Your headlamp is the camping tool you'll use more than any other after dark. The right one runs all night, doesn't blind your tent partner, has the light you need on a trail, and doesn't die in cold weather. Here's the buying framework.
Lumens — the headline number
Brightness is measured in lumens. Manufacturers list peak brightness, which the headlamp can hold for 30 seconds before throttling. Real-world useful brightness is the 'medium' setting, which is 30-50% of peak.
- 50-100 lumens: camp use, reading in tent, walking around camp
- 200-400 lumens: hiking on trails, finding things at night
- 500-1000 lumens: trail running, technical scrambling, search-and-rescue use
For most campers, 300-400 lumens is plenty. Above that, you're paying for capacity you'll rarely use.
Beam pattern
- Flood beam: wide, soft. Good for camp tasks, reading, close-up work.
- Spot beam: narrow, focused. Good for trails, looking ahead, distance.
- Both (zoomable or dual-beam): best of both. Most modern headlamps offer both modes.
Battery type — the underrated decision
Rechargeable lithium: lighter, no batteries to buy, easy USB charging. Loses 50% capacity in cold (below 20°F).
Replaceable AAA: heavier, but you can swap dead batteries for fresh ones in seconds. Lithium AAAs work fine in cold.
Hybrid: some headlamps accept either rechargeable or AAA. The right pick if you can find one (Black Diamond Storm series).
Red light mode — non-optional
A red-light mode is essential. Reasons:
- Preserves your night vision (white light blows it out for 20+ minutes)
- Doesn't blind your tent partner
- Doesn't attract bugs the way white light does
- Tells other campers you're not signaling distress
Other features that matter
- IPX4 or higher water resistance — survives rain
- Lockout mode — prevents accidental on-pressure in the pack
- Memory mode — turns on at the brightness you last used
- Tilt — angle the beam down for trail work
- Reflective strap — visibility from headlamp light reflecting back
Features that don't matter
- SOS strobe (you have a phone or PLB)
- Color modes beyond red (green is sometimes useful for hunting; otherwise gimmicky)
- Bluetooth or app integration
The two-headlamp principle
Carry a primary (300-400 lumen rechargeable) and a backup (50-lumen tiny AAA-powered). The backup goes in your first-aid kit. If your primary dies on a night descent, you have something.
The headlamp you can't find is worse than no headlamp at all. Always store it in the same pocket of your pack.
Lighting we trust: shop the GemGear lighting and accessory kit.