James Forrest
Cosmo 300 £30
A prolific peak bagger and wild camper who’s climbed hundreds of mountains in the UK and abroad, James gives his gear a serious thrashing on every trip.
Revamped for 2020, the Cosmo 300 is a lightweight, compact and effective headtorch at a bargain price.
The classic design features an adjustable headband and simple headlamp with just two buttons (power and lock) and a hinge for altering the beam angle. Maximum output is a solid 300 lumens with 74m range, or for mid-distance use the 150 lumens option is ideal. For reading in your tent, a 6 lumens mode provides a whopping 200 hours burn time, or you might prefer the red night vision mode. Toggling between these modes is hassle-free, thanks to the dual buttons, while three AAA alkaline, rechargeable or Lithium batteries provide the power, meaning spares can be carried.
But this headtorch’s real selling point is its IPX8 rating (tested to operate at least 1.1m underwater for 30 minutes), making it the most waterproof product on test – perfect for Britain’s rainy climes.
IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY
There is no in-built recharging mechanism, which seems a little outdated and inconvenient. At 83g, it’s a touch on the heavy side, and – like all traditional, fabric-style headbands – it can prove a little uncomfortable during prolonged use.
“The most waterproof head torch here – perfect for Britain’s rainy climes”
This ultra-minimalist headtorch has two unique selling points: weight and comfort. Clocking in at just 50g, it is easily the lightest on test (29g lighter than the next lightest), thanks to a pared back and streamlined design. It certainly won’t weigh you down or feel bulky or cumbersome on your head.
This ultralight approach helps maximise comfort, as does the excellent headband, which has an ergonomic, snug fit and welldesigned materials that are soft and smooth on the skin. Biolite claims it’s ‘so comfortable, you’ll forget you’re wearing it’. It’s not quite that good, but it’s probably the comfiest on test.
The headlamp can be tilted to find the perfect angle for the beam, which can be toggled between high (200 lumens) and low (5 lumens) settings. You also get strobe and red light modes, and the internal Lithium-ion battery pack recharges via USB.
For adventures where every gram counts, this is a great ultralight option.
IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY
It’s the least powerful on test, with a maximum output of only 200 lumens and the lowest beam distance of 50m, while the burn time isn’t great either. The £45 price tag is a little high too. You can get better overall stats from a £30 headtorch, but it won’t be as light as the Biolite.
■ MAX POWER
200 lumens for 3 hours
■ MAX BURN TIME
40 hours at 5 lumens
■ MAX BEAM DISTANCE 50m
■ BATTERIES Rechargeable Lithium-ion pack
■ WEIGHT 50g
■ INGRESS PROTECTION RATING IPX4 (splash-proof)
“Great headtorch for adventures where every gram counts”
Rarely does a product come along that’s so different, unique and innovative, but this is one.
Petzl has totally re-imagined the headtorch with an eyecatching, modern design. There is no fabric headband. Instead you get the so-called AIRFIT headband, a sleek, semi-rigid band with a sunglasses-like fit and shape. It’s super-comfy, with weight balanced evenly between the rear battery pack and front lamp plate. The latter is ultrathin and features seven LEDs with three power modes and two beam types (flood or mixed).
At just 79g, it feels light and airy during exercise – Petzl calls it ‘imperceptible’ – compared to a sweaty, irritation-inducing fabric band. All stats are premium (500 lumens and 100 hours of burn time) and the battery is impressively versatile too – recharge via USB or switch out for three AAAs. The frame also folds away compactly into a carry case, which doubles as a nifty tent lantern when the torch is on. Ingenious stuff.
IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY
Only time will tell whether this design is genuinely gamechanging or simply a gimmick, and the off-the-wall approach probably won’t float everyone’s boat. It’s expensive, there’s no red light option and the IPX4 rating is not fully waterproof.
■ MAX POWER 500 lumens for 2.5 hours
■ MAX BURN TIME
100 hours at 6 lumens
■ MAX BEAM DISTANCE 100m ■ BATTERIES 1250 mAh CORE rechargeable pack or 3x AAAs ■ WEIGHT 79g
■ INGRESS PROTECTION RATING IPX4 (splash-proof)
“An innovative, super-comfy headtorch with impressive stats”