Unexpected surprises are the “magic” of hiking.  Venture out for a hike and you are nearly guaranteed to see something new and interesting.

As every veteran hiker knows, wayward adventurers expect the unexpected.  In some cases, those surprises take the form of losing your bearings, ankle sprains, fatigue and dehydration.

There will come a day when your planned hike extends well beyond your anticipated return to the trailhead.  It is in these instances when hiking gear matters.

A headlamp is absolutely essential.

Pack Your Headlamp the Night Before

Think back to your last hiking expedition.  If you ran out of daylight halfway through the site’s twists and turns, would you be able to find your way back in the darkness?

Probably not.

This is precisely why you should have a high-quality headlamp on-hand every single time you hike without exception.  Test the headlamp ahead of time, ensuring it provides ample illumination.

Some experienced hikers go as far as packing a second headlamp just in case the first light breaks or malfunctions.  If you use a rechargeable headlamp, charge it up the night before you hit the trails.

Plan for the Worst

There will come a day when you hurt your ankle, foot, leg or other body site while enjoying Mother Nature.  You might become so immersed in your hike that you begin to run out of daylight while still deep into the wilderness.

Instead of running back to the trailhead at full-speed and risking an ankle sprain, strap on your trusty headlamp and let it light the way. 

Headlamps are especially important in the fall and winter months when the sun sets earlier than normal. 

Pack Extra Power

Headlamps are fallible.  Some headlamps are built with planned obsolescence, meaning they are designed with a limited useful life to encourage repeat purchases. 

Other headlamps run out of juice sooner than expected.  Pack a couple spare AAA and AA batteries just in case your headlamp’s batteries are depleted.

It won’t hurt to toss a flashlight in your hiking backpack for good measure.  This way, if your headlamp breaks or otherwise falters, you’ll have another source of light to guide the way back to your vehicle.

What to Look for When Buying a Headlamp

The best headlamps lock to prevent accidental activation inside hiking backpacks as items move around.  The last thing you want is for an errant activation to drain the headlamp battery while it isn’t strapped to your head.

Experienced hikers recommend picking a headlamp with an adjustable angle.  The lamp should move up and down with ease, helping you see the undulations in the trail ahead.

Finally, look for a headlamp that is water-resistant.  Splash proof headlamps will still light the way ahead when the skies open up.

Lotz Makes Hiking and Camping Easy

When it comes to hiking equipment, Lotz has what you need.  We invite you to check out our inventory today.

Create a new account with Lotz and you’ll get 5% off all hiking gear and other purchases.  Click the blue button in the bottom right corner of your screen to sign up, refer and earn.