Since my very first steps along the Appalachian Trail, I’ve been on a quest for the ideal ultralight headlamp. Finding a lightweight headlamp that doesn’t skimp on features isn’t an easy task. It seems that most UL headlamps either suffer from low light output, short battery life, or a lack of red light mode (a must have IMO.)
In early 2018 word of a new ultralight headlamp contender began to circulate around the UL forums and on r/Ultralight. It was said to have all the features of the heavy headlamps yet it weighed in at only an ounce. Interestingly, this new headlamp wasn’t made by one of the well know light brands like Petzl or Black Diamond. Instead it was designed by a flashlight brand known as Nitecore. Enter the Nitecore NU25
Check out the video below for the review, I’ll leave some hard stats for the headlamp below that.
Key Features:
- 1 oz. (26 grams) w/o strap
- Spot, Flood, and Red LED lights
- Separate buttons for white & red leds (AWESOME)
- Lock out function to prevent battery loss (Also great)
- USB rechargeable lithium ion battery (Essential)
- ~$37.00 US!
Runtime/Lumen Stats:
Some final thoughts on the Nitecore NU25:
This headlamp has blown me away and is now my go to headlamp. It represents that rare trifecta seldom found in the ultralight world: form, function, and value. The dual buttons make switching between modes super intuitive and eliminate the hassle of tapping, double tapping, and holding a singular button trying to figure out how to reach a specific mode. Being able to lock the headlamp and keep it from accidentally turning on in your pack gives me peace of mind and is a nice touch. On medium brightness I can comfortably night hike and at 8 hours of run time I don’t have to worry about running out of battery. Having a red light is essential when camping with others and this one doesn’t disappoint. The fact that it has a red high mode (with which you can even night-hike by) is just icing on the cake.
Where to buy it:
Support this website (and keep it ad-free) by purchasing this headlamp via our Amazon link here: https://amzn.to/2QtDRc1 (THANK YOU!)
Check out the related post below for a tip on how to make a super light and comfy strap for this headlamp!