| What it is | Hands-free head-worn light |
| Brightness | Measured in lumens |
| Power | Disposable or rechargeable batteries |
| Status | A Ten Essential |
A headlamp is a head-worn light that frees your hands for tasks in the dark — hiking before dawn, setting up camp, or navigating at night. Measured in lumens for brightness, modern LED headlamps offer multiple modes and run on disposable or rechargeable batteries. It is one of the Ten Essentials.
Choosing one
Match brightness (in lumens) to your use and weigh rechargeable vs replaceable batteries. Essential for an alpine start and a core Ten Essential.
Frequently asked questions
How many lumens do you need in a headlamp?
For camp chores and trail walking, roughly 100-300 lumens is plenty; for fast night hiking, route-finding, or running, 300-500+ is useful. More lumens means more light but shorter battery life, so flexible models let you dial brightness up and down to balance the two.
Are rechargeable headlamps better than battery ones?
Rechargeable (USB) headlamps are convenient and economical for regular use, while replaceable-battery models let you carry spare cells for long or cold trips where charging isn't possible. Some headlamps accept both. For multi-day, remote use, easy battery swaps can be an advantage.
Why use a headlamp instead of a flashlight?
A headlamp keeps both hands free — for using trekking poles, scrambling, cooking, setting up a tent, or managing gear — which a handheld flashlight can't. That hands-free function is why headlamps are the standard light for hiking and climbing and part of the Ten Essentials.
Sources
- Headlamp technical guidance — Petzl