Light up your next adventure with a quality headlamp from Public Lands. Whether you’re planning a post-sunset hike, a pre-dawn run or even a backyard bonfire, you’ll find the hands-free illumination you need here. Browse a great selection of headlamps from top brands like Black Diamond®, Petzl®, Fenix® and more. And remember, if you find a better price on a headlamp from another qualifying retailer, we’ll match it with our Best Price Guarantee.
Consider the following when choosing your headlamp to make sure you get the best fit for your needs.
Lumen Output
Lumen output essentially describes the brightness of the headlamp’s light. If you need a headlamp for basic use, like finding your way around a campsite at night or even working in dark spaces at home, a lumen output of around 100–150 will suit you well. If you’re doing more serious outdoor exploring, you’ll want a headlamp light that produces at least 300 lumens. Keep in mind, most headlamps offer different lumen settings so that you can control the brightness based on the situation.
Beam Distance
Unlike lumens, which tell you how bright the light is, the beam distance lets you know how far the light will shine. So if you need to see a good distance in front of you, like when you’re on a trail, you’ll probably want a headlamp that can shine at least 100 meters (328 feet). Like with lumens, this setting is usually adjustable so you can turn it up or down as needed.
Battery Type
Headlamps are typically powered by either disposable batteries or a rechargeable battery. If your headlamp uses disposables, like classic AAs or AAAs, make sure to pack extras. Also, keep in mind that lithium batteries tend to perform better than alkaline in cold temperatures. Rechargeable headlamps will typically come with a USB cable that you can plug into an outlet or charging device. Make sure it’s fully charged before heading out, and pack back-up batteries, if possible.
Max Run Time
Max run time refers to the maximum amount of time the headlamp can produce useful light. If you’re using the light at full power, the battery will obviously drain faster, so most manufacturers will list max run times for various power settings. The amount of run time you need will of course depend on how you’re using the headlamp. If you frequently go on multi-day backpacking trips, for instance, you might want a max run time over 200 hours. If you’re only using the headlamp for occasional weekend camping trips or other short-term recreational activities, you might be fine with less than 50 hours of run time. Still, no matter where you’re heading, you should always bring back-up power options.
Water Protection
No matter how you plan to use your headlamp, you’ll likely want to have some degree of protection from water. Most brands list an “IP rating” to help you understand how much protection the headlamp provides. This rating starts with the letters “IP” followed by two numbers. The first number denotes the level of dust protection, and the second denotes the level of water protection (ex: IP68). A rating of 8 is the highest level of water protection; it means the device can withstand being submerged in water without getting damaged if the conditions meet manufacturer specifications. A rating of 1, on the other hand, means the headlamp is protected only from dripping water. Consider getting the highest level of protection you can afford if your headlamp will be exposed to wet conditions on a regular basis.
Other Headlamp Features to Consider
- Lock: This feature allows you to “lock” the headlamp in the off position to keep it from accidentally turning on without your knowledge. This can be especially helpful when traveling — you don’t want to arrive at your destination with a dead headlamp that was left on in your bag by mistake.
- Tilt: Do you want to the ability to turn the light without moving your head? Look for a headlamp with a tilt feature that allows you to adjust the position of the light independently.
- Red Light: Have you ever been in a dark room when the lights came on suddenly? It’s not a pleasant experience, right? It can be the same with headlamps. If your eyes have already adjusted to darkness, a blast of white light can be jarring. Red light provides just the right amount of light to read a map or rummage through your tent, and it won’t make your pupils shrink.
- Strobe: Some headlamps have a strobe feature that can be used to signal for help in an emergency.
Looking for more ways to brighten up the outdoors? Check out the great selection of flashlights and lanterns at Public Lands.
