Top 5 Gifts for Runners - Headlamps and Flashlights

As autumn settles in and winter is preparing to approach, the bright days continue to get shorter and shorter as it starts to get dark earlier in the day. Soon enough Daylight Savings will end and we’ll be spending more time in the darkness. There are many benefits to Daylight Savings time ending especially if you wake up really early in the morning. You’ll no longer be waking up when it’s dark! You can also enjoy warm fireplaces, blankets, and beautiful quiet nights.

On the other hand, if you find yourself doing outdoor activities in the evening rather than the morning, the darker evenings may make your life a little more difficult. For example, if you enjoy running as an exercise and prefer to do it in the evenings, you’ll find yourself running in the dark soon enough. So for this blog, we want to focus on some awesome flashlights that could make your running in the dark significantly easier.

Klarus H1A Headlamp

I have to start with a headlamp because they’re so incredibly convenient when you’re running, hiking, or needing both hands for one reason or another. The H1A is Klarus’ very first headlamp that has some really cool features. First of all, it’s very compact and very lightweight so it won’t make your head feel like it’s being weighed down. It features three different LEDs: the main light, the side light, and the red light. Each of these LEDs serves its own purpose. The main light delivers up to 550 lumens and can really illuminate the area around you! It has a neat fade-in and fade-out function so that your eyes more easily adjust to the light and then to the darkness.

The side light provides a great flood and is a neutral white so it better simulates natural lighting which is definitely appealing. Finally, the red LED allows you to see in the dark without disrupting your night vision. Realistically, you could use any of these three lights when you’re out running depending on what you’re looking for. I would imagine the side LED with the neutral light and the flood might be the best option.

The H1A also has a patented design to keep the light out of your eyes and the H1A can be angled up to 90° so you can adjust the beam to be angled where you want it! So for running, I’d say the Klarus H1A would make a great companion for you. You can see more features on it here.

MecArmy SGN7 Flashlight

For these suggestions I want to make sure we have a good variety because while headlamps may be the most practical to wear when running, not everybody likes them and they’re not the only option. Another superb option is the MecArmy SGN7 because it’s compact, has a pocket clip, and can be easily carried around without adding any extra weight. The SGN7 gives you peace of mind when running at night, especially if you find yourself running in maybe a sketchier area later than you would like. This EDC flashlight comes with a shrill alarm that can be easily activated in an emergency situation.

The SGN7 has a max output of 550 lumens and features dual switches. The main switch turns ON and OFF the flashlight as well as accessing the four brightness levels while the secondary triangular switch accesses that shrill alarm and a flashing strobe mode to disorient an attacker. It’s also USB rechargeable so you don’t need to worry about replacing the battery. Just plug it into a wall adapter or computer after your run and charge it up so it’s ready to go the next day! You can see more about the MecArmy SGN7 here.

Fenix HL50 Headlamp

Ready for headlamp number two? The Fenix HL50 is as versatile as it is dependable. It’s equipped with a neutral white LED which better simulate natural lighting, and has a maximum output of 365 lumens. You can cycle between the four brightness levels picking whichever level works best for you. The cool thing about the HL50 is that it can easily be taken off of the head strap and used as a regular flashlight. Not all headlamps can do this and that’s part of what makes it so versatile.

Another excellent feature of the HL50 is that it can be equipped with either a CR123 lithium battery or a AA battery. This is really great because if you run out of CR123 batteries you can easily just pop in a AA battery (which nearly everyone has lying around the house somewhere) and you’re good to go. The output isn’t as bright using a AA battery. The maximum output with a AA will be 285 lumens, but that’s still a great amount of light when you’re running. The Fenix HL50 is definitely prepped for outdoor adventures! You can learn more about it here.

Nitecore Tip 2017 Flashlight

The Nitecore Tip is an excellent EDC light and is a great flashlight for runners. It comes with this handy removable pocket clip so you can easily clip it to your shirt or pocket or wherever. You can also attach it to a keychain if you’d rather and that way you always have it with you, assuming you carry your keys with you. The Tip is a great little light because it has the features of a high-quality EDC light while not breaking the bank. It delivers 360 lumens and features four different brightness levels! The bad news about this flashlight is that the runtimes are a little shorter so for the full 360 lumens it won’t last more than half an hour. You can still use the other outputs though and it will still be plenty of light.

One of the great features about the Tip is that it’s USB rechargeable so you can always recharge it after each run. It also has a battery power indicator letting you know when it’s time to charge the flashlight so you won’t be randomly left in the dark with no warning. So if you need something to run but also would like an EDC light then check out the Nitecore Tip here.

Nitecore HC30 Headlamp

I saved the most powerful flashlight for last! The Nitecore HC30 headlamp delivers a whopping 1000 lumens! If you find yourself running in the dark on a trail in the woods or in the country then I recommend this powerful headlamp. It lights up 100° of coverage so you’ll be able to see everything around you, which if you’re running on a trail is a great feature to have so you don’t trip on anything. You can also adjust the headlamp 90° so you can focus the beam so it’s better for you. And you don’t need to be running with 1000 lumens shining in front of you the whole time. The HC30 features five different brightness levels ranging from 1 to 1000 so you have quite a range to pick from.

You can equip the HC30 with either a single 18650 or two CR123 batteries which is always nice that you can choose which batteries you prefer or which batteries are more convenient for you. Nitecore made certain that the headband that comes with the HC30 is quite comfortable, won’t chafe, and remain sturdy. However, if you don’t care to use it as a headlamp you can use it as a flashlight with the included pocket clip. Also, the HC30 features a strobe, SOS, and beacon mode in case of any emergencies! That’s part of the reason I’d recommend this flashlight for those runners who brave the rugged outdoors. If you want to see more on the Nitecore HC30 visit here.

This list will probably change in 6 months or so because flashlight manufacturer’s continue to come out with more versatile flashlights and headlamps. For now, here are our top 5 lights for runners! When you’re running in the evening remember to keep yourself safe