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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.
Deal of the Week: This 1.5-Ounce Headlamp Is Ultralight and Ultra-Cheap
The SOL Venture Rechargeable is a solid, lightweight headlamp for less than half the price of its closest competition.
Latest in Lighting
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.
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First Look: Silva Terra Scout H Headlamp
Choose a brighter future with this eco-friendly new headlamp
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First Look: Petzl’s Latest Hybrid Headlamps
Featuring dual-compatibility for power and 50:50 burn time, these two headlamps are ready for any adventure
Deal of the Week: Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
Get an insider price on this classic light.
MPOWERD Luci Color String Lights
The best lighting for basecamp of 2021.
Black Diamond Flare
The lightest lighting of 2021.
BioLite HeadLamp 750
The lighting with best battery life of 2021.
Ledlenser’s H7R Signature Is a Superpowered Headlamp for Moving Fast
Night bikers and skiers will have a hard time outrunning this light's powerful beam.
Deal of the Week: BioLite HeadLamp 330
This light prioritizes both power and comfort.
Deal of the Week: BioLite HeadLamp 330
Shine a light on this week's best gear deal.
MPOWERD Luci Explore
Best lantern
Black Diamond ReVolt 350
Best all-around headlamp
Panther Vision Powercap 2.0 Beanie
Most convenient headlamp
Coast FL1R
Lightest headlamp
Deal of the Week: Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
You need power. This headlamp has it—for 30% off.
Knog Bandicoot Headlight
Set it and forget it with this mono-chassis headlamp.
2019 Gear Preview: New Headlamps and Lights at Outdoor Retailer
For Spring 19, outdoor electronics put more power into smaller spaces to streamline tech-packed adventure.
Deal of the Week: Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
Brighten your day with a deal on this trusty light.
Little One’s First Camping Trip
Getting ready to take a first timer into the wilderness can be a daunting task, but not when you’ve got the right gear and attitude.
Uco X-120R
Most Comfortable
Petzl ACTIK CORE and Noctilight
Do-anything set
LuminAID Packlite Nova
Solar lantern
Black Diamond Ion
Compact headlamp
Petzl Tikka
You won’t find a more reliable headlamp.
2015 Editors' Choice: Princeton Tec Sync
Get a feature-packed headlamp for a jaw-dropping price.
Princeton Tec Byte Headlamp Review
One of our favorite headlamps ever.
Energizer High Performance Headlight
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Gear Review: Fenix HL30
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: LED Lenser SEO 5
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: UCO ARKA Lantern
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: Snow Peak Lapel Torch
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: Light & Motion Solite 250
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: Princeton Tec Vizz
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Spot
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Equipment Cosmo Headlamp
Bright and light describe this rugged headlamp from Black Diamond Equipment.
Gear Review: d.light S10 Solar Lantern
Let nature fuel your light with this solar powered lantern from d.light.
Editors' Choice 2013: Black Diamond Equipment ReVolt
Recharge the batteries or swap them out with standard AAAs; you'll never be in the dark.
Gear Review: Snow Peak Mini Hozuki Lantern
A light and packable miniature lantern.
Holiday Gift Guide 2012: Night Ize BugLit
A bright, bendable LED light that weights less than an ounce.
Gear: Car Camping
Ultra Luxe Load the trunk this Labor Day with weight-is-no-object comfort gear.
Gear Review: Kelty LumaSpot Lantern
Check out Tracy Ross and Rachel Zurer's author page.
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.
Editors' Picks with Associate Editor Kristy Holland
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.
Gear Review: Snow Peak Hozuk
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.
Gear Review: Fenix HL20 Headlamp
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!
Gear School: Headlamps
Improve your night sight with the latest headlamp technology.
Petzl Tikka2 Headlamp
A tough, dependable nightlight
Gear Review: High-Powered Flashlights
We tested four unique high-powered lights using lithium batteries for lightweight super power.
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
A lightweight flashlight that converts to a lantern
Gear Review: eGear PICO
The tiniest light
Gear Review: Princeton Tec Remix
A superbright headlamp with big, easy-to-find buttons
Gear Review: Black Diamond Sprinter
Runners will love this headlamp.
Headlamps Test: Lightest of the Lights
We hike and camped through 78 inky nights from Whitney to Katahdin to evaluate five featherweight headlamps--then ran a battery of controlled tests to rank brightness and longevity.
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
Charge your light (and cell phone, too!) with this bright lamp and its companion solar panel.
Gear Review: Coleman LED Quad Lantern
No kid gets left in the dark with this versatile LED lamp.
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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