What Sort Of Light Do You Need For A Night Hike?

There are many incredible benefits that come with hiking at night. Not only do you escape the heat and the crowds, you also get to experience the most unmissable views of the night’s sky. Having the right gear for a night hike is essential. Considering that you’ll be hiking in the dark, your choice of light is by far one of the most important pieces of kit to decide on. After all, this is the item that will ensure you can navigate your route safely when vision is limited. So, we know that lighting is essential, but what sort of light do you need for a night hike?

It’s a common misconception that brighter is better when it comes to finding the best light for overnight hikes. Of course, you want your light to help give you maximum vision, however it isn’t necessarily the highest lumen options that provide this. Whilst harsh bright light is important for emergency situations, it can actually impair your natural vision, making it more of a hindrance than a help. So, when deciding on what sort of light you need for a night hike, make sure to consider the following factors:

Look For A Red Light Setting:

It’s essential that your headlamp or torch has a red light setting in addition to the standard white light setting. Your eyes are less sensitive to the longer wavelengths of red light, helping to protect your natural night vision. 

Ensure There Are Multiple Brightness Settings:

 It’s important that your light has a bright white setting for maximum illumination in case of emergencies, as well as having a red setting. In addition to this, it’s important to have a range of settings so that you can switch the brightness from low to high for different scenarios. Using higher levels of brightness will use up your battery life more quickly, and so make sure you’ve brought plenty of spares along with you.

Consider Comfort:

Comfort is a key consideration to make when determining what sort of light is needed for a night hike. A head torch is a really good option for hiking as it leaves you hands free and will light up in whatever direction you’re looking at. Make sure to try on a variety of head torches to ensure you find one that sits comfortably without moving about. If you do choose to take a handheld torch instead then make sure it has plenty of grip, whilst being lightweight and easy to carry in your hand.