6 Best Ultralight Flashlights For Backpacking That Thru-Hikers Actually Carry

You’re three miles from camp when the sun dips below the ridge, plunging the forest into a deep, disorienting twilight. That easy, familiar trail suddenly becomes a maze of roots and rocks. This is the moment you realize your headlamp isn’t just a convenience; it’s a critical piece of safety gear that stands between you and a twisted ankle, or worse.

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Key Features of a Thru-Hiker’s Headlamp

When you’re hiking thousands of miles, every single item in your pack is scrutinized. A headlamp is no exception. Thru-hikers aren’t looking for a light that can signal aircraft; they’re looking for the perfect balance of weight, functionality, and reliability. Forget about massive lumen counts and a dozen useless blinking modes. The trail teaches you to value what truly matters.

Here are the features that seasoned long-distance hikers actually prioritize:

• Weight: This is non-negotiable. The goal is a headlamp so light you forget it’s on your head or in your pack. Most popular models weigh between one and two ounces.
• Rechargeable (USB-C): The vast majority of thru-hikers carry a power bank to charge their phone and navigation devices. A USB-C rechargeable headlamp simplifies your charging system, eliminating the need to carry and track spare batteries.
• Red Light Mode: This is essential for preserving your night vision. It’s perfect for navigating your tent without blinding yourself or rummaging through your pack at a crowded shelter without waking everyone up.
• Water Resistance: Your headlamp will be exposed to rain. A rating of IPX4 is the minimum, offering protection from splashing water, but higher ratings like IPX7 (waterproof) provide much better peace of mind.

Nitecore NU25: The Ultralight Gold Standard

Walk into any shelter on the Appalachian Trail or campsite on the Pacific Crest Trail, and you will see the Nitecore NU25. For years, this tiny headlamp has been the undisputed champion of the ultralight world, and for good reason. It weighs just a single ounce (28g) yet packs a feature set that rivals much heavier and more expensive models.

The NU25’s genius lies in its simplicity and efficiency. It has a dedicated button for a wide, floody beam (great for camp chores), a separate button for a more focused spotlight (perfect for night hiking), and a useful red light. It’s USB-C rechargeable, has a simple battery level indicator, and features a lockout mode to prevent it from accidentally turning on in your pack. The only real trade-off is the integrated battery; you can’t swap it out on the fly. But since nearly every hiker carries a power bank, this is rarely an issue in practice.

Petzl Bindi: Featherlight and Packable Power

If the Nitecore NU25 is the ultralight standard, the Petzl Bindi is the minimalist’s dream. It’s an impossibly small and simple light that weighs even less, tipping the scales at just 35 grams. Its unique design uses a thin, adjustable shock cord for a headband, which is surprisingly comfortable and packs down to almost nothing.

The Bindi is for the hiker who counts every gram and needs a reliable light for essential tasks. It’s perfect for setting up camp after dusk, late-night bathroom trips, and reading in your tent. While it has enough power for occasional night hiking on well-defined trails, its smaller battery and less powerful beam make it less ideal for sustained, technical travel in the dark. It’s a fantastic, no-fuss option for hikers who primarily travel during daylight hours but want a reliable light that disappears in their pack.

Black Diamond Flare: Your Emergency Backup Light

Every smart backpacker carries a backup. Your primary headlamp could fail, get lost, or run out of battery at the worst possible moment. The Black Diamond Flare is purpose-built for that exact scenario. It’s a tiny, utterly bombproof light designed to live in your first-aid kit or ditty bag until an emergency strikes.

The Flare’s key advantage is its power source: two CR2032 lithium coin cell batteries. These batteries have a ten-year shelf life, meaning you can pack the Flare and forget about it, confident it will work when you need it. It’s also completely waterproof and dustproof (IP67), so it can handle the worst conditions imaginable. While its 40-lumen output is modest, it’s more than enough to get you out of a jam, fix a broken piece of gear, or navigate your way back to the trail. Never rely on your phone’s light as a backup; the Flare is the proper tool for the job.

Zebralight H53c: Durable and Versatile Angle Light

For hikers who prioritize bombproof durability and power-source flexibility over the absolute lowest weight, the Zebralight is a legend. Unlike the plastic-bodied lights that dominate the ultralight scene, Zebralights are machined from a single block of aircraft-grade aluminum. They are built to withstand serious abuse on the trail, from being dropped on granite to being soaked in a downpour.

The H53c is an "angle light," meaning the beam projects at a 90-degree angle to the body. This makes it incredibly versatile. You can wear it as a headlamp, unclip it to use as a handheld flashlight, or attach it to your pack’s shoulder strap for hands-free lighting. Crucially, it runs on a single AA battery, a power source you can find in any gas station or trail town in the world. This provides a huge advantage for those who don’t want to be tethered to a power bank, especially on long sections of trail or during international adventures.

RovyVon Aurora A5: Tiny Light, Massive Output

Sometimes, the most useful light is the one you always have with you. The RovyVon Aurora A5 is a keychain-sized flashlight that has become a cult favorite among backpackers as a secondary or "ditty bag" light. It’s about the size of your thumb and weighs next to nothing, but it can unleash a shockingly bright burst of over 600 lumens.

This isn’t your primary headlamp for night hiking—the battery can’t sustain that brightness for long, and it’s not comfortable to hold for extended periods. Instead, its value is in its versatility. The main beam is great for spotting something across a campsite, while the body itself glows in the dark, making it easy to find in your tent. It also features secondary side lights, often a warm, floody reading light and a red light, making it a perfect multi-function tool for inside your shelter.

ThruNite TH20: AA-Powered Trail Reliability

The ThruNite TH20 is another fantastic option for hikers who prefer the reliability of AA batteries. It strikes a great balance between the rugged build of a Zebralight and a more accessible price point and user interface. It’s a simple, tough, and dependable workhorse that gets the job done without any unnecessary frills.

Like the Zebralight, it’s an angle light made from aluminum, giving it excellent durability and water resistance. Its standout feature is an infinitely variable brightness setting—you just hold the button down, and it ramps smoothly from a faint "firefly" mode to its full brightness. This firefly mode is a game-changer; it provides just enough light to see inside your tent while sipping battery, allowing a single AA to last for weeks. For the hiker who values simplicity, durability, and the universal availability of its power source, the TH20 is a top contender.

Comparing Specs: Lumens, Weight, and Battery

It’s easy to get lost in the numbers, but the specs only tell part of the story. A 400-lumen headlamp isn’t necessarily "better" than a 200-lumen one if its beam is poorly focused or its battery life is terrible. Use this as a guide to match a light to your hiking style.

• Nitecore NU25: ~400 lumens | 1.0 oz (28g) | Integrated Li-ion (USB-C)
• Petzl Bindi: ~200 lumens | 1.2 oz (35g) | Integrated Li-ion (Micro-USB)
• Black Diamond Flare: ~40 lumens | 0.95 oz (27g) | 2x CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell
• Zebralight H53c: ~296 lumens | 2.9 oz (82g) w/ battery & strap | 1x AA
• RovyVon Aurora A5: ~650 lumens | 0.6 oz (17g) | Integrated Li-po (Micro-USB)
• ThruNite TH20: ~520 lumens | 3.2 oz (91g) w/ battery & strap | 1x AA

So, how do you choose? Focus on your primary need.

• For the dedicated ultralight hiker: The Nitecore NU25 remains the best all-around choice. It has the features, performance, and weight that set the standard.
• For the AA battery loyalist: The Zebralight H53c offers unmatched durability and versatility, while the ThruNite TH20 provides excellent value and simplicity.
• For a minimalist or backup: The Petzl Bindi is a superb primary for those who rarely night hike, while the Black Diamond Flare is the ultimate set-and-forget emergency light. The RovyVon A5 is a powerful and fun multi-tool for camp.

Ultimately, the best headlamp is the one that fits your system. If you already carry a power bank, a USB-C rechargeable light makes the most sense. If you value the ability to resupply batteries in any small town, an AA-powered light gives you unmatched freedom. Don’t overthink it; all of these are proven, trail-tested options.

In the end, your headlamp is a tool designed to keep you safe and comfortable so you can enjoy the magic of the trail. Don’t let the pursuit of the "perfect" gear keep you from getting outside. Pick a reliable light, toss it in your pack, and go make some memories under the stars.