How to Choose Headlamps

So comfortable and lightweight you'll forget you're wearing it, the BioLite HeadLamp 325 delivers bright illumination, excellent fit, versatile modes and USB rechargeability.
Imported.
View the BioLite Headlamp Product LineView all BioLite LED HeadlampsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Bulb Type | LED |
Bulb Detail | Light module: 1 white spot LED, 1 red flood LED, 1 green power level indicator LED |
Red Light Mode | Yes |
Beam Type | Spot |
Max Light Output (Lumens) | 325 lumens |
Light Output | High: 325 lumens; low: 5 lumens |
Max Beam Distance (m) | 75 meters |
Beam Distance | High: 75 meters; low: 10 meters |
Brightness Levels | Dimmable from high to low |
Strobes | 2 |
Average Run Time | High: 3 hrs.; low: 40 hrs. |
Regulated Output | Yes |
Rechargeability | Rechargeable |
Batteries | 700 mAh Li-ion |
Dimensions | 100 x 78 x 62 millimeters |
Ultralight | Yes |
Water-Resistance Rating | IPX4 |
Weight With Batteries | 1.8 ounces |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials From a Climate Neutral Certified brand |
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My wife and I brought the BioLite HeadLamp 325 with us to Olympic NP and North Cascade NP and we tested it against our Black Diamond Storm headlamp. Not only is the BioLite just as bright on the trail (so bright!), has all the features we love, feels like half the weight/ half the size, but it also doesn’t require the 4 AAA batteries!! The rechargeable battery is a total game changer and with all of the options to charge up with any USB port, it’s perfect! One charge lasted us the entire trip and still going! It is sleek and packs down much tighter than typical headlamps we’ve owned and it cleans up much easier too which is great if you sweat as much as I do! Usually at the end of coming down the mountain or heading up for a sunrise, my headlamp band gets drenched in sweat, but this headlamp doesn’t absorb sweat like the others do, because half of the band is made from a super smooth but clearly resistant material that just wipes clean and that’s the section that is on your forehead which for me is where my sweat pours. The retro-reflective band is also wonderful to help party members locate you from a far as they come up from behind you. I cannot say enough about how awesome this little headlamp is and it literally cost half the price of our Black Diamond headlamp with all the features we actually use (Dimming, red light, extra bright and locking!). Seriously so awesome to see how far lamps have come and BioLite nailed it with the 325! For the cost, features and functionality, this is hands down the best headlamp on the market!
I had purchased a middle grade headlamp probably 8 years ago and now the battery isn't holding a charge all that well, maybe an hour on low, used to be 6 or better. Decided to upgrade to the 800 pro. It's kind of bulky but it's pretty dang bright. Onthe30 second burst. I like the design of the older models much better and feel there's no purpose to have the red light on the back, maybe make a cyclist special for those that might want it, I'm pretty sure the majority probably don't want it. That way the battery could be streamlined in a different configuration to seem less awkward. I am bald as a billiard ball and one of the buckles is put on in a fashion that is backwards to the normal and the plastic digs against my head if I'm not wearing a stocking hat. The cable from the battery that attached to the bulb housing was better on the older models also, this has it come through the band and turn sharply into the same side of the housing not allowing it to stay tipped forward (cram something behind it and it might stay tilted), fine if you using it to look straight ahead walking in the dark, not so good using it to provide light on stuff right in front of you like mechanical work or repair projects like I used my old one for and need this one for. I can give it 4 stars for how bright it is and how big the battery is. It gets 2 stars for the lacking design that could easily have been improved for functionality. I'll recommend this to people to get, but caution them in it's design flaws.
I have a good number of headlamps and this is my least favorite. It works, its rechargeable and it is light, which are the reasons I purchased it. There are better options though. A few issues: the controls are too complex (first time I had to look up controls online for a headlamp since I couldn't remember all the functions), the strap loosens too easily and I have to readjust often, and I don't love how the main portion of the unit is housed in an integrated case. It looks slick but sometimes pressing the power button is not so easy. I've gotten so aggravated with it that it I wrote this review, and it now lives in the junk drawer and doesn't travel with me. Two stars because it works and is super light, but there are other options that are lighter. I prefer my Nitecore headlamp which is lighter, simpler, and easier to use. I've also got Petzel, Blackdiamond, and other brands as well. I like all these others more.
This is for a BioLite 330 purchased 2 years ago, which I think is nearly equivalent to the BioLite 325 now for sale from REI. I kept this mostly as an emergency head lamp, and it proved its worth by keeping a charge for well over a year. Recently I was with someone who needed it for close-up detailed work at night, and it again was perfect. We got more than 3 hours on high beam. The only thing to know about this, is that when it runs out of battery, it just goes off. No warning with a dimmer light, just OFF.
At first I was a little skeptical of the head band. I’ve always used head lamps with full elastic headbands, also to mention that’s how they’ve all failed. This has an interesting mix of stretch and none stretch. After wearing it and feeling the difference I like it. Battery life is great, lives up to the times listed. Awesome light. With all that said, not for spelunking or pre dawn summits
I have been using this headlamp for about 3 months. I like it! It's small, very light, comfortable, and stays pointed where I want it. Switching between the different functions is simple and intuitive. Most importantly, both the white and red lights are fully dimmable, so I can have just enough light to see what's in front of me without losing my night vision, annoying other people, or disturbing wildlife. I love the night sky. With the red light fully dimmed I can read a star chart and still see the stars! The rechargeable battery lasts a long time. I used mostly red light, occasionally white light, for an hour or two for 26 nights before the battery indicator fell below half, and for a total of 39 nights before I got a low battery warning. I also appreciate that Biolite donates a lot of equipment to communities in developing countries.
I love headlamps as I always late to the trail and have to hike sometimes in the dark. I have another BioLite that I love that’s bigger than. I only bought this as it was super cheap in the return/bargain bin as first owner complained about its fast dying battery. She was correct!! But if I lower the brightness a tad the battery last quite a bit longer. It’s so light and has Biolite’s excellent 8 second off or on “press and hold” lock that prevents it from turning on your pocket. I found this the only lock that works (Petzl’s often get turned on accidentally and Black Diamond, eh? Forget about them- don’t last!!) My back up lite for short time use!! I wouldn’t trust it at full price however..
This headlamp is comfortable to wear and if anything, too bright. It has a builtin rechargeable lithium battery, rather than one added as an afterthought. It's a least the third headlamp I have owned. The thing that has gone on all of them is the strap. After a few years, the elastic lets go. The strap on this one is totally built in, not removable for washing or replacement.
A lot brighter than I expected. Works great! Perfect for outdoors at night.
After much research on head lamps, I narrowed it down to two choices, and I chose to go with the BioLite 325 because of the "No Slip Fit" claim. I wore it running today for the first time, and as soon as I started sweating, the lamp started slipping. I had to stop running to adjust the strap, making it tighter, not once but twice. Although I finally got the strap tight enough so that the lamp stopped slipping, it was hurting my head by the end of my run. This head lamp may not have a slipping issue when running in a cooler environment. However, since I live in a hot/humid environment 75% of the year, I not only won't able to test that any time soon, but I also have to purchase another head lamp to use now.
Thanks for writing in. It sounds like you really put our headlamp to the test. We'd like to hear more about high-intensity use cases, as this seems like a perfect example. If you're willing to share more details with us, please feel free to reach out at support@bioliteenergy.com.