SteriPEN Ultra Water Purifier Review

Over the past eight months the SteriPEN Ultra has become my go-to backpacking water purifier. Previous SteriPEN models had design and functionality flaws that severely impacted their performance, but my experience with the Ultra has been a different story. The Ultra is easy to use, works fast, kills all the bad stuff (protozoa, bacteria, and viruses), and best of all, it doesn’t require any pumping, squeezing, backflushing, or chemicals. Like all backcountry gear, there are downsides to the SteriPEN Ultra, but on the whole, I think it’s an excellent choice for backcountry water purification.

STERIPEN ULTRA SPECS

PRICE: Cost is one of the biggest downsides to the SteriPEN Ultra. Though much cheaper than the best pump filter (MSR Guardian), the Ultra is more than twice as expensive as the popular Sawyer Squeeze. That said, I personally feel the convenience of the Ultra makes it well worth the price, especially if you plan to put it to good use over many years.

WEIGHT: 5 ounces (4.7oz on my scale). The Ultra is light enough to take on any backcountry trip, including thru-hikes. It isn’t quite as light as the Sawyer Squeeze (3oz), but the minimal weight difference is well worth the upgrade in convenience. In addition, the Ultra weighs less than half as much as popular pump filters like the Katadyn Hiker Pro (11oz) and MSR Guardian (17oz). Water purification chemicals like Aquamira (2oz) tend to be the lightest option, but you’ll have to wait 30 minutes before drinking and I prefer chemical-free water whenever possible.

PURIFICATION METHOD: The Ultra uses ultraviolet (UV-C) light rays to safely purify clear water. The UV rays destroy 99.99% of protozoa (including Giardia and Cryptosporidia), bacteria and even viruses. The downside with UV purification is that it won’t work with murky, sediment-laden water. Most pump/squeeze filters quickly clog in those conditions as well, so this isn’t a complete tradeoff. The majority of my backpacking trips are in climates where, especially with a little planning, I know the water sources will be clear enough for the Ultra. If I am forced to drink from an unideal source, I can always strain out particles or use a chemical tablet for certainty. If you commonly expect to purify water from murky sources (mud puddles, animal pastures, etc.) and you want to avoid chemical treatments, you may be looking for a beast like the MSR Guardian.

BATTERY: Internal Lithium-ion battery. The Ultra comes with a built-in rechargeable battery and USB cord for charging. This means you won’t have to worry about replacing expensive, heavy, and hard to find batteries like previous models.

BATTERY LIFE: The Ultra will purify 50 liters on a full charge, which works out to roughly a 10 day water supply for one person or 5 day supply for two (4-6L per day depending on conditions). That daily estimate is based on my personal experience and is actually a little conservative (I’ve purified well over 50L on a single charge). I initially didn’t like the feeling of having my water treatment method tied to a battery, but over time the Ultra has gained my trust.

LAMP LIFE: The bulb in the Ultra is rated to work up to 8,000 treatments before it burns out. At 4-6L per day, that’s the equivalent of 4.4 years of clean water for one person. Also, if you do actually use up your Ultra bulb, SteriPEN will replace your Ultra for free.

DIMENSIONS: 7.3 x 1.65 x 1.3 inches. The SteriPEN Ultra is about 1 inch longer than a standard pen and about as wide as a golf ball at its thickest part. It easily stashes away in a side pocket or front mesh pouch for quick access.

DISPLAY - The Ultra has a straightforward display that works well. Simple symbols display the unit’s battery life, lamp life, liter settings, a countdown timer, a smiley face when the water’s ready to drink, or a frowny face if something goes wrong. The display will be upside down while purifying with the plastic bottle method, but it’s still easy to read.

BACKUP PURIFICATION - I’ve started using my phone for photography on most backcountry trips, so I’ve also been bringing a small Mophie power bank to keep it charged. If need be, I could use my power bank to recharge the Ultra, but so far that hasn’t been necessary. Also, I always bring backup purification pills just in case I have an equipment malfunction or encounter a truly gross/murky water source.

WATER BOTTLES - I use my SteriPEN Ultra with cheap 1L plastic water bottles that have standard small-mouth openings. There’s nothing special about the bottles themselves, they’re just light, strong, affordable, and easy to replace. Smartwater bottles tend to work well because they’re long and skinny, which makes them easy to fit into backpack water bottle holsters.

DURABILITY - The Ultra feels very sturdy and I expect it to last for a long time, even in tough conditions. There’s a hard case that covers the bulb of the Ultra and a soft case that protects the entire unit. The bulb of the Ultra is glass, so be careful not to drop it when the bulb is exposed. With a little care, I expect the ultra to last for many years of tough backcountry use.

SUMMARY OF PROS

• Easy to use - No squeezing, pumping, backflushing, or chemicals.
• Fast - 90 Seconds per liter.
• Effective - Sterilizes 99.99% of protozoa, bacteria, and viruses
• Lightweight - Only 2-3 ounces heavier than the lightest purifying methods.
• Durable - Compact design with a sturdy case

SUMMARY OF CONS

• Price - Twice as expensive as the Sawyer Squeeze. 
• Battery powered - Not a good choice for long expeditions with no recharging options.
• Murky water - UV purifiers won’t work in murky, sediment-laden water. Most filters don't work well in those conditions though. Read “Purification Method” section above for more info.
• Glass bulb - the Ultra isn’t fragile, but you’ll want to make sure not to drop it when the bulb is exposed. When inside its case, the Ultra is well protected.

CONCLUSION

The main reason I like the SteriPEN Ultra is its convenience compared to other purifying methods. With the Ultra, I no longer have to awkwardly crouch over streams and tire out my forearms pumping water. I also avoid squeezing cold bags/bottles to filter my water, which tires my hands and chills my fingers. Instead, I have a hassle-free purifier that that provides clean, safe drinking water in 90 seconds with minimal effort. While the Ultra isn’t the lightest or cheapest purifier and on the market, its considerable strengths make it my go-to choice for water purification.

Sierra Designs Nitro UL 20 Sleeping Bag Review

Sierra Designs just launched their new Nitro UL 20 Sleeping Bag (available in 0°F, 20°F, 35°F, Women's 0°F, and Women's 20°F models) and we were fortunate enough to get our hands on a pre-launch model to test it out. We've been using the Nitro UL 20 for a few weeks now and we think it's a solid offering in the sleeping bag world. The Nitro is comfortable, warm, keeps weight to a minimum, and is sold at a competitive price.

Note: Make sure to check out our Best Sleeping Bag & Quilt Guide for our top recommendations and critical considerations before buying a new sleeping bag.

Sierra Designs Nitro Specs

TEMPERATURE RATING: The Sierra Designs Nitro is available in three different temperature ratings (0°F, 20°F, 35°F, Women's 0°F, and Women's 20°F). Remember, temperature ratings like these are based on EN Lower Limit testing, so we recommend adding about 10°F for a more realistic estimate (read the temp rating sections of our sleeping bag guide for more info). For example, the EN "Lower Limit" of the Nitro 20 bag is 17°F, but it’s EN "Comfort” rating is 28°F, and the comfort rating is a much better guideline in our opinion. We tested the 20°F Nitro for this review and found it to be true to its temperature rating. For most 3-season backpackers we’d recommend the Nitro UL 20 model, which will keep you warm when temps dip to freezing or just below.

PRICE: Quality down sleeping bags tend to cost a lot of money, which is a bummer. The upside is that they’ll last for decades if taken care of properly, but the upfront cost can be prohibitive for some. The Nitro isn’t an inexpensive sleeping bag, but it does deliver a lot of value compared to the competition. We wouldn’t list the Nitro as a budget bag, but there are very few sleeping bags in its weight, warmth, and cost class. For that reason, we think the Nitro is a solid deal. Check out current pricing for the Nitro UL 20 here.

WEIGHT: Given its temp ratings and cost, the Sierra Designs Nitro is surprisingly competitive in the weight category. The 35°F regular size Nitro weighs 1lb 6oz, the 20°F Nitro weighs 1lb 12oz, and the 0°F Nitro weighs 2lb 8oz. These aren’t the lightest sleeping bags on the market, but they’re very competitive, and in our books this is a big win.

DOWN FILL: The Nitro comes with 800 fill DriDown insulation, which is a balanced choice for keeping weight down without decreasing compressibility and affordability. DriDown will help keep your insulation dry in wet conditions and will help your bag dry out much faster if it does get wet (but don’t let that happen). All in all, a well balanced choice.

ROOMINESS: In our view the Nitro has a comfortable and balanced fit. It’s not so tight that it feels claustrophobic and not so roomy that it feels drafty (which can create cold spots and cut down on warmth efficiency). The Nitro is offered in regular (fits up to 6' tall) and long (fits up to 6'6" tall and is a bit wider too) sizes, so make sure to choose the appropriate model for your height (we recommend going larger if you're right on the edge). If you typically find sleeping bags to be too constricting, you may want to try a lightweight quilt for more freedom of movement, but quilts do tend to be drafty and a bit chilly at lower temperatures.

ZIPPER: The Nitro has a 40 inch zipper, which runs a little past halfway down the bag. This is a key downside in our books, as we prefer the flexibility of full-length zippers. On warm nights it can be nice to fully unzip a sleeping bag and use it like a blanket, but that option isn't really viable with a shorter zipper like this. Longer zippers do add weight and cost, which is probably why Sierra Designs kept the Nitro zipper shorter. Some sleeping bag users don't mind a shorter zip, so if that's you, the Nitro will be a great fit. Also, the Nitro does have a cool zipperless footvent (more info below) which helps with ventilation on warmer nights.

ZIPPERLESS FOOTVENT OPENING

FOOTBOX: The Nitro has an ergonomic footbox that feels comfortable and kept our feet warm. The one truly unique feature of this sleeping bag can also be found in the footbox: a zipperless footvent. The zipperless footvent opening allows you to quickly stick your feet out of the bag whenever you’re feeling hot. We found this to be a nice touch and appreciated the ventilation. When not in use, the foot vent lies flat and holds heat in well, so we didn’t experience any unwanted drafts.

HOOD: The hood of the Nitro has an ergonomic design and two drawcords that can easily be adjusted from within the bag. The draft collar near the hood opening also helps to hold heat in. The hood is simple, comfortable, and effective.

FABRIC: The Nitro is built with 15d shell and liner fabrics that feel comfortable against the skin and help keep weight down. The shell fabric feels durable, but like all lightweight sleeping bags, you’ll want to be careful around sharp objects.  

DRAFT TUBE/COLLAR: The Nitro has a draft tube (down-filled flap) that runs the length of the zipper and a draft collar around the neck of the bag. These draft tubes help hold heat in, which increases warmth efficiency and reduces cold drafts. Both are nice touches. 

Summary of Pros

• Warm: 3 EN-tested models that are true to their temperature ratings.
• Price: Good value, especially considering overall weight and quality materials.
• Weight: Very competitive weight to warmth ratios.
• Comfort: A slightly relaxed mummy cut with fabrics that feel nice against the skin.
• Fill: 800 Fill DriDown insulation. A balanced choice for weight, cost, and compression.
• Zipperless Footvent: A convenient new feature that helps with temperature control.

Summary of Cons

• Price: Though a good value, the price may still be too much for budget backpackers.
• Zipper: We prefer full-length zippers for maximum flexibility on warm nights. The Nitro has a 40-inch zipper, which runs about 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the bag.

Conclusion

We think the Sierra Designs Nitro UL 20 is a solid new offering in the sleeping bag world. It’s comfortable, warm, keeps weight to a minimum, and comes at a competitive price, especially given the quality of its construction and materials. We wish it had a full-length zipper, but the zipperless footvent is a nice feature that helps increase ventilation on warm nights. If you want to see how the Nitro stacks up against some of our favorite sleeping bags, check out the CleverHiker Sleeping Bag Gear Guide.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent Review

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is one of our all-time favorite backpacking tents and one of Big Agnes’ best selling designs. The Copper Spur strikes an excellent balance between weight, livability, convenience, and weather protection. It’s a great choice for backpackers wanting to keep their packs light without giving up convenience and comfort. We think the Copper Spur HV is one of the highest quality freestanding tents on the market, so if you’re looking for a new tent, we highly recommend putting it on your list.

Note: The Copper Spur HV UL2 earned Best All-Around Tent in our 2017 Best Backpacking Tents List. Check out the CleverHiker Gear Guide for our other favorite backpacking equipment recommendations (backpacks, sleeping bags/pads, stoves, etc.).

COPPER SPUR HV SPECS

Price: The Copper Spur is not a budget backpacking tent, but in our opinion it’s well worth the cost if you put it to good use. The Copper Spur is one of the lightest and highest quality freestanding tents on the market, and as is often the case, you get what you pay for. To see if it’s in your budget, find current pricing for the Copper Spur HV UL2 here at REI, Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver, and Moosejaw . If you’re willing to carry more weight for a lower-priced tent, check out our top lightweight tents list or our budget backpacking tents list.

Weight: The Copper Spur HV UL2 is among the lightest double-wall freestanding tents on the market, which is a big win in our books. It’s packed weight is 3lb 1oz (including stakes, guy lines, etc.), which is very light for a two-person freestanding tent, especially considering the interior space of the Copper Spur. Carrying a lighter overall load has a ton of benefits, but simply stated, we find lightweight backpacking to be far less exhausting and much more enjoyable.

Freestanding: The Copper Spur is a fully freestanding tent, which means it’s main body can be pitched almost anywhere. This type of design is extremely convenient, quick to set up, and can come in handy when pitching on hard ground or solid rock. The shape of the Copper Spur is asymmetrical, with more room at the head of the tent, but it’s clips and poles are color coordinated to make setup nearly foolproof.

Living Space: Interior space is another key highlight for the Copper Spur. It’s bent-pole structure and top crossbar create nearly vertical sidewalls, which provides a lot of headroom. The UL2 has enough space for two regular-width sleeping pads lying side-by-side and a small stuff sack or two stored by your head. Your backpack, shoes, and any wet gear will easily fit in the medium-sized vestibules. The Copper Spur HV comes in four different sizes: 1-person, 2-person, 3-person, and 4-person. What size you choose may depend on your backpacking style. If you prefer hiking light and crushing miles, stick with the listed model (example: get the UL2 to sleep 2 people). If you’re willing to carry more weight for increased interior space, you may want to bump up one tent size (example: get the UL3 to sleep 2 people).

Seasons: The Copper Spur is a 3-season tent, meaning it will work well under most spring, summer, and fall backpacking conditions. The Copper Spur can handle a light amount of snow, but it’s not designed to be a winter backpacking tent.

Weather Protection: We’ve tested the Copper Spur throughout the Pacific Northwest in very wet conditions and it has performed well, keeping us bone dry inside while pouring rain outside. As far as wind resistance goes, tents like the Copper Spur (spacious, double-wall, freestanding) tend to perform worse than low-pitch pyramid tarps/tents, but we feel the Copper Spur will still withstand a good amount of wind exposure, especially with the four storm guylines staked out. That said, you should always limit your wind exposure when choosing a campsite, regardless of your shelter.  

Durability: The floor and rainfly of the Copper Spur are made with 20-denier silicone impregnated ripstop nylon. The “denier” denotes the thickness of the fabric, and 20d is on the thinner side for tent floor fabrics, though not as thin as some ultralight tents using 10d or even 7d nylon. This fabric is a big part of why the Copper Spur is so light, but it does slightly reduce its long-term durability. If you’re hard on backpacking gear, this might not be the best tent for you. That said, the Copper Spur is a popular choice among thru-hikers of the AT, PCT, and CDT, all of which are notoriously tough on gear. It’s important to remember that a sharp stick or rock will puncture almost any tent floor and small rips/holes can easily be repaired with tenacious tape. In our opinion, if you take good care of this tent, it should last for many years and thousands of miles. Also, if you're nervous about tent floor durability, you could pick up the Copper Spur HV UL2 footprint (more info below, sold separately, 6 oz).

Walls: The Copper Spur HV is a double-wall tent with a top crossbar to help make the sidewalls nearly vertical. Double-wall tents are preferred by many backpackers because they create separation between the mesh tent body and the rainfly. In wet conditions, it’s common for condensation to build up on the inside of a tent rainfly and the mesh barrier will help keep you from rubbing up against it.

Doors: The Copper Spur HV UL2 has two large side doors and vestibules that are easy to open and pin back for ventilation. This design is excellent, especially for multiple users. Having separate entrances will ensure that you’re not climbing over a tentmate and two sets of gear every time you want to get in or out of your tent.

Vestibules: Each vestibule on the Copper Spur provides about nine square feet of space. One stake is used to guy out each vestibule and we think this design is excellent. The vestibules aren’t huge (we’d say they’re medium-sized), but they provide plenty of room for your backpack and any gear you want to keep protected at night (shoes/boots, wet jackets/pants/clothing, etc.).

Pole Structure: The DAC featherlite pole setup for this tent is easy to use, sturdy in rough weather, and keeps weight to a minimum. The poles are also color coordinated (orange pole tips fit with orange tent tabs), which makes pitching the asymmetrical Copper Spur really easy. We love the simple pole structure of this tent and wonder why more manufacturers don’t use a minimal yet sturdy design like this.

Rainfly: The rainfly on the Copper Spur is made of lightweight 20d silicone impregnated ripstop nylon. The material feels very light and is fully waterproof. One downside with sil-nylon rainflys is that they sag a bit when wet and cold (when it rains for example). While this won’t affect the weather resistance of your tent, you may want to re-tighten your rainfly when temps drop for a completely taught pitch.

Zippers: Two zippers open each main body door on the Copper Spur (one zipper along the bottom and one on the top). This makes each door easy to open and close, even with one hand. The rainfly zippers on the Copper Spur do have a tendency to snag on the storm flaps at times, especially when wet (we find this to be a common tent problem). This is easily avoided with the use of two hands and a little care, though we do see it as a small downside.

Stakes: The Copper Spur comes with eight lightweight J stakes. That’s enough stakes for a standard pitch (one for each tent corner and four for the rainfly), but you’ll need four extra stakes to pin down the Copper Spur in bad weather. On most trips we pack eight stakes with this tent, but if we’re expecting to encounter rough weather (sleeping above treeline or storms expected), we bring four extra stakes. The J stakes included with this tent are okay and will get the job done under most conditions, but they're not great. If you’re looking for sturdy stakes with better holding power, we like Kungix Aluminum Reflective Stakes

Ventilation: The Copper Spur has one large top vent on the rainfly which helps keep interior condensation to a minimum. The vent has a velcro stay that can easily be opened and closed. This is a quality design feature we really like.

Pockets: The Copper Spur has three well designed and useful pockets. Each side has a rectangular pocket by the head and there’s one large rectangular top pocket as well. This isn’t the most important detail in a tent, but these pockets are very convenient, and we think they’re some of the best of any tent we’ve tested.

Guylines & Clips: The guylines for the Copper Spur come attached and ready to go, which is a great convenience. They’re also reflective to help avoid nighttime stumbles and they have adjustable line tensioners attached. The rainfly is connected with color-coded buckle clips, which make it easy and fast to deploy. This attention to detail is one of the reasons the Copper Spur is such a high quality product.

Footprint: The Copper Spur HV UL2 footprint is sold separately and weighs 6 ounces. A footprint will protect your tent floor from abrasion, so your tent will last longer and need fewer repairs, but they’re not required. We often backpack without them, but if you’re willing to carry a little extra weight to extend the life of your tent, consider picking one up.

SUMMARY OF PROS

• Incredibly lightweight
• Quick and easy to pitch
• Freestanding double-wall design
• Good interior space due to pole structure
• Two large doors and vestibules that pin back nicely
• Waterproof and wind resistant with four storm guylines attached
• Large top vent helps reduce condensation
• Three convenient and spacious pockets
• Main door zippers function easily with one hand
• Attention to detail and quality materials all around

SUMMARY OF CONS

• Expensive, but worth the cost in our opinion
• Thinner floor materials (20d) reduce long-term durability (read durability section)
• Rainfly zippers sometimes snag on storm flaps
• Tent stakes are light, but only okay in quality, and four more are required for storm guylines

CONCLUSION

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is one of our all-time favorite backpacking tents and we recommend it to friends and family all the time. We love getting the comfort, convenience, and weather protection of a freestanding, double-wall tent in such a lightweight package. If you’re a backpacker looking for balance between camp comfort and trail weight, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is an excellent choice. If you’re willing to carry a bit more weight for increased interior space, we also really like the Copper Spur HV UL3.

Fenix HP25 Review

Overview

Sometimes you just need a super bright light. For those times, little else matters. It doesn't matter if the light is heavy, or if the batteries don't last very long. In those contexts, all you want is massive illumination. When an overabundance of light is what you want, the Fenix HP25 should be on your short list. In our review, it is the brightest by a huge margin. It throws a beam almost 160 meters. The next strongest light, one of our Editors' Choice lights, the Coast HL7, casts usable illumination 131 meters. The Fenix is 22% stronger than the next nearest competitor. No other product in our test, in no other category, owns such a decisive margin of superiority. With this sort of domination, we can nitpick other details, but it still remains that the Fenix is an ultra bright product.

Performance Comparison

In most usage, the user can select between one of two bulbs. In its true advantage, the Fenix's big bulb is what you are here for. If you need less than the brightest, choose something else.

Credit: Micah JamesMicah James

Trail Finding

Our trail finding scores were the result of head-to-head, on-trail usage. We handed headlamps out to several testers and asked "which one makes it easier to find your way?" What we found could be almost directly correlated to a combination of beam strength and the evenness of that beam. The best lights in this category are strong, but also spread that light out in a usable fashion. The most usable light is a little brighter in the center, and evenly gradates towards the user's periphery. While the Fenix HP25 is the brightest in our test, by far, the light quality is a little rough. We tempered our trail finding scores to account for the bright and dark spots in the beam shape. As compared to the highest scoring trail finder, in the beam comparison below, the Fenix is a little rougher than the light of the Petzl NAO.

Beam Distance Photos

Fenix HP25

Petzl NAO

Close Proximity

Even more so than with trail finding, our subjective testing of close proximity performance and comfort revealed that light quality matters a great deal. All testers preferred the close proximity lighting of products with bright bulbs set in well-designed lenses. Well-designed lenses focus light with consideration to how they will be used. In close proximity use, the user appreciates a broad beam with even, but slightly center-concentrated, brightness. The Fenix sends out a strong beam, but is a little rough and lumpy. There are brighter and darker spots in the beam cast. Incidentally, since our testing team and procedures are so involved, we tested multiple versions of each and every light. In the case of the HP25, our testing team found variation in the quality of the close proximity/flood light. One version cast a more even, non-distracting beam than the other.

Battery Life

For such a bright light, we are tempted to completely gloss over the battery life. Our test is indeed very objective. We use modern instrumentation in a controlled setting to address significant issues on the headlamp market. While a standard for testing and reporting exists, developed with the cooperation of light manufacturers and retailers, many manufacturers choose to completely dismiss this standard and report numbers that are, at best, grossly optimistic and at worst fully misleading. Our methodology, as noted, is sound, but has its own biases. We tested every light in its respective highest mode. With the highest of the high modes, it is no surpsise that the Fenix HP25 burned through batteries rapidly. This battery life vs. beam distance chart shows the relative shape of battery drain curves for two otherwise tied products. At that link you'll see the Fenix compared to the Petzl Tikka RXP.

The battery pack in the back holds this light's power, and allows it to be extremely bright. Unfortunately all the straps, cord, and pack tend to get tangled when in a pocket.

Credit: Micah JamesMicah James

Brightness

We cannot say it often enough. This is the brightest light in our test. It exceeds the nearest competitor by more than 20%. No other headlamp we tested dominates any other category in this way. While the performance of the Fenix is somewhat mediocre in most other ways, the fact that it is so much brighter than the others justifies some sort of award. If a category reviewing lights cannot reward light, what can we reward? Our Top Pick award exists to honor exactly something like this. When a product stands out for some particular purpose, it is a clear contender for the Top Pick. With such a large field of products serving such wide range of users, multiple sub-niches are bound to exist. In the case of headlamps, we award three Top Pick badges. On this extreme, we honor a product that exceeds a half pound but replicates the sun. On the other extreme we awarded a top pick for ultralight performance to the Petzl e+LITE. The Petzl is 1/10th the mass of the Fenix and sends light about 1/6th as far. The next brightest product in our review, after the Fenix, is the Coast HL7. After that, the Petzl NAO casts light just 70% of the distance of the Fenix. None of these lights can be considered in even the same realm as the Fenix for brightness.

The Fenix HP25 is bright enough to be distracting to other hikers, unless you use its other modes. In a day-trip, rock cragging setting like Indian Creek Utah, you would only need the brightest settings if you are looking for distant bolted anchors or something. Routine trail finding requires just a fraction of what this light is capable of.

Credit: Jediah Porter

Weight

Just as it is the brightest light in our review, it is also the heaviest. Just as it dominates the brightness of the next brightest product by 20%, it is 21% heavier than the next heaviest. While it sure seems as though the Fenix could be made lighter with no compromise in brightness, our testers didn't seem to care. One would not carry this light anywhere that weight matters. It is a pure light throwing beast!

Interestingly, it was not that long ago that we all carried ten ounce headlamps while backpacking and climbing and didn't think anything of it. Twenty years ago those burly beasts weighed the same as the Fenix, but threw light for a tiny fraction of the distance. The batteries burned out even faster, and were much heavier to carry as spares. While we gripe about a few ounces on our lighting devices, the fact is that the portable lighting world has come way further than most other businesses. All of this is due, of course, to the widespread use of LED bulbs in our lights. LEDs are brighter, more energy efficient, and longer lasting than the alternative. Its a win/win/win situation. Fenix taps into that and creates an ultra bright light that will serve certain people very well. It is heavy, but we overlook that fornow.

No one will claim the Fenix is compact. But it is super bright. No holds barred bright!

Credit: Jediah Porter

Ease of Use

Just like everything else about the Fenix, we overlook some quirks on account of the brightness. With two bulbs and two buttons, usage is even less intuitive than some of the other multiple moded products we reviewed. Thankfully, the HP25 is slightly better designed in one aspect than its cousin the Fenix HL30. In our use of the HL30, we found the head to flop forward and down uselessly at times. The notches that hold the head in place run out on the 30 before the light aims low enough to use for the closest proximity tasks. The 25 has a similar issue, but the angle is much lower. Essentially, at all usable angles, the HP25 works just fine. In an issue ubiquitous to all two-part lights (lights with battery pack at the back of the head and bulb unit on the front), and exaggerated by a somewhat floppy cord connecting the two, the HP25 gets tangled up in pocket or pack. Before putting it on, you must sort out the straps and cord in order for everything to line up correctly. All two part lights suffer this fate, but the Coast HL7 streamlines things with an internally routed cable and no top strap.

Finally, in terms of ease of use, and this goes for both Fenix lights we tested, but there is some assembly required. Out of the package the Fenix arrives with straps and hardware all separate. You must put it all together in a 10 minute project.

Rock goddess, OGL bike tester, and owner of ultimate stoke, Denise Park and the Fenix HP25 in Utah.

Credit: Jediah Porter

Best Applications

When you need to see a long distance, choose the Fenix. We hesitate to prescribe exactly when you might need this much light, but when you do, you'll know. Perhaps Search and Rescue professionals are prime candidates for a light this bright. Just be aware that, in max mode, the light will burn through batteries pretty quickly.

Value

Again, this is a specialized beast. It is not particularly expensive, nor is it cheap, but for those that need this amount of light, they'll overlook price and battery life and weight and plunk down for the massive lighting power.

Petzl Tikkina Review

Overview

The Tikkina is clearly the best value in small headlamps we have seen. For around $20 you get a solid light performance and long battery life. In our battery testing, as well as in normal use, this headlamp went on and on. While many headlamps fell short of battery life claims, this one outperformed what Petzl said it could do. This headlamp outscored any other headlamps that were $20 or less. Yes, there are cheaper headlamps out there, but with these less expensive models we generally found a dramatic drop in quality. Spend less than $20 for a headlamp and you get what you pay for.

OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review

The New Petzl Tikkina vs. The Older Version

Petzl has updated this Best Buy award winner Petzl Tikkina 2016. Still retailing for $20, the lumens now ring in at 80, according to Petzl (versus 60, with was the case with the older model that we reviewed). This headlamp has also gotten an update in terms of design; it has a washable headband and a gradual decrease in the output of lumens over battery life. There are two modes: one mode uses 20 lumens for longer use and the second mode blasts out 80 lumens over a shorter period of time. To ensure that you are purchasing the newest version, look for a label on the box that sats 80 lumens, Tikkina on the headband, and two lighting modes. Though we have not tested this newest version, we think that our review will still give you a good feel for the latest version of this headlamp.

Check out the side-by-side comparison below, with the latest version pictured on the left and the older version shown on the right.

Hands-On Review

The main competion for the Tikkina is the Black Diamond Gizmo that is close to the same price, 25 percent lighter, and scored very high for close proximity. The Tikkina scored higher for trail finding, battery life, and brightness. Their scores are so close you should really look at the rating metrics and beam comparison tests and see what looks best for your needs.

Another close competitor is the Black Diamond Cosmo, which for another $10 scored higher for trail finding, battery life, and brightness. But once you start getting into the $30 range, you might as well upgrade to the $35-$58 Editors' Choice Coast HL7.

Performance Comparison

The Tikkina is our favorite headlamp for $20 or less, and it wins our Best Buy Award.

Credit: Micah James

Trail Finding

A score of 4 is not exceptional when compared to top headlamps, but it is exceptional when compared to most other $20 headlamps that usually received a 2 or 3. This is probably the main reason you would buy the Tikkina over the Gizmo: more brightness as demonstrated by the side-by-side photos below. Neither is that impressive compared a top scorer like the Coast HL7. However, the Tikkina is okay where the Gizmo is underwhelming. In any event, with a budget headlamp like the Tikkina, the user is not apt to be logging miles of action out in the wild. This is the sort of headlamp one purchases for mild backpacking, or for keeping in one's car or kitchen drawer. Any dedicated hiker, one who will log miles and miles in the dark, knows to investigate further and choose a light with more robust trail finding abilities.

Beam Distance Photos

Petzl Tikkina

Black Diamond Gizmo

Close Proximity

This score is above average and even better than the more expensive Cosmo. However, this is where the Gizmo is much better. As you can see in the photo below, the Gizmo gives a very even and expansive beam where the Tikkina just has a spot in the middle, making it hard to see everything nearby in your full field of vision. In actual usage, users' eyes seem to adapt while fatigue and distraction are this somewhat underlying, unseen force. Again, as little as a light like this will actually get used, the relatively poor performance of the Tikkina can be forgiven. If you will spend hours making close up repairs or even reading with your light, then yes, we recommend a more expensive, higher performing product. But for backup purposes or occasional use, the lower scores of the Tikkina will win out.

Close-proximity Beam Pattern

Petzl Tikkina

Black Diamond Gizmo

Battery Life

The battery life of the Tikkina is impressive and, in some ways, leads the pack. In a back-up or emergency product like the Tikkina you want it to last while using it, and you want to be able to forget about changing the batteries for weeks and months at a time. The battery performance of the Tikkina is the primary reason it wins an award. Indeed, the price is low, but what you get for that price is the impressive part. You get a light that will last for hours and hours. If you are stingy about using the high mode, you can count on it going more than twice or three times as long as our objective testing indicated. This battery life vs. beam distance shoot-out against the Energizer 3 LED shows the two more or less neck and neck with a evenly degrading high beam over about fifteen hours. It has a slightly higher ANSI measured time than the Energizer 3 LED (14.7 hours vs. 10.3) and the Tikkina starts with a higher output. Read more about ANSI in the main Headlamp Review

The claimed low mode time, which we did not measure, is an impressive 180 hours. Energizer makes no claims of their low mode run time while Black Diamond claims their Spot will run 200 hours and the Cosmo will go 250.

The Tikkina uses 3 AAA batteries.

Credit: Micah James

Brightness

The brightness score is near the bottom of the pack. However, it is much brighter than many other more expensive headlamps. For a $16 dollar light, the Tikkina is a powerhouse. This is another main reason it stood out and won our Best Buy award. Its beam distance measured 31 meters which is 5 meters better than the next contender for the best buy award Energizer 3 LED. Of course, it is well short of a beam distance champion like the Coast HL7 which shines over 131 meters.

For something upwards of 90% of camping tasks, an inexpensive light like the Tikkina is perfect.

Credit: Jediah Porter

Weight

This is a compact but not ultralight headlamp. The Gizmo is 25 percent lighter, and the Top Pick for compact headlamp, the Petzl e+LITE, is 1/3 the weight. Most people, except for maybe ultralight backpackers, will be happy with the weight. The name is actually a little misleading: Tikkina implies a smaller version of the Tikka, but the difference in weight is only a few grams. All Tikka style headlamps from Petzl seem to have similar forms. Perhaps the diminutive sounding label is a reference to the price. Indeed, while the weight is about normal for a compact light, the price is quite tiny.

Ease of Use

This is one of the easiest headlamps in the entire review to use; only a few headlamps scored higher. Like all Tikka headlamps, it has one button. Unlike the other Tikkas, it only has a few modes to cycle through, which makes it quick and easy to find the one you want. It also scored above average for gloved use.

The tikkina is excellent for around tasks, including toothbrushing.

Credit: Jediah Porter

Best Applications

At $20, this is the type of headlamp you could justify buying more than one of. Stash one in the glove compartment and one in the kitchen drawer so you will always have access to light if the power goes out or you need to get into the attic. It is also capable when hiking at night or backpacking. That said, for serious nighttime running, hiking or biking we would choose a light with better trail finding and brightness scores. It's an ideal headlamp for children because it's so easy to use, lightweight, inexpensive and has a long battery life if… err, when… it's accidentally left on.

Value

This is the Best Buy winner because it was the highest scoring headlamp for $20. We found that any headlamp that cost less was so low scoring that it didn't warrant a purchase.

Black Diamond ReVolt Review

Overview

The ReVolt wins our Editors' Choice award as the best rechargeable headlamp by far, and an overall excellent product. While other than in battery life it does not stand out for any one attribute, it is a solid performer all around. Additionally, the battery performance, both in our objective testing and in terms of versatility and usability, is head and shoulders above the competition. Get this model if your top priority is to avoid the waste and time of constantly replacing batteries while using a headlamp in all but the most extreme situations. It's also a great option for extended trips where you don't want to carry extra batteries, as the ReVolt can charge off just about anything with a USB adapter: a solar panel, car cigarette lighter, a laptop, external battery, or a 110 wall outlet with a usb adapter (not included). You can top off the charge every day if you wish, and start each activity with a full charge and piece of mind of how much battery life you have. With most non-rechargeable headlamps, there is no way to tell how close you are to running out of juice. This an ideal feature for heavy headlamp users.

The New Colors for 2016

This Editors' Choice award winner is now available in new colors: Spectrum Blue, Vibrant Orange, Matte Black, Titanium, and Ultra White. Black Diamond did confirm that the color update was the only update to have taken place since we last reviewed this headlamp. Check out the side-by-side comparison; the headlamps (and their colors) are pictured below in the order mentioned above.

Hands-On Review

With rechargeable batteries, excellent battery life, bright-enough beams, and a totally reasonable weight, the primary competitor to the ReVolt is the Petzl Tikka RXP. As we'll outline below, the ReVolt overall exceeds the RXP's performance, as well as surpasses most of the rest of the field. Only the Coast HL7 scores better overall in our rubric. Because of the depth of this field, the variety of applications people find for head-mounted lights, and the basically tied performance of the ReVolt and the Coast, we have given an unprecedented two Editors' Choice awards. While comparing the ReVolt to the RXP, we will also sprinkle in occasional comparisons between the Black Diamond and the Coast.

Performance Comparison

The ReVolt, our Editors' Choice winning headlamp, has a powerful beam, long battery life, and can run off of regular batteries or rechargeables.

Credit: Micah James

Trail Finding

With a 7 of 10 score, the ReVolt was a solid, but not exceptional, performer in the trail finding metric. It has a nice, even beam for seeing what's directly in front of you, but does not excel once looking out more than 50 feet. In this case, the Petzl Tikka RXP edges slightly ahead, with a score of 8 of 10. The beam distance photo below shows how the RXP has similar optics but simply a brighter light.

Beam Distance Photos

Black Diamond ReVolt

Petzl Tikka RXP

As compared to the Coast HL7, nexther the RXP nor the ReVolt send a beam as far. The Coast is the second brightest light in our test.

Beam Distance Photos

Black Diamond ReVolt

Coast HL7

As for its beam shape, there may be some personal preference in how it affects your trail finding. Both the Tikka RXP and the ReVolt have a fairly traditional beam and lens pattern. These lights cast the brightest light in the center and fade it out evenly to zero near the wearer's periphery. The nature of the lens on the Coast gives an even beam across a wide radius, with a hard edge to that light beam. Some love this, others aren't impressed.

Check out our beam comparison tool and all its possible comparisons to fully investigate the differences between headlamp beam shapes and strengths.

Close Proximity

The ReVolt is excellent at close proximity, scoring an 8 of 10. It casts a wide, even beam with very few bright hotspots or dark shadows. This makes it ideal for finding things in your car, hanging around the campfire, reading, and general use. The even light means your head does less twitching around to find things and makes it generally easier on your eyes. It also has a variable dimming feature, which can be useful to save batteries or avoid blinding your campmates when less light is needed.

Close proximity of the ReVolt's beam.

Credit: Shellay Glatz

Battery Life

With its included rechargeable batteries topped off, the ReVolt's high-mode run time exceeded all but the Best Buy Petzl Tikkina. In this test, however, such a comparison is basically a moot point. The ReVolt is so much brighter than the Tikkina that in a lower mode comparable to the Tikkina's brightest and tested mode, (which we did not actually test) the ReVolt may last two to three times as long.

The ReVolt uses 3 AAA Rechargeable Batteries or standard alkaline or lithium batteries, a versatility that is unmatched.

Credit: Shellay Glatz

Additionally, adding confidence to the already strong battery performance of the ReVolt is the rechargeable attribute. Because you can recharge at anytime, you always have a good idea of how much juice is left. Additionally, a battery life indicator on the side of the headlamp indicates roughly how much power remains. You can also grab a charge easily in the field. For example, if you are on a road trip, you can just plug the ReVolt into you cars cigarette adapter and recharge rather than having to pull over and purchase batteries. Finally, the rechargeable battery in the ReVolt is actually three aaa-sized pieces. These can be easily replaced with standard aaa batteries should you wish. We tested the light this way, and found that it didn't burn as long as with the rechargeables. Incidentally, the light is about 20% brighter with non-rechargeables.

Charging the ReVolt headlamp from the Bushnell Solar Panel.

Credit: Chris McNamara

As compared to the Tikka RXP, the ReVolt is in an entirely different league. The RXP is a little brighter, but burns through its proprietary rechargeable in less than one fifth the time. The visual comparison of battery life graphs (below in brightness section) is far more telling than anything further we can say. Additionally, while the RXP can run on standard AAA batteries just like the ReVolt, this requires an aftermarket adapter.

In a world ever crowded with chargers and cords, every one of our testers came to appreciate Black Diamond's move to integrate a battery charger right into the ReVolt. All one needs is a standard (and included) Micro USB cord. One can also replace the rechargeable aaa sized batteries with standard aaa batteries; a brilliant solution.

Credit: Jediah Porter

Brightness

As compared to the entire field, this model does not have a very long beam distance: 56 meters.

Beam distance photo of the BD ReVolt.

Credit: OutdoorGearLab Staff

However, if you eliminate from comparison all products whose batteries last even half as long as those in the ReVolt, our Editors' Choice nod becomes more clear. While 12 headlamps are brighter than the ReVolt, only two (and both of them are Black Diamond products: the Icon and the Storm) of those have batteries that last longer than half what the ReVolt does. Neither comes actually all that close to the battery life performance of this Editors' Choice winner. Both of the products that best compare to the ReVolt, the Coast and the RXP, are quite a bit brighter, but burn through batteries at a more than corresponding rate. See the comparison graphs below for a graphical representation of the difference between the battery life in the Coast and in the ReVolt.

Beam Distance Photos

Black Diamond ReVolt

Petzl Tikka RXP

Beam Distance Photos

Black Diamond ReVolt

Coast HL7

Weight

This headlamp is not heavy, but it is much weightier than the ultra-light models. It scored right in the middle for both size and weight. It is just a little lighter than the RXP and noticeably lighter and less bulky than the Coast.

Ease of Use

The buttons are simple to use and the light tells you if it is charging or not and how much charge you have left. At first it's not clear how many times to hit the button for each mode, but after a few minutes you figure it out.

When the moon isn't quite enough, but one doesn't wish to ruin her night vision, the red mode on a headlamp can be quite valuable. Here, Meagan augments a full moon with the red bulbs on the ReVolt.

Credit: Jediah Porter

This model is a solid but not exceptional glove performer. The one button is relatively easy to find and operate with ski, bike, or fleece gloves.

Best Applications

Ever get annoyed that a pack of AAA batteries at the convenience store can cost more than a diner breakfast? This is the ideal headlamp for the person who is plagued by constantly replacing batteries or just wants to be able to use it every day and know how much battery life they have left. It is also an ideal emergency light to keep in the car (along with a charging cable and usb source) because it can be recharged by many different power sources.