FeatherSticks · Gear
Headlamps & Camp Lighting: Lumens, Batteries, Red Light and Night Navigation
The brightest headlamp is often the worst one to use in camp.
Quick facts
- Camp tasks
- 10–50 lumens, flood beam
- Trail
- 100–200 lumens; 300+ only for route finding
- Cold
- Lithium AA/AAA or keep batteries warm
- Best for
- Every trip, especially autumn and winter
What you need
- Headlamp with low, mid, high and red modes plus lock-out
- Spare batteries (lithium for frost) or a small power bank
- Small backup torch
- LED lantern or diffuser for camp
- Zip bag for batteries
- Reflective or light-coloured guylines
- Candle lantern (optional, outdoors only)
Step by step
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1 Match the mode to the task
Use 10–50 lumens in camp, 100–200 on the trail and 300 or more only briefly for finding the route.
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2 Pick batteries for the cold
Lithium AA cells work best in frost. Keep NiMH and Li-ion batteries warm in an inner pocket.
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3 Use red light in camp
Red light keeps your night vision and does not dazzle others. Switch to white only when you need detail.
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4 Set up a soft camp light
Hang a lantern high under the tarp or strap the headlamp to a water bottle for glare-free light.
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5 Carry spares and lock the lamp
Pack a spare set of batteries in a bag and lock the switch so the lamp cannot turn on in the pack.
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6 Walk with the beam low
At night use a low mode, point the beam at the path a few steps ahead and stop often to look around.
Common mistakes
- Judging a headlamp only by its maximum lumens.
- Relying on alkaline batteries in frost.
- Carrying spare batteries loose with keys and coins.
- Shining a headlamp into other people's faces.
- Using a candle or gas lamp inside a closed tent.
- Packing the lamp without locking the switch.
- Starting a walk late without checking when it gets dark.