Lots of things go bump in the night – but you don’t want it to be you or your dogs! Longer nights mean lighting up the trails with the proper headlamps.
If you’re like me, you need to have a day job in order to support your mushing habit. This means I run my dogs before or after work, often in the dark. Loading gear, harnessing dogs, checking feet and seeing where we are headed are all important – that’s why I rely on a headlamp.
For the first-time buyer, choices in headlamps can be a little overwhelming. This handy guide will light the way to the headlamp that’s right for you.
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Beam Type
The most useful headlamps for mushing are adjustable Flood/Spot lights. By flicking a switch or pressing a lever, you can convert it from one beam to another. And remember my tips for switches – you need to be able to operate it with gloves on.
Many lights have a Red Light Setting as well (no, not that kind of red light!). These red lights help preserve your night vision, as well as the night vision of the dogs.
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Some headlamps offer a tilt feature. These are handy to be able to direct the beam where you need it. Not all tilting mechanisms are created equal. Some lights works on a flimsy plastic hinge, which may bounce around. Look for a headlamp that offers a sturdy titling system.
Lumens and Beam Distance
Going hand in hand with lumens, beam distance tells you how many meters a headlamp can project light. Think of your setup, and how far out you want to project. Dogs generally don’t need the same light as us to run in the dark, but you will still want to be able to see far enough down the trail to ensure a safe run.
Batteries
Batteries can be mounted behind the light, so they ride up around your forehead, or in a battery pack at the back. Personally, I prefer headlamps with batteries right behind the light. I find some battery packs flop around, and are difficult to fit around a helmet.
Manufacturers have begun to add a feature called “regulated output”. Most headlamps get gradually dimmer as they use up the battery power. This is often so gradual that you may not even notice it until you suddenly can’t see your lead dog. Headlamps that operate using regulated output don’t have this problem. But, rather than getting dimmer slowly, they will suddenly lose power. Not so fun. Whether you choose regulated output or not, it’s a great idea to carry an extra set of batteries.
