Searching for the best head torch for sailing, Fox Morgan gathered together a hot selection of some of the most popular head lamps on the market and reveals which one really is the best. (spoiler alert, there’s multiple winners here)What makes the best head torch for sailing? Is it the red light facility? How about the ability to dim the white light? Or do you want an ultra bright light for picking out mooring buoys in the dark? Does it really need to be waterproof?
\nMy top choices at a glance
\nBest head torch for red light power\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best head torch for spotlight power\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best head torch for boat maintance<\/p>\n
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\nI spend my life wearing a range of head torches for different purposes. They are put through some really harsh conditions sometimes too.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a diverse range for all budgets and practical uses. From \u00a320 to \u00a3120.
\nI got hands-on with each head torch and put them through comparative tests: style of illumination, their longevity and waterproofing, ease of use and eco credentials.<\/p>\n
The Fenix Shadowmaster waterproof premium waterproof headtorch
\nSpecifications: Body made from magnesium alloy, White Spotlight:up to 1200 lumens in turbo mode, reaching distances of up to 168 meters. Weight: 138g including battery, measures 80.5 mm x 55 mm x 40 mm. It features an IP68 rating, making it dustproof and waterproof up to 2 meters, and is impact-resistant to 2 meters. USB-C rechargeable 18650 Li-ion battery, charge time 3 hours
\nfive brightness levels:
\nEco: 50 lumens (40 hours)
\nLow: 150 lumens (14 hours)
\nMedium: 400 lumens (6 hours)
\nHigh: 600 lumens (3 hours)
\nTurbo: 1200 lumens (2 hours)
\nRed Floodlight:
\nfour brightness levels:
\nEco: 5 lumens (120 hours)
\nLow: 25 lumens (28 hours)
\nMedium: 85 lumens (10 hours)
\nTurbo: 150 lumens (4.5 hours)
\nReasons to Buy:
\nHigh lumen output with long beam distance
\nEasy to adjust red light
\nVersatile red and white lighting modes
\nDurable, waterproof, and impact-resistant
\nUSB-C rechargeable with battery included
\nReasons to avoid:
\nHeavier than some alternatives
\nTop strap may be necessary for stability
\nNo strobe or SOS modes
\nWhat I think of it:
\nThe dual-switch design allows independent control of the white and red LEDs, with memory functions that recall the last used brightness level.
\nThe Fenix ShadowMaster\u2019s two button controls make switching between white and red incredibly easy and simple.\u00a0 The headband is breathable and adjustable, featuring silicone strips for a secure fit. The top strap is necessary for stability, as the torch is fairly weighty. It might be a bit more comfortable with a wider headband.
\nThe Fenix HM65R ShadowMaster stands out for its powerful illumination, durable construction, and versatile lighting options. It\u2019s particularly well-suited for activities requiring both high-intensity lighting and night vision preservation. While it may be heavier than some competitors, its performance and reliability make it a top choice. You might need to wrap some fabric over it to dim t right down in your cabin as the lowest setting is still relatively bright compared to some others
\nFor those seeking a reliable and powerful headlamp for challenging conditions, the Fenix HM65R ShadowMaster is a compelling option. If you are umming and arring between the Fenix Shadowmaster and the Exposure Raw Pro, I wrote a comparison between the two premium head torches.<\/p>\n
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Ledlenser MH5 waterproof headtorch
\nBest head torch for spot light
\nSpecifications
\nWeight: 94 g (including batteries
\nBatteries Required: 1 x 14500 lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included) \/ 1 x AA NiMH or 1 x AA alkaline battery
\nCharging Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
\nWater resistant to IP54 standards (IP54 Protected from limited dust ingress. Protected from water spray from any direction)
\nWarranty: 5 years standard or 7 years with product registration (torch), 2 years (battery)
\nReasons to Buy
\neasy magnetic attached charger, detachable lamp with belt clip, bright spot beam
\nReasons to Avoid
\nThe beam focus ring is fiddly, not many brightness options (dim light isn\u2019t very dim)
\n400 Lumen head torch
\nOn full beam focused, the Led Lenser was able to easily illuminate a small target at 25m and far beyond it.
\nThe front of the headtorch has a rotating ring which mechanically moves the lens forward or back away from or closer to the LED. This effectively changes the focus of the light from a flood light with a broader spread of overall light, to a much more focused, narrower light beam. What this does is it can help those 400 lumens light up a target much further away than other 400 Lumen head torches that I\u2019ve tested. Obviously it comes with the compromise of a narrower beam, but in practice, this makes the torch a more viable option for sweeping the area ahead of you as you enter a trot of moorings in the dark and will illuminate buoys far enough away to either avoid them or line up to catch it.
\nI find myself going back to this head torch most of the time, especially when I have been working for long spells in a dark place, I just put it on charge while I sleep or while I am in the office in the day and pick it up fully charged again for night time. I have found it one of the more comfortable lamp backs for prolonged use.
\nLight Modes:
\nMode One (white): 20 lumens (flood) \u2013 35 hours
\nMode Two (white): 20 lumens\u00a0 (spot) \u2013 35 hours
\nMode Three (white): 400 lumens (flood)\u00a0 \u2013 4 hours
\nMode Four (white): 400 lumens (spot) 180 meters \u2013 4 hours
\nMode Five (red): low level for night vision
\nResults of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 4\/5
\nFull beam illumination 5\/5
\nLow level light for reading 2\/5
\nRed light 3\/5
\nWater proofing 3\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 5\/5
\nWeight and comfort 4\/5
\nRead review of Ledlenser MH5 here<\/p>\n
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Petzl Aria 2R headtorch
\nBest head torch for boat maintenance
\nSpecifications
\nFunctions: white light low, mid, high
\nbattery level indicator
\nPower source: Petzl Hybrid Concept, includes: Petzl core cell (can also use 3 x AAA batteries not supplied)
\nLuminosity: 450lumens
\nRange (max.): 100 m
\nWaterproofing: IP67
\nWeight: 106 g
\nReasons to Buy
\neasy usb recharge with core battery cell, great for working in confined dark spaces, long battery life, waterproof
\nReasons to Avoid
\nno red light
\nThe Aria 2R headtorch looks quite chunky from the outset. But with the yellow housing I\u2019m guessing this wasn\u2019t designed to be subtle.
\nThere\u2019s very few frills to the Aria 2R, it simply lights the way. Click once for low power which is enough to just illuminate a modest area such as a low level cabin light in the dark. Useful if you are wanting to avoid dazzling those around you trying to sleep if you\u2019re getting up to use the heads.
\nThen there\u2019s the second lighting level which is 100 lumens. I found this to be the best balance for battery life and sufficient amount of light to see well enough in a confined space.
\nWith a third press of the power button we get the brightest setting at 450 lumens. This was too bright for a confined workspace but ideal for illuminating a sail at night, though beware you\u2019ll lose your night vision if you do this. I used the highest power setting when antifouling my boat with black antifoul in the dark. It really helped me pick out where I had and hadn\u2019t covered and meant I could keep working after sunset.
\nWhilst usually I steer clear of headtorches that lack a red light function, I have found myself going back to this one time and time again. The battery life is impressive and when it\u2019s getting ready for charging it gives a single flash on and off warning to let you know which is handy.
\nI used this head torch almost exclusively while I worked for a week in a tight confined cupboard doing a dirty cutting, grinding and epoxying job for a new rudder tube. The battery life lasted the whole day, meaning I could just plug the core in to charge at the end of the day, ready to go again within a couple of hours.
\nTwo less great points to be aware of: after an hour of wearing it, I got a bit of a ache in my forehead from where it was pressing. I had to adjust the torch regularly to avoid this becoming more painful. There was a tendency for the head strap to feel a bit snug.
\nThe second niggle is that I often picked it up, put it on then realised it was upside down. The power button isn\u2019t as tactile as some other head torches so knowing which was is up requires a visual check rather than just by feel.
\nIt handled everything I threw at it. Clouds of fibreglass dust, a wet bilge, rain, accidentally dropping it on the floor, accidentally getting epoxy on it and scraping that off when it set. It\u2019s been through the wringer and I still keep reaching for it. So much so that I\u2019ve repacked it in my kit bag ready for a race to France. Whilst I might not use it on night watch, as I prefer a red light for that, the Aria 2R being as chunky as it is, works really nicely as a portable cabin light too. If I put a coloured sock over it, I can get a lovely ambient light that doesn\u2019t disturb anyone else around me.
\nLight Modes:
\nMode one: White \u2013 7 lumens, 100 hours
\nMode two: White \u2013 100 lumens, 7 hours (reserve 2 hours)
\nMode three White \u2013 450 lumens, 2 hours
\nResults of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 5\/5
\nFull beam illumination 5\/5
\nLow level light for reading 2\/5
\nRed light NA
\nWater proofing 5\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 4\/5
\nWeight and comfort 4.5\/5<\/p>\n
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Petzl e+LITE Headlamp
\nSpecifications
\nBrightness: 40 lumens (ANSI\/PLATO FL 1)
\nWeight: 26 g
\nBeam pattern: Flood
\nEnergy: 2 lithium CR2032 batteries (included)
\nWatertightness: IPX7 (waterproof in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes)
\nReasons to Buy
\nSuper lightweight, really easy to stow, really easy to navigate light settings, great waterproofing, perfect for grab bags and emergency kit bags
\nReasons to avoid
\nThis might not powerful enough be a day to day head torch, requires batteries that are not as easy to find in the shops
\n40 Lumens head torch\u00a0
\nThe Petzl e+LITE headtorch comes with a little capsule to store it in. I\u2019ve had this one for over 10 years and it\u2019s still a great little emergency lamp. It\u2019s an ideal bit of kit to keep in your grab bag in case of emergency or your kit bag for when a larger head torch isn\u2019t to hand or you really need a super lightweight minimalist handsfree torch
\nLight Modes
\nMode One (White): 20 lumens \u2013 13 metres \u2013 9.5 hours
\nMode Two (White): 40 lumens \u2013 15 metres \u2013 3.5 hours
\nMode Three (White strobe): 15 lumens \u2013 visible at 100 metres \u2013 95 hours
\nMode Four (Red strobe): 2 lumens \u2013 visible at 100 metres \u2013 70 hours
\nMode Five (Red constant): 2 lumens \u2013 visible at 100 metres \u2013 15 hours
\nResults of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 4\/5
\nFull beam illumination 1\/5
\nLow level light for reading 5\/5
\nRed light 4\/5
\nWater proofing 5\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 5\/5
\nWeight and comfort 5\/5<\/p>\n
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Petzl Aria 2 RGB headtorch
\nSpecifications
\nFunctions: red light, green light, blink light, blue light, white light
\nbattery level indicator
\nPower source: Petzl Hybrid Concept, comes with 3 AAA batteries, but also compatible with Petzl Core power cell
\nLuminosity: 350 lumens
\nRange (max.): 100 m
\nBurn time (max. Lumen): 100 h
\nProtection against water: IP67
\nWeight: 106 g
\nReasons to Buy
\ngreat choice of colours for working in the dark. The choice of Red, Blue or Green. Long battery life, easy to replace strap
\nReasons to Avoid
\nThe toggle through light options can be confusing
\nThe Aria 2 RGB headtorch looks quite chunky and looks almost identical to the Aria 2R, just with an all black colour scheme. It does come in an alternative pale green colour too.
\nThe difference with this one though is that it has multiple options for night time illuminations. The red, green and blue give you an option for better vision for not only sailing, but fishing and hunting. It\u2019s easy to toggle through the colour options. I sometimes found it a bit too easy to toggle through the red, green and blue as I often found myself accidentally switching from red to another colour and then had to keep toggling to go back around the cycle of options.
\nThe white light is in three levels or light just like the Petzl Aria 2R, low level for moving around a cabin at night or ambient light, mid level which is a good working light or max power which will illuminate the longest distance, up to about 100m.
\nThe niggles with the Aria 2 RGB are the same as the Aria 2R. I got a bit of an ache in my forehead from where it was pressing. I had to adjust the torch regularly to avoid this becoming more painful. There was a tendency for the head strap to feel a bit snug if I adjusted it to avoid it slipping and it would slip out of position if I backed off the strap a bit to avoid getting a pressure point on my forehead. This wouldn\u2019t be a problem if I was wearing it over a hat. I was also wearing this for up to 7 hours at a time. For a few minutes on deck or even a 2 hours night watch it\u2019s absolutely fine.
\nThe other niggle is that I often picked it up, put it on then realised it was upside down. The power button isn\u2019t as tactile as some other head torches so knowing which was is up requires a visual check rather than just by feel.
\nLight Modes:
\nMode one: White \u2013 7 lumens, 100 hours
\nMode two: White \u2013 100 lumens, 7 hours (reserve 2 hours)
\nMode three White \u2013 450 lumens, 2 hour
\nMode four Red\/Green\/Blue \u2013 4 lumens, 50 hours
\nMode five Red\/Green\/Blue strobe \u2013 visible to 700m for 300 hours
\nResults of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 5\/5
\nFull beam illumination 5\/5
\nLow level light for reading 2\/5
\nRed light 4\/5
\nWater proofing 5\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 4\/5
\nWeight and comfort 4.5\/5<\/p>\n
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Exposure Lights Raw Pro Head Torch
\nBest head torch for red light power
\nSpecifications
\n4 x XQE LEDs
\nBattery 700 mAh Li-Ion
\nCharging Time 3 Hours
\nRuntime 1 \u2013 25 Hours
\nAluminium casing
\nWeight 76g
\n2 year warranty
\nLifetime LED guarantee
\nIP rating IPX8 (IPX8 \u2013 Protects when immersed in water over 3 feet)
\nReasons to Buy
\nRed light optimised, USB rechargeable, robust and very waterproof
\nReasons to Avoid
\nNot very powerful white beam, fiddly recharging, easy to lose when unclipped
\nLight Modes:
\nMode one: Red \u2013 2 lumens, 25 hours
\nMode two: Red \u2013 15 lumens, 6 hours
\nMode three Red \u2013 50 lumens, 1 hour
\nMode four White \u2013 15 lumens, 10 hours
\nMode five White \u2013 50 lumens, 3 hours
\nMode Six White \u2013 200 lumens, 1 hour
\nMode seven -White strobe 200 lumens, 5 hours
\nResults of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 2\/5
\nFull beam illumination 2\/5
\nLow level light for reading 5\/5
\nRed light 5\/5
\nWater proofing 5\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 5\/5
\nWeight and comfort 4\/5
\nRead the review of Raw Pro Head torch here<\/p>\n
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RECHARGEABLE HEAD TORCH \u2013 400 LUMEN \u2013 HL900 USB V2
\nBest head torch for sailing
\nSpecifications
\nWeight: 102g
\nBatteries Required: 3x AAA if not using the rechargeable power cell supplied.
\n3 hours charge time
\nwaterproofing IPX7 (IPX7 \u2013 Protects in water up to 3 feet (1 meter)
\nReasons to Buy
\nwaterproof, good range of beams and power, rechargeable and has ability to use 3 x AAA batteries, excellent value for money
\nReasons to Avoid
\nnone
\nThe Forclaz HL900 is great value for money offering features usually only found in more expensive models, especially the level waterproofing on this means it is fully submersible.
\nHit the plus button and you get red, followed by low white, then a brighter white, then full beam at 200 lumens and finally 400 lumens \u201ccall the aliens from space\u201d power level.
\nThe full beam white was very bright with a relatively focused beam which lit up a small target at 25m on the pontoon easily. It can be switched off at any point by holding down the minus button. If you want the white strobe function, then simply hold the plus button down until it activates.
\nIf you need to lock the head torch to avoid it being accidentally switched on then hold both plus and minus buttons together and it will flash red briefly to acknowledge it\u2019s locked.
\nLight Modes:
\nMode One : Red light, 3 lumen , 24hours
\nMode Two : White, 30 lumen, 20 hours
\nMode Three : White, 80 lumen, 8 hours
\nMode Four : White, 200 lumen, 3 hours
\nMode Five : white, 400 lumen, 10 minutes
\nMode Six : white strobe, 400 lumen, 28 hours
\nResults of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 5\/5
\nFull beam illumination 5\/5
\nLow level light for reading 4\/5
\nRed light 4\/5
\nWater proofing 5\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 5\/5
\nWeight and comfort 4\/5
\nRead the Forclaz HL900 review here
\nBuy Forclaz HL900 from Decathlon
\nBuy it now from Decathlon UK<\/p>\n
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Nebo Einstein 1500 Flex Rechargeable Head Torch
\nSpecifications
\n750 Lumen head torch (with 1500 turbo)
\nWater resistant IPX4 (Protects from splashing water, no matter the direction)
\nPowered by 1x Li-ion 18650 2200mAh 3.7v or 2xCR123A batteries
\nweight 165g
\nReasons to Buy
\nPowerful boost light, slim profile, rechargeable
\nReasons to Avoid
\nnon-user replaceable head strap, fiddly recharging, easy to be blinded by bright white light accidentally between modes
\nThe style of LED strip in this head torch has a less focused beam and more of an all over flood light which means this is great for lighting up your near proximity very brightly but you can\u2019t really see very far with it.
\nToggling through the light modes is also a little fraught with night blindness danger as it is very easy to accidentally put this thing on full white beam when switching modes.
\nIt is primary white first. Starting with the brightest light (750 lumens), then gradually dimming with each press until you reach red and then off. Press again and you start with the 750 white and gradually decreasing light.
\nYou can access red directly with a slightly longer single press from off. But beware, if you try to turn the torch off by pressing it again it goes to white. If you hold down the button while on red it goes to boost white 1500 lumen mode! Invariably I end up dazzled by this torch and several times while writing this test and review I\u2019ve had to work through purple spots in my eyes as I\u2019ve accidentally blinded myself with it multiple times.
\nLight Modes
\nMode one: Turbo (1500 lumens): 30 seconds \/ 64 meters
\nMode two: High (750 lumens): 2 hours \/ 35 meters
\nMode three: Medium (250 lumens): 6 hours \/ 25 meters
\nMode four: Low (10 lumens): 18 hours \/ 8 meters
\nMode five: Red COB (5 lumens): 12 hours \/ 1 meters
\n*Runtime is reduced by about 20% when using 2 x CR123A batteries
\nResults of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 4\/5
\nFull beam illumination 4\/5
\nLow level light for reading 2\/5
\nRed light 3\/5
\nWater proofing 3\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 1\/5
\nWeight and comfort 2\/5
\nRead the review of Nebo Einstein Flex 1500 head torch<\/p>\n
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Forclaz HL500 USB
\nSpecifications
\n200 Lumen head torch
\nWeight 89g
\nwaterproofing IPX 5 (IPX5 \u2013 Protects from water jets at any direction)
\nUSB rechargeable built in battery
\nReasons to Buy
\nGood level of waterproofing, easy USB charging, great value for money
\nReasons to Avoid
\nmay lack sophistication of more powerful head torches
\nThis budget friendly Forclaz HL500 is remarkably robust and simple to use.
\nIt has an easy to navigate light cycle using a plus and minus\u00a0 button. Starting with red first, followed by low level white and then a brighter white and then one more level up to 200 lumens. Press minus button to scroll back down through the brightness back to red and then off, or hold the minus button down to switch off at any point.
\nPressing and holding the plus button at any time will activate the white strobe light.
\nHolding down both plus and minus buttons will lock the torch to avoid it accidentally being switched on in a kit bag which is a really handy feature to have and especially more so at this price.
\nCharging is equally very easy, though it uses a micro USB not USB C cable. It comes with the required cable though so you don\u2019t have go scrabbling around for an older micro USB cable for it.
\nLight Modes:
\nMode One : Red light, 4 lumen , 40 hours
\nMode Two : White, 20 lumen, 30 hours
\nMode Three : White, 80 lumen, 8 hours
\nMode Four : White, 200 lumen, 3 hours
\nMode Five : white strobe, 200 lumen, 20 hours
\nResults of testing:
\nBattery life and recharging time 5\/5
\nFull beam illumination 4\/5
\nLow level light for reading 4\/5
\nRed light 3\/5
\nWater proofing 4\/5
\nEco (recyclable packaging and ability to replace head strap) 5\/5
\nWeight and comfort 4\/5
\nRead the review of Forclaz HL500 head torch here<\/p>\n
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How we test our headtorches
\nNot all headtorches offer the same functions or are intended for the same type of user, so we test our headtorches with a specific use of being on and around water or doing boat maintenance.
\nThis means that we aren\u2019t looking for one magical perfect headtorch, but an array of headtorches that work for us in different ways.
\nOverall we want comfort, but we also test the torches out on the water and on a pontoon, trying to pick out an object at a measured distance away. We also test them for how easy they are to operate with cold, wet or gloved hands.
\nWe want a headtorch that is easy to recharge or swap batteries and one that has some amount of waterproofing and knockproofing.
\nOh, and the head strap, how easy is it to replace that when it\u2019s worn out? Salt water does terrible things to elastic straps.
\nThe post TESTED! The best waterproof head torches for sailing and boating \u2013 2025 appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Searching for the best head torch for sailing, Fox Morgan gathered together a hot selection of some of the most popular head lamps on the market and reveals which one really is the best. (spoiler alert, there’s multiple winners here)What … <\/p>\n