your hands free so that you can easily pitch a tent or rummage through your backpack. However, not all headlamps are created equal. To pick the right one for your needs, you need to consider the following factors.

Brightness

In order to know how bright a headtorch is, check its lumen rating. Headtorches can range from 50 lumens to 1000+ lumens. The right lumen rating depends on your activity. If you need a torch for some basic tasks around the campsite, then you don’t need an exceptionally bright model. For campsite needs, any unit in the range from 100 – 200 lumens will suffice. However, if you’re planning to hike a trail at night or explore a cave, you will need more than just the basic model.

Some headtorches also offer a dimming option, which means you can adjust the brightness of the beam according to the specific situation. This can come in handy when you don’t need much illumination, or if you want to prolong battery life.

Type of Battery

Speaking of the battery, headlamps can include a variety of types with different lifespans. For headtorches that have higher levels of brightness, you should look for a more powerful lithium-ion battery that can help them stay on longer. Make sure to check the average runtime of the torch before buying. If possible, try to pick a headlamp with a rechargeable battery so that you can simply plug it into your car’s lighter socket whenever it runs out.

Fit

The fact that the torch is going to be strapped around your head for long periods of time means that you should make sure to pick a model that feels the most comfortable to wear. Adjustable straps will allow you to control how tight the headlamp is around your head. Cushioning underneath it will prevent it from irritating your skin. In general, a headlamp that has its battery pack located in the bag has a better weight distribution.

Durability

Because it is going to be safely strapped around our head, most people think that they don’t need to worry how sturdy their headtorch is. While the torch won’t be at risk of being dropped, it will still be exposed to other factors that can damage it, like for instance rain. At a minimum, your headlamp should have a rating of IPX4 which means that it’s water-resistant.