Whether you like the reactive settings or not, the Petzl Swift RL headtorch is a premium item of lighting hardware, and – importantly – deceptively simple to use. Performance is off the charts: even at the slightly-gimped standard settings, 550 lumens, 100g, 2 hours is a pretty solid set of numbers, and a 900 lumen max output from a compact headtorch is just silly. Comfortable fit provided by the ergonomic adjustable headband, with two-part construction (Petzl patent) for optimal stability during dynamic activities Different models and designs illuminate over different ranges. On average, a head torch covers a distance of anywhere between 50 to 130 meters. Conclusion Mixed beam meets the need for high-performance lighting during outdoor activities: proximity or distance vision But the biggest selling point is the Reactive Lightning (hence the Petzl Swift RL) which adapts the headlamp brightness to the lighting in your surroundings. Perfect if you’re running/biking/hiking between different environments and don’t want to keep having to change the brightness. It’s also key for maximising use from each charge.

At only 100g, the 900-lumen light uses rechargeable 2350 mAH lithium-Ion batteries with an impressive life. Basically, that’s a very powerful light that can run for a long time. Moreover, higher light lumens such as 300 to 500 lumens serve best for more intense activities. These include activities such as navigation and mountaineering especially in intense conditions such as during winter. In addition to the brightness a lamp offers, you also want to look at the modes. The SWIFT's brightness and burn time is a little complex, and is best broken down into two categories: standard lighting and reactive lighting.

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The strobe mode is also known as flash. It functions as an emergency blinker. Some lamps even offer a slow and fast flash rate. Also known as the boost mode, the zoom mode offers an extra intense beam of light focused on a particular area for a short period – about 10 to 30 seconds. Headlamps come in a choice of three power sources. You can opt for rechargeable, battery-powered, or wind up headlamps. Rechargeable batteries are fitted with permanent battery units that come with a USB cable. Using the USB cable, you can charge it on a wall outlet, solar charger, devices such as a laptop, and a power bank.

The weight depends on the design and capacity of the torch. Different headlamp models have varying weights. Typically, the weight of a head torch ranges from 70 to 200 grams. The brighter the lamp is and the more powerful its batteries, the heavier it will be. In addition to the batteries, you want to consider the material. Like in normal circumstances, it simply helps to illuminate a focus object. For example, if you see an unknown object in front of your trail, you can choose the beam mode to figure out if it’s a stone or a small animal. I’ve noticed this most when cycling and the headlight crosses beams with bike lights. Or, when the lights illuminate road signs. Most lamps have a standard low, mid, and high mode. The low mode is used for regular tasks such as in-camp chores or walking in familiar trails. The mid-mode works for moderate activities whilst high mode works for more demanding activities such as alpine hiking. The high mode also comes in handy when you need maximum light output.Providing 900 lumens, at only 100g, the Swift RL from Petzl will be the MVP in your lighting line up. The SWIFT battery takes six hours to charge, which is a reasonable amount of time - significant enough to require some planning if you are heading out. Clearly this is fine if you put it on to charge before heading to work, but less fine if you forget and hope to charge it after. It would be great if this time was lower, but perhaps it's no surprise. When choosing the best head torch, you must look at the key features to ensure you find the right model. In the buying guide below, we’ve broken down key features to look at. If you're running in an urban environment, then a head torch of 100-250 lumens should be sufficient. In slightly dimmer areas, something around 300-500 lumens is ideal. And for trail runners, you'll want something above 500 lumens so you can see where you're stepping and the terrain around you. Lumens: This is a measure of the output of a light in terms of brightness. The higher the number, the brighter the output.