Switchback Travel

For minimalists and true ounce-counters, our favorite ultralight headlamp of 2022 is the Nitecore NU25. At just a hair under 1 ounce for the lamp itself (more on the strap below), the Nitecore is surprisingly bright with a 360-lumen max output and rechargeable via micro USB. We’ve also found it incredibly easy to operate (this is a common complaint among headlamp users), with one button for the white beam and one for red. All told, as a high-powered emergency light or for those who want to carry the least possible weight on their back, the NU25 is a bright and relatively cheap option.

Keep in mind that the Nitecore NU25 has four brightness settings: 360, 190, 38, and 1 lumen, respectively. There’s no dimmer, which is a bummer, but certainly something we can get used to. In terms of the strap, the included Nitecore option adds nearly an ounce to the equation at 1.9 ounces total, which is slightly heavier than the BioLite 200 mentioned above. But the Nitecore is the better performer, running for 5 hours on high (190 lumens) compared to the BioLite’s 3 hours at 200 lumens. And for true minimalists and thru-hikers, Litesmith makes a shoestring-style headband for the NU25 that clocks in at just .18 ounces (you can also DIY with a piece of shockcord), bringing the whole setup to 1.17 ounces total. For another capable UL option, see Petzl's 1.2-ounce Bindi below.See the Nitecore NU25

USB Headlamp Comparison