Camping involved in multi-day packrafting trips can be in some of the most magnificently remote locations. Therefore, an essential piece of kit to remember is a torch. At Iron Raft we love the convenience of a head torch to allow you to continue doing tasks at camp like cooking and sorting kit for the next leg of the adventure.
As there are many great head torches available, we thought we would provide you with some of the top picks:
#1 Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp:
This headlamp offers up to a bright 350-lumens and a variety of lighting modes, including a red light for preserving night vision. Powered by battery this model uses three AAA batteries. The last notable benefit of this compact and durable model is the fact that it is waterproof (tested to operate 1.1m underwater for 30 minutes), perfect for the wet conditions of a packrafting adventure.
#2 Petzl Actik Core Headlamp:
Alternatively to the Black Diamond Spot, the Actik is rechargeable as it comes with 3 AAA batteries and its compatible with the core rechargeable battery thanks to the hybrid concept design. The Actik also offers a 350 lumen brightness and several lighting modes including a red lighting again to preserve your night vision and to prevent blinding fellow adventurers. Lastly the Actik is compatible with mounting accessories which can be useful for bike packing trips.
#3 BioLite, HeadLamp 425:
For a pricer option from the Spot and Actik you could opt for the Bio Lite 425. As it suggests in the name this is a more powerful model offering a brightness of 425 lumens. With 60 hours of life on the lowest setting and 4 hours on high this model could last you on a 3-4 multiday trip without the need to recharge however if needed this model is USB-C compatible. Lastly for ultra-lightweight trips this is a fantastic choice as it only weighs 78g.
#4 Nitecore HC60 Head Lamp:
For packrafting adventures that consist of long days covering larger distances you may be looking for a model that can illuminate further and for longer. With the use of a 18650 Lithium battery the HC60 can last up to 680hours run time and impressively has a maximum beam distance of 117 metres. This model is a perfect match for rugged outdoor adventures with waterproofness up to 1 metre, multiple lighting modes and amazing adjustability. In case of an emergency you can also send SOS signals and has a location beacon.
Choosing a head torch can be overwhelming but with the options above we hope you find a model to suit your adventures, just remember to try on options as ultimately the best model for you will depend significantly on comfort!
