Headlamps for hiking: how to choose the right one

A headlamp is one of the cheapest things on the packing list, but it can make a huge difference on an early morning or a late evening. Whether you are walking the Camino, running trails in the dark or just keeping track of your gear in the tent, here is my guide to what to look for before you buy.

I always bring a headlamp when I hike. On the Camino many pilgrims get up long before sunrise to set off before the heat of the day arrives, and then the first hours pass in deep darkness. Inside the albergue I use it to find my things and pack my backpack without having to switch on the big ceiling light and wake the whole dormitory.

How many lumens do you need?

Brightness is measured in lumens, and here it is easy to assume that more is always better. In practice it works differently. A lot of light drains the battery quickly and blinds both you and others when you look up.

• 150 to 300 lumens. Plenty for walking a trail in the dark, finding your way around the albergue and reading in your sleeping bag. That is what I recommend for most people on the Camino.
• 300 to 600 lumens. Welcome if you run technical terrain or walk night-time mountain routes, where you need to see obstacles in good time.
• Over 600 lumens. More than most hikers need. Good reach, but you pay for it in both weight and battery life.

The most important thing is that the lamp has several levels rather than simply the highest number. Then you can turn it down to a comfortable glow in the albergue and up to full power when you are out in the dark.

Rechargeable or batteries?

This is probably the question I get most often. There are three types to choose between.

Personally I go for a rechargeable headlamp with USB. I carry a power bank for my phone anyway, so I simply charge the lamp at the same time. If you are heading far from power for many days at a time, a hybrid or a model with ordinary batteries is the safest solution.

Red light is an underrated feature

If you remember only one thing from this guide, let it be the red light. Many headlamps have a red light mode, and it is worth its weight in gold on the Camino.

The red light preserves your night vision, and it does not blind the people around you. When you get up at five in an albergue full of sleeping pilgrims and need to find your hiking boots and pack up, you do it with red light. Your fellow walkers will love you for it.

Weight and fit

A hiking headlamp typically weighs between 50 and 100 grams including the battery. That may sound like little, but you feel it both in the backpack and on your forehead. A heavy lamp can slide down or give you a headache on a long evening.

Look for a light model with a headband that adjusts properly. Some lamps have an extra strap over the top of the head, which sits more stable when you run. Try it on if you can, and check that the buttons are easy to operate, even with gloves on in cold weather.

My best advice before you buy

I have gathered the things I look for myself when finding a new headlamp.

• Choose several light levels over the highest lumen number alone.
• Make sure there is a red light mode for use in the albergue.
• Go for a light model with a headband that sits stable.
• Check the battery life at the level you will actually use.
• Consider whether you want to charge with USB or swap batteries on the go.

A good headlamp lasts for many years and follows you from the Camino to camping trips at home. It is a small investment that quickly proves its worth the first time you stand in the dark and need to find your way. See my full Camino packing list if you are putting your kit together from scratch.