Hiking is one of the activities that require a lot of planning. From the routes that you are going to take to the essentials that you need to pack, there is plenty of planning that you would need to do.
And when it comes to gathering all the essentials inside the pack, the best hiking flashlight should be your topmost priority.
Even if you are going on a day hike, there is a possibility that you will need this for taking a narrow path.
And not just for going through different paths, you might even need it for signaling for help when you are in a tricky situation.
Alongside that, most of these are light in weight. The sizes of them are compact too. So carrying them will not be an issue either.
10 Best Hiking Flashlight Reviews
Like any other product, there is an overabundance of hiking flashlights on the shelves from different brands.
However, not all of them are going to be worth spending money on.
For your convenience, we have handpicked the ones that we believe are worth investing money in.
#1. Rayovac The Beast 2,000 Lumens
Ever wondered that a flashlight could be brighter than a car’s headlight and can blind a bear or wild dog? Well, if you could not imagine that from happening, you should pick this hiking flashlight by Rayovac.
To start with, instead of packing regular LEDs, the set of LEDs that it integrates are all premium quality. The beam range of these is quite something that the manufacturer can boast about.
These can travel up to three football fields. Yes, three full-scale football fields!
Aside from the beam range, the unit packs a proprietary quad chip. That chip is capable of making the LEDs glow up at 2000 lumens.
This amount of lumen count is higher than what the regular car headlights are capable of producing. So the brightness that it will offer will not only blow you away but also the darkness away.
Other than the lumen rating, it implements a tactical design for the handle. The weight balance of the handle is quite balanced.
This balanced design will not only allow you to grip it properly but also increase overall comfort. There is a nonslip rubber coating on the handle, which will enhance the overall grip.
Alongside that, there are two different operational modes. Depending on the situation you are in and the darkness around you, you can opt for the energy-saving or the high power mode.
The energy-saving mode will offer you at least 10 hours of runtime, which is quite enough to tread through different terrains.
Besides that, the housing is of aircraft-grade aluminum. It can withstand up to 3 feet of drop, which means it should be able to withstand rough environments at ease.
There is an IPX4 rating too.
#2. Fenix PD35 V2.0 1000 Lumen
Dealing with non-rechargeable batteries when you are on the hiking trail can be a bit of a hassle. Well, if you get this that Fenix is offering, you will not have to go through that hassle anymore.
Unlike some of the other brands, Fenix is generous enough to include a rechargeable battery with the package.
The cell that you are going to receive will be 2600 mAh in capacity. And it has a micro USB port on the top for charging. You will even find a micro USB cable in the box too.
Aside from the included battery, the LEDs that the manufacturer packed in this unit are quite a performer. They can go up 1000 lumens, which is exceptionally bright.
Alongside that, there are two different operational modes. You can select the Eco mode, which will offer up to 430 hours of runtime, or you can choose the turbo mode that will offer you up to 3 hours of high brightness runtime.
It can also operate with the normal batteries apart from the one that is bundled with the kit.
Other than that, the operational mode is pretty simple and straightforward. There is a control on and off mechanism on the tail.
And there is a mode and brightness selector on the side. On that note, you can set the brightness to five different levels. The Eco mode would output the lowest one.
Besides that, you can carry this one at ease. The overall form factor is quite compact, and it will slide into your pocket without any issues.
You will find a pocket clip and a lanyard in the box, which will offer you more carrying options.
#3. GOODSMANN Rechargeable Spotlight
Do 2000 and 1000 lumens seem too little for you? Then what you are probably looking for is this one that GOODSMANN has brought out in the market.
First of all, the LEDs that it packs are quite bright. Using the 70 watts power supplier that it has, it will be able to produce up to 6000 lumens.
With that amount of brightness, it should be able to make any path full of light. So you will not have to be afraid of darkness anymore if you have this in your backpack.
Aside from that, there is an additional LED floodlight. That one is under the spotlight. It will come in handy when you want to brighten anything that is nearby. You will not have to use the spotlight for that.
The manufacturer has properly thought of the heat that it is capable of producing too. There is an aluminum ring surrounding the spotlight.
That ring does an excellent job in absorbing all of the heat that is produced by the spotlight. So there will be no need to worry about the unit overheating.
Other than that, the housing has an IP67 rating. Because of having proper sealing, it will be pretty hard for water and moisture to get inside.
So, even if it does rain when you are hiking, you would not have to worry about the internals getting damaged because of water.
Apart from that, you will receive a carrying case with the package. The package is quite large in size and is capable of accommodating the flashlight and some other tools.
You might not even need to bring any additional bags to carry this spotlight with you on your trip.
#4. Fenix PD40R v2 3000
Finding good high capacity batteries to power the high-powered flashlights can be quite challenging.
Well, Fenix had factored that in, which is why they have bundled this unit with one of the high-capacity batteries.
To start with, it bundles with a 5000 mAh battery. That capacity can make most of the flashlights run for up to 17 days. And to add a cherry on the top, it has USB-C charging.
It can reach full charge from 0 in just three and a half hours. So you would not have to wait that long to recharge it either.
Aside from the battery that it includes, the unit packs some of the well-performing LEDs. These are capable of shining at a staggering 3000 lumens.
That amount of lumen output can make the beam reach up 442 yards, which is more than enough for hiking trains.
Apart from that, the overall form factor of the unit is quite compact and lightweight. Because of how compact it is, it will slide right into your pockets.
You will not have any trouble in carrying it in pouches either. Also, for how light it is, it should not add any substantial weight to your backpacks too.
It is quite easy to control it too. There is a mechanical switch that will enable you to smoothly make transit between four of the brightness levels that it has.
Also, there is a strobe mode that you can use in different scenarios.
Alongside that, it bundles with a lanyard and a holster. Those two would come in handy if you were looking for alternative carrying options other than just carrying it in your pockets and pouches.
#5. Olight S1R II
Even though there are plenty of flashlights in the market, not many of them are that compact. And we think that you should consider this one that is being offered by Olight if the size is your main concern.
First of all, to keep the form factor small and compact, the manufacturer has opted for IMR 1640 battery. This model of battery is comparatively shorter and narrower than what most of the other brands are utilizing.
For that reason, the overall unit is also reasonably compact and narrow. It will not be a hassle to carry this one.
Though the battery that it utilizes is small in size, the power output is quite up to the mark. It can make the LEDs shine at a staggering 1000 lumens.
And you might be thinking the lumens rate would be quite low for hiking, but in fact, it is more than enough to light up paths on the trail.
Aside from that, the new generation of TIR optic lens that it boasts will make sure that the beam is exceptionally clear.
There will be considerably fewer hotspots for the level of clarity that it has to offer. Ane the bottom has a built-in USB port that can charge the battery up considerably fast.
On that note, the charging port is magnetic. Because of that, it will be pretty easy for you to connect the cable with the port.
Also, the body has a textured pattern. It will be quite easy for you to get a good grip because of that pattern. And, the rubberized coating that the pattern has will make it comfortable for you to hold it.
#6. Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight
Having to deal with external cables can be a bit frustrating. Also, the way that they hang from the power brick might look odd on the outlet too.
Well, Goal Zero has got a solution for that, and they have integrated that in this unit.
Unlike some of the other models, there are plenty of ways you can power this one. It has a USB cable built right into the body.
There is a compartment to house that cable, which will eliminate the fuss of external cables. Also, it has a solar panel that can charge the cell inside using sunlight.
Alongside that, it also has a hand crank that you can rotate to generate a friction charge.
Because of having this cranking mechanism, even if the battery dies on you in an emergency situation, you will not have to worry about being vulnerable in the dark. Hiking trips are going to be more safe and secure if you have this one.
On that note, the battery that it packs is 4400 mAh in size. That amount of capacity is comparatively high and should last for a long amount of time.
It also acts like a power bank that will enable you to charge other devices using it. You can charge up to two devices at the same time.
The run time that it is capable of offering is 7 to 48 hours, depending on the mode you are using. Talking of which, there are three different modes.
You can use it as a regular flashlight in the normal mode or use it as a floodlight for lighting up the close-by path. Also, there is a red light mode, which you can use in emergencies.
#7. Ledlenser – MT14
For trips such as hiking, you might have to stay in the dark for a long amount of time. And having a high-capacity flashlight in those scenarios can come in handy. Well, this one that is being offered by Ledlenser is one of them.
First of all, the LEDs that it integrates can shine at 1000 lumens max. It should be able to brighten most of the path that is ahead of you with high brightness light.
Also, there are three programmable modes. You can choose the power mode, Eco mode, or the defense mode. The defense mode can send emergency signals.
Aside from the LEDs and modes, the battery that it packs is long-lasting. In the Eco power mode, you can get up to 192 hours of run time.
That amount of run time is more than enough to spend multiple dark nights. Also, it does not take that long to charge up either. It takes about five hours to fully charge.
Other than that, it has a USB port built right into the body. There will be no need to take the battery out and charge it up manually because of that port.
There are some smart features. The locking mechanism that it has will prevent the unit from turning on when it is inside your pocket on your bag.
Apart from that, there is a temperature control mechanism. This mechanism will make sure that the unit does not overheat.
As a result, the chances of it losing performance because of heat would be pretty slim. And there is a rapid focusing mechanism, which will make sure that the light transmission is optimal.
#8. Sofirn IF25A
Hiking trails have harsh and tough environments. Even though there are plenty of compact flashlight options out there, not that many are as durable as this one. And yes, it is from Sofirn.
To start with, it integrates super-bright LEDs. With a proper battery, you can make these output up to 3800 lumens.
And as the beam length of the LEDs is 420 meters, most of the path that is in front of you should light up. Also, you will find a 21700 battery included in the box. The capacity of the battery is 4000 mAh.
Aside from the LEDs, the housing of the unit is reasonably compact. You should not have any trouble carrying this in your pocket and your backpacks because of how compact it is.
Also, the weight is pretty minimal. It weighs only 99 grams, thanks to the aircraft-grade aluminum construction.
Alongside that, the material that it utilizes for the construction makes it exceptionally durable as well. It is well-equipped for withstanding harsh and tough conditions.
There is an IPX8 rating, which makes it highly resistant to water. Even if it does rain when you are hiking, you will not have anything to worry about.
Other than that, it packs a smart temperature control mechanism. That mechanism will make sure that the unit does not overheat when it is operational.
As a result, the chances of it overheating would be reasonably low. Also, there are multiple brightness levels that you will be able to switch from.
Apart from that, the UI is quite user-friendly. The button is placed in a comfortable position, making it easier for you to turn it on and off.
#9. ThruNite TN12 V4
When you are browsing through the options that are in the market, you might want to get something that can house a high discharge battery.
Well, in that case, you should take a look at what ThruNite is offering here.
First of all, the model of batteries that it utilizes is the 18650 ones. This model of batteries is generally known for having a high discharge rate.
By utilizing one of the well-performing ones, you can make the LEDs that it packs shine at 1100 lumens, which is more than enough to light up a wide path.
Other than the battery that it utilizes, the unit’s operational model is pretty simple and straightforward.
You will not have to press the button that is hard to operate, thanks to the sensitive stainless button that it comes with. And the button is placed in a comfortable position to make it easier to reach too.
Aside from that, the unit is quite lightweight and compact, so you will not face any issues in carrying it in your pockets.
Because of being extremely light in weight, you would not feel like you are carrying a brick when you have this one in your pocket.
Apart from that, there are six different lighting modes. Depending on the situation that you are in, you can select the firefly, low, medium, strobe, high, or max mode.
These modes make it exceptionally versatile, making it ideal for most of the activities you might want to do when you are hiking.
Lastly, it can resist water to some extent. For that reason, you will not have to worry about the circuits frying up when you are out in the rain.
#10. ARTISTORE P70.2
Want something that is capable of producing a high level of lumens but is small and reasonably compact in size? Well, ARTISTORE has got the thing that you were looking for all this time.
To begin with, it has a solid build quality. The manufacturer has utilized high-quality construction material for this.
It achieves a reasonably high level of durability because of the quality of the materials it is of. Also, it can withstand harsh weather conditions and tough environments at ease.
Aside from the overall build quality, it can resist water to some extent. There will be nothing to worry about when you are out in the rain lighting up the paths in front of you.
And as it utilizes a set of 26650 batteries, you can expect it to have quite a long run time. Long hiking trips at night will be safe with this.
Other than that, the unit has a built-in USB port for charging the batteries. You will not have to take the batteries out when they are out of charge.
It will also bundle with a USB cable in the box. So, you would not have to purchase any separate cable for charging it up either.
Apart from that, the LEDs that it packs can shine up at 9000 lumens in the max mode. And even if it is capable of outputting that much amount of lumens, its shape is relatively compact.
For such a form factor, you should not have any trouble in carrying this one around.
Lastly, it has multiple lighting modes. There is an SOS mode, which will enable you to send emergency signals when you are in a tricky situation.
How To Choose The Best One?
Going through the reviews only will not be enough if you want to get your hands on one of the well-performing flashlights.
There are some factors that you need to factor in alongside that.
The points that we are talking about here are these:
LEDs
First and foremost, you should consider the LEDs that the unit packs.
Most of the units should come with high-performing ones, but many will only have average to below-average strobes. Those are the ones that you would want to stay away from.
The best way to scrutinize the capability of the LEDs is to check the lumen rate. For the well-performing ones, it will be considerably high.
On the other hand, the average ones will have a considerably lower rate.
Brightness
The brightness is one of the factors that will also depend on the lumen rate of the LEDs.
Usually, the ones with a higher level of lumen will be brighter, and the ones will a lower rate will tend to be less bright. And brightness is something that you need to consider if you are planning to go on a hiking trip carrying one of these.
Considering that, we would recommend you shoot for the ones with a reasonably high rate of the lumen.
Those should be capable of providing you with bright light, which would properly light up dark paths that are in front of you.
Beam Length
Alongside the brightness of the LEDs, you should also factor in the beam length of the LEDs.
The beam length will basically state how farther the light can travel. And paths of hiking trails tend to be considerably longer.
For that reason, you need to opt for the ones that have a long beam length.
Cooling Mechanism
No matter how efficient the LEDs are, they are going to output a certain amount of heat when they are operating. And if they overheat when they are operational, the performance will degrade substantially.
Alongside that, heat is one of the factors that can lower the capacity of the battery extensively.
So, when you are out shopping for these, you need to consider the units’ cooling mechanism. The ones that have an efficient cooling system are the ones that we would recommend.
However, if you are picking up something with a low rate of lumens, you need not have to worry about this too much as they are going to produce a considerably less amount heat.
And that amount of heat can be properly cooled off by the housing that it has.
Battery
When it comes to the battery, different manufacturers are going to have different implementations. Some will have the battery built-in, while some will utilize external batteries.
For the built-in batteries, you should consider the capacity and discharge rate. The higher the capacity, the longer the run time is going to be.
On the other hand, the higher the discharge rate, the brighter the LEDs are going to shine for the built-in batteries. And other than the built-in battery units, there will be the ones that will utilize external batteries.
And for the external batteries, the thing that you need to consider is the model.
Usually, the compact ones will utilize the 16650 model. And on the other hand, the ones that are a bit big in size will adopt the 18650, 26650, or 21700 model.
Among all of these external battery models, the ones that we would recommend you to pick is the ones that utilize the 18650 battery.
High-discharge and high-capacity 18650 batteries are pretty easy to find in the market. So you would not have to worry about finding good batteries for those units.
Charging Mechanism
Different brands are also going to adopt different mechanisms for charging.
Many will integrate a built-in USB port on their models, and many will bundle their packages with a rechargeable battery that has the USB port on the top.
Among both of these, the one that seems hassle-free to us is the one that integrates a built-in USB port on the housing.
Taking the battery out just to charge can be a bit of a hassle sometimes.
However, no matter which one you are picking, ensure that there is a USB cable included in the package.
Form Factor
Alongside the other factors, you would also have to consider the form factor of the unit you are picking.
As you are going to carry these in your pocket and your backpack, the smaller the unit is going to be, the more portable it will be. Also, the compact ones will not require that much storage space either.
Other than the size, you need to factor in the weight too. The lighter ones are easier to carry. You would not feel like you are carrying a brick in your pockets for those.
Also, they will be easier to hold as well. The chances of hand fatigue occurring will be reasonably low with those.
The Housing
For the flashlight, the housing is all that it counts in the case of durability. The better the build quality of the house, the higher the durability level is going to be.
Most of the manufacturers are going to utilize high-grade aluminum, but there will be many that will opt for low-grade ones.
Among two of those, we would highly recommend you not to get the ones with the low build quality, no matter how cheap they are.
Those will not be able to withstand the rough and tough conditions of hiking trails. And you would not want your flashlight to break when you are in the middle of the trip.
Alongside that, check whether the housing is waterproof or not. If it does not have the ability to resist water, the circuits will fry up if rainwater or other splashes of water touches the housing.
Texture
Aside from the housing’s durability, you should also make sure that the one you are picking has some sort of texture on the housing.
This texture will make it comfortable for you to hold the unit when you are treading through the trails.
Also, do ensure that there is some sort of rubber coating on the housing.
You would be able to easily get a good grip on the housing if it has a rubber coating on the housing.
Types Of Flashlights
By factoring in the type of bulb or light source that these utilize, there are mainly three types of flashlights out there.
Let us give you a brief idea about all of them.
Incandescent
These units are the ones that you are probably accustomed to the most. They are usually affordable, and most of these will utilize D batteries.
However, you will find different versions of these in the market. Those might use different types of batteries to power on.
Nevertheless, these generally have sturdy housing. Also, the design that these have is quite comfortable to hold onto as well.
And because of how common they are, these units’ reputation is quite hard to break. You will find one of these in every corner shop that you might stumble upon.
LEDs
Another type that is quite common in the market is the LED ones. Almost all of the units that we have covered in our review have LEDs.
One of the major advantages of these is that they produce a comparatively less amount of heat during operation. For that reason, many of the models do not need that beefy cooling mechanism.
Alongside that, these shine brighter than the incandescent bulbs as well. Because of the low heat output and high level of brightness, these are now making their way into the shelves quite quickly.
Many of them are as inexpensive as some of the incandescent units.
HID
The HID ones are relatively catching up in the case of popularity lately. HID stands for High-intensity Discharge Flashlight.
And just like the name suggests, these are capable of producing exceptionally bright light. In fact, some of these are brighter than the high-end LED models that are out there.
However, these tend to be a bit on the expensive side. But if brightness is what you prioritize the most, the money you will spend on one of these will be worth it.
Flashlight Vs. Headlamp
Many of the hikers tend to pick up headlamps for their hiking trips. And even though both the flashlight and the headlamp do the same thing, there are a couple of differences between them.
They are:
Power
Headlamps tend to be less powerful than flashlights. They are going to utilize batteries that will not have a high discharge rate.
On the other hand, most of the flashlight is going to utilize high-discharge batteries, which makes them more powerful than the headlamps.
Brightness
In comparison, flashlights are more bright than headlamps. They integrate high-power LEDs that have a higher level of lumens.
Because of having a higher level of lumens, they will be shining brighter than most of the headlamps out there.
Run Time
As flashlights are going to utilize a high-capacity battery, the run time is going to be considerably longer than the headlamps.
For that reason, they are ideal for trips such as hiking.
Ease Of Use
As the name suggests, headlamps are tied to the head. That means if you want to light up a certain angle of the path, you would need to move your head too, which can be a bit tiring for the neck.
On the other hand, flashlights are handheld. So you will have the full freedom of lighting up a certain angle or a certain area.
And you will not have to move your head and strain your neck for that.
Are There Any Good Capacity Batteries Out There?
Yes, there are a couple of high-drain and good 21700 batteries out there. Among all of them, the one we would recommend you to pick up is the Samsung 40T.
It has a 35-ampere rating, and the overall capacity is 4000 mAh, which is higher than most of the average 21700 cells that are out there.
If you can not get your hands on the 40T, you can pick up the 30T. Even though it is a bit behind in capacity, the discharge rate is the same.
Which One Is The Best 18650 Battery?
The 18650 batteries are one of the most versatile batteries that are out there. Starting from laptops to electric vehicles, you will find these in all of them.
Nevertheless, the one that we can vouch for is the LG HG2. It has a 3000 mAh capacity, and the discharge rate is 20 amps, which is more than enough for flashlights.
Is It Safe To Charge The Battery With The Built-In USB Port?
That will depend on the charging board that is inside the flashlight.
If the circuit is well-performing and can regulate the voltage properly, then it should be completely safe to charge the cell inside it.
Why Is My Flashlight Not Holding The Charge Like Before?
Batteries are prone to capacity degradation. Over time, they will lose the capability to hold the rated amount of charge because of the charging cycles.
If the battery life degrades substantially, we would recommend replacing it.
Is A Waterproof Flashlight Worth It?
Water-resistant flashlights block the water and moisture from getting into the circuits. As a result, even if it rains a bit or you manage to drench it with splashes, you will not have anything to worry about.
Considering this, we would say that they are definitely worth it.
Final Words
Having the best hiking flashlight is quite essential for planning out a hiking trip. And we are hopeful that we could manage to make it easier for you to choose one.
Hopefully, the one that you decide to pick up offers good performance, lightens up your path, and lasts for a long amount of time.