Head torches

Head Torch Types: LED, Waterproof, Long-Range...

A head torch doesn’t need to be huge to be effective. All the headlamps Glisshop offers are compact, lightweight, and strong. They are so lightweight that they are almost unnoticeable once placed on your head. They can be worn over a beanie or directly attached to a ski or climbing helmet. It’s also worth noting that most models feature a moisture-resistant casing to avoid any inconvenience in case of rain or snowfall.

Lighting up your camp after a day of hiking, during a nighttime trail run, a ski touring trip, or before dawn while mountaineering, requires different types of headlamps. Running at night, for instance, demands excellent visibility to see the path you're on and avoid obstacles like roots and rocks that could trip you up.

Skiing at night requires a clear vision during the climb and an extended view of the slope when going down, requiring a long-range head torch to see far ahead and ensure you take the right line to reach the bottom safely.

Of course, all head torches, even the most powerful ones, can be used to light up right in front of you. The opposite is not true, so it’s better to choose a model with the power that suits your usage.

What Output to Choose?

As with other artificial light sources, the output of a headlamp is measured in lumens. However, rather than basing your choice solely on power, we encourage you to consider the different lighting modes that can be very useful depending on the outdoor activity. For example, a fixed red light is useful for illuminating without blinding those around you when you're not alone.

Other Points to Consider for Making the Right Choice

Your head torch should have sufficient battery life to ensure you can get back from your outing with a safety margin. Power and lighting modes also impact energy consumption, which varies depending on whether you use the widest beam, the most intense beam, or white, red, steady, or strobe modes. The water resistance rating is also important in case of rain or snowfall. To help you make your choice as effectively as possible, we invite you to follow our guide.

Head Torches with Batteries or Rechargeable USB Battery

A disposable battery-powered headlamp has the advantage of still working if you replace the used batteries with new ones, which is very convenient when there is no access to an electricity source for recharging.

A rechargeable battery headlamp is more economical and eco-friendly in the long run as it avoids the need to purchase batteries often that, once used, must be disposed of. Most headtorches with a battery can be recharged via a USB port.

Choosing Your Headlamp Based on Your Activity

A Headlamp for Hiking and Camping

If you’re planning a multi-day self-supported hike, in addition to carrying a tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, and possibly a stove, you also need to plan for lighting. While a classic flashlight is an option, choosing a headlamp offers practicality with the advantage of having your hands free. Once at your camp site, you can set up your tent, cook, and read without worrying about holding a flashlight, suspending it somewhere, or rigging a makeshift support to keep it steady and shining in the right direction.

For hiking, we recommend choosing a LED headlamp with an output between 150 and 300 lumens. In this category, we offer the Bindi and Tikkina from Petzl, as well as the Astro and Cosmo from Black Diamond. If night falls before you reach your camp, they are effective for illuminating the trail, avoiding roots or stones, and anticipating obstacles ahead. Once at your resting spot, the proximity lighting mode is perfect for setting up the tent in the dark, cooking, or searching for dry wood to start a campfire.

All these headlamps have a casing that is sufficiently waterproof to withstand light snowfall or a brief shower. They also all feature a steady red light mode that allows you to talk to someone without blinding them.

A Headlamp for Running, Trail Running, or Ultra Trails

To run safely at night, it is essential to choose a headtorch with enough lighting power so that no obstacle escapes your attention on the trails. It should be lightweight, easy to adjust to your head, and stay securely in place over time. It should be simple to use so you can change lighting modes as quickly as possible. Its battery life should be sufficient to avoid needing to carry spare batteries or, worse, having to stop to recharge the battery.

We recommend the Black Diamond Spot 400-R head torch, as well as the Tikka and Actik ranges from Petzl, with power ranging from 400 to 600 lumens. They meet the needs of trail runners in terms of visibility and lightness. They allow you to run with confidence on technical trails in complete darkness. They stand out for their versatility and specifications. The different lighting modes allow to adapt to any situation. The Actik models are water-resistant. With great stability even on long distances, they are suitable for both recreational and ultra-runners.

A Head Torch for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering

Ski touring, ski mountaineering, and splitboarding at night or several hours before dawn require excellent visibility, both during the climb and even more so during the descent, where you need to illuminate far ahead to read the terrain, follow the best line, anticipate as much as possible, and react instantly.

Glisshop offers the Black Diamond Distance 1500 head torch and the Nao RL from Petzl. Each has a maximum power of 1500 lumens and a respective range of 117 and 200 meters. Another model, also manufactured by Petzl, the Swift RL has an output of 1100 lumens, with a maximum lighting distance of up to 155 meters. Both the Swift RL and Nao RL feature Reactive Lighting technology, which automatically adjusts the shape and power of the light beam.

All these models have a steady red light mode that allows you to avoid blinding other skiers you are discussing the best route with. They also feature a flashing red light mode, highly effective for signalling your presence from a great distance.

The headlamps we recommend for ski touring all feature a waterproof casing that guarantees they function without any problem if it snows or if you fall in powder.

A Head Torch for Climbing and Mountaineering

For climbers, there's no need to get an excessively powerful lamp. We recommend the Astro from Black Diamond and the Tikkina from Petzl. They are perfect for spotting belays in the dark and can follow you on approaches before sunrise or at dusk.

For mountaineering, we recommend lamps from Petzl’s Tikka and Actik ranges. They come in different models with outputs ranging between 300 and 600 lumens. Some illuminate between 65 and 75 meters, while others light up to 115 meters. While it is rare to need to illuminate that far at high altitudes, these headlamps are all suitable for facing bad weather, being visible from afar, and not blinding your climbing partners when you are grouped together.

Headtorches Specifically for Children

Selected by Glisshop, the Petzl Tikkid models have a wide beam that allows children to play or read in a tent set up in the garden, in the evening at camp around the fire, or during a mountain hike with their parents. With a maximum intensity of just 20 lumens, this LED headlamp also ensures that young users do not harm their eyes.