HeadLamp 425

The BioLite HeadLamp 425 is a rechargeable head torch built to disappear on your head. The light, the electronics and the moisture-wicking band are one piece, the front is only 10 mm deep, and the 1000 mAh battery rides at the back to balance the weight. Five front modes and a rear red light cover everything from reading in the tent to being seen from behind.

Who it's for

Anyone who has put up with a head torch that bounces, pinches or digs in. At 78 g with no hard edges against your skin, the HeadLamp 425 is the one you stop noticing. The band expands to go over a helmet and comes down small enough for a child, so one torch works for the whole family. Choose Teal/Navy or Grey/Black.

Brightness and runtime together

• High: up to 425 lumens for about 4 hours.
• Low: about 60 hours, enough for many nights of camp jobs and reading.
• Reserve: when the battery runs down, a 1-hour reserve mode keeps you lit.
• Dimmable: every white mode dims, and brightness memory brings the torch back at the level you last used.

A 4-LED gauge on the rear battery shows how much charge is left before you head out.

Beam shape

The spot reaches 85 m for picking out the next marker or the far side of a clearing. The flood spreads light across 15 m for walking, cooking and setting up. Run the two together when you want reach and width at once, switch to the red flood to keep your night vision, or use the white strobe to be found. The front panel tilts down with one hand, so the beam lands at your feet without you craning your neck.

Charging and battery

Charging is USB-C, with the cable in the box, and a full charge takes about 2 hours. Pass-thru charging lets the HeadLamp 425 keep running from a power bank while it charges, which turns a long trip into a matter of carrying a bank. Lock mode stops the button waking the torch at the bottom of your pack.

Weather resistance

An IPX4 rating means rain and splashes are fine. Wear it through a wet night without a second thought; just keep it out of the water itself.

Looking after it

The headband hand-washes in water with a mild detergent or a little dish soap, so it stays fresh after sweaty days.

Please note: once opened, the HeadLamp 425 cannot be returned or exchanged. Every unit is sealed to protect it, and opened units are not accepted back for any reason.