It’s a cold November morning, and as I crunch my way through the frost encrusted grass, I look up at the moon still shining bright in the sky above me. Ireland has hit that time of year where daylight is scarce, and with that, head torch season is well and truly here.
Today I’m breaking down the six features I look at when buying a head torch, to help you decide what you need. I’ve listed them roughly in my order of preference - make sure to decide what is most important for your adventures, and go from there!
Photo thanks to Ambrose from Hikeandclimb.ie
1. Lumens (brightness)
The key part of a head torch is it’s light - the brightness of which is measured in lumens. For most outdoor sports, you’ll want at least 200 lumens to light up nearby footpaths or wide tracks. My LED Lenser NEO6R is 240 lumens, and because of it’s beam style (feature number 2), I like it for easy runs from home.
For most of my general adventures, I’m using a Petzl IKO Core head torch, which has 500 Lumens. This is great for narrower trails and lighting up the world around me. I really love this head torch for some of the features we’ll speak about further on, and will probably always have a head torch like this in my collection.
Currently, I’m doing my Mountain Leader Training, which includes practicing night navigation off trail, in all weather conditions. For this, I’m looking to get a head torch in the 1000 lumens range. At this end, the torches are very bright, and usually able to light up further away landmarks / features.
2. Types of Torch Beam
There are two main categories for the type of beam your head torch will give out: flood beam or spot beam.
Spot beams are usually defined as lights with beam angles of no wider than 45 degrees, whereas flood beams are typically categorised by beam angles of 90 degrees and above.
The first head torch that I mentioned above is my LED Lenser NEO6R, which is a fairly low light torch. It has a flood beam, which means that it gives off a wide, dispersed, “glowy” light. When wearing it I can see a wide area in front of me in dim light. The Petzl IKO Core has multiple light settings, with its beam categorised as flood - mixed.
Spot beams are great for seeing far ahead and piercing through bad weather. Some people also opt to carry a hand-held torch with a narrow spot beam for picking out features.
3. The Battery
Winter temperatures can drain batteries fast, so it’s important to remember that how long your torch will last on a single charge in summer might differ to the winter months.
Both of the torches I’ve mentioned so far take their own rechargeable batteries, which is very convenient, as long as you remember to plug it in once you get home again! We’re not going to talk about the number of times I’ve gotten out of the car, to realise the head torch only has 10% left.
The Petzl IKO Core takes both it’s own rechargeable block, and AAA batteries, which is great for moments when you get stuck. It’s important to note, that with the IKO Core (and other head torches I’ve seen with this functionality), the highest lumen output on the AAA batteries is lower than on the Petzl batteries.
4. Weather Resistance
No matter the season in Ireland, you need to consider water proofing - and in winter, it’s critical. The IP Rating is a universal standard rating for electronic devices, and therefore all head torches.
The IP code is composed of two numbers:
The first number refers to the protection against solid objects / dust particles, and is rated on a scale from 0 (no protection) to 6 (no ingress of dust).
The second number rates the enclosure’s protection against liquids and uses a scale from 0 (no protection) to 9 (high-pressure hot water from different angles). As a general rule, look for IPX4 or higher, meaning it can withstand splashes, rain, and snow. If you expect really harsh weather, opt for an IPX7, which can handle submersion.
Often times, you might come across a website or manufacturer writing IPX4, or similar. The X can mean that the writer is only focusing on the water resistance (eg. the bullet point above), or that the head torch in general was never tested for solid particle resistance.
5. Comfort and Fit
A good fit impacts some more than others. If you’re moving a lot, or if pressure on your head is something that affects you, than considering how the head torch sits is key. This was one of the primary factors in my choice of the IKO Core. At only 79g and with a wide frame, Carl and I have jokingly called this head torch my “princess head torch”. The frame gently wraps around your head like a crown, with an adjustable elastic band woven through to tighten.
Depending on your sport, try the torch on with all your other kit - some are better suited for helmets, and some will have extra strapping to help spread the weight of a bigger battery.
All of this said, my LED Lenser NEO6R is only one band, and I still find it quite comfortable. Which is why “Comfort and Fit” is pretty low on my list. As long as it feels secure, I’m happy to put up with some pressure. Weighting which elements are most important for you is key to getting the right piece of gear, whether it’s a head torch, sleeping bag, or hiking boots.
Photo thanks to Ambrose from Hikeandclimb.ie
6. Red Light Mode
And finally - red light functionality.
If you’re out with a group or camping, a red light mode can be handy. It preserves night vision and reduces glare. I find it the most useful when staying in a busy campsite and I need to move around at night - the last thing I want is to shine a bright white light into someone else’s tent.
A notable disadvantage that I recently heard from Cormac of Fia Mountaineering, is the certain colours on maps are far less visible. If you’re reading contour lines, and looking to see the colour gradient change, the different shades of yellow might be indistinguishable!