Plan Your Hike is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Lighting

Having some kind of artificial light at night is crucial. Finding gear, “answering nature’s call”, and checking your maps are three common things you’ll use your light for at night. A tiny microlight will do unless you plan on doing some night hiking. For night hiking, a headlamp fits the bill.

Lightest Option

The Photon Microlight (seen here) is the lightest handheld light available. There are hat clips for the Photon Microlights that allow them to be used as headlamps. The lightest weight “true” headlamp is the Petzl e+LITE Headlamp. It weighs just 1 oz. To see the Petl e+LITE Headlamp, click here.

Cheapest Option

The Photon Microlights mentioned above are pretty inexpensive. For inexpensive headlamps, check Wal-Mart or Target.

Popular Lighting Equipment

  • Petzl Tikkina Headlamp

    Petzl Tikkina Headlamp

    3 oz

  • BioLite Headlamp 330

    BioLite Headlamp 330

    2.4 oz

  • Fenix LD02 EDC Flashlight

    Fenix LD02 EDC Flashlight

    1 oz

The Best Shoes For Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

Everything thing you need to know in order to choose the right shoes for you on the PCT. Plus, we'll give you a list of popular options to get you started.

Read More

How to Choose the Right Resupply Strategy

We’ll take a look at some of your resupply options, talk about the pros and cons of each, and help you decide which resupply option is right for you.

Read More

The Only Hiking Food Database You'll Ever Need

Food is one of the most important considerations when hitting the trail. With our food database you have plenty of options to choose from.

Read More

Comments

Has the information above changed? Know something other hikers should know? Leave a comment below.

Gear

Plan Your Hike is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Articles

A man standing atop a mountain with a beautiful view A man and a woman sitting on the edge of a beautiful mountain lake