September 22, 2016 / by Danny Mavis

If you like to participate in outdoor activities but are limited to doing them throughout nighttime because of the lack of vision, then they can be quite a challenge, and this might be a huge turn-off. Things like riding a bicycle, hiking and running in the woods are next to impossible and not safe at all without proper lighting. Even if you decide to purchase a handheld torch, it still leaves you with one hand occupied, and driving a bike with only one hand is not really recommendable. Luckily, there are LED head torches that are very convenient for that exact purpose.

A quality head torch is a must-have for overnight hiking, cycling and jaunts. There are many LED head torches available on the market, so you may be overwhelmed by all the choices. However, in order to narrow your options down, there are a few key considerations that you should keep in mind, such as brightness, weight, durability and battery life.

Battery

The battery should be a top priority when choosing a head torch. You have the option to pick between rechargeable and disposable batteries. Your decision will mostly come down to personal preferences, but a good pointer in the right direction should be the fact how often will you use the head torch. If you are a regular user, then rechargeable batteries are the better investment, and if not, you should go with disposable batteries instead.

Brightness

Brightness is another important factor, although most torches are a bit versatile when it comes to it, meaning you can adjust the brightness levels in some head torches depending on your needs. Sometimes you want to illuminate the path close to you, other times further. Extra features like focus of the light for extra visibility and dimmable lighting when less light is required are also great. Power in LED torches is measured in Lumens, a couple of hundred Lumens can prove to be sufficient enough if they have all the required features.

Durability

The head torch needs to be durable, so it can stand up to the challenges of your journeys. Weather elements like rain and wind will take a toll on the torch, so a head torch just like any other survivalist’s piece of equipment, needs to be durable and hold its own.

Weight

A head torch should be lightweight and small, since after all, you’ll have it wrapped around your head. It’s weight in a backpack is almost non-existent. Furthermore, if the torchlight is lightweight, it won’t bob whilst cycling in rough terrains, running, or doing any sudden head movements.