Gone are the long summer days of starting runs at 5am, or running until after 9pm without some sort of supplemental light. We are just past the autumnal equinox and I am already relying heavily on a headlamp, at least for a portion of my runs several times per week. I have a handful of lights, some that are more than 500 lumens, but are somewhat heavy with large battery packs and require a vest or pack to stuff away when not needed. I go to these lights for any longer runs that will be 100% in the dark or in complicated, unfamiliar terrain or where route finding is critical. However, for the majority of my bread and butter running on familiar trails, I have recently been more interested in headlamps that project the most light for the least amount of weight. Battery life is important, but less critical, given that my morning runs I'll just need the light for the first half of my run, 30 minutes or an hour, or to just get me through the end of a run for the same amount of time. Or, lightweight enough to keep in your pack for just in case emergency circumstances.
Petzl Actik Core
82 grams
350 max lumens
$69.99
The Actik Core feels impossibly light and minimal which is a huge advantage, as the lighter the weight, the less I have to crank the headband and thus minimizes bouncing and headaches. The size is reasonable small and when I am not using, can easily fit it into any running shorts pocket.
The 350 lumen setting is impressively bright and warm, providing a very nice simultaneous balance of flood proximity and distance spotting. Even at the darkest times and roughest trails at any pace, I never feel as though I need more.
Toggling through the light modes with the single button is easy and intuitive, even with gloves on.
The Actik Core even has a whistle built into the strap, which combined with the strobe setting may help get you out of a bind.
Description
- Powerful (350 lumens), versatile headlamp
- Headlamp comes with CORE, a battery that is rechargeable via USB port
- ACTIK CORE is a HYBRID headlamp: it comes with the CORE rechargeable battery, and is also compatible with three AAA/LR03 batteries
- Two beam patterns (wide or mixed) and several lighting modes meet the need for high-performance lighting in outdoor activities: proximity or distance vision and rapid movement
- Red lighting preserves night vision and keeps from blinding other members of the group
- Reflective headband helps you to be seen when a light is shone on it, and is equipped with an emergency whistle for rescue situations
Specifications
- Light output: 350 lumens
- Weight: 82 g
- Beam pattern: wide or mixed
- Energy: 1250 mAh CORE rechargeable battery (included)
- Battery compatibility: alkaline, lithium and Ni-MH
- Certification(s): CE
- Watertightness: IP X4 (weather resistant)
| Lighting color | Lighting modes | Brightness | Distance | Burn time | Reserve mode |
| white | MAX AUTONOMY | 5 lm | 10 m | 160 h | - |
| STANDARD | 100 lm | 50 m | 7 h | 3 h at 5 lm | |
| MAX POWER | 350 lm | 95 m | 2 h | ||
| red | proximity | 2 lm | 6 m | 40 h | - |
| strobe | visible at 700 m for 350 h | ||||
Petzl Bindi
35 grams
200 max lumens
$59
Instead of a normal headband style strap, the Bindi relies upon a stretchy cinch cord that is light, minimal, comfortable and versatile, which can also be worn around the neck, as the Bindi lamp also rotates 360 degrees within it's mount for added versatility.
My only (very minor) suggestion for improvement would be the transparent colored casing, particularly as it wraps around the bottom of the light. When illuminated, the orange glow shines downward, which can be slightly distracting and especially distracting if you wear glasses.
I was however able to quite easily fix with a piece of electrical tape (being careful to carve out a hole for the USB charging port).
Description
- Compact and ultra-light: only 35 g
- Headlamp charges via micro USB port
- Three lighting modes: proximity, movement and distance
- Red lighting preserves night vision and keeps from blinding others during group activities
- Two LOCK functions to avoid accidentally turning it on
- Headlamp can be tilted upward for seeing ahead when it is worn around the neck
Specifications
- Light output: 200 lumens
- Weight: 35 g
- Beam pattern: flood
- Energy: 680 mAh rechargeable battery
- Certification(s): CE
- Watertightness: IP X4 (weather resistant)
Lighting performance
| Lighting color | Lighting modes | Brightness | Distance | Burn time | Reserve mode |
| white | MAX AUTONOMY | 5 lm | 6 m | 50 h | 3 lm for 1h30 |
| STANDARD | 100 lm | 23 m | 3 h | ||
| MAX POWER | 200 lm | 36 m | 2 h | ||
| red | proximity | 1 lm | 2.5 m | 33 h | - |
| strobe | visible at 400 m for 200 h | ||||
Princeton Tec Vizz
92 grams/3.2oz
420 Lumens
$49.99
The Princeton Tec Vizz is another headlamp that packs a lot of brightness into a relatively small and light package. With spot and flood beams, you can adjust to suit your preference, flood being handy for proximity, like around camp, or the spot for illuminating further distances, which I prefer for trail running
The Vizz is compact and built sturdy with a single button on top to toggle through the lighting modes, starting with red for better maintaining night vision, then spot and finally flood.
When in spot or flood mode, you can long press the button to dim or brighten. I have seen this feature on other lights (the light on our bedroom ceiling fan for starters), but what I really appreciate about the Vizz is that when you are at the lowest or highest, it does a quick flash in order to let you know you have reached that point (unlike my ceiling fan light or other headlamps that leave you guessing).
Princeton Tec Snap
99 grams/3.5oz
200 Lumens
$39.99
Even heavier than the Vizz and less than half as bright, I am most impressed with the versatility of the Snap, as the light can transfer easily with magnetic lock to several included mounts for bike, lantern or running.
Conclusions/Recommendations:
It goes without saying that headlamps are improving, with a steady progression of more lumens in smaller/lighter units, with generally improved battery life (though sometimes not when factoring in the increase in lumens).
Each of the models reviewed are excellent choices depending on your usage and preferences.
Petzl Actik Core - This is my favorite of the bunch and packs a lot of lumens into a small package. I like that it is very lightweight, with no bounce, judder or need to overly tighten on my head when running, especially nice when running fast or on bouncy downhills. Combined with being lightweight, it is also very compact and tucks easily away into any of my pockets when not using. The broad, bright and far reaching adjustable beam that it provides is impressive, battery life is good and I appreciate that I can easily charge with the USB charger/battery pack, instead of futzing around with AAA batteries, making life easier and increasing my likelihood of having a fully charged light when I go out. The Actik Core is my first pick on most runs where I will need a light.
Petzl Bindi - Micro in size with 200 lumens for over 3 hours, easily rechargeable with USB, the Bindi is an impressive little light, ideal for urban running or trails that are less technical (even though I do find it to be sufficient for any trails for shorter periods of time). Wearing the Bindi, you don't even know it is there and stowing in a pocket, you have to be careful not to lose it, as it is so small!
Princeton Tec Vizz - Putting out 420 lumens in such a relatively small package, the Vizz is a great choice for a wide range of use. Definitely a good value too at $49.99.
Princeton Tec Snap - A handy and versatile light for a wide range of use from running, hiking, biking and around camp. Comes with all of the hardware for a reasonable price.
Reviewer Bio
Jeff Valliere is a former pro cyclist who now runs and climbs the mountains of Colorado. He has been top 5 Masters, top 25 overall, at the Pike's Peak Marathon several times, finishing 2d Masters in 2015. Jeff loves vertical accumulating more than 500,000 vertical feet per year, has climbed all the Colorado 14's and 200 of the 13's and has held FKT on several.
The product reviewed in this article were provided at no cost. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
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SHOP RUNNING WAREHOUSE FOR RUN HEADLAMPS INCLUDING THE BINDI & ACTIK
3 comments:
the colour (colour temperature) and CRI of headlamps is very important to me.
i find if a light is too too white, or "cool" i cannot discern the variations in the terrain.
everything kind of flattens out. this slows me way down as i worry about wrecking a foot, ankle or leg.
what "kind" of light do these headlamps put out, please? are you able to see ruts and holes and dips and such clearly?
thank you for this detailed review.
Anon, thanks for reading and I know exactly what you mean. All 4 lights, though they have varying output and modes, put out a white light. The Actik Core seems to give me the best overall feel on the trail because of a combination of the output and breadth of the beam. To help with my night balance, I think having a light on the waist, as well as on the head, combined with sheer output helps me a great deal. Stay tuned, we have a real interesting 800 lumen light review upcoming!
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