Headlamps for Night Trail Running

By Susan V. Farago, Trailhead Running Coach

Planning to trail run at night? Or get an early start to your day by running before dawn? Headlamps are a key piece of equipment that enables you to enjoy the trails in a whole different light!
When it comes to headlamps there are here are a few key points to keep in mind:   1) Lumens, Beam Distance and Run Time
When you head out to buy a lamp, there are three things you'll want to look for on the package. Most headlamp companies are quick to boast about their Lumens, Beam Distance and Run Time. Lumens (tell you how intensely a light glows at its source) will tell you how bright the headlamp shines, but that doesn't tell you how far it goes. That is when you'll look for beam distance on the package so you can know how for you can see with your headlamp. Headlamp makers calculate run time until lights can no longer produce usable light (the light of a full moon) at 2 meters. Look for a clock icon plus a number of hours (usually shown in abbreviated form, such as 50h).
 
2) Cost
The more battery, the more power for light brightness and duration. If you buy the "least expensive" headlamp, don't be surprised if it barely lights the area around your forehead. If you invest a little more in your headlamp, the $30 - $40 range, you'll most likely be getting a headlamp that has multiple brightness settings for you to choose from. If you were buying a headlamp to use for camping, and only need it for being able to see in your tent, or walking to and from the tent to the bathrooms, an the lesser expensive headlamp would do the trick. If you plan to be running, on trail and at night, you'll want to be able to see a little further ahead of where you are, which would lead you to pay a little more for a headlamp.
    
3) Batteries
If you choose a headlamp that comes with a battery pack (which is usually rechargeable battery), be sure to check where the batter pack mounts. Can is be carried in a waist pack or is it mounted to a head strap that you wear? Keep Batteries Fresh! Once you get a headlamp, check your headlamp's batteries to make sure they are fully charged and ready to go. If it's been a while since you've used your headlamp and/or changed it's batteries, it might be good to go ahead and buy new batteries. If your batteries are rechargeable, make sure you have a fresh and full charge each time you head out.
    
4) Ask for Input
We have found the sales staff at REI and Whole Earth Provisions are great resources when you are shopping for headlamps. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Let the sales staff know exactly how you plan to use the headlamp. When in doubt you can always ask us for our input--we have tried all sorts of headlamps. We have also tried wearing headlamps in different places (on head, around waist, in hand), and while the waist or in hand provides additional help with depth perception, the most traditional placement is on the head. Here are some common and trusted headlamp brands: Petzl, Black Diamond, Princeton, and Ay-Up <- Our personal favorite! REI provides a great Headlamp Product Info sheet as well as a list of the headlamp brands they carry.