By: Helen Mino Faukner

Days are getting shorter which means more headlamp time is coming quickly. Spending time on trails is still one of my favorite things as seasons shift, but sometimes can require either starting or ending in the dark depending on your schedule. 

Having a good running headlamp can really make the difference between having a nice time on the trails in the dark or being worried you’re going to fall on your face every other step. I’ve run with a lot of different headlamps and I have a few suggestions based on what you’re trying to do. 

Petzl IKO Core

This is my go to headlamp if I know I’m going to be in the dark for more than 20 minutes, it’s lightweight (79g) and fits comfortably on your head while running. It comes with a rechargeable battery but is also compatible with normal batteries. It’s a 500 lumen headlamp which is great for when there aren’t any other lights around and it’s bright enough to be able to see the trail in front of you. The headlamp also packs down pretty flat for carrying it in a pack. This is the headlamp that I use for all of my planned in the dark training runs. The battery lasts for 2.5h using the 500 lumen setting which allows you to see 100m ahead, if using the standard brightness of 100 lumens it lasts for 9h and you can see 45m ahead (I pretty much always use 500 lumens when I’m running). 

Petzl NAO RL

Sometimes 500 lumens isn’t bright enough. This is especially true when you are running with other people and all of their headlamps are brighter than yours. This headlamp is a little heavier than the IKO CORE weighing 145g but is a 1500 lumen headlamp. I like to use this headlamp during races so there isn’t a question if I am going to be able to see the trail well enough. The headlamp uses reactive lighting so will adjust the brightness based on ambient light. It also has a rear red light which allows you to be more visible. Although this headlamp is a little heavier the way it fits on your head is comfortable and the weight is well distributed. The NAO RL uses a rechargeable battery and using the standard brightness on the reactive setting the battery will last anywhere from 24-40 hours. The brighter the setting the lower the battery life. Hopefully you never have to use a headlamp for that long. 

Petzl BINDI

We have all been there when you somehow end up running a loop that’s taking longer than expected and the sun is setting sooner than you remembered. If I go for a run in the evening before sunset I always stick this headlamp in my pocket. It’s also great if you have to start in the dark, but you know that the sun is rising soon. It’s super lightweight at only 35g and 200 lumens is good enough to get you through. The battery is rechargeable and will last for about 3 hours. I wouldn’t use this as a primary headlamp when running, but it’s super nice to have if you end up needing one.  

Author: Helen Mino Faukner

Helen loves spending time outside and standing on the tops of things. She spends most of her time outside during the summer trail running and mountain biking here and there. During winter, she loves skiing! You can find her downhill, backcountry, and skate skiing.