Greatest Ultralight Headlamp for Backpacking & Via Mountaineering [2024]

Sharing is caring!

It is a gear evaluate about the most effective ultralight headlamps for backpacking in 2024.

Whether or not you’re in search of a backpacking headlamp for thru-hiking, backpacking, or tenting, the power to see in entrance of you is crucial. Most hikers will use the headlamp for round camp at evening to supply mild for cooking, consuming, and that evening time go to to the toilet. Many hikers, together with the creator, have extensively used headlamps for evening mountaineering.

With so many to select from I narrowed the selection and here’s a evaluate of the most effective headlamps for backpacking.

How We Examined

All of the Ultralight Headlamps on this evaluate have been extensively evaluated and researched by the professional creator who has a few years of expertise in Via-Mountaineering, Backpacking, and Mountaineering. A few of the Headlamps had been bought by the creator and a few had been provided by the producer. They’ve been rigorously examined by the creator in every kind of climate. The analysis, testing, and expertise of the creator have mixed to provide you with the lightest headlamps, most waterproof headlamps, and which of them are the brightest headlamps for 2024. Learn the Evaluate Coverage for additional particulars.

Greatest Backpacking Headlamp 2024:

The Greatest Backpacking Headlamps for [Currentyear] are:

Greatest Headlamp – General

Petzl Actik Core

Weight: 3.1 oz / 88 grams
Lumens: 600 Lumens
Battery Kind: Rechargeable
Execs:
> Tremendous Vibrant 600 Lumens om Excessive Lighting Mode
> Rechargeable battery pack included
> Spot and Flood Mild
> Good battery life
Cons:
> Premium Worth
> Solely water-proof not waterproof

The Petzl Actik Core is the present rechargeable headlamp that I exploit and the most effective headlamp for backpacking in the marketplace for the time being. I cherished and used the earlier mannequin and just lately bought the brand new mannequin that has upgraded from 450 lumens to 600 lumens. There’s a mixture of tremendous shiny lighting energy with a spot and flood mild for good beam distance and a USB rechargeable battery makes this a fantastic selection.

After I used this headlamp I preferred the match on my head and the unfold of the beam when mountaineering.

Though this isn’t the most cost effective backpacking headlamp on this evaluate the price is consultant of what you get in your cash. My solely want was that this mountaineering headlamp was utterly waterproof as a substitute of splashproof.

The Petzl Actik Core battery is rechargeable and included within the buy value of this headlamp. It is vitally straightforward to recharge within the subject with a battery pack and micro USB. Even with out recharging it has good battery life or burn time.

General, the Petzl Actik Core is the Greatest Backpacking Headlamp in the marketplace in 2024.

Greatest Ultralight Headlamp

Nitecore NU25 UL Headlamp

Weight: 1.6 oz / 45 grams
Lumens: 400 Lumens
Battery Kind: Rechargeable
Execs:
> Phenomenal buyer rankings
> Select from purple or white mild
> Excessive CRI mild for seeing shade
> Affect and water resistant
> Rechargeable battery
Cons:
> The scarf shouldn’t be that comfy

The Nitecore NU25 is available in two fashions. The Nitecore NU25 with the huge elastic headband and the Nitecore NU25UL (ultralight) with twin elastic cords which might be tremendous slender making this the lightest headlamp for backpacking and thru-hiking. And with 400 lumens of sunshine, this headlamp is tremendous shiny.

This mild additionally provides high-CRI lighting, which suggests that you could extra simply determine an object’s shade when the sunshine is on it. One thing that will usually be very troublesome to do at nighttime.

The primary mild has a beam distance of about 70 meters in entrance of you, which is nice for evening mountaineering. It’s additionally impression and water resistant.

Along with the principle mild, there are additionally 2 different lights to select from – an auxiliary white mild with a excessive CRI, or an auxiliary purple mild. The Pink mild is nice for round camp, studying maps at evening, or inside huts at evening because it lets you higher retain your evening imaginative and prescient.

When connected to the adjustable headband weighs just one.6 oz / 45 grams. Whereas the scarf shouldn’t be essentially the most comfy the sunshine weight makes it not so noticeable.

The Nitecore NU25UL headlamp is totally USB rechargeable and it’s suitable with any USB energy supply so may be charged within the subject with a battery pack. Plus there’s a helpful low battery energy indicator.

Relating to battery life simply bear in mind that it’s going to not final so long as another rechargeable headlamps, particularly 2 hours and 40 minutes on the excessive setting however greater than 10 hours on the low setting.

General, in case you are into ultralight thru-hiking and backpacking and need the lightest headlamp which nonetheless is shiny sufficient for evening mountaineering then look no additional than this one. Whereas I exploit and like the Petzl Actik Core there is no such thing as a denying the standard and lighter weight of the Nitecore NU25UL. And it is rather moderately priced.

Greatest Price range Headlamp

PETZL Tikka Headlamp

Weight: 3.4 oz / 96 grams
Lumens: 300 Lumens
Battery Kind: 3AAA or Rechargeable
Execs:
> Water-proof IPX4
> Use AAA or rechargeable batteries
> Very prolonged 5-year assure
Cons:
> The CORE rechargeable battery is bought individually however may be very extremely beneficial

I used the Petzl Tikka headlamp for six years as my go-to headlamp when thru-hiking and bicycle touring.

This light-weight headlamp has been with me on the Pacific Crest Path, Appalachian Path, Continental Divide Path, and Te Araroa Path. It has additionally been a part of my Bicycle Touring Gear Checklist as I cycle from Alaska to Ecuador.

I’m an enormous fan of this headlamp however during the last couple of years, many different producers have improved their merchandise whereas the plain previous Tikka stayed the identical. That isn’t a nasty factor, why repair one thing that isn’t damaged.

There are 3 lighting ranges to select from low, medium, and excessive. On the excessive stage, it may possibly throw out a really beneficiant 300 lumens, which is shiny sufficient for many conditions.

There’s additionally a purple mild which can be utilized as a substitute of the white to assist protect your imaginative and prescient at evening. Nice for round camp in order to not annoy different campers.

One advantage of this light-weight headlamp is the selection of colours. The scarf encompasses a phosphorescent reflector which can assist you to seek out it at nighttime.

The Petzl Tikka comes with batteries already included however it’s higher to spend some extra cash and get the battery pack known as the rechargeable core battery. It fees in about 3 hours and saves spending a great deal of cash on batteries in the long term.

The Petzl Tikka runs as much as 120 hours on a full cost however that’s on the low mild setting. It’s a lot much less on full energy however nonetheless sufficient for a week-long mountaineering journey with a lot of battery life to spare.

It’s additionally very light-weight at simply 3.4 oz / 96 grams. It has a water resistance ranking of IPX4 which suggests it’s water resistant however not waterproof. Don’t drop it within the water.

General, the Petzl Tikka is an effective funds light-weight headlamp.

Greatest Waterproof Headlamp

Black Diamond Storm 500 R

Weight: 3.5 oz / 99 grams
Lumens: 500 Lumens
Battery Kind: Rechargeable
Execs:
> Nice battery lifetime of as much as 350 hours
> Superior rechargeable 2400 mAh battery
> Very Waterproof
Cons:
> A bit of heavier than among the different headlamps

For a very long time, the Black Diamond Storm vary of headlamps has been the most effective waterproof headlamps. The up to date Storm headlamps now function the choice of rechargeable batteries which have moved them from good headlamps to nice rechargeable headlamps.

Relating to the most effective headlamp general there’s little to separate the Petzl and the Black Diamond, both is an effective selection. Whereas the Storm 500 R has a greater beam and longer battery life due to the 2400 mAh capability. It’s barely heavier than the Petzl and greater than twice the burden of the Nitecore.

The Storm collection of headlamps additionally are available a 400-lumens model which is rather less shiny however nonetheless appropriate for backpacking and tenting. And remains to be the best-in-class waterproof headlamp with the IPX 67 ranking which permits it to be submerged for half-hour to a depth of 1 meter. In case you are caving, canyoning, or mountaineering in moist environments then that is the best choice for you.

General, the Black Diamond Storm 500 R is an superior headlamp greatest suited to hikers, campers, and backpackers wanting a dependable and shiny headlamp that’s waterproof.

Greatest Flashlight Headlamp

Acebeam H16 Headlamp

Weight: 2.5 oz / 71 grams
Lumens: 650 Lumens
Battery Kind: Rechargeable or 1xAA
Execs:
> Ultralight
> Broad unfold beam
> Removeable Lamp high flip right into a flashlight
> Very Vibrant 650 lumens
> Water-proof IPX68
Cons:
> New to market so unknown sturdiness in the long run

I just lately came upon in regards to the Acebeam H16 headlamp. It’s not solely a headlamp however the mild may be faraway from the band and used as a flashlight. Add to that some very spectacular specs and the model new headlamp might be a winner.

I just lately examined this headlamp on a collection of evening hikes and tenting journeys and was very impressed with the way it carried out. It has a considerably distinctive design that permits the lamp to be faraway from the band for use as a flashlight. Whereas it’s a little fiddly to take away and put again onto the band it provides one other layer of performance that each one the opposite headlamps on this evaluate can not match.

The Acebeam H16 may be very shiny with 650 lumens on the excessive setting which is able to final for just one hour and 45 minutes and might penetrate as much as 86 meters due to the tremendous huge unfold of the beam. After I examined this for an extended interval I discovered the lamp to get fairly a bit hotter than among the different fashions on this evaluate. Not a nasty factor, it’s a testomony to simply how shiny it’s. On the decrease setting of 100 lumens or 30 lumens, it’s a far more purposeful beam and has a brilliant lengthy battery life.

Its water resistance ranking is available in at a formidable IPX68, making this essentially the most waterproof headlamp on this evaluate, much more so than the Black Diamond Storm. And it is available in at a superb value, making it aggressive as a funds headlamp.

It comes with a formidable rechargeable 950 mAh battery and can even use 1 x AA battery should you select. There’s additionally a cushty headband with a strip of nonslip silicone and reflective strips to help with being seen throughout the evening.

General, there’s a lot to love about this Acebeam H16 Headlamp. It’s the most waterproof headlamp, has a brilliant shiny 650 lumens lamp, and is likely one of the lightest headlamps on this evaluate. An important possibility however why is it not ranked increased? It’s model new to the market and I want to preserve testing it for a pair extra months to check the reliability. Not in contrast to the state of affairs that confronted Nitecore a few years in the past the place it took some time for folks to belief the standard of the model. Within the subsequent 12 months or so I believe the Acebeam H16 might be the most effective ultralight headlamp!

Brightest Backpacking Headlamp

Acebeam H50 Headlamp

Weight: 5 oz / 143 grams
Lumens: 2000 Lumens
Battery Kind: Rechargeable
Execs:
> Max brightness 2000 lumens
> Good battery life
> Very stable and sturdy design
> Spot beam and flood beam as much as 141 meters
> IPX68 waterproof and dustproof
Cons:
> 2000 lumens is an excessive amount of for most individuals
> A bit of heavy at 5 oz

After being tremendous impressed with the Acebeam H16 I made a decision to strive one of many brightest headlamps on this planet the Acebeam H50. With 2000 lumens of sunshine it’s so shiny that should you shined this into somebody’s eyes at evening they might not be capable of see a lot for some time. Nice if an intruder involves your camp in the midst of the evening.

After I examined this headlamp I preferred how stable it’s. Made with ultralight steel and the identical high-quality band because the H16 talked about above. I additionally seen that it did really feel a bit heavier than all the opposite headlamps at 5 oz / 143 grams. That is to be anticipated for a 2000 lumens headlamp that has a excessive capability 3100 mAh battery which has the very best cost of any on this evaluate.

It comes with 3 lamps that supply highlight and floodlight beams, and all three lamps can be utilized on the similar time for a brilliant shiny beam distance of 141 meters.

For individuals who enterprise into moist canyons or caves, this headlamp is waterproof to 2 meters with an IPX8 ranking.

General, the Acebeam H50 is likely one of the brightest headlamps obtainable. With 2000 lumens of sunshine it’s tremendous shiny, and if that isn’t sufficient for you there’s a 4000 lumens mannequin. With a superb mix of being light-weight, tremendous shiny, and good battery life, that is the brightest headlamp for 2024.

Extra Headlamps to contemplate

Fenix HM50R V2.0 Rechargeable Headlamp

Weight: 2.7 oz / 78 grams
Lumens: 700 Lumens
Battery Kind: Rechargeable
Execs:
> IPX67 waterproof to 2 meters and dustproof
> Beam distance of 115 meters / 377 toes
> White and purple mild
> As much as 42 hours burn time on low setting
Cons:
> Premium product at a premium value
> A bit heavier than the opposite headlamps because of the further battery

The Fenix HM50R V2.0 Rechargeable Headlamp has a really lengthy beam distance of 115 meters / 377 toes when utilized in Turbo Mode. The Turbo Mode pumps out 700 lumens and lasts for one hour. When the mode is switched to low it is going to final 42 hours. So a mixture of a superb rechargeable battery and a powerful beam with excessive lumens make this a sensible choice.

It is usually housed in a watertight compartment sealed by an o ring and has an IPX68 ranking.

General, the Fenix HM50R V2.0 Rechargeable Headlamp has an excellent beam distance for anybody heading out at evening who may have it. It is usually utterly waterproof to 2 meters.

PETZL Bindi Evaluate

Weight: 1.2 oz / 35 grams
Lumens: 200
Battery Kind: Rechargeable
Execs:
> Extremely-compact and light-weight
> 3 totally different white mild settings and a purple mild
> Rechargeable battery
> Can be worn across the neck
> 3-year assure
Cons:
> 200 lumens of sunshine
> Not low cost

That is the most effective ultralight headlamp for thru-hiking or backpacking. It is a tremendous light-weight headlamp.

The Petzl Bindi weighs 1.2oz / 35grams. Not solely is it tremendous light-weight however the strap can be ventilated, and comfy and it wicks away sweat.

The white mild it gives comes with three settings: Proximity for a centered beam up shut, Distance for a wider, extra diffuse beam, and Motion, for a medium setting.

The white mild will also be tilted, which suggests you’ll be able to put on it round your neck quite than in your head should you want.

It additionally boasts a purple mild mode, which is ideal for not disturbing folks and for preserving your imaginative and prescient at evening.

It’s 100% rechargeable and comes with its personal micro USB cable for charging. And while you’re able to retailer it away you’ll be able to lock it as much as stop harm.

It comes with a 3-year guarantee.

It is a good ultralight headlamp for thru-hiking 2024.

Petzl e+lite

Weight: 0.9 oz / 26 grams
Lumens: 40
Battery Kind: 2 lithium CR2032 batteries
Execs:
> Ultralight
> Compact
> IPX 7 waterproof
Cons:
> Not very shiny

The Petzl e+lite is a minimalist headlamp that’s an ultralight and really small headlamp. It has a really low 40 lumens output that’s ok for emergency use or for somebody who needs the lightest headlamp solely. The sunshine output shouldn’t be sufficient for mountaineering and actually solely ok for shut up issues round camp or studying.

General, it is a minimalist headlamp for emergency use solely, however having mentioned that it weighs little or no and might be simply thrown into any backpack or emergency package within the automobile or at house.

Different Worthy Concerns

Listed here are among the Headlamps that aren’t on this evaluate however are nonetheless tremendous superior. Some are being reviewed for the time being and shall be added to the record above very quickly.

• Black Diamond Astro 300 – The Black Diamond Astro 300 is an effective funds headlamp for these on a decent funds.
• Black Diamond Spot 400 – The Black Diamond Spot 400 has nice battery life and as with all Black Diamond headlamps, there is no such thing as a rechargeable possibility.

Headlamp Comparability Desk

Mild Output and Brightness

Mild output is measured in lumens, and the better the variety of lumens, the additional it is possible for you to to see in entrance of you (in white mild).

But it surely’s necessary to notice that the variety of lumens doesn’t essentially describe how shiny the sunshine goes to be. You additionally want to contemplate how centered the sunshine is. A strongly centered beam appears far brighter than a extra diffuse beam.

You would possibly determine that at instances you want a large beam of sunshine, and different instances need a extra centered beam. On this case it’s best to search for a headlamp with an adjustable beam.

You might also just like the sound of a beam that you could swivel in order that it factors ahead as you stroll, or factors downward as you try a map or GPS gadget. However these kinds of headlamps aren’t at all times as light-weight.

Lighting Modes

There are 4 principal headlamp lighting modes which might be used for mountaineering and backpacking:

Spot

The highlight is the principle mild used when mountaineering at evening time. It lets you see far into the space.

Flood

The floodlight function is a pleasant huge beam that’s greatest suited to all closeup issues within the tent or whereas cooking

Shade

Many mountaineering headlamps have a Pink Mild Function which can be utilized to permit the hiker to nonetheless be capable of use their evening imaginative and prescient. This function is nice round camp or whereas star-watching at evening. Additionally, it tends to not annoy others as a lot as the brilliant white mild.

Strobe

The strobe lighting mode is a helpful function that the majority of us hope we by no means want to make use of in an emergency. The pulsing strobe mild will make issues a bit of simpler for search and rescue to find misplaced or injured hikers.

Consolation: Headband Dimension and Materials

Ideally, you need your headlamp to be so light-weight and comfy that you might even overlook you’re sporting it and have your fingers free. That’s a given.

However you additionally want to consider the scale. Headlamps are primarily geared toward adults which is comprehensible. However even adults can differ in head measurement. The greatest children headlamps normally have a smaller headband and are normally made with shiny colours.

So if in any doubt about measurement and becoming, it’s greatest to get a headlamp with an adjustable strap. Particularly should you intend to take turns sporting it.

For consolation, it’s greatest to get a headlamp that can really feel safe, akin to an elastic one, however gained’t chafe your pores and skin.

Weight

Light-weight headlamps are preferable to heavy headlamps. The entire headlamps on this evaluate are appropriate for mountaineering, backpacking, or thru-hiking.

A tenting headlamp doesn’t must be ultralight however anybody heading off on a multi-month thru-hike would possibly wish to have a look at the burden as a main function.

Waterproofness – IP Ranking

A headlamp is one thing that’s primarily used outside, so having some type of climate resistance is necessary.

The worldwide normal used to measure climate resistance is called the IPX ranking. For headlamps, we’ll have a look at the bottom requirements of IPX 4, IPX 7, and IPX 8.

IPX 4 Ranking

The IPX 4 ranking for headlamps refers to one thing that’s splash-resistant, shock-resistant, and dustproof. Primarily all of the headlamps on this record are rated to at the very least this stage and might stand up to rain and snow.

IPX 7 Ranking

The IPX 7 Ranking has the next stage of climate resistance. Primarily it’s waterproof to 1 meter for half-hour.

IPX 8 Ranking

The IPX 8 Ranking is much more waterproof than IPX 7 as it may be rated deeper than 1 meter of water.

Batteries

You’ll be able to both get your self a headlamp with rechargeable batteries, or one which takes non-rechargeable batteries.

Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries

Apologies should you really feel like I’m stating the plain right here, nevertheless it’s necessary so I’ll say it. For those who go for a lithium-ion rechargeable battery in your headlamp, it’s best to look into how lengthy the battery lasts, also called burn time on a full cost before you purchase. Most are USB rechargeable lithium batteries so may be topped up on the path by way of a backpacking battery energy financial institution.

AAA batteries

But when you understand you aren’t going to have the ability to cost it up, maybe on a tenting journey, then it’s possible you’ll determine it will likely be simpler to work with a headlamp that takes AA or AAA batteries. One large benefit of AAA batteries is that they’re obtainable wherever on this planet.

Conclusion

The Greatest Mountaineering Headlamps of 2024 are:

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

Sharing is caring!