For many people, even hardened outdoor adventurers, night hiking can be scary. You can’t see, you're fumbling around in the dark, and strange animal sounds are all around. At times like these, it's easy for your mind to start playing tricks on you.
A flashlight for hiking and backpacking is the perfect way to tackle the dark. With a light source, you can quickly identify where a noise is coming from. Flashlights are also handy for setting up campsites, sifting through a pack, or navigating obstacles like stream crossings. Hiking and backpacking flashlights save time, tame fears and let you see what you're doing.
My Review Process
I’ve been hiking and backpacking for 25 years. Throughout that time, I’ve found myself hiking in the dark fairly often. Headlamps are great for a variety of scenarios, but I’ve really come to enjoy hiking flashlights as well.
Hiking flashlights are versatile, easy to hold and can illuminate areas much larger than traditional headlamps. Flashlights are fantastic for setting up camp in the dark or as a light source for groups of people. Because of their stronger output, flashlights can also act as a useful deterrent to wild animals.
Headlamps vs. Flashlights
Headlamps and flashlights both offer extra light for night hiking and backpacking adventures. They differ in a few ways. Flashlights for backpacking and hiking are mainly held in your hands, while headlamps attach to your head via straps.
In an outdoor context, headlamps are great for predawn starts, hiking after dark or setting up camp. In all of those situations, your hands may be occupied with hiking poles or tent components. Headlamps are great for providing extra light when your hands are busy.
While the gap is shrinking, flashlights still offer the most powerful light beams. Spotlight-style flashlights can shine as brightly as car headlights. Flashlights are also sturdier and can handle more abuse. Headlamps may also be uncomfortable or unwieldy, whereas holding a flashlight is intuitive and simple.
Another argument in favor of flashlights is the headlamp's position. When a backpacking headlamp is on your head, and you turn to face someone, the light beam shoots into their eyes. With a flashlight in hand, you can easily redirect the beam to avoid temporarily blinding someone.
Hiking Flashlight Buying Guide
There are a few things about hiking flashlights that you should know before buying them.
Price
A reasonable price for a good hiking flashlight can be anywhere between $10-200. The lower the flashlight costs, the more basic the functions will be. However, expensive flashlights may not be the most reliable option either. The best thing to do if you're focused on price is to establish a budget and stick to it.
Size
Flashlights are super handy for hiking adventures, but finding the right size is key. If the flashlight is too small, you could easily set it down and lose it. If the flashlight is too large, you’ll be less inclined to bring it with you on a backpacking trip. Ultralight options are nice until the flashlight slips out of your hands and it's too dark to find.
Lumens
A lumen is the standard measurement of brightness levels in any light. For hiking flashlights, the range of lumens goes from about 100 to over 3500. Generally speaking, things over 1000 lumens can be considered very bright unless you’re new to hiking and backpacking.
1000 lumens or more will show things in bright detail but may blind fellow hikers. As always, be careful where you point the beam of light. The brightest light or brightest setting will drain the battery faster. Make sure to toggle through the brightness modes to find the best compromise between long-lasting and intense light.
Battery Type
Flashlights are usually compatible with rechargeable batteries, but sometimes you’ll need to use disposable ones. There are benefits to both. Rechargeable flashlights allow for repeated uses and cut down on waste. Disposable batteries have zero charging time and are easy to pop into a flashlight.
Make sure to check what disposable or rechargeable batteries a flashlight can handle. There are a few varieties. If you opt for rechargeable flashlights, check the charging duration as well.
Additionally, it may be helpful to bring spare batteries with you. When using disposable batteries, take note that lithium batteries perform much better than alkaline batteries in cold temperatures.
Run Time And Charging
Charging time is also an important consideration. Charging batteries can be time-consuming. After a hike, it's best to recharge the batteries right away so that everything is ready for the next outing.
Run time is important as well. While you might not plan to hike in the dark, unexpected things often happen in the outdoors. If you have to spend a few hours in the dark refinding a trail or treating an injury, you need a long-lasting flashlight or extra batteries. Bringing spare batteries in all scenarios is a proactive move.
Throw Distance
Throw distance, or beam distance, is important because its range is the limiting factor to what you can see. If there's a disturbance, but you don't have the power to see that far, it could ratchet up your fear of what’s out there.
Flashlights with longer throw distances help give context to noises in the woods at night. When you can see what something is, you can stow fear and refocus on your hike or backpacking trip.
Flashlight Modes
Flashlights, like many headlamps, often come with multiple brightness modes. Similar to regular car lights and high beams, you can toggle between them. Light on the lowest settings will save power, while the brightest settings will illuminate more.
If you know that you’ll be using a flashlight for at least a few hours, it may help to set the light mode to a lower power setting. If you hear something or need to handle an obstacle like a stream crossing, you can always switch it back to a higher power.
Attachment Options
Some flashlights come with pocket clips, essentially giving them a “hands-free” mode. Others come with lanyards or holsters, which are handy to have. With hybrid flashlights, the attachments are the straps that can turn it into a headlamp.
It’s not a deal breaker if an option doesn't come with attachments. However, you’ll need to work a little harder to make sure you don’t lose it in the dark.
Summary
If you’re looking for a flashlight for hiking with the best overall features, the Fenix PD36R is an excellent choice. For budget shoppers, the Gearlight S1000 Tactical Flashlight, Nitecore Thumb 85, or ThruNite Archer 2A V3 are all more than capable.
Depending on your outdoor adventure, something burlier may be more attractive, like the Coast Polysteel 600R. If it’s your first time in the woods at night, a high-powered light that can quickly illuminate a large area, like the WOWTAC A5 3650, might be the perfect fit.
