HEADLAMPS – WHICH ARE THE BEST ONES AVAILABLE?
Headlamps are extremely popular tools when engaging in hands-free activities. They’re very popular amongst mountaineers, cavers and are even used in the home. LED lights are almost exclusively used today, and there are many kinds of lamp available to suit different needs.
10 quick facts about headlamps
- 200 lumen gives enough light for roads and running trails
- 500 lumen gives enough light for most forest trails
- 1000 lumen enables you to run in technical terrain at a quick pace
- The strength of the lamp is determined by the light distribution
- Higher lumen demands more power
- Battery life is very important for those keen on staying out longer
- Red lights are good for camping as they affect your night vision to a lesser extent
- The headlamp should rest comfortably and still on your head
- The strap should be adjustable and easy to wear with a hat
- Most sports lamps are adapted for wet and cold climates
Brightness
Anyone who’s ever searched for headlamps has encountered the word ‘lumen’. Lumen is a measure of the total luminous flux a light source sends out in every direction. The highest amount of lumen isn’t necessarily synonymous with the brightest light, as we also have to take into consideration how the lamp distributes the light. You should adapt the brightness to the kinds of location you find yourself running in.
Anyone who’s ever searched for headlamps has encountered the word ‘lumen’. Lumen is a measure of the total luminous flux a light source sends out in every direction. The highest amount of lumen isn’t necessarily synonymous with the brightest light, as we also have to take into consideration how the lamp distributes the light. You should adapt the brightness to the kinds of location you find yourself running in.
Light distribution
How the light is distributed is as important as its strength. A wider distribution is well suited for putting up your tent or reading the map when its pitch black. A focused distribution of light is better when you need to see further ahead and determine direction when you’re running or looking for bolts in the crag.
The most versatile headlamps are the ones that mix wide and focused light. Nowadays there are also smart headlamps with Reactive-technology. They have sensors that react to where you’re looking and that adapt the light depending on the distance between you and the target. You won’t need to use your hands and you won’t risk being blinded when looking down at a map.
Battery
It’s also important to consider the kind of battery source to use. You should never have to worry about running out of battery and it should be easy to switch batteries when you’re out and about. Rechargeable USB-lamps are flexible and practical but their batteries deliver less power. Regular batteries are more powerful and thus have a greater effect. Special batteries can’t be changed in the woods so you might want to consider changeable ones and bring extras with you in your backpack.
Battery time grows in importance the longer you plan to be away and freezing cold weather limits the battery time. During winter it’s always a good idea to carry an extra battery with you in your rucksack or jacket.
FAQs about headlamps
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FAQs about headlamps
It depends on how afraid of the dark you are. Only kidding! How strong a lamp you need depends on the type of running you’re planning, how technical the terrain is and how fast you run. Someone running technical trails at a quick pace might think that you need a lamp with more than 1000 lumen, but if you mostly run on asphalt or on lit jogging trails 200 lumen is more than enough. To feel safer it’s always good to choose a stronger lamp. An important thing to keep in mind is that the lamp’s strength often affects the battery time. A strong lamp consumes battery life quickly.
That’s a very good idea! It’s important to get a lamp that has a long battery life for such instances. If the lamp’s battery requires a power socket, you might find yourself in difficulties whilst out on a hike. If you have the possibility to use regular batteries or to charge with USB, you can prevent power outage by bringing more batteries or an external battery pack to charge from.
The amount of light needed to light up the road or trail ahead of you is much too strong for when you need to read the map or search inside a bag. It’s handy to be able to easily adjust the brightness. Many lamps are so strong that you risk dazzling people coming in the opposite direction. If you can lower the brightness with a simple switch you’ll stay on good terms with your fellow outdoor enthusiasts and you’ll decrease the risk of accidents. Being able to adjust the light according to needs also enables you to prolong the battery life.
The battery span in every type of product can decrease drastically in cold temperature. Countering cold weather whilst wearing a headlamp on your head can be a difficult challenge. One way is to try and cover the battery pack by wearing the headlamp under rather than over your hat. If you know that you will use your headlamp a lot in cold weather it can be a good idea to look for a model with a long cord so that you can keep the battery safely in your jacket pocket, rucksack or around the waist. Some models come with an extension cord which enables you to move the battery from your head to the waist.
Using your headlamp as a light source in your tent works perfectly. Try putting your headlamp in a transparent plastic bag with a frosted surface and the light will spread widely."
Headlamps
Darkness is a challenge, not an obstacle! Good luck on the trails and in the mountains!
Sincerely, Addnature.