Despite being a relatively small piece of kit, the humble head torch can make a huge difference to your after-dark training sessions, especially in the winter.
Not only do they help you see where you’re going and avoid tripping over obstacles but, along with reflective running gear, they also keep you safe on the road.
Head to the bottom of this page to find out how bright a running head torch should be and what to look for when buying one, or read on for our experts' round up of the best running head torches on the market.
Tried and tested: Best running head torches at a glance
- Best running head torch overall: BioLite HeadLamp 425 | Buy now from Amazon
- Best lightweight running head torch: Petzl Bindi | Buy now from Amazon
- Best budget option: Alpkit Qark | Buy now from Alpkit
- Best versatile running head torch: Petzl Tikka Core | Buy now from Amazon
The best running head torches to buy
BioLite HeadLamp 425
- £59.99 / $59.95
This is up there with the most comfortable head torches we’ve ever tested.
That’s thanks to BioLite’s 3D SlimFit Construction, which uses soft moisture-wicking fabrics and a wide stretch of material at the front to cover the whole torch unit.
It’s impressively light, too, at just 82g. Vitally, it also lights up terrain well. Don’t be deceived by that small torch – its 425 lumens pack a punch.
There are five modes to choose from up front, including a red light, a focused white light, a white flood light and a combination of the latter two. The result is clear visibility right ahead, plus a view of what else is around.
The rechargeable battery, housed in the rear unit and accompanied with a red light on the rear, will give you up to four hours in the highest setting and 60 hours in its lowest.
Tilting the torch and cycling through settings with one hand is also easy while on the go.
Verdict: Light, super comfortable and impressive lighting.
Score: 92%
Petzl Swift RL
- £103 / $129.95
Petzl has pedigree in the head torch market and that shows in the Swift RL. Sporting a maximum 900 lumens, the Swift RL certainly packs a punch.
It can be used in a ‘standard’ mode or a ‘reactive lighting’ mode, with the latter adjusting brightness based on current conditions.
The aim is to prolong the burn time, with Petzl saying you’ll get a minimum of five hours in reactive mode in the 300 lumens setting. You get 2.5 hours at 900 lumens and between 10 and 50 hours for 100 lumens (both in reactive mode).
In the brightest setting performance is excellent, delivering in both distance and width. You also get great performance from the standard setting, with more than enough light to run safely and confidently.
It’s comfortable to wear, though the unit does feel slightly bulky. It weighs 102g, but like others here it doesn’t feel too heavy when worn.
Verdict: Comfortable and fantastic performance, but a big outlay.
Score: 88%
Black Diamond Cosmo 350-R
- £50 / $54.95
The Cosmo 350-R’s uses your quintessential head torch design, with a main cube-shaped body up front and a standard head strap.
But the performance on offer here is better than ordinary.
You get 350 lumens, a max distance of 64m (in the highest-power mode, which lasts for five hours) and its weight is a very reasonable 72g.
There are four modes (white beam, white strobe, red beam, red strobe), plus you can customise the brightness by dimming or brightening by holding down the button.
Lighting performance is pretty decent, illuminating the trail well, but it doesn’t hit as wide a field a view as some other torches with dedicated flood lighting.
Max power is the most useful for running, but the 175 lumens mode still gives you up to 45m distance, plus a very decent 10 hours of battery.
The head torch is rechargeable via USB and won’t take AAA batteries, but it does have an IP67 rating, making it submergible for 30 minutes.
Verdict: The Black Diamond Cosmo 350-R is a solid and reliable all-rounder.
Score: 84%
Ledlenser NEO5R
- £54.95 / $69.95
Despite sporting a small torch unit, the NEO5R carries a bit of weight due to the hefty rear battery. It comes in at 104g in total, but it’s less noticeable when actually worn.
One thing that we were quick to notice, however, is that the thin strap isn’t as comfortable as some others on test here, and it has quite harsh edges.
The rechargeable battery delivers decent performance, with up to four hours of burn time available while on the 600 lumens setting or more when using less lumens. And that light illuminates the surroundings well, including nearby ground and the way ahead.
You can tilt the torch easily with one hand, while a temperature control system keeps the light from overheating. Visibility is also boosted thanks to a rear flashing red light and reflective detailing on the strap, helping other road users spot you more easily and boosting safety.
Verdict: Not the most comfortable, but torch performs well.
Score: 80%
Evadict Ontrail 900
- £49.99
We were surprised to see the price of this head torch as we’ve got so used to seeing Decathlon kit undercutting the competition, but that isn’t the case here, being similarly priced to many others on test.
It comes with the joint highest number of lumens (900), though there are two other settings so you can use with less.
At its highest setting you get a burn time of up to 3.5 hours, while with 300 lumens you get up to 4.5 hours. That’s not the best in class, but it’s not bad.
Lighting performance is decent, too, delivering good distance, but it doesn’t illuminate your immediate surroundings as well as others.
Also unlike the others, which use buttons, the Ontrail uses a switch that you flick up and down. It’s super easy, even in gloves, and tilting the torch is also painless.
A weight of 142g is the heaviest on test, but the extra grams aren’t that noticeable when in use. The strap itself is also very comfortable to wear.
Verdict: A decent option, but you can get better performance for the same price from others tested here.
Score: 82%
Alpkit Qark
- £39.99 / $54.99
Having entered into some of the Maverick Race Dark events last autumn, the Qark was actually a purchase by this mag’s editor earlier in the year – and with some pretty strict criteria on her list, it was a considered one.
The Qark sits in the middle of Alpkit’s range, but with 580 lumens available on maximum beam you wouldn’t know it.
The unit is light and very comfortable and the light available was enough for even the darkest of trails, with an easy twist beam concentrator mechanism making it easy to widen or narrow and focus the light available from 30 to the max 580 lumens.
A big benefit of this torch is the fact it’s USB rechargeable (up to 18 hours, dependant on setting) but can also run off 3 x AAA batteries if need be – a key consideration for this tester, who’s had a torch run out on her before mid-race!
The operation is single button and there’s also a red light option.
Verdict: A light but mighty torch with some standout features.
Score: 90%
Silva Terra Scout H
- £59.99 / $54.99
The Silva Terra Scout H comes with a front light unit and a very wide and comfortable headband, all weighing just 73g.
Intriguingly, it’s made from recycled plastics and hemp fibres, which reduces its CO2 emissions substantially compared to traditional materials.
While the beam on the Terra Scout H isn’t as far reaching as some more powerful options here (it’ll just about hit past 50m), it floods your locale with light, giving you an impressive field of view.
This means reading the terrain in front and around you is very easy to do.
In its max setting of 350 lumens you get up to three hours of burn time, which is about average compared to the other options in this test.
In the 50 lumens mode you then get 25 hours of burn time, though, obviously the lighting performs drops off significantly.
The good news is that if you do run low on battery, you can simply pop a few AAA batteries in to keep you going, while an IPX5 rating (this means it should hold up against low-pressure streams of water) puts this a step above most of the other head torches here, which have an IPX4 rating.
Verdict: Supreme comfort, excellent flood lighting and changeable batteries make this a great choice.
Score: 80%
Petzl Tikka Core
- £57 / $59.95
Unlike most other running head torches, the Tikka Core has both a rechargeable battery, plus the option of using it with AAA batteries.
That makes it extremely versatile, as you can extend the battery life by carrying batteries with you – ideal if you’re taking part in an ultra marathon or night race.
A weight of 81g is reasonable, while the design is akin to your typical head torch, with the unit at the front and a standard headband.
Comfort levels are fine and a weight of 81g is on par with many other options on the market.
In max power mode, with 450 lumens in action, you get a burn time of two hours, which isn’t bad, but isn’t great.
You’re also looking at a beam distance up to around 75m, but it also does a really good job of lighting up what’s immediately around you. This balance makes it a great option for running.
In standard mode (100 lumens), you get a burn time of seven hours and a distance up to 45m, which lights up your immediate surroundings reasonably well.
There’s also a red light option if you don’t need to see the trail so clearly or if you’re running in urban environments.
Verdict: Fantastic versatility, but distance and battery life aren’t quite range topping.
Score: 86%
BioLite HeadLamp 330
- £59.99 / $59.95
BioLite’s HeadLamp 330 is a popular head torch among runners and other outdoor enthusiasts, and it’s easy to see why.
For a start, it has a very comfortable headband, which we’ve become accustomed to from this brand.
It makes this the nicest head torch to wear, and a weight of 70g isn’t too bad, either. That’s split between the small unit up front and the battery pack at the rear.
The HeadLamp 330 offers a well-balanced lighting performance. It illuminates lots of the ground around you in its flood mode, yet will also light up surroundings in excess of 50m away in its most powerful spot mode (BioLite says up to 75m).
This makes it a really good option for running on trails, when you need to both find the route, plus keep an eye on the terrain underfoot, though the distance isn’t as far as some competitors listed here.
In max power the brand says you can expect up to three and a half hours of battery, which is reasonable, but not market leading.
There’s also a very good red light performance, lighting up the ground immediately in front.
Verdict: The most comfortable head torch we’ve tested, but performance is not quite class leading.
Score: 83%
Petzl Bindi
- £40 / $44.95
The Petzl Bindi is the lightest head torch on our list, weighing just 34g, yet it kicks out 200 lumens of power and has a micro-USB port for easy charging.
Those 200 lumens hit a distance of up to 36m, though after weeks of testing we’d say this is one for illuminating the ground closer to you, rather than route finding while trail running.
The Bindi lights up the ground around you well in max power, which gives you two hours of battery. Drop down to 100 lumens and you get three hours, but only a reach of up to 23m distance.
It’s not the most comfortable, due to the drawstring headband, but it’s fine for short runs, and is hardly noticeable if chucked in a running backpack or pocket.
The torch can also be tilted, while there’s a red light function, too.
Verdict: Best suited to urban runs or to be carried for ‘just in case’, but a powerful punch for such a light package.
Score: 85%
Lifesystems Intensity 280
- £29.99
At a penny shy of £30, the Intensity 220 is the cheapest head torch here by quite some margin. But then it does also have the lowest number of lumens (220).
Like all the others in this test, the Intensity 220 is rechargeable via USB and once fully charged you get up to 4.5 hours of burn time. That’s not terrible, but it is beaten by every other torch here.
Performance is reasonable, too. You obviously don’t get the same sort of illumination as some others offer with higher lumens, but you do get a beam length of between 15-45m from the six different settings.
In practice, it proved enough on roads and gravel paths, but if hitting proper trails in darkness you may want to consider an alternative.
It’s easy to operate via the two buttons, but tilting requires two hands and, while the strap is comfy, the torch itself tends to dig into your forehead uncomfortably.
Verdict: Reasonable performance for the price, but not the most comfortable.
Score: 73%
Other running head torches to consider...
Petzl Actik
A versatile piece of kit, the Petzl Actik comes with 350 lumens and offers several different light functions, as you can tailor the distance and width of the beam to suit your needs.
Choose between a ‘wide’ or ‘focussed’ pool of light, and select your depth, from 10m up to 90m.
The head torch also has a red light reaching up to 5m ahead to stop you blinding your run buddies! And there’s even a strobe option which, alongside the reflective headband, will make sure you’re seen on dark roads.
The Petzl Actik takes three AAA batteries and should work for up to 60 hours on the go, depending on your light mode. It'll also take reusable batteries.
Exposure lights HT1000
With a dazzling 1,000 lumens housed in an aluminium casing, this bad boy is designed for trail running where you absolutely have to see where you’re putting your feet. Visibility is up to 125m on full and the rechargeable battery is rear-mounted for comfort.
LEDLENSER Neo6R
The LEDLENSER Neo6R comes with a 240 Lumen torch with a wide angle, so it’s perfect for dark runs. Its maximum depth is 30m, but you can adjust the beam to cover just 10m in front of you.
Ideal for group runs, this head torch from LEDLENSER also has a chest strap, so you can wear it lower down on the body. Meanwhile, another handy feature is its red rear light, which offers vital visibility.
The head torch has a lithium ion battery charged via a micro USB connection, and you’ll get up to 40 hours of continuous use. When power is running low, there’s a helpful early warning signal.
How bright should a running head torch be?
In our humble opinion, 200-400 lumens of power will offer a good amount of light for running.
However, if you spend a lot of your time on trails, you may want slightly more to offer a greater range of visibility.
What else makes a good running head torch?
- Distance: Some head torches can illuminate a distance of up to 100m in front of you; it’s worth considering whether ‘flood lighting’ is important to you.
- Light settings: Many torches have a range of modes, including flashing and energy-saving programmes.
- Weatherproofing: If you want a head torch you can wear in all weathers, it’s a good idea to go for a waterproof one. Some even function when submerged in water, so you can take them on brief swim sessions too.
- Weight: Most running head torches are under 150g in weight, and some are under 50g, so consider how light you’d like yours to be.
- Rear light: Having a rear light as well as a front torch will keep you safe when running on roads. Some products have an actual light, while others use a reflective strip to keep you safe.
- Light colours: Many runners like having the option to use a red light, which helps you maintain night vision.
- Battery life: It’s always worth checking how long you’ll be able to use your head torch on its highest energy setting - you don’t want to be caught out during a long run.
- Recharge system: You may prefer to invest in a head torch you can recharge with a USB cable, as opposed to one with batteries you have to change.
