Running in the mountains at night? It's something I'd never even considered before, but once I started trail running, it became second nature. At long-running events like Hasetsune and UTMF, I sometimes ride all day and night once the sun sets, equipped with lights on my head, waist, and hands. One day, the editor-in-chief of this site asked me, "I have a bunch of lights on hand. Do you want to try them out?" and handed me a bunch of them
While you can try them out in a shop, it's rare to have the opportunity to compare them all at once on the mountain. So I decided to do a series of articles where I would use my head, hands, and waist to choose the lights that I was interested in, and then try them out on a night hike in the mountains. The first article is about headlamps (lights)
table of contents
What to look for in a headlamp
In the mountains at night, when visibility is poor, you must repeatedly assess the road conditions and make instant decisions about how to avoid obstacles. Like a headlamp, headlights shine from a high position, reducing shadows cast by rocks and tree roots and allowing light to reach farther, making them a key item for night runs. While maximum lumens are often a factor when selecting a light, I rarely keep it on at maximum output. In reality, I typically use a light at around 200-300 lumens, and what I value more than maximum lumens is the light distribution. Even with the same brightness, the size, color, and lens shape of the LEDs can dramatically change the view you see. Other factors that are important to consider are weight and comfort, as the headlamp will be worn for long periods of time. Ease of use, such as ease of button operation while wearing the headlamp, are also important considerations. This time, I tested three powerful, high-performance headlamps that excel in these areas and are considered ideal for trail running
Test drive impressions of the featured headlamps
PETZL NAO+
Weight ★★☆ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★★★
The Petzl NAO is known for its reactive lighting (automatic dimming function), and the latest model is equipped with a smartphone linking function. While it's still possible to create customized profiles with brightness and usage time, these profiles can now be transferred using a dedicated smartphone app without using a computer. The maximum light output of 750 lumens is unmatched by other products, but what I particularly recommend is the light distribution of the NAO+, achieved through the exquisite lens cut. The light distribution, which illuminates everything from your feet to the edges of your field of vision naturally without creating shadows, is a cut above the rest
Light distribution image
Even the well-made NAO+ has its weaknesses. The aforementioned reactive lighting (automatic dimming function) is vulnerable to reflective materials. For example, when approaching a runner ahead of you in a race, reflective material on their backpack or shoes can cause the sensor to malfunction, preventing optimal light output. This is unavoidable since the sensor analyzes reflected light. However, if there is a runner ahead of you, you can counter this by pointing the light slightly downward. The battery, even at its usual low setting (120lm), feels brighter than the stated value and can be used for 8 hours, so I have no complaints
Here is ◎
- Beautiful light distribution without shadows
- The smartphone connectivity has made the app even more versatile, and if you master it, it's the best
This is a pity
- Reactive functions can be unstable depending on the situation
milestone MS-F1 Trail Master
Weight ★★☆ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★★☆
This high-performance headlamp for trail running, newly released for the 2018 season, gained fame thanks to its use by runner Doi at UTMF 2018. It features different colored LEDs on the top and bottom (white on top, warm white on bottom), and the light color can be changed with the push of a button. Using a headlamp in fog can make everything in front of you turn white, making it impossible to see anything, but being able to change the light color with the push of a button is revolutionary. It's a long-awaited feature for runners who can't slow down under any circumstances. Another unique feature is the ability to adjust the tightness by turning the dials on both sides
Light distribution image (white)
Light distribution image (warm white)
The light distribution is similar to the NAO+ mentioned above, evenly illuminating the entire field of view. The warm white light has a reddish hue that's gentle on the eyes, ensuring clear visibility even in fog. Turning the dials on both sides winds the wire and adjusts the tightness. The extremely thin wire feels soft against the head. The knobs on both sides allow you to adjust the tightness to suit the shape of your head. The design minimizes the area of contact with the head, including the light and battery, for a stress-free experience. This light exudes careful attention to detail. Its simple operation makes it easy to master, and the battery lasts a sufficient seven hours at MID (160lm). It also features a power-saving mode to prevent accidental power-off, allowing for safe use over long periods of time. One thing I found annoying was the feel of the side switch. It's used to adjust the brightness between three levels and switch between warm white and warm white, but I found it difficult to tell whether it was pressed or not
Here is ◎
- Simple operation
- Change the color of the light with the push of a button
- Flexible size adjustment function with dial
This is a pity
- The feel when pressing the side switch is a little weak
LEDLENSER MH10
Weight ★★★ Comfort ★★☆ Functionality ★☆☆
The MH10 is Ledlenser's latest model, which has recently expanded its product lineup and is gaining popularity. While it only features a single LED, its large size makes it surprisingly bright and more than sufficient for night riding. You can also switch between wide and spot light by turning the ring at the tip of the light. Simple operation allows you to turn it on/off and change the brightness with a single button, and it's easy to use with a solid, tactile feel. The light distribution is close to spot, and even when set to wide, there are shadows at the edges. This may be a concern for those who prefer a bright light distribution that illuminates every corner, like the NAO+ or MS-F1, but on the other hand, it can also be considered an advantage in foggy conditions
Light distribution image
The red and green color filters are included as standard, so you can easily change the light color. This, along with the aforementioned spot light, will be a great help in foggy conditions. I wish the yellow color filters were included as standard. The battery can be used for 15 hours at medium power (250lm), so it's a great advantage that you can keep riding all day and night without relying on a spare battery
Here is ◎
- Switchable between wide light and spot light
- Color filters allow you to change the color of the light
This is a pity
- Not suitable for lighting every corner
conclusion
After comparing three headlamps, I decided the NAO+ was the best. The reason is its scalability. Depending on the race, you might need to use it all night, while others only need a few hours. Since the brightest light possible is definitely beneficial, being able to customize the brightness to suit the duration of use is a plus. The natural light distribution that illuminates the entire field of view is also great. That said, the NAO+ really shines when you use these features, so if you're simply looking for a light without tinkering with the nitty-gritty features, the MS-F1 is the best choice in terms of light quality and ease of use. However, the diffused light of the NAO+ and MS-F1 may be unusable in thick fog, so the spot light and color filters of the MH10 are also hard to give up. Since there's no such thing as a universal headlamp, it might be best to supplement the weaknesses of your chosen headlamp with a handheld or waist light
Next time, I'll compare flashlights
(Reference) Evaluation results summary and specification comparison table
| Item Name | PETZL NAO+ | milestone MS-F1 Trail Master | LEDLENSER MH10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| image | |
|
|
| Reference price (tax included) | 22,248 yen | 18,900 yen | 12,960 yen |
| weight | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Specifications | |||
| item | PETZL NAO+ | milestone MS-F1 Trail Master | LEDLENSER MH10 |
| Weight (including battery) | 185 | 180 | 158 |
| Maximum light output in catalogue | 750lm | 850lm (boost) 300lm (strong) | 600lm |
| Maximum irradiation distance as listed in the catalog | 140m | Approximately 80m | 150m |
| Catalog maximum irradiation time (HIGH) | 6.5h | 3.5h | 10h |
| Catalog maximum irradiation time (LOW) | 15h | 17h | 120h |
| Waterproof level | IPX4 | IPX5 | IPX4 |
| Dimming | Stepless automatic dimming | 3 levels with switch | 3 levels with switch |
| charging | Dedicated USB battery | Dedicated USB battery | Dedicated USB battery |
| Battery level indicator | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| Other options |
|
|
|
Kohei Tsushima
Blog:Because it is there
We are looking for reviewers
Outdoor Gearzine is always looking for members who love the outdoors and want to write reviews about outdoor gear. For more information, please visit the REVIEWERS page here !
Related reading
