Hiking in the dark can be very risky, especially if you are doing it in a terrain you are unfamiliar with. You might suddenly step into holes, and this may leave you badly injured. Also, you can get bitten, perhaps by a snake or scorpion. It is, therefore, important that you have something like a headlamp flashlight if you love night hiking or running.
A headlamp flashlight for hiking leaves your hands free so you can hike quickly and effortlessly. It also illuminates the terrain you are hiking on nicely, thereby, improving safety. Ideally, a headlamp flashlight is not just great for hiking but also perfect for night or early morning runs, midnight DIY projects, reading in bed at night, etc.
In the following top 10 best headlamp flashlight for hiking reviews in 2020, we have listed the best brands to give you a glimpse of what to pick should you decide to buy one.
10. BEAUTIKEN High Lumen 8LED Headlight Flashlight – Preferred
With up to 8 LED lamps, the brightness of the BEAUTIKEN 8LED Headlight Flashlight cannot be doubted. The 8 LED lamps combine with a safety rear light to provide a light up to 500 meters to 800 meters. By so doing, this headlight flashlight will let you see very clearly not to mention playing a great role in keeping you away from danger. It has 8 lighting modes and 2 buttons to control these modes. One of these buttons is the LED key mode button that allows you to control the modes of the side beam, SOS strobe, all beam, and main beam. The other one is the COB auxiliary mode button, and it is for controlling the modes of the SOS red strobe, warm beam, red light, and strong beam.
PROS | CONS |
The red light mode is outstanding | Does get hot, but not to the extent of becoming uncomfortable to wear |
Light sources are controlled separately | |
The battery life seems great | |
Lightweight and easy to use | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
9. LBJD LED Rechargeable Headlamp Flashlight
Most headlamp flashlights for hiking are versatile but this seems to be more versatile than others. It is designed not just to provide you with light but also to make your outdoor life convenient. You can use it to charge your phone. All you need is a USB cable and you are good to go. You can also use it on your bicycle for safe cycling in the dark or simply use it the way it is to tackle those tasks that demand a lot from your hands. It is a super versatile flashlight headlamp that’s great for car repair, night camping, BBQ, running, fishing, hunting, and hiking. It is also perfect for precision work such as craft work and jewelry repair.
PROS | CONS |
The on/off button is well made | The headband may be a bit too tight when the headlamp is new |
Has a USB port for easy charging | |
Has a battery gauge indicator | |
The zoomable light beam is amazing | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
8. Energizer IPX4 Water Resistant LED Headlamp Flashlights
Whether it is a room you want to light up or simply find your way in the dark, this headlamp flashlight should be a frontier for you. At a high mode, this headlamp illuminates up to 80 meters and has a 260-lumen beam of LED light. Needless to say, it is a super bright headlamp flashlight that you should definitely consider if all you want is proper illumination every time. The flashlight is solidly constructed and can withstand a 1-meter drop test. It also has a shatterproof lens and a water-resistant IPX4 rated body. Because of such rugged construction, this headlamp is great for both outdoors and indoors.
PROS | CONS |
The price is reasonable | The glare caused by leaking light can be quite bothersome, but this can quickly be fixed by sticking a black tape under the headlamp |
They are light and provides plenty of brightness | |
The two buttons make the headlamp easy to use | |
Battery life is superb | |
Fits well without sliding around | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
7. JLANG USB Rechargeable Led Head Lamp
Apart from being the best headlamp flashlight for hiking, the JLANG USB Rechargeable Led Head Lamp is great for walking, running, fishing, auto repair & emergency kit, caving, reading, and hunting. It can also be used as a waist lamp for DIY jobs. It comes with a USB charging cable so you can recharge it from any USB device. Ideally, this LED headlamp is powered by two 18650 rechargeable batteries that work up to 4 – 6 hours on a full charge. Plus it has 4 modes, including bright, super bright, induction function bright, and flashing SOS bright. The IPX4 water-resistant body means water splash from all directions will not affect this LED headlamp.
PROS | CONS |
Rechargeable and very bright | Straps tend to pull out of the slots frequently |
Comes with a charging cord | |
Batteries have great life | |
Can spread a beam of light in a cone or focus it | |
Keeps hands free so you can finish tasks quickly | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
6. Vont 2 PACK LED Headlamp Flashlight for Adults, Kids – Preferred
Total darkness will be the least of your concern if you have these headlamps by Vont. They are super bright headlamps that provide great illumination to let you see clearly in the dark and carry out various tasks. What’s more, these headlamps have impressive battery life that lasts up to 90 hours. They also boast IPX5 waterproof rated body plus they have undergone rigorous tests which prove that they can hold up well to extreme conditions. Besides, these headlamps fit perfectly in the pocket. You can, therefore, clip them there for quick access. The lifetime warranty these headlamps come with is further proof that they are of first-class quality.
PROS | CONS |
Strobe is on both the night red lights and the bright white light | Would be better if instructions were included |
Headlights are great for the price | |
They are lightweight, bright, and very compact | |
The headband fits all sizes of head | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
5. GearLight [2 Pack] S500 LED Headlamp Flashlight
These two headlamp flashlights are powered by 3 AAA batteries (not included). On a low setting, batteries last up to 45 hours, while on a high setting, batteries last up to 3 hours. Headlamps are powerful and generate a nice beam with daylight color and definition. Furthermore, these headlamps weigh just 1.8 ounces. And, when they are loaded with the aforementioned batteries, they weigh 3 ounces. They are surprisingly lightweight, and, therefore, great for running and other outdoor adventures. Additionally, these headlights come with an adjustable, washable, and removable headband. The headband fits both adults and children comfortably. Built with water-resistant material and then drop tested, these headlights will hold up well to harsh conditions.
PROS | CONS |
The price is inexpensive | The switch can be a bit hard to feel in the darkness |
Very bright and lightweight | |
Build quality seems top-notch | |
The headband is comfortable | |
The red LEDs are a nice feature and are also bright | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
4. Vekkia Ultra Bright CREE LED Headlamp. Batteries Included
The reason why this is the best headlamp for trekking is that it is very easy to operate. It comes with 2 buttons to allow you to effortlessly select one of five light settings. Besides, this LED headlamp has several modes, including full brightness, strobe, and dim modes. It also has red LEDs that are great for improving your night vision. Well, it’s not just trekking this LED headlamp is great for; you can also use it for trail running, camping, and overnight hiking. The IPX6 water-resistant body and sturdy materials make the LED headlamp perfect for outdoors. What’s more, this headlamp comes with a 1-year warranty to further justify how well built it is.
PROS | CONS |
Great for running early in the morning and at night | Battery can be pretty difficult to replace |
Stays in place and is very lightweight | |
The brightness is adjustable | |
The tilt feature is amazing | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
3. Foxelli 165 Lumen Headlamp Flashlight – Preferred
The 45-degree tiltable body and the wide variety of red & white light modes are a pure indication that this headlamp flashlight is versatile and will come in handy in almost all activities done at night. Furthermore, the headlamp flashlight has an SOS and strobe mode to keep you safe in any situation. Plus this headlamp flashlight has a waterproof rating of IPX5; meaning it will not be damaged by splashing or spraying water from any direction. The headlamp flashlight comes with 3 AAA Energizer batteries, which is great, considering that most manufacturers do not include batteries in the package that comes with their headlights. The 3 AAA Energizer batteries last up to 45 hours, thereby, making this headlight super reliable.
PROS | CONS |
Fits well and is lightweight | The gap around the casing where the batteries reside is worrisome |
The controls are easy to operate | |
Comfortable to wear and well made | |
Comes with 3 AAA batteries | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
2. Elmchee 6 LED 8 Modes Rechargeable headlamp – Preferred
Hands-free LED headlights promote convenience by freeing up your hands. And the Elmchee 6 LED 8 Modes Rechargeable headlamp is no exception. It is designed to brighten up your environment while leaving you free to tackle various tasks. That being said, this rechargeable headlamp is exactly what you need to read, work or explore the indoor or outdoor environment. It has 8 working modes that will easily meet your lighting needs. Besides, this rechargeable headlamp comes with a top-notch 1500mAh Li-polymer battery. It also boasts 6 extremely bright LEDs that shine stronger, longer, and brighter. The LED lights have a lifespan of over 100,000 hours; meaning you will never need to change them.
PROS | CONS |
It is extremely bright | The print on the instructions is a little too tiny |
The battery indicator is a plus | |
Battery life is exceptional | |
Has a normal USB charge cable | |
Arrives well and securely packaged | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
1. LE LED Headlamp Flashlight with Red Light, Batteries Included
From price to performance; everything about this headlight flashlight is amazing. That’s why we can tell you with a lot of confidence that it is the best head torch for night hiking. It has a total of 4 lighting modes, and these are 3 levels of white light brightness (18 LEDs, 10 LEDs, and 2 LEDs) and a red flashing mode. Besides, this headlamp flashlight is 90-degree tiltable for oriented lighting plus it weighs just 3.2 ounces. Needless to say, the headlamp flashlight is very easy to carry and excellent for outdoor activities such as reading, bicycling, fishing, camping, jogging, and running. The headlamp flashlight comes with a 30-day refund policy for worry-free buying.
PROS | CONS |
The price is unbeatable | Not the most durable; hence, it should not be subjected to rigorous use |
Great for reading in bed at night | |
Very bright and comfortable to wear | |
Has a user-friendly design | |
Buy on Amazon | More Information |
Buyer’s Guide for the Best Headlamp Flashlight for Hiking
The following factors should be at your fingertips when buying a headlamp flashlight for hiking.
- Brightness: You want to see clearly in the dark, and this is one of the main reasons why you are buying a headlamp flashlight. Needless to say, go for a headlamp flashlight that puts out plenty of light. Such a product will keep you safe when hiking in the dark. Ideally, there are some instances when you will not need a lot of light. So, make sure your headlamp flashlight has lighting modes as well.
- Battery Life: Choosing a headlamp flashlight for hiking with impressive battery life is very important. Such a headlight is super reliable; hence, it will not, in any way, compromise productivity. As you can tell in the products above, some headlights use AAA batteries while others use rechargeable batteries. Both of these batteries have their advantages and drawbacks. So, make sure you take that into consideration before buying the flashlights.
- Waterproofing: Since you are buying a headlamp flashlight to use outdoors, you should settle on something solidly built. And a solidly built headlamp flashlight is not just made of durable materials but also it is waterproofed. This means water splashes and sprays will do it no harm.
Conclusion
We have learned that headlamp flashlights for hiking are highly versatile. Apart from hiking, headlamp flashlights are ideal for running, camping, DIY jobs, nighttime reading, and many more. We have also learned that not all headlamp flashlights work the same. So, if you want to only spend money on the best model (which, of course, you do), you must read reviews such as the ones we have above.