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What's good to avoid stepping into a hole in the dark and twisting an ankle?
I've recently started running after many years and realised I could do with some kind of light for the unlit stretches.
Alpkit have a good range of head torches and Decathlon have a chest mounted light called something like the Kumanji.
I haven't decided what to go for, but it'll either be something from Alpkit or that chest mounted one.
It depends on whether you want to be able to run full pelt down steep techy descents or you're just trotting along reasonably surfaced paths tbh. If the former, something like a Petzl Nao or one of the high-end Silva running head-torches. If the latter, pretty much any reasonably bright, think 250 lumens or so, headtorch from the likes of Alpkit or whoever.
There was a recent thread on here with a lot of people recommending the Decathlon chest-mounted thing. Hang on...
This: https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/recommend-me-a-trail-running-light/
But I do think it depends on how technical the terrain and how fast you want to be able to run it. Big floody lights work best ime.
The Decathlon one is brilliant.
Very well priced too with a long run time and usb recharging.
Works great as a road light and dog walking one as well.
I ended up with a 20 quid Amazon special.
While I wouldn't head off into their mountains with it it's fine for the level of running I do and has a rear safety light to boot. I do charge the batteries in my standalone 18650 charger though .
Plenty bright and doesn't fall down like the alpkits I borrowed without a over the head strap.
Alpkit generally... but I actually prefer my diablo which I think is mk3. I have it in the joystick headband which does fit despite what they say.
I am disappointed with the new Alpkit Manta. The beam is too narrow, so you can't see what's at your feet. So end up tripping over roots etc. Rather annoying, as from the specifications it looks good, excellent battery life etc.
I might try a Fenix HP25R instead (cheap from AliExpress).
All the alpkit headtorches come with an over the top strap, removable in some cases. My FIL has just lost his Viper so I'm getting him a Muon to replace it. I think it'll have more light up to 20m vs the Viper having a long range spot.
I use an Exposure Joystick with their headband. Superb light for running and means I’ve got a great light for the bike too. Burn time on low will last longer than any normal person will want to run too.
I got one of the decathlon ones a month or so back. Overall it's pretty good and has a good burn time. Only time I don't like it is for acute corners as it's pointing where your torso is rather than where you're looking at. Bit like a bar light vs a helmet light.
A friend of mine also bought one from decathlon. it's pretty good.
Wouldn't you want two lights, to help with perspective? Like a bar and helmet light for the bike? Also you have a backup if one breaks or runs out of battery?
I've just ordered a LED Lenser MH10 having had a play around with a friend's. Apparently it will do a full night at 250 lumens on a single charge. Might be more than you need but the rest of their range is worth a look and they get a good rep for quality.
What do you class as trail running ? If it’s more towards fell running then not the Decathlon chest one. It’s ok for flat easy trails but not for steep up and down or when you are knackered. Plus need to open a gate and you can’t see, shoe laces etc etc. Bloke in our club had one and stopped using it.
A few of us go out on club runs with various torches. Consensus has come down to spend £25 on this Decathlon one https://www.decathlon.co.uk/onnight-710-head-torch-id_8370255.html of you want a very good torch at a reasonable price or if your flush buy a Petzl Nao
Sorry it’s impossible to edit on here with an iPhone! If you spend £150 + you won’t go wrong getting longer burn times. But most people only need 2hrs max.
GENUINE LED lenser is where i would go if i wanted something i could depend on.
I carry a petzl E-lite on hill runs - while i wont be able to run by it ill be able to see enough to nav/get off the hill.
johny all the current alpkits come with a overhead strap but the previous generation they were selling on cheap didnt - the auto changing white strapped one didnt - thats the one i borrowed off a mate.
All the alpkit headtorches come with an over the top strap, removable in some cases.
Nope, last few I've bought don't have any.
I'd recommend the Viper, excellent head torch, have four of them now.