When it comes to backpacking, you definitely, absolutely need a backpacking flashlight. It doesn’t have to be big, in fact many of the best backpacking flashlights are quite small, but you need some source of light. When you need to find that certain something in the bottom of your bag after the sun has gone down, or even if you haven’t found a campsite before you lose the light, a good flashlight is a must. Fortunately you have more than a few options when it comes to finding a good backpacking flashlight.
Backpacking Flashlight
Features to be aware of when you are reviewing various backpacking flashlights.- Brightness – One of the more important variables when it comes to a backpacking flashlight is how bright it can get. You may not want to illuminate the whole forest, after all, but you will likely want to at least be able to see what’s in front of you without having to point the flashlight right in that direction.
- Color – The color of the light is another thing to consider. Many backpacking flashlights are red, or come with an optional red cover. The reason for this is that red light does not spoil your night vision, meaning that when you turn a red tinted flashlight off you will be able to see much better than you otherwise would.
Best Backpacking Flashlight
A few of the better backpacking flashlights that you have to choose from.- Photon Micro Light II LED - Most things that you need a flashlight for when backpacking, like finding a piece of gear at the bottom of your bag or not tripping over anything on your way to the bathroom at night require very little power. The Micro gives you a grand total of 1.5 meters of illumination. But it's tiny, at .17 ounces, or 5 grams, and depending on the color (red is available) it will last for 120 hours, which makes it the perfect choice for lightweight backpackers.
- Princeton Tec Amp Series Flashlight - The Tec Amp is more of a traditional, handheld flashlight. It comes in three different sizes, the medium giving out 50 lumens of light for 160 hours and weighing 206 grams. It comes with a handy lanyard, to make sure you don't lose it, and is water resistant too, never a bad feature to have in a flashlight. If you want something handheld for backpacking, this is an ideal choice.
- Petzl Tactikka XP Adapt Headlamp - Flashlights can be good, but often when backpacking you need both hands free and the area in front of you illuminated, such as when trying to get a stove started early in the morning or late at night, in which case you need a headlamp. The Tactikka XP is a great choice. It has three power modes, and several colored lenses that will help preserve night vision. With the batteries included the whole thing weighs 4.2 ounces, or 120 grams.
