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Whether you’re looking to walk the dog on a dark winter evening or bag an early morning peak, a good head torch is an indispensable piece of gear for travelling.
If you’re a hard-core outdoor enthusiast, a powerful beam could be the difference between a safe walk home and a call to mountain rescue, but bigger isn’t always better.
And if you’re looking for even more outdoor must-haves- we sure to take a look our our travel essentials roundup and our rainy day essentials guide.
For the average person, a 1,000-lumen floodlight is simply a heavy, expensive nuisance that blinds everyone else at the campsite.
So, I’ve put five of the best head torches to the test to find the most reliable options for camping, hiking, trail running and more.
Whether you’re camping, hiking, or trail running, finding the right head torch is key. To help you find the right choice, the Daily Mail has put five of the best to the test. Pictured: Petzl Swift RL
We put the five best head torches through side-by-side testing to find the most reliable option for every application. Left: The Petzl Swift RL, our best head torch for trail running. Right: The Nitecore NU25 MCT UL, our best ultra-light head torch
We’ve tested some of the latest models from leading outdoor brands as well as lesser-known gems from British manufacturers.
And with plenty of options to choose from, you’ll be able to find the right head torch for your needs and budget.
Best head torches: Quick listHow we test
When testing head torches, we make sure to take them out into the environment they’re going to be used in, out in nature at night.
Each of the torches was taken for a midnight ramble out in the countryside to see how they felt to wear, as well as being put through side-by-side comparisons.
We took each of the torches for a night time walk out in nature as well as putting them through side-by-side testing. We’re looking at brightness, battery life, and convenience. Pictured: Nitecore NU25 MCT UL
Exposure Lights HT Raw: This durable, premium head torch has a fantastically focussed main beam and a surprisingly bright red light option
As well as looking at how bright they are, we consider other important factors, like comfort, durability, price, and whether the buttons are easy to use with gloves on.
Why trust us
Our expert team has been testing products and writing reviews for many years, covering a wide range of lifestyle products. This includes everything from coffee machines to mobile phones.
Wiliam’s reviews are honest, unbiased, and based on a passion for the outdoors and years spent hiking and climbing around Britain. He takes into consideration all different budgets, interests, and concerns, so you always have the information you need to make an informed decision.
The best head torches for camping, hiking and running 1. Best buy head torch overall: Petzl Tikka CorePetzl Tikka CoreReview
For a rugged, no-nonsense headtorch that is perfect for late nights at the campsite, look no further than the Petzl Tikka Core.
This might not be the highest-performance head torch on the market, but its bright, wide beam is more than enough for the vast majority of people. Unless you’re planning some serious climbing, hiking, or running in the dark, this is really all you will need.
With the option to either use a rechargeable battery or three standard AAA batteries, this is an extremely flexible option.
The Petzl Tikka Core has three lighting modes: a gentle seven-lumen option that’s great for reading in the tent, a 100-lumen medium setting, and a full power 450-lumen option. You can also cycle through a white or red colour option.
Petzl says that you should get up to 110 hours of burn time at the lowest setting, seven hours on medium, and around two hours at full power. However, that full power beam is very bright, and the average camper won’t find them using it for more than a few minutes at a time. In fact, my only real gripe with the Tikka Core is that there aren’t any smaller steps between the medium and full power modes, as the jump to 450 lumens is a big increase.
The Tikka Core uses a broad, rubberised band to stay snug across your forehead. Even though the padding on the back of the torch is quite thin, I found that it sat nicely and wasn’t uncomfortable during extended wear. With a compact design and weighing just 88 grams, the Tikka Core remains nice and secure and doesn’t wiggle or bounce as you move. One detail I love is the phosphorescent reflector, which makes it super easy to find in the dark or in the depths of your bag.
Overall, this is the ideal head torch for anyone getting into camping or hiking and might need to spend some time out in the dark. It’s bright enough to reveal trails and set up your tent in the dark, but sensible enough that it won’t blind everyone else in the campsite.
2. Best head torch for trail running: Petzl Swift RLPetzl Swift RLReview
If your outdoor adventures are taking you into some serious territory, the Petzl Swift RL is the upgrade that will keep you moving no matter what.
Lighting steps between 10 and 1200 lumens means that this is a great option for more intense climbing, hiking, and trail running. In our tests, the Petzl Swift RL cast a huge beam at the highest settings that easily illuminated trails for well over 100 metres.
The Petzl Swift RL also features a really neat modular headband that is comfortable, light, and the easiest to adjust of any head torch we tested.
However, the real killer feature is Petzl’s Reactive Lighting system. The head torch uses a sensor to analyse the ambient lighting and adjust the brightness and beam accordingly. That means you don’t blind yourself when you go to look at a map, and it means you don’t need to constantly flick through modes to save battery as the terrain changes.
Once you get used to the difference, the reactive lighting is extremely smooth and makes a big difference when moving quickly. That also means you get fantastic battery life, with a minimum of seven hours of burn time at the brightest reactive setting.
Combined with a lightweight design and settings that are delightfully easy to use on the fly, this is the perfect choice for trail runners or climbers who need to focus on what’s ahead of them rather than fiddling with their head torch.
FORCLAZ HL100 USBReview
The extremely affordable HL100 USB from Decathlon’s in-house brand, FORCLAZ, shows that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get something sensible and reliable.
At just £12.99, this head torch is a real bargain. It features a rechargeable battery, three brightness settings, a red light mode to protect your vision, and a surprisingly comfortable head strap.
I really like how simple the HL 100 USB was to operate. Everything is controlled with a single button that cycles through the power modes. The button is big and raised enough that it is easy to find even with gloves on.
However, while this is a fantastic torch for its price, you do get what you pay for when it comes to outdoor equipment.
With a maximum brightness of just 120 lumens, you wouldn’t want to take this out on rough terrain at night, where vision is critical. However, you do get a good cone of vision extending out about 20 to 30 metres. That is more than enough for an early morning jog in the park or pottering around the campsite.
Likewise, with an IPX4 water resistance rating, this torch will be able to handle light rain and splashes but not a serious downpour.
However, for such a low price compared to other head torches I’ve tested, this is still a great choice for beginner hikers on a budget.
Nitecore NU25 MCT ULReview
If you’re an ultralight hiker or trail runner set on trimming every possible gram from your kit, why go to all that effort just to pack the same old heavy head torch?
The NU25 MCT UL from Nitecore is a true piece of ultralight gear. That means it is stripped down, simple, and a little bit uncomfortable if you’re not used to it.
At just 47 grams, this is by far the lightest head torch I’ve ever tested, coming in at almost half the weight of the Petzl Tikka Core.
But don’t be deceived, because this is no lightweight when it comes to illumination. With a maximum power of 400 lumens, I was really impressed by the width of the beam at full power. Compared to some head torches, which can feel a bit too narrow, the NU25 MCT UL offered a nice, broad field of illumination.
The NU25 MCT UL also packs in a baffling amount of settings and options. You can choose between four brightness settings, including a battery-saving ultralow mode, three colour warmth options, and two red light brightness settings. Having the choice to flick over to a warmer light that doesn’t blind everyone around me was a really great option to have.
The only real problems with the NU25 MCT UL are a direct consequence of its ultralight design. The strap, which is a simple bungee cord, isn’t the most comfortable and can slip a little if it isn’t tightened properly.
Likewise, the lighter battery means you will only get two hours and 40 minutes at full brightness and five hours on the middle setting. That means it’s fine for evening or early morning hikes with a few hours in the dark, but not for anything that requires being out all night.
HT RawWhat we love
Great lighting optionsSuper bright full beam and powerful red light
ComfortableThe best head strap of any torch I’ve tested
RuggedThe tough aluminium casing is fully water resistant and comes with a 10-year repair warranty
What could be better
ExpensiveThis is definitely a luxury item that is a bit of a stretch for most casual outdoors enthusiasts
On the heavy sideAt 100 grams, this isn’t the lightest torch I’ve tested
Review
I’m not sure if any head torch can truly count as luxurious, but the Exposure Lights HT Raw comes as close as anything I’ve ever tried.
Unless you’re an avid mountain biker or sailor, you might not have heard of Exposure Lights, but their newest entry into the world of outdoor lighting is an absolutely fantastic head torch for almost any activity.
Right out of the box, the HT Raw feels exceptionally well-made. Its sturdy aluminium frame is manufactured in the UK out of quality materials, and you can really feel that in its compact, lightweight construction.
The standard high setting is a 300-lumen flood light, which should give you around 2.75 hours of use of a single charge. You can switch it down to the 10-lumen low mode for over 80 hours of use, or hit the ‘boost’ option for a brief beam of incredibly bright light at a whopping 750 lumens. However, my favourite option was the exceptionally bright red light mode, which offers surprisingly good illumination at 25 lumens.
The HT Raw has the most comfortable headband out of any of the head torches I tested. Fastening with a simple velcro strap, the broad band sits snugly across the forehead. At 100 grams, this isn’t the lightest I tested, but the great fit means you barely notice the weight.
While several head torches claim to have a reflective or high-visibility headband, the HT Raw was the only one I have been really impressed by. The silver lettering on the side of the strap gleams in even low light, making this a great choice for roadside walking or cycling.
But the best feature is Exposure Life’s incredible warranty. Each head torch comes with a three year warranty and a 10 year servicing warranty. That means you can keep repairing your head torch long into the future.
Our verdict
The head torch that is right for you will depend on what you’re planning on doing with it. But, if I had to recommend one head torch to anyone, it would be the Petzl Tikka CORE.
This versatile, rugged, and surprisingly comfortable head torch has more than enough brightness for most applications, and plenty of battery life to get you through the night.
Although it might be more expensive, the three-year warranty and 10-year repair warranty on the Exposure Lights HTC Raw make it a great option
Although it isn’t the biggest or brightest torch on the list, if you’re planning on going camping or taking on a hike that might finish after sunset, this is the easiest and best option for you.
But, for my next trip, I’ll be reaching for the Exposure Lights HT Raw. I love the rugged design and comfortable strap, and the balance of battery with power is just right for me. Although it’s expensive, the added bonus of a 10-year repair warranty means it will soon pay for itself.
FAQsHow much should I spend on a head torch?
The price of a head torch can vary from barely £20 to well over £100, so think carefully about how much you’re going to use it and what you’ll be using it for. If you’re only going on a few casual camping trips or hikes once or twice a year, don’t spend a fortune. Look for something around £20 and see if you need more power or features before investing.
How can I know whether a head torch will fit me?
Almost all head torches come in a ‘one size fits all’ option, with plenty of room to adjust the straps for all head shapes. If you’re worried about a particular head torch, consider heading to a high-street outdoors store to try it on.
How many lumens does my torch need?
For camping and hiking, you certainly won’t need anything much brighter than 200 lumens. If its main use is being around the campsite, look for a torch with a stable low power mode of around 10 lumens rather than the brightest option possible. For more serious movement on potentially dangerous terrain, look for something that goes up to 400 lumens. Only look for something brighter, in the 700 to 1,000 lumen range, if you plan on serious mountain activity or need a torch with emergency signalling.
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