These 4 Emergency Headlamps Weigh Nothing and Could Save Your Bacon
Getting lost on the trail after dark is a nuisance. As two dayhikers in Big Sur discovered this month, doing it without a headlamp can become an emergency.
Lighting
Whether you’re out for a day hike or beginning a multi-day backpacking trip, packing a headlamp is essential. Find the best backcountry headlamps and camping lanterns with expert advice from Backpacker Magazine.
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Do-anything set
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Petzl Tikka
You won’t find a more reliable headlamp.
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Gear Review: Black Diamond Equipment Cosmo Headlamp
Bright and light describe this rugged headlamp from Black Diamond Equipment.
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Editors' Choice 2013: Black Diamond Equipment ReVolt
Recharge the batteries or swap them out with standard AAAs; you'll never be in the dark.
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A light and packable miniature lantern.
Holiday Gift Guide 2012: Night Ize BugLit
A bright, bendable LED light that weights less than an ounce.
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Gear Guide 2012: Black Diamond Icon Headlamp
The Icon uses a four-AA power source allowing for long lasting light and no drops in power.
Gear Guide 2012: Bargain Accessories
A colorful headlamp, hands-free camera harness, and a flask–all for under $50.
Editors' Choice 2012: Snow Peak SnowMiner
Get the right light on trail and in camp with this 2-in-1 lamp.
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This editor like her campsite to be well lit.
Black Diamond Orbit Lantern
A lightweight lantern that illuminates any tent perfectly.
Review: Camp Lights and Headlamps
Find the perfect backcountry glow for any occasion.
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A soft shell lantern that's perfect for illuminating a tent.
Gear Review: Kelty Lumapivot
A bright LED lantern that's perfect for car camping.
Gear Review: Mammut X-Shot
The brightest headlamp we tested.
Gear Review: Princeton Tec Byte
A great headlamp for ultralighters.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Storm
The Storm has multiple setting options for only $50 and four ounces.
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Some headlamps only provide a little light to get you by. Not so with the 105-lumen Fenix HL20–and it runs on a normal AA battery too!
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Petzl Tikka2 Headlamp
A tough, dependable nightlight
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Gear Review: Energizer's Solar Folding Lantern & Hard Case Professional Area Light
Two Energizer products that light up camp (and your social habits) in unique ways.
Gear Review: Kriana AA Krill Light
The Krill Light electronic electroluminescent (EL) light stick is a bright, long-lasting glow stick made for function not fashion.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Titan Camp Light
A camp light that you'll find yourself using everywhere.
Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Mammut TR1+Ambient Light Set
All backpackers carry a headlamp in their pack, but many often hesitate to carry a mini-lantern–this smart two-fer solves the problem.
Gear Review: Mammut TR1 Headlamp/Ambient Light Set
A headlamp and mini lantern in one.
Gear Review: GoMotion 3-Watt Sternum Luxeon LED Kit
This headlamp for your chest is ideal for night hikers.
Gear Review: Eureka Glide 51
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The tiniest light
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A superbright headlamp with big, easy-to-find buttons
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Gear Review: Coast LED Lenser Micro Headlamp
The Coast Lenser is the lightest and cheapest headlamp we tested.
Gear Review: Mammut Lucido TXlite Headlamp
The Mammut Lucido provides the steadiest light.
Gear Review: Petzl Tikka Plus 2 Headlamp
The Petzl Tikka features the best light quality.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
The Black Diamond Spot has the brightest light and best battery life.
Gear Review: Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp
This best all-around headlamp passed every test we threw at it.
Editors' Choice 2008: Mammut Lucido TX1 Headlamp
Be the brightest hiker on the block with this laser-like headlamp.
Editors' Choice: Everlite EL-8 Solar Headlamp
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Gear Review: Coleman LED Quad Lantern
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Editors' Choice 2009: Mammut X-Zoom Headlamp
Forget brightest or lightest–get the most versatile headlamp. Ever.
Headlamp Reviews
Check out The Backpacker Editors, Photos by sethhughes.com's author page.
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