What rechargeable running head torch

Preferably from Ali express! Sub £30

Just for running?

It’s more than 30, but I’m surprising pleased with my Petzl iko considering I thought it would be a gimmick.

Other than that I got the old version  basic Silva trailrunner ( I think) and that’s been good.  A lot of the Ali express A, alpkit etc stuff is just junk

Where are you running ?

ie flat trails or proper off road fell ?

Decathlon stuff is pretty good at the cheaper end of the market

Just for running yes

By the river under trees zero light

Alpkit Qark. £40. Excellent head torch, I have used it for years now for winter trail running in the forests, performance is top notch.

I bought a Black Diamond head torch for running from Go Outdoors. Does the job, and from memory was about the budget OP has specified.

Sofirn HS10 – bought one for about £15 a couple of years ago, still going strong – sold with Fenix branding for a lot more or on Amazon for £32 with great reviews

Decathlon cheapy here, battery on the back of the head balances it well, even has a red tail light on it for road use.

Alpkit prob best option.

Another vote for a Petzl Iko, although as mentioned it’s out of your budget. Before I got mine I used a Decathlon light, which also worked fine.

OP, have you tried running with a headtorch? I can’t do it. Because of the height of the light I find it flattens out any bumps leading me to trip more often. I’ve found a cheap led torch held in my hand is much better, as it’s lower, bumps cast shadows. Being hand held it means I can also deliberately shine it on things (cars) or away from things (people) that I might not necessarily be looking at or away from.

Led lenser £45 one is good

or decathlon for cheaper

@bensales not running no but night ride 2-3 times a week so it can’t be much difference can it?

I’ll try using my exposure joystick ??

@dti £45 is only 50% over budget ?

Alpkit Quark fan here for all head torch purposes

I have a Petzl Actik which I’ve used on the bike mainly as a backup to an Exposure Toro. Been pretty impressed with it. I’ve not much experience of other quality head torches but it’s plenty bright and can be had for about £35 I think.

Edit: mine might be the Actik Core actually, which is a bit more expensive.

Second from bottom Decathlon. ‘Tis excellent; robust, good switch, good light, waterproof enough and pretty light. Just as powerful as a Black Diamond I foolishly bought that flattens its battery due to the switch being too sensitive. Only downside is that’s it’s micro-usb rather than C.

Nitecore nu43 or ut27?

Picked up a new 2024 model ut27 from nitecore Ali express store a couple of weeks ago for around £30 with a discount code.

Was close to getting nu43, but built in battery put me off. Might still get 1⃣ though, as pretty cheap.

I run with a Silva headtorch (Cross Trail 5R). I can’t say I’ve had any trip issues with it.

I’ve also tried a “cheap” chest torch and found that to be really good in rain as it avoids the Star Wars effect but it’s not very good on twisty, narrow trails.

Decathalon for me.

Which decathlon ones are we talking?

A tad over your 30 budget(34) and aliexpress

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006723526188.html?src=google&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=494-037-6276&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&gclsrc=aw.ds&&albagn=888888&&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=en1005006723526188&ds_e_product_merchant_id=106253706&ds_e_product_country=GB&ds_e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=17858123517&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv_WKiYyjiAMVMZiDBx1JWAKTEAQYASABEgI4xvD_BwE

@bikerevivesheffield. I have one at £45 which I think is 600lumens. And one at less than £30 which is 300 lumens. I find both excellent. For me, for Hill running, the 300 lumens is fine. But the 600 lumens gives you the choice of a brighter beam of course.

OP, have you tried running with a headtorch? I can’t do it. Because of the height of the light I find it flattens out any bumps leading me to trip more often

Tie it around your waist. Crotchtorch innit.

I’ve got this Nebo one from Screwfix for about 16 quid.

It’s nice and small. Can be bright but the run time drops off significantly.

Good for running though I imagine as it’s quite small.

Screwfix guarantee is good too. I had an issue where mine stopped going into brightest mode, took it back after about 10 months and they replaced no questions.

Exposure do an elastic headband with mount for the joystick. Only downside is the torch is mounted at the side of your head but i don’t find any issues for shorter runs.

I can also vouch for the Alpkit Quark. I like the option of being able to use AAA’s as well as the replaceable rechargeable unit. They’re taking pre-orders for two new models which have good specs.

The Alpkit thing above is OK but battery life isn’t great at full blast. Best head torch I have cost 3.99 from Aliexpress with two 18650 batteries.

If you want a better quality look at Fenix. Much liked by cavers who really need a light.

I have the Alpkit Quark.

Might be user error, but it seems to bounce around on my head a lot – which is really annoying when running.

not running no but night ride 2-3 times a week so it can’t be much difference can it?

I’ll try using my exposure joystick ??

If you’re wearing a helmet, which you should be, it’s not easy to get a headtorch to fit properly, but the Joystick was designed to be worn on a helmet or bike bars and has a specific mount for that purpose, available for £20 from Tredz Bikes.

@CountZero erm ? I’m hoping that you were trying to be funny??

I’m asking about a RUNNING headtorch. I think a helmet may be overkill ????

When I use my HELMET mounted joystick riding I use one of the mounts from the box but thanks for your input

Not an alpkit quark, the elastic… isn’t. Also, the beam is very on/off at the edges.

Not the Petzl Nao RL either, shitty positioning of the charge port, the overly complex but under-ly functional headband thing is godawful and the auto-dimming is a lot less useful than you’d think.

Pretty sure Alpkit have just launched some new head torches…

Anyway don’t buy the Alpkit Viper. The rachet mechanism is known for failing. Shame as the torch was otherwise ok.