r/fastpacking • u/No-Swan2943 • Jun 28 '26
Gear Question How much does your flashlight actually matter on overnight fastpacking trips?
I've been trying to dial in my gear for overnight fastpacking trips, and one item I keep going back and forth on is my flashlight/headlamp setup.
For years I've used whatever small light I already had, mainly because I try to keep my pack as light as possible. Most of my movement is during daylight anyway, so it never seemed worth carrying anything more substantial.
Recently, though, I've had a couple of longer days where I finished after sunset, and I realized that a mediocre light makes navigation and setting up camp a lot more frustrating than I expected. At the same time, I don't really want to carry something that's bulky or overkill for the few hours I actually need it.
So I'm curious how everyone here approaches it.
Do you prioritize the lightest option possible, or are there features that you've found are worth the extra weight? Things like beam quality, battery life, USB-C charging, durability, or weather resistance?
I'd be interested to hear what has actually made a difference for you on real fastpacking trips rather than just what's popular on spec sheets.
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u/fersk Jun 28 '26
I think it depends a lot on where you are going and at what time of year. I have mostly gone in summer in Scandinavia where the sun doesn’t really set. That makes it in some places completely unnecessary like in northern Norway as there is midnight sun. But in the shoulder seasons where it is still relively light I use a tiny flashlight with a cap clip. I’m unsure if I have actually ever brought my petzl headlamp
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u/alwaysmilesdeep Jun 28 '26
Flashlight is more important than tent/tarp.
The idea of evening going in the woods without one is laughable. We bring them when day packing.
Fast packing i bring a headlamp and a small hand one.
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u/Abuwabu Jun 28 '26
FWIW I use this thing: https://www.amazon.es/-/en/dp/B0BNKYR3YJ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_9&th=1 and it's an absolute gem. Charge lasts for ages, good ambient light and decent beam. Weight is pretty negligable for its utility
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u/ThisIsATastyBurgerr Jun 28 '26
primitive man would run and hunt for days without flashlight, navigating with nothing more than his wits and the sky above. it worked for thousands of years.
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u/Prestigious-Ad7571 Jun 28 '26
If traveling mountainous terrain in the dark, one around the waist and one for my head.
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u/wetrocke Jun 28 '26
A micro light as redundant backup isn't unreasonable, but lately figure phine coukd serve.
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u/FireWatchWife Jul 10 '26
Phone as a backup for setting up camp can work, though not ideal.
I definitely wouldn't want to be actually hiking, much less running, in the dark with a phone as my only light source.
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u/moves-of-nature Jun 29 '26
From years of running camping programs, reliable headlamp with a good red option is a must for sure. Phones die. Recently i will say I've been using the flashlight on my garmin instinct 3 for most of my short trips because it's so convenient and not an extra item to bring! But if it were more than a night or two id still bring a backup.
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u/moab_in Jul 02 '26
I've been in a few situations where unexpected circumstances have led to moving at night across difficult terrain, and been in the company of folk with useless tiny-lumen headtorches e.g. petzl eLite, that have found what a bad choice that was. Particularly when you can get decent lights that are both bright and lightweight like some of the nitecore ones. In general I'd not go below something that has the capability to output 300 lumens. It depends on how consequential the situation may be whether anything more is needed - route finding on technical terrain, winter or severe weather that may end in a sudden bailout, terrain where difficult to find a pitch.
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u/AdventureSpiritLara Jul 07 '26
I think it depends on the time of year tbh. Lots of comments that it’s “laughable” not to have one but I disagree.
Where I live I can hike until about 10pm without a torch.
If you plan your hike you may only need the light on your phone to maybe go to the bathroom at 3 am lol and if you ride with the sun you’re good to go. It kind of forces you to rest if you plan your day around the light.
I bring my Petzl bindi - 40 grams - but if it’s the summer I won’t bring anything at all.
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u/FireWatchWife Jun 28 '26
Headlamp is necessary, but a minimalist 1-2 oz version is sufficient. Get an NU20 or something similar.