RUNNING HEADTORCH BUYING GUIDE | Best Headlamps For Running | Run4Adventure

The nights are drawing in and the clocks will be going back soon and it's that time of the year that as runners we all start reaching for our gloves, beanies and definitely our running headtorches. So we thought it would make sense to bring our awesome viewers a Run4Adventure running headtorch buying guide! With so many options available it can get pretty confusing, so we've put together a list of things to look out for when it comes to making that important headtorch purchase.

Hopefully this will stop you from making all the mistakes I made trying to find the right running headlamp for my needs.

Really hope you enjoy the video, thanks for watching, we'll see you in the next video and as always - stay safe and keep on running!

RUN4ADVENTURE GIVEAWAY DETAILS ON THIS VIDEO:

0:00 Intro
2:50 Lumens
3:49 Best headtorches for road running
5:38 Best headtorches for trail and ultra running
7:07 Battery life / Burn time
10:00 Functionality
16:11 Outro

ENTRY LEVEL HEADTORCHES

MID-LEVEL HEADTORCHES

ALL SINGING, ALL DANCING HEADTORCHES

#runningheadtorch #runningheadlamp #bestheadlamps

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MUSIC

Balloons by Joakim Karud

INTRO VIDEO

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Camera gear used by Run4Adventure:

[naimharb]

That's a great idea to have a buying guide from an experienced runner. I've had to read and research a lot to get my equipment. May I add that as someone who loves forest trail running especially in winter I find that a waist torch is very useful (or a head torch that can be mounted on a waist belt). That's especially if you're running through a desne mid-hight branches where a head torch will basically project more distracting shadows at feet level. A midsection source of light enlighten more route details in these conditions.

[scottcollier]

I got the FENIX HM65R-T for early morning trail runs based on one of your previous videos. It's nice and light and the battery lasts for ages.

[rockandjessica]

I want to give some VERY important information here:
When talking about lumen of head torches, THE 1st thing to know is, the lighting system is regulated/standard or
1. The regulated/standard lighting
The brightness decreases gradually as the energy source is drained, offering a very long burn time, it is a compromise between power and burn time. The rated brightness is the maximum light output, obtained when first turned on. It dims after a few minutes, until it goes out completely many hours later.

For example, a head torch states it has 5 hours burn time in 300 lumen mode, but you won't get any hour of 300lm, the light gradually dim down, the burn time is measured from 300lm (30 seconds after it turns on） to there is only 10% of 300lm left, so during the whole burn time you will get the light from 300lm to 30lm, it is very tricky, right？Like my very expensive and award winning Sliva Tail Runner 4 Ultra head torch!!!! The max mode is 350lm, it says there will be 25 hours burn time when using 3 AAA batteries, but after 3 hours in my ultra race night, the light is so dim that I hardly see the trail under my feet! I have to change batteries every 3or4 hours due to the trail was quite technical and my eyes were very sour when light was low.


2. constant lighting
For example, the head torch states it has 5 hours burn time in 300 lumen mode, then it will stay on 300 lumen for the whole 5 hours until the battery is nearly empty, then the light will drop to very low level but will still give you enough time and light to change batteries, normally there will be flashing signals before the light significantly drops.

Petzl website has good explain about those two light system with graph charts, links are below, some Petzl head torches have constant light, including NAO+, which has both reactive mode and constant mode, and Decathlon trail run 300lm ONNIGHT 710, Nitecore, Biolite, Olight and Ultraspire waist light also have constant light system.

[pegasus]

Nebo transcend 1500 is a great head torch
I Run with mine and love it, of you want a good value head torch

But I would advise putting a middle strap front to back to give some support that won't take much and will be worth it .

[alexandrebellotti]

Great vídeo... Congrats!!! Could you talk about rain jacket and cold running clothes???

[rolandschegg]

Great advice, cool video - I got the Fenix HM65R-T and love it 👌🤞 I can recommend the separate video on the channel 👍🤞🤩

[mikeshaw]

I bought the Fenix on the strength of the review earlier in the year. Used it a few times now in the Fells at night and It's a great light. I've only had to use it on the min settings for both Flood and Spot and that has been fine over technical ground. The Battery seems to last forever as well.

My only gripe is that it keeps bouncing down my forehead so I'm having to readjust it quite a lot. I put a headband on to see if that stopped it but it didn't.

I don't think it's the headlight/strap that's at fault, I think it's my head!!! Every light (with a single strap) I've tried does the same, it seems I need an overhead strap as well to stop it bouncing.

The bounce issue aside, the Fenix is a great light and I would buy again, but probably go for the HM65R version with the overhead strap.

[slavasss]

I realize dogs become agressive when they see runner at night with headlamp....dangerous on narrow park roads....smb has same experience?

[CyrrusNL]

I'm all-in on the Petzl Iko Core. Super comfortable. I do need to bring an extra battery but that thing is awesome for me. I generally run it at its medium setting on the trails and I've found it gives me plenty of light at medium setting.

[elliegrimes]

A buying guide to running jackets would be really useful! I can never tell what I worth the £££

[brunovincent]

Hi Loyd, well, I'm preparing myself for a sunny, hot season or running, as are all seasons over here in Thailand ;) Quick question, what kind of webcam do you use for your videos? I'm looking to buy the Logitech c920

[ProBloggerWorld]

Winter is coming and I still don't own a headtorch - I just bought the Silva headtorch. Thanks for your review.

[mvzinn]

I also picked up a Fenix which I really like. I took an old offbrand headlamp and put it on a belt for use around the waist. It really helps on the trails!

[Slushpuppie]

I want the Petzel Nao+ with the HM65R-T headband.

[slavasss]

12:04 whats that? Bluetooth connection to phone???

[inluminatiomea]

What about battery life in cold weather?

[McLeod]

Great video ...really interesting ..very crurent vidéo...can't wait to start running in the dark...i mean with the winter clock lol👏👏👏👍🙂🇨🇵

[garyduffy]

Another great buying guide Loyd, I don't expect too many models have been released since you made this, so I'll be checking out some of your recommendations, having watched your individual product reviews. Could I just point out that the red proximity lights aren't usually a good idea if you're reading maps, as the contour lines (brown) on most standard maps will be difficult to see. As ex-military, double checking maps would be one of the only times we would use white light at night. Keep up the great reviews.

[SeeChadRun]

I've been using the Silva Trail Runner FREE for both road and trail running. I really enjoy that headlamp! What I like most about it vs the competition is that it uses both a flood and spot light simultaneously for excellent coverage and distance. You'd think battery life would be an issue, but it competes well in this area too, and the Ultra version of this unit has a large battery that should last all night for those LONG ultras. I'll usually run 4-5 days (1.5-2 hours each day) before charging the unit when using this battery pack. That said, it also includes a case for using 3xAAA batteries or you can get the H model, which includes a slim rechargeable battery. The other thing that I like about it is that it is very light weight. I reviewed this headlamp on my channel too ;-) I've also been using and will review the Nitecore HC60v2 (very bright and IPx7 rated!) and the yet to be released UT27 headlamp soon.
Great video!!!

[russellking]

Just about to purchase a headtorch for the Arc 100 I've got it down to 2 with your great reviews so in your honest opinion the fenix hm 65 or the recent nightcore you recently reviewed?