In these winters days, nights are longer than the days, and for runners, it is a serious problem because they have to go for running at night in darkness. But worry not; we have got you covered with these amazing headlamps for those who love to run.
The best thing about headlamps is that you do not have to keep them in your hands and direct them where you are looking. But with the headlamps, you just need to snap them on your head and then have light exactly where you are looking. If you are going to run with your friends, then headlamps will give you more than enough light to light up your way in the dark, scary night, or it can also be used as an additional source of light for more brightness and more vision. If you are the kind of person who is a hand-held light user, then headlamps have amazing innovative designs to match your need too.
Top Running Headlamp Comparison Chart
If you are a runner, you would know that as a runner, the only obstacle is the uneven path, hills, and trails, these things inhibit the runner from running with their heart out. Few of these challenges are the ones that can be overcome without any extra effort, but for some obstacles, you will definitely need good quality and durable headlamp, and without which, you may face a lot of trouble during your run.
The night is the time when most of the people are free from their hectic routines and want to burn some calories, and for this purpose, they hit the roads for workouts and running. These roads are busy in the daytime, but at night they are perfect for running. Apart from this, there is something in the running at night that is incomparable. One may feel more connected to the inner soul during night running maybe because there is not a distraction while running at night and you can quickly focus on your run and think about yourself. All you can hear while running at night is the pounding sound produced by your shoes as you run.
With all that said, let us talk about the hazard that is associated while running at night time that one will never have to face when running at night. For the first one is visibility, you need to make sure that you are visible to other cars passing by and for this purpose you will need to wear headlamps or any other source of light for maximum security. Other than this, reflective patches on tracksuits can also help you to be more noticeable.
Running Headlamp Manufacturers
There are more than countable businesses that specialize in making headlamps for a runner, but not all of those companies deliver quality to the customer. The most renowned companies are Petzel, Energizer, CREE, Princeton, and Yalumi. From the high end, Black Diamond is not the top of the list who are known to provide expensive but durable headlamps for the runner. Petzel is a more affordable brand that offers a wide range of headlamps of different price tag to the customers. We have gathered a complete list of brands that provide full information on various to headlamps brand. This list is based on the products most liked and used by the runner, and how practical they are.
History of headlamps
In the early 20th century, headlamps were made solely for the miners to help them in better living in deep and dark mines as the use of flames for light was hazardous in the enclosed mines. Soon after they became a huge hit, they are stated to be used for other activities as well as running, camping, spelunking, etc.
Why should you be buying headlamps?
If you are a night runner or jogger, then headlamps will help you to increase your safety. These headlamps fit in your head so make sure to get your hands on the headlamp that has buckles to adjust the strap according to your head size. These headlamps will illuminate the area where you are looking because the movement of your head will also change the direction of the light. These headlights are also used by runners who run for longer distances or who are triathlon participants who need to practice day and night. It does not mean that casual runner who runs for few hours cannot use headlamps, of course, these headlamps can be very beneficial for you as well.
What to look for when buying headlamps (Buyer’s Guide)
The markets are full of a variety of headlamps ranging from a few dollars to upwards of a hundred bucks! They are also available in a different variety in terms of their purpose and utility. Some are for high performance and professional use while others are for daily night jogging with a little bit of running. The following are the things that you need to look for when buying headlamps for yourself.
Performance and durability
This point varies from location to location. For example, if you mostly run in the area where there are humidity and water you may want to go for waterproof batteries. If you run in the hillier area, then go for the headlamp with intense and long vision lights.
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Beam Quality
For example, if you are going to run mostly in casual areas like beach, parks, roads you will not require a heavy-duty light, you only need a conventional basic headlamp. For the runner running in trails and hill will need more visibility, for which the width and depth of the light are paramount. Also, if you run in places where some patches are lit while others are semi-lit then opt for the headlamps that have reactive lights so that they can adjust according to the light needed. For the paths that are unpredictable and have paths with rocks, branches, etc. will need to have a beam that has more width hand depth to help you know the path that you will be going on.
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Weight and fit
If you are a runner who runs for hours, then it is best for you to find headlamps that are lightweight and fit to your head properly. Make sure to buys the headlamps that have traps with adjustments options rather than just an elastic band. The perk of buying adjustment ones is that you can make adjustments according to your head size, and even your other family members can also use the same headlamp whenever they want to go out for running.
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Battery types
There are two main categories of headlamps based on the batteries used in the headlamps. For one type, the batteries are rechargeable one but for the other batteries are nonrecordable. The most used and more practical batteries are the rechargeable ones. If you buy them, you will never have to buy batteries again all you will need to do is to charge your batteries and use them just like the new ones. However, if you are going for rechargeable ones, make sure they keep an extra pair of batteries with you because they may run out of battery more quickly. Try opting for the batteries that are more every day so that you can find them easily, for example, AAA or AA, etc. the time that you will be running your battery, and the intensity of the light play a significant role in battery’s life.
Where to Buy Headlamps for Running?
Most headlamps are sold at sports stores as well as stores that have running gadgets in there. If you do not want to go out and search for them, then you can also buy them only for different retailers like Amazon.com. Amazon has a large verity of headlamps, and they are available of different specialty to fit everyone’s needs.
Running Headlamp Pricing
Headlamps are available in different price ranges from $10 to over $100. Headlamps more than $60 are something that you may not need and they often have the same specifications at the $10 ones. The $10 headlamps on the list below are equally as good as the expensive ones in many ways. But, at the end of the day, it all comes down to the usage of the headlamps. If you are a professional, then you may consider an expensive model for reasons like brand power and public perception, but if you are more of a regular running average Joe or Jane who doesn’t care as much about brandishing the latest gadget from a big brand company, then I’d suggest sticking to a middle of the road headlamp. Probably the expensive headlamps are more durable and comfortable to wear, but the cheaper ones are perfect for someone who runs on the road at night time and wants to “get ‘er done”.
They may look a little weird when wearing them but trust me they are crucial running gadget and you need to buy at least one. All you need to do is to figure out the extent to which you will use yours and where will you use it.
Following is the list that we have created based on the highest-ranked verified purchaser feedback, reviews, and research.
Best Runners Headlamps Reviews
Numerous companies make headlamps, but not every one of them is suitable for running and jogging. On this list are a lot of lamps that are cheaper in terms of pricing, but deliver the same qualities. Take a look at the list below:
1. Petzl Pixa 3 Pro Rechargeable Headlamp
This rechargeable headlamp is a huge hit with professional runners. This not only provides long lasting battery life but it also has the capacity to resist 80kg., this headlamp is an excellent companion for an early morning walk, a crawl project or even perfect for a camping trip. Give this gadget a try, and you will fall in love with it.
Pros:
- It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- It is very easy to attach to anything.
- The elastic head of this headlamp is washable
Cons:
- A little bit expensive for some users
- May not be the lightest headlamp in the world
2. Black diamond icon
As the name suggests this headlamp is truly a diamond within itself. It comes with a lumen output that is perfect for someone who wants maximum visibility. Due to the size of its battery this headlamp maybe a little heavy but generally, you will find this headlamp to be the perfect companion.
Pros:
- The intensity of light is high powered
- The body of this headlamp is completely waterproof
- The top LCD displays the remaining battery percentage.
- The overhead strap keeps the headlamp firmly in place.
Cons:
- It comes with a little expensive price tag
3. OLIGHT Bundle H2R Cree LED 
There’s bright, and then there’s OLIGHT! At 2300 Lumens, this light tops our light of bright lights! In fact, it’s so bright, that it has a built-in feature to bring the brightness up slowly so it doesn’t destroy your eyeballs if you happen to be looking at it. What’s also neat is that the light itself is detachable from the head harness and in fact, it actually looks like a little flashlight you’d hold in your hand. The light is charged directly through the cap/harness using OLIGHT’s signature magnetic charging cable. This intensity is still very intense at over 1.5 lengths of a football field. If you need to see farther than that at night, I’m not sure what kind of activities you’re involved with!!
Pros:
- The battery is rechargeable with a magnetic connection cable.
- It has a ridiculously bright beam
- The light can be detached for use with your hands or a clip for your clothing
Cons:
- Nothing bad but ONE HUGE THING – PRICE!!! It’s not too far short of a hundred bucks!
4. Black diamond sprinter
This 200 Lumen brightness headlamp is a heavy-duty headlamp but it will definitely require more batteries than normal headlamps do. If you are in a race at night time, then this is the right choice for you because the vertical strap on it makes sure that the headlamp stays nice and secure. It uses a rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery and can withstand any weather elements. It features a red tail light (you’ll see the tail light if you click the photo above) with on/off programmability for visibility in urban regions.
Pros:
- Very durable, fewer chances or burn out quickly
- Rechargeable batteries
- Straps are very comfortable and adjustable
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Fairly pricey at over $60
5. Tec Quad Princeton LED Headlamp
This headlamp is very sleek and elegant in terms of the design and it’s built. This is perfect for those runners who look for simplicity in everything. The best thing about these headlamps is that they come with interchangeable lens covers to fit every situation – for example night vision will be perfect for running after dark. The output is 78 Lumens which is not at the top of our list for brightness, but it’s more than adequate to light your way and alert others of your presence. It can run for over 100 hours with a set of batteries and it weighs 101 grams (3.4 ounces).
It’s also waterproof to 1 meter, so it’s great for rain, bad for deep-sea diving!
Pros:
- Less amount of battery is required for the light
- Lightweight
- Changeable lens covers
- They are completely waterproof
Cons:
- In this headlamp, there is no overhead strap
- Not the brightest light on the list (or is that “sharpest tool in the shed”?) …. that’s a joke!
6. Explortek LED Headlamp Flashlight
The Explortek shoots out an impressive 168 Lumens that illuminates the entire length of a 110 meter football field and is ideal for camping, hiking, climbing and running. It provides both white and red LEDs and it features weatherproof construction so it’s great for rainy day activities (although who really enjoys being in the dark while it’s raining???). The Cree XP-E LED technology allows for a battery life of up to 120 hours with the 3 – AA batteries which are included. It includes a very cool carry case with a carabiner to clip to your backpack to save room on the inside.
Pros:
- It had a very compact design.
- Good battery life than other headlamps
- Very lightweight
- Super bright
- Very high Amazon ratings
Cons:
- Batteries will drain if you leave them in while not being used for an extended time
7. Petzl Tikka
This headlamp is perfect for an urban runner. The brightness of this headlamps in a spot on, it offers 200-lumen brightness and the design is very user-friendly and easy to use.
The beam is wide (that’s a good thing!) and it has a longer-than-average burn time per battery change. It has a phosphorescent reflector for easy locating in the dark, and red lighting prevents group members from blinding one another while working as a team in the dark. The Tikka light is compatible with the CORE rechargeable battery.
Pros:
- Two different lighting modes for different situations
- The headlamps are extremely water resistant
- Compatible with CORE rechargeable battery
- The built of the headlamp is very lightweight perfect for long runs
Cons:
- An overhead strap is the only thing that is needed in this amazing headlamp.
8. Petzl zipka headlamp
From the same petzl company, zipka is another great headlamp for the runners. This headlamp is full of innovative and unique designs that is able to deliver proximity in lightening. This headlamp is easy to strap on just only on the body but to other parts of the body as well. The headlamp is a hit in terms of its versatility.
Pros:
- This headlamp has a phosphorescent reflector, which makes it easy for the person to locate it in the dark light when it is turned off.
- It is very stress-free to control due to the large button present in the front
- The design of the headlamp is very fresh and sleek in looking.
Cons:
- The strap may not fit properly and may get loose over time.
9. EX550 Olympia Water Resistant LED Headlamp
If you want extra bright light, then this headlamp is a must-have. This headlamp is actually a military-grade illumination but it is also used for running. The batteries of this headlamp are so strong that you will not need to recharge them again and again. This headlamp comes with a lock button to make sure that the light is not accidentally turned off in a dark place.
Pros:
- The overhead strap of this is easy to strap up
- This headlamp is waterproof
- The beam of this headlamp is a great distance and very high powered.
- The inside of this headlamp is corrosion resistant.
Cons:
- It comes with a little hefty price tag.
10. Fenix HL05
This is another lightweight. It is perfect for the regular and casual runner who needs a little light but do not want to feel any weight on their heads. Although the light and the mechanism of the light is not very powerful, it is sufficient enough to make you visible and noticeable. This headlamp is easy to pack up in your pockets. With this reasonable price, you will not be able to find anything better than this.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- It comes with a clip to put on your belt or even on your backpack
- Long life battery
- You can also change the intensity of the lightning
Cons:
- The light may be a bit dim for some runners
The bottom line
All of the lamps listed above are thoroughly tested and reviewed and the list made is as on the feedback received from the users. As mentioned earlier, some of the headlamps are lightweight while others are more for professional use. In addition to that, all of these above-mentioned headlamps come with a warranty and therefore, if any defect occurs, the manufacturer will either replace or refund the gadget.
Other than this, headlamps are not the only thing that is needed for safety while running at night time. Firstly, make sure to stay alert while running at night. Secondly, make sure to get your hands on the headlamp with a reflective patch. Thirdly, get the headlamps that are not only for the purpose of visibility but also to help you see the path better.
In case if you are jogging in a well-lit area then you do not need any headlamp, but in an area where there is not light, you will definitely need to invest in a good quality headlamp that will fulfill all of your purposes.
All of the headlamps included in our list got a high score from the users. These headlamps are also available in athletic stores or even at online retail stores. The best stores for buying these headlamps on Amazon, you can find the largest variety of headlamps at a very reasonable price.
In addition to this, Amazon will also offer different discounts. this is a great offer for someone who wants to buy a heavy duty headlamp but the budget is a bit too thin.
We hope that this article will help you to choose the best headlamp that you need and also so you do not get lost in the market when you go out. Best of luck for your headlamp hunting.
