Headtorch - how many lumens?

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Jenelopy Apr 2018 5:02am, 12 Apr 2018 163 posts	0 Jenelopy I'm looking buy a headtorch that I can use for night time off-road running. We have a few headtorches already for camping and hiking, but one is too big and bulky and wont stay on my head, and the other two are too weak and dingy. There are a bewildering array of headtorches out there, all of which look bright and shiny and nice! So I can start to narrow down the options, roughly how many lumens will I want for trails with no street lights? Any brands/models I should avoid?
StuH Apr 2018 9:31am, 12 Apr 2018 2,200 posts	0 StuH I'd say 100+ but I think some of the claimed values from some models (especially some of the Chinese imports on ebay/amazon) are just pie in the sky. For the last couple of years I've been using Alpkit which are great value for money, but recently upgraded to a Ledlenser H7 which is brighter and USB rechargeable.
K5 Gus Apr 2018 9:39am, 12 Apr 2018 2,555 posts	0 K5 Gus The Alpkit range is very good value for money, and widely used alpkit.com Does any of your running involve unlit roads to get to the trails ? If so, then consider the Gamma, as it also has a rear red light ( constant or flashing ) for safety. I find the 180 lumens more than adequate, in fact I have an older version which I think is less than 180. The other good thing about the Gamma is the battery pack is at the rear, so the weight is not all on the front of the head, and it has a strap over the top of head again to spread the weight.
geordiegirl Apr 2018 9:40am, 12 Apr 2018 8,349 posts	0 geordiegirl I have a headtorch but bought this as a backup for a night marathon and I actually prefer it to the headtorch it is a magnetic clip and it stayed in place the whole race and during training sessions. It is rechargeable and an absolute bargain. LED Safety Light Flashlight Torch, For Running Walking Dogs Camping Outdoors - Clip-On Rechargeable Lightweight Magnetic - Including 2X Bike Safety Li amazon.com
geordiegirl Apr 2018 9:41am, 12 Apr 2018 8,350 posts	0 geordiegirl I had the alpkit last time and I wish hubby bought me that again he bought me the prezl which I didn’t find bright enough
StuH Apr 2018 9:46am, 12 Apr 2018 2,201 posts	0 StuH Fixed that for you GG - amazon.co.uk
oumaumau Apr 2018 9:47am, 12 Apr 2018 919 posts	0 oumaumau You can get away with about 150 lumens, but really the more the have the more you 'need', if that makes sense. If I'm only out for an hour I'll use a Petzl myo : amazon.co.uk - the diffuser makes it work like two separate lights, casting diffuse light at your feet, and a spot for further down the trail. For longer runs I like the artificial sun effect of one of these - fenixtorch.co.uk
GordonG Apr 2018 9:56am, 12 Apr 2018 7,477 posts	0 GordonG i have a basic headtorch, from Decathlon. Think it's 150 lumins, and although i'd intended to buy one with a zillion lumins, it's actually OK (I use it when running through parks, not country lanes). I think anything from 150 would be OK and once you've found one of suitable brightness, I'd say the more important questions from this point onwards are: is it comfortable to wear, and do you need features like being able to adjust the angle and/or brightness mode. As a general point, i would say that once you've found one suitably bright, it's more important that it has a wide angle of beam rather than "super bright on one narrow spot in front of you", cos you need to be able to look further than your immediate line of vision.
larkim Apr 2018 9:58am, 12 Apr 2018 4,326 posts	0 larkim It's the spread of light rather than the lumens which is key I think. Even relatively low (70/80 lumens) is more than bright enough off road to see where you're putting your feet for the next 10-20 yards or so, but you want something that avoids you needing to move your head around to direct the beam into the place your brain needs it. Of course, it probably also depends on how fast you are running - the faster you go, the further ahead you probably need to be able to see the trail so that your brain can process things. Also think about rechargability - a AA battery pack light is good because you can carry around spare batteries, whereas charging a USB powered headtorch at 2am on a night trail run could be challenging!!
RunningInCircles Apr 2018 12:23pm, 12 Apr 2018 1,852 posts	0 RunningInCircles Lumens, like many other measurements such as megapixels in cameras, is only part of the story. Beam pattern matters at least as much. The broad spread from my better headtorch makes it less mentally tiring and easier to move quickly, as you can see more and are not just running in a narrow tunnel of light. I carry a small handheld with a tight focus and high power if I need to spot navigation feature far off on night runs.