Backpacking lights illuminate the night, transforming the darkness into a canvas of opportunity. Headlamps offer hands-free convenience, perfect for setting up camp, navigating trails, or reading a map. Compact, powerful flashlights are ideal for close-up tasks like fixing gear or checking a map.
Whether exploring a forest at night or needing a reliable light source for your campsite, backpacking lights are essential for any outdoor adventure!
Streamlight MicroStream Backpacking Light
This small light fits in the palm of your hand but doesn’t compromise on power.
Put this light in your pocket or clip it to the brim of your hat and have light wherever you go.
Introducing the Streamlight Microstream flashlight—a compact powerhouse on a single AAA alkaline battery. Its user-friendly tail cap switch lets you easily toggle between momentary or constant light. This light offers convenience with its handy pocket/hat clip. Built from durable machined aluminum featuring a robust Type II Military Spec anodized finish.
Measuring just 3.6 inches in length and weighing only 1.10 ounces (with battery included), this flashlight is both lightweight and portable. The unbreakable polycarbonate lens houses advanced C4® LED technology, providing an impressive 420-candela peak beam intensity, a beam distance of 41 meters, and an output of 45 lumens. Enjoy a reliable run time of 2.25 hours, making it perfect for everyday use.
Illumination and Hydration
Introducing the SOL Venture Solar Water Bottle Lantern, a 24-ounce (700mL) BPA-FREE Eastman Tritan™ water bottle that doubles as a powerful LED lantern. With a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it offers versatile charging options via USB or sunlight, fully recharging in 2.5 hours or soaking up the sun in about 25 hours.
Featuring three lighting modes, it adjusts brightness from 20 to 100 lumens and provides up to 10 hours of continuous light. Made from shatter-resistant Tritan, the bottle is safe, durable, and dishwasher safe (bottle only) with a convenient carrying handle.
Backpacking Lights Field Test
The designers created the Streamlight MicroStream without intending to make it a backpacking light. However, It’s been mine since I got it. It’s tough as nails and easy to buy AAA batteries worldwide.
I don’t hike at night because it invites injuries. But in camp, there’s much to do in the dark. The convenient hat clip works well and attaches the light in a stable position. However, I rarely wear a cap with a bill at night, especially in winter. So, I made a super simple headband holder from elastic and velcro to accommodate the MicroStream.
For quick checks to see what that noise was in camp or rummaging in a pack, it’s hard to beat the AAA wonder. And if you need both hands and don’t have a hat or headband for it, use your teeth. This light should be in the pockets of every EDC kit and the pack or pouch of every camper and backpacker!
The SOL Venture was a piece of gimmicky gear at first. Then I used it. I took it to a hotel, and it was my quick grab light and my water on the nightstand. I took it to Georgia and Alabama, and it caught the attention of some hardened outdoors folks. They thought it was cool, and so did I.
We used it at night and in the many camps above the grill. When filled with water or a colored drink, it illuminates like a lantern. With the top removed, it becomes a mini-spotlight.
Powered By The Sun
SOL Venture Solar Water Bottle Lantern charges via USB and by the sun while hiking or lounging around the woods. It needs UV rays and will charge on a cloudy day. I’ve seen it myself. Seeing is believing. Try it out.
Finale
Kids love the SOL Venture Solar Water Bottle Lantern, and parents like the functionality. The Streamlight MicroStream is a no-frills, hardcore, tough light weighing nearly nothing. Stay hydrated and illuminated with one of these mighty backpacking lights on your outdoor adventures!
For more information, please check out Streamlight and Survive Outdoors Longer.
