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Black Diamond’s Spot has all of the traits that made the original version so popular (red night vision, multiple power settings, IPX 8 waterproof rating) but in a smaller package that weighs just 3.2 ounces. It’s not rechargeable (it requires 3 AAA batteries), but its 300 lumens at the highest…
We featured this 3.4-ounce headlamp in our 2020 Summer Buyer’s Guide for its plethora of features. “[Its] spot- and floodlight modes can work in tandem,” wrote tester Will Palmer. “The resulting 1,400 lumens are like turning on your car’s high beams.”…
If you’re looking for a reliable running and backpacking headlamp on a budget, the FL1R is a solid choice. It weighs just 1.1 ounces and has a 2.5-hour run time on its highest setting. “It sheds mellow rain, has a red-light setting, and feels secure (but barely there) as you…
Columnist Graham Averill rounded up his favorite headlamps back in 2017, and some models on his list still hold up today, like the 280-lumen Inova STS. Averill liked its “swipe-to-shine interface that works just like your iPhone: slide your finger across the top of the headlamp to…
There's romance in practicality—as long the present arrives on time
We featured the BioLite 330 as one of our top choice headlamps in our 2019 Summer Buyer’s Guide. Unlike other angler-fish style lamps, the 330’s light lays flush across your forehead. Plus, the light includes a rechargeable battery in the back.
8 new running headlamps reviewed, with options for every preference: from forehead to waist to handheld.
It's an upgrade on my previous favorite, the Iota, and my new go-to for backpacking and trail running
From tech gadgets to apparel upgrades, some of our best-reviewed gear make great presents.
In an excerpt from her new book, 'Nerve: Adventures in the Science of Fear,' Outside correspondent Eva Holland is paralyzed by fear while hiking down from an ice climb. The experience catalyzes a quest to understand and overcome her acrophobia.
We included this headlamp in our roundup of the best lights of 2017. The Reactik+ connects to your phone via bluetooth, and the accompanying app lets you adjust brightness for battery life and activity. It’s rechargeable, and self-regulates lumen output based on your surroundings.
This headlamp was our top pick for running in our 2020 Winter Buyer’s Guide because of its five lighting modes. We did note the Halo Fire is bulkier than other designs, but the straps cinch tightly to your head to avoid too much bounce.
The gear and the skills you need to get home safely
The Astro is our Gear Guy’s favorite budget headlamp. It’s dimmable, has a strobe function, a lock mode, and the battery lasts 20 hours on the highest setting. “The Astro is the best headlamp for most people, most of the time,” he wrote.
We cover the necessities, plus a few extras and friendly pointers
Busting people for their style miscues is a beloved pastime in outdoor communities. But in the Instagram era, the practice has us sadly all dressing the same.
We know a serious sale when we see one
You don't need to spend a fortune to get a bright light with good features. Here are our top picks under $20.
Weighing less than two ounces, the Bindi is perfect for anyone who wants an ultralight solution for pre-dawn or post-sundown winter runs.
Embracing fringe season means preparing for everything
Skip the crowds in Yosemite Valley and head for higher ground in Tuolumne Meadows
See and be seen on evening runs, rides, and hikes
Headlamps are underrated yet vital gear for living on the road
From $25 to $200, these three lights rose to the top of our testing
From Yucca Productions and Black Crows Skis Nocta features skiers Bruno Compagnet and Layla Jean Kerley as the shred night laps illuminated by headlamp.
Improved technology means you don't have to spend a lot to get a great light
A fire starter that's very nearly windproof and works almost anywhere, anytime
The thing is tiny, reliable, and could very well save your ass
Still don't know what to get dad? We've got you covered.
The technology behind these camp essentials recently got a lot better. Time to upgrade.
5 cool new products from Outdoor Retailer that won't break the bank
From a supercharged light for a GoPro to a bike light that actually keeps you safer, these are our nine favorite little things for the gadget geek in your life.
Running to work is hard, especially when you have to contend with cold weather, poor visibility, and icy roads. On those days, your gear matters.
19 essentials designed to keep you alive
First things first: your pack will be heavier. You’ll be packing more food, fuel, and layers. As for shelter, if you’re not expecting high winds or heavy snowfall, you probably don’t need to upgrade to a four-season tent; a sturdy (read: not ultralight or mostly mesh) three-season model should see you through.
Headlamps, flashlights, and lanterns keep getting lighter, brighter, and smarter. Here are our picks for everything from bike commuting to car camping, including the 75-lumen Black Diamond Sprinter with a USB-chargeable lithium battery, the 200-lumen Apex headlamp, and the simple 130-lumen Energizer High Intensity LED flashlight.
My reliable (but old) headlamp just quit, and I need to find a good replacement for nighttime runs. What do you suggest?
What are your ten favorite pieces of outdoor gear from the past ten years?
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Princeton Tec Byte headlamp.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Brunton RL 6 headlamp.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Light and Motion Solite 150 headlamp.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Energizer Triple Beam LED.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Black Diamond Storm headlamp.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Princeton Tec Byte Headlamp.
What's a good headlamp for mountain biking on singletrack at night? Brightness is obviously important but battery life (especially in freezing temperatures) is my priority. Ian Hayward, WI
What's the ultimate Christmas gift for a survival nut? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Rainbow Bright The Multi Color’s main LED has three light-level settings and four smaller, colored bulbs (two red, two blue) that are more useful than you’d think. Their muted glow preserves your night vision, whether you’re up late stargazing or tying on a predawn fly. 4 oz;…
Night Hiker You can preset your favorite three brightness levels from a menu of ten. And, thanks to an internal regulator, the Myo RXP burns bright right up until its indicator light says it’s time to change the batteries. But the reason we took it to Rainier? Whiz-bang features aside,…
Simple and Sturdy Basic, tough, reliable—for most testers, the water-resistant Remix had all the qualities they wanted in a headlamp. There’s one big LED when you need a focused beam of light (like when you’re looking for the outhouse) and three smaller LEDs for less precise tasks (like reading or…
Tough Guy It’s a little bit shorter-lived than similarly bright headlamps (1.5 hours at its 100-lumen max), but it’s also much more durable. That’s because, while most lights are housed in plastic, the Saint Minimus is made of hard-anodized aluminum. It’s also waterproof, and the light setting is easy to…
You’ll often leave before sunrise to make a summit push. Pack this small, light LED headlamp, which has two settings: a floodlight for illuminating the trail and a beam for long-distance (150 feet) spotting. princetontec.com…
From game-changing new materials (like moisture-wicking cotton) to evolutionary leaps in engineering (like a rotating helmet for extreme crashes), the avant-garde of 21st-century gear has just one thing in common: a total disregard for the status quo.
There's the gear you want, and there's the gear you need. After much internal debate, we present the 25 products every guy should own.