In the same way that cars need headlights, human pedestrians also need lights for visibility and safety when the sun goes down. Headlamps are a smart, hands-free option for lighting the way during your dusk and night walks.
Elmchee Rechargeable Headlamp
Who needs a headlamp for walking?
Headlamps are a great tool for walking in the dark because they provide you with a bright, hands-free lighting. Since they attach at your forehead, the light comes from eye level and always illuminates whatever direction you are facing.
They are especially useful if you walk in particularly dark or dangerous areas and want to be on the lookout for potential dangers. For example, they are great if you are walking in the woods or countryside with no ambient lighting. Dog walkers may also like using headlamps rather than a traditional flashlight, since they allow you to keep your hands free.
Even better, headlamps are great multitasking tools that can be used for more than just walks. If you hunt, camp, or do detailed work that could benefit from good lighting, you may find it useful to invest in a headlamp rather than a flashlight.
Top 6 Headlamps for Walking at Night or Early Morning
| Rank | Picture | Name | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
| Elmchee Rechargeable Headlamp | Amazon |
| 2 | 
| Energizer High-Powered LED Headlamp | Amazon |
| 3 | 
| Streamlight ProTac HL USB Headlamp | Amazon |
| 4 | Bushnell TRKR 325L Multi-Color Headlamp | Amazon | |
| 5 | HIGHEVER LED Beanie Light Hat | Amazon | |
| 6 | 
| EverBrite 2-Pack Headlamp Flashlight for Walking | Amazon |
Reviews: Headlamps for Walking When Dark
1. Elmchee Rechargeable Headlamp
This headlamp is a great choice for walking in the dark, boasting eight different lighting settings including a red light for night vision and a strobe light for safety. Another great perk is that this headlamp is water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it becoming damaged if you walk during the rainy or snowy season.
Best for: Walking in wet or dangerous areas.2. Energizer High-Powered LED Headlamp
Energizer’s headlamp lives up to its brand name in terms of power. This headlamp illuminates up to 85 meters away and has up to 35 hours of light. It is durable and shatterproof, and also comes with 5 different modes including a Digital Focus option.
Best for: Lasting throughout your longest walks3. Streamlight ProTac HL USB Headlamp
Streamlight’s high-powered tactical headlamp is a perfect upgrade pick for those who need a very bright and wide-reaching light. This boasts a high 1000 lumen light that can light wide angles, close up, and at a distance. It also comes with three different lighting modes and a 90-degree tilting head depending on your needs.
Best for: Lighting up an entire dark area4. Bushnell TRKR 325L Multi-Color Headlamp
If your walking also include hunting activities, the Bushnell headlamp has a pretty cool feature: it comes with a blood tracking mode for hunting down game. Besides this option, it also has white and red light features, is moderately rainproof, and is made of a durable aircraft-grade aluminum.
Best for: Walking and hunting5. HIGHEVER LED Beanie Light
If you’re walking in colder areas, you might appreciate this beanie-headlamp combo. This headlamp has 5 LED lights that can illuminate distances up to 55 feet away, as well as 3 light modes. The beanie itself is one-size-fits-all and can be machine-washed if you detach the light.
Best for: Walking in the cold6. EverBrite 2-Pack Headlamp
This pack comes with two EverBrite headlamps, which is perfect if you like to take your night walks with a companion. They come with 4 different lighting modes and can light up to 20 meters away. They are also light and comfortable for children as well as adults, and the light heads can be rotated 90 degrees.
Best for: Casual walks with a partnerOther options we like:
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when buying a headlamp?
Some of the most important factors to consider when buying a headlamp include battery time, brightness, light angle, comfort, and adjustability.
Your headlamp should have a good battery life so that you know it won’t die on you mid-walk, and many headlamps are rechargeable and come with indicator lights so you know how well-charged it is before you set out. Your lighting should also be bright enough and wide enough for your safety – wide-angled lights are usually the best for walking.
As far as comfort goes, the head strap should be adjustable for your head, and many lamps will also include a top strap to make sure it’s really secure. You may also find it helpful to buy a light that can be adjusted to illuminate different angles to avoid neck strain.
What are lumens?
Lumens are a measure of brightness, similar to watts. In general, the higher the lumens, the brighter your headlamp will be.
According to GearPatrol, when you are looking for the right headlamp or flashlight to buy, you should aim for a minimum of 100-150 lumens for the best lighting.
What are the purposes of the different light settings in my headlamp?
Many headlamps will have various light settings. Some of the most common include:
- Bright light: This will be the brightest setting that your headlamp offers, for use in very dark areas.
- Dim light: This will be a gentler light when you don’t need full power (for example, when darkness hasn’t fully fallen)
- Strobe light: Strobe lights give off a bright, flashing light which can be useful for alerting others of your presence or for scaring off potential hazards.
- Red light: Red lights are good for providing you some light at night without compromising your own night vision, and can be good when you’re with a walking companion and don’t want to accidentally flash them.
- Blood light: These will be found specifically in headlamps made for hunters, and they can help to illuminate blood for prey tracking.
Sources
- Lapera, Patrick. Gear Patrol, A Beginner’s Guide to Flashlights and Headlamps.” https://www.gearpatrol.com/outdoors/a173228/beginners-guide-flashlights-headlamps/. Accessed 2021 January 4.
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