Head Lamps

[Sandra]

I'm looking to buy a head lamp for running. Most of my running routes are country roads that have no street lights and with the mornings staying darker longer, I'd like to start using a headlamp. Any suggestions on brands, style etc.?

[orleansrunner1962]

I LOVE my NAO (petzl) - not cheap, but a true gem -- might be a bit overkill for what you are looking for!! I like the long burn time, the brightness, and it is very comfortable....

[VDoT]

I use the Petzl Tikka XP 2 Headlamp and it works great.

[ultraslacker]

I have the Petzl MYO XP, which was the ultra favourite a few years ago. It's great. However, I'm still a little jealous of the light given by my friends who wear mountain biking lights for our night runs. Those things are damned bright! (but super expensive too)

[eme]

I use the Petzl Tikka XP 2 Headlamp and it works great.

Ditto.

[turd ferguson]

I have a couple of these (got them for a dollar at a garage sale). If all you're looking for is to be seen (as opposed to lighting up miles of road) they're perfect.

http://www.amazon.com/White-Light-Baseb ... B004EKOE9A

[Sandra]

I have a couple of these (got them for a dollar at a garage sale). If all you're looking for is to be seen (as opposed to lighting up miles of road) they're perfect.

http://www.amazon.com/White-Light-Baseb ... B004EKOE9A

I need something that will light up the road as well.

thanks for the ideas. Do any of you have issues with the head lamps moving around? Do they need to be worn over a hat of sorts?

[ultraslacker]

I find it most comfortable to wear over a hat (which works because it's usually raining for my night trail runs anyway ;).

The problem with the hat is that the brim cuts off the light a little, especially if you need it pointing at the trails. If you point it further forward it's not as bad.

[orleansrunner1962]

With my Nao, it does not budge at all -- very comfortable -- I know someone else who wears one, and he wears a cap with the brim towards the back, and the battery pack sits, supported on the brim, but I honestly don't find it heavy -- I wore it for roughly 8 hours and Sulphur and it simply was a non-issue!

The reason I chose this light is that is has a feature where you place the setting, and the light "self-adjusts" based on the darkness -- so if you are running along, and you come to a strip of road that provides lighting, your light will dim; then, when it gets darker again, your light will brighten....

[turd ferguson]

If you point it further forward it's not as bad.

As long as you don't look other runners in the face, its all good.

[Hammie]

I have some sort of petzl headlamp from MEC that I bought a few years ago - it doesn't have the battery pack at the back, but has a rechargeable battery at the front. Great headlamp - lightweight, long battery life, and multiple ways to use it. There are two solid brightness settings and one flashing setting, plus there's a little piece of plastic that can slide down over the light and break up the beam of light. It means you can cast a narrow beam (if you need to see a narrow trail) or a wider light (if you're on a sidewalk and want to light up a bigger area).

It fits over a winter hat nicely, and when the weather is good enough not to need a winter hat, I wear a wide headband from lululemon and put the light on that. It keeps it out of my hair without having to wear a hat and losing some of the light from the brim of a hat being in the way.

eta - and it tilts, so I can point it at the ground and not into oncoming people's eyes.

[fingerboy]

Energizer $20 lamp I got from the self titled night race a few years ago. It's perfect. They sell 'em at RR.

It tilts, its bright, has 2 red lamp functions too (continuous and flashing).

[ultraslacker]

Energizer $20 lamp I got from the self titled night race a few years ago. It's perfect. They sell 'em at RR.

It tilts, its bright, has 2 red lamp functions too (continuous and flashing).

mine broke though (the side piece where the strap attaches). Not very durable.

[fingerboy]

Mines been fine, and I've thrown it around in my bags etc. I haven't dropped it though but no problems in the 2 yrs I've had it. Same battery too.

[Sandra]

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to head down to MEC to check out a few of the suggestions.

[O Z D]

I bought an Engergizer one, similar if not the same as the one from the race, at Home Depot. Seems fairly cheap to me. Under $20 if memory serves.

[ultraslacker]

Mines been fine, and I've thrown it around in my bags etc. I haven't dropped it though but no problems in the 2 yrs I've had it. Same battery too.

it wasn't from dropping or anything, just pulling on the head strap--it broke the little plastic prong, and then there's no way to attach the strap to the light. :/

[barebuns1]

I have a couple of Petzls. I find them very durable. I couldn't wear them with a baseball cap, though.