Best Outdoor Headtorch for Walking, Hiking and Trail Running
In this review we look at the Best Outdoor Headtorch for Walking, Hiking and Trail Running.
Here at GPS Training we have a fantastic range of headtorches available from both Nebo & Silva, below is an introduction into each of these headtorches.
We have them listed in order of their standard high Lumens settings.
Lumens is a measure of the brightness of the light, the higher the lumens, the brighter the head torch will be and a longer beam length.
As well as the Lumens brightness we also need to take into consideration the weight of the Headtorch, battery life, weatherproof ratings, and any additional features they may have.
Nebo – Mycro Headlamp and Cap Light – Lumens high setting mode 150
Lightweight - This is the lightest / smallest headtorch that we have in our range weighing only 47g.
Turbo boost - It has a turbo boost setting that puts the light beam out at 400 Lumens for 30 seconds giving you an impressive 80 metres beam length, but the standard high setting is 150 Lumens giving you a beam length of 50 metres.
Built in Battery - The unit comes with a built-in rechargeable battery , there is no option to use your own batteries, battery life is around 1hsr at the 150 lumen setting but there are options for a medium 50 lumens setting (18 metre beam) with approx. 2hrs battery life and low 15 lumens setting (10 metre beam) with approx. 5hrs battery life.
Weatherproof rating - Weatherproof rating is IPX4 which is fine for a rain shower but not designed for a heavy downpour.
Extra features - With this unit being so light it has an extra feature of a cap clip which instead of using the traditional headband you can clip the torch onto the peak of a cap.
A lightweight small budget unit for everyday use around the home and garden when your lights go out or taking the dog for a short walk.
Silva – Scout 3 Headtorch – Lumen high setting mode 220
Scout 3 is the entry level headtorch from the quality Swedish brand Silva a small & compact unit weighing 84g.
Lumens - The high light setting on this unit is 220 lumens giving you a 60-metre beam length, there is also a low setting of 50 lumens giving you a 30-metre beam length and increased battery life.
Powering the headtorch - The unit works from 3 x AAA batteries, Silva also has a rechargeable battery pack that can be purchased separately that can be used instead of the 3 x AAA’s, we find it convenient to carry a spare set of AAA batteries. Battery life on the high setting from 3x AAA’s is approx. 6hrs but depending on your activity and beam required if you put the unit on its low setting of 50 lumens battery life is greatly increased to approx. 32hrs.
Weatherproof rating - This unit great weatherproof rating of IPX5 hence a heavy rain will not be a problem.
Summary - With a nice wide comfortable strap & Silva’s intelligent twin beam system giving you long reach spotlight and close flood light, this is a great started unit for your outdoor adventures, which takes up little room or weight in your backpack.
Nebo – Einstein 750 – Lumen high setting mode 250
This is the next unit up in the range of Headtorches from Nebo weighing 110g.
Turbo boost setting - Like the Nebo Mycro unit this Headtorch also has a Turbo boost setting, with this larger unit the boost will put out a 750-lumens beam for 30 seconds that has an impressive 85 metre beam, the standard high beam setting is 250 lumens giving a 62-metre beam.
Powering the Einstein 750 - Unlike the Nebo Mycro unit this headtorch is powered by 4 x AAA batteries, making it more convenient as you can carry spares. Battery life at the high 250 lumens setting is approximately 5 hrs but it also has a medium setting of 80 lumens (Beam 32 metres) giving approx. 15 hrs battery life and a low setting of 5 lumens (10 metre beam) giving approx. 60 hrs battery.
Weatherproof rating - With the same weatherproof rating as the Nebo Mycro of IPX4 we see this as a unit being used for the long dog walks where you need an increased beam strength and when walking when off the beaten track.
Silva – Scout 3X Headtorch – Lumen high setting mode 300
Small and compact Silva headtorch - This unit is another great small & compact headtorch from Silva with the same weight as the Scout 3 @ 84g but with an increased lumens strength of 300.
This increased 300 lumens gives you an increased beam length of 60 metres.
Increased lumens strength - Other than the increased lumens strength It has all the same specifications of the Silva Scout 3 listed above just with slightly less battery life when on the high setting of 300 lumens you are looking at approx. 5.5hrs battery life, it also has the same option as the Scout 3 with a low setting of 50 lumens giving your approx. 32hrs max battery.
Increased beam length - Another great unit for your outdoor adventures with an increased beam length as your venture more of the beaten track and a great weatherproof rating for if you get caught out in heavy rain.
Silva – Scout 3XT Headtorch – Lumen high setting mode 350
This unit is another great small and compact headtorch from Silva with the same weight as the Scout 3 & Scout 3X @ 84g but with an increased lumens strength of 350.
350 Lumens headtorch - This increased 350 lumens give you an increased beam length of 65 metres.
Other than the increase lumens strength It has all the same specifications of the Scout 3 & Scout 3x listed above just with slightly less battery life when on the high setting of 350 lumens you are looking at approx. 5hrs battery life, it also has the same option as the other Scout 3 units with a low setting of 50 lumens giving your approx. 32hrs max battery.
Rugged high performing Outdoor Headtorch - Another great unit for your outdoor adventures with an increased beam length as your venture more of the beaten track and need to look further ahead as you venture of the trail and with the same great weatherproof rating of the other Silva units there is no problems if you get caught out in heavy rain.
Silva – Scout 3XTH Headtorch – Lumen high setting mode 350
The Silva Scout 3XTH is identical to the Scout 3XT above the only differences being that the ‘H’ at the end of the reference denotes that this units comes with Silva’s rechargeable battery, giving you two options of battery as you can still use 3 x AAA batteries or recharge the included Silva battery with the USB cable included (USB mains plug not included)
Slightly increased weight of 104g
Nebo – Einstein 1000 FLEX – Lumen high setting mode 350
Most powerful headtorch in the Nebo range - This is the largest most powerful headtorch that we stock within the Nebo range, it has a Turbo boost setting that gives an impressive 1000 lumens 10 seconds boost that has a beam length of 120 metres, with having the extra lumens function the weight does come in at a heavier 450g.
Hybrid power - This unit is powered from the included rechargeable battery, or you can use 2 x CR123A Lithium batteries. (Battery time is reduced by 20% when using CR123A batteries).
The standard high beam setting on this unit is 350 lumens giving you a beam length of 55 metres and approx.3hrs battery, it also has a medium beam setting of 150 lumens (50 metres beam length) giving an approx. 6hrs battery and a Low beam setting of 10 lumens (14 metres beam length) approx. 18hrs battery)
Waterproof rating of the Nebo 1000 - This unit has the same weatherproof rating as the other Nebo units of IPX4, with the heavier weight but impressive turbo boost of 1000 lumens (120 metres beam) we do not see this as a headtorch for long distance wear but is a great headtorch for someone who really needs to search and see a further distance ahead, it could be out walking locally not long distances but off the beaten track.
Silva – Trail Runner Free – Lumen high setting mode 400
The Trail Runner Free is a headtorch full of features from the quality Swedish brand Silva and although as the names suggests ideal for trail runners this is also a great unit for anyone running, walking or hiking in the outdoors.
Highest Lumens for a Silva headtorch - With the highest lumens beam of the Silva Headtorches that we stock this is still a compact lightweight unit weighing only 119g and with a comfortable wide anti slip headband.
The high light setting on this unit is 400 lumens giving you a 80-metre beam length which is ideal when you need to see that little bit further ahead, there is also the addition of a medium beam setting of 200 lumens (50 metre beam length) and the same low settings that the other Silva headtorches have of 50 lumens giving you a 20-metre beam length and increased battery life.
Powering the Trail Runners Free Silva headtorch - The unit works from 3 x AAA batteries, Battery life on the 400 lumens high setting from 3x AAA’s is approx. 2hrs but depending on your activity and beam required if you put the unit on its medium setting of 20 lumens the battery life is increased to approx. 4hrs, it also has the same option as the other Silva units with a low setting of 50 lumens giving your approx. 15hrs max battery.
Weatherproof rating - This unit great weatherproof rating of IPX5 hence a heavy rain will not be a problem.
Difference between Silva Trail runners and Scout headtorches - Where the Trail Runners units differ from the Scout units other than the increased lumens strength, they also have a separate battery pack, the battery pack can be un-clipped from the headband and with the extension cable supplied the battery pack can be carried in an inside pocket keeping your batteries warm thus increasing battery life.
Red rear safety light - Also the battery pack has the option to turn on a red rear safety light which shines out the back of the battery pack when you have it attached to the rear of the headband, this can be a solid or flashing red light adding extra visibility.
As with all the other Silva headtorches that we stock this unit has Silva’s intelligent twin beam system giving you a long reach spotlight and close flood light resulting in less head movement, better control, improved balance thus minimising the risk of missing important details.
This is a great unit for those who venture of the beaten track and want a reliable, weather resistant unit, which is light and comfortable to wear, whether you are a Trail runner, walker or hiker this is a great choice to keep as backup in your backpack in case you get caught out in the dark.
Silva – Trail Runner Free H – Lumen high setting mode 400
The Silva Trail Runner Free H is identical to the Trail Runner Free above the only differences being that the ‘H’ at the end of the reference denotes that this units comes with Silva’s rechargeable battery, giving you two options of battery as you can still use 3 x AAA batteries or recharge the included Silva battery with the USB cable included (USB mains plug not included).
N.B. Using the rechargeable battery does give you slightly less battery life, High Setting 1.5hrs, Medium Setting 3 hrs & Low Setting 12 hrs.
*Battery life figures for units using AAA Batteries will depend on the quality of battery you use.
* Silva battery figures are based on using the unit down to temperatures of -5c and the values are measured and specified according to the ANSI FL1 Standard.
Warmer temperatures can improve battery life.