The new BioLite HeadLamp 200 is an ultra-lightweight rechargeable headlamp that is incredibly comfortable and stays in place on those early morning trail runs or evening camp setups. BioLite sent us a review unit earlier this year and we have been spending the last couple of months putting this headlamp to good use. Below is what we have learned when using it running, hiking, camping, and then just around the house doing odd jobs that we needed a light for.
BioLite is fairly new to the headlamp market, coming out with the HeadLamp 330 only last year. But they are not new to bringing great products to consumers. BioLite started out by developing a wood (or biomass as they call it) burning stove that can charge personal devices while cooking or burning. Ever since that first stove, they have been developing new products for those that love the outdoors as well as trying to fulfill their mission of Energy Everywhere. They now have stoves, power banks, solar kits, and lights. With a little background on the company, now let’s get to the review.
When I received the HeadLamp 200, the first thing I noticed was the headband design. It was not like other headlamp bands that I have used in the past. Most headbands, you adjust to the correct fit and set it and leave it. With the HeadLamp 200, the headband is freer and needs little more adjustment each time you slide the headlamp on. Which I thought was going to be a pain in the neck and which would allow for the headlamp to move around and need constant readjusting to keep it in place. But to my surprise, once I got the lamp fitted it stayed put. I have grown to love this feature as the Headlamp can be quickly and easily adjusted from wearing no hat to putting on a hat or even a helmet. Best of all for our family it can be easily passed around between the kids and easily adjusted to fit their heads.
The next thing that I noticed when getting the HeadLamp 200 was how the headlight’s housing was integrated into the headband. This creates a seamless transition from the band to the light. Which is super comfortable as well. The fabric that BioLite uses on the headband is a moisture-wicking fabric that feels soft, even after wearing out for a run. The only one downside that I see with this design is if somehow you broke your headband it doesn’t appear that you can easily just replace the headband and be back in business. With that said, how many headbands have you broken?
The HeadLamp 200 is a rechargeable light that uses a micro-USB port to charge. A single charge is said to give you up 3 hours of burn time on high and 40 hours on the lowest setting. I have not timed this for a more precise time or to validate this, but I do know that I am not consistently charging the light. One of the nice features that the light has, is when you power it off the small LED flashes green twice when the battery is above 50% and then red twice when below 50%. But will flash 4 times when it seems to be below 10% which is a good indicator that you need to charge it once again.
Like most headlamps on the market today, the HeadLamp 200 does come with multiple lighting modes. It has a white spot, which if you hold the power button can be dimmed if desired. A red flood that can also be dimmed. It also has a white strobe and red strobe. In the last two setting, I hardly ever use. As the name kind of indicates. This light produces 200 lumens on the highest white spot setting. 200 lumens is plenty of light for me to light the path ahead and to work around camp.
To switch between light modes, you simply just click the power button multiple times. And luckily it does remember the last setting you were on. It also has a lock mode which makes it nice for it to not accidentally turn on in your backpack while getting to your next destination.
If you know me, you know that I run in the morning and BioLite sent this headlamp back in January when the mornings were still dark. Because of this, I swamped out my normal headlamp for my next run and out the door, I went. I was amazed at how well the light hugged my head and stayed put the entire run. With some lights, you can get a little bounce with the light, but not here. Being only 50 grams, this headlamp is light, and you almost forget that you are wearing it. I have since used it on many runs both on the road and trails and have been impressed every time. When I had to travel for work earlier this year, it was the light I tossed into my bag.
As I said at first, my family and I have used it on camps, hiking trips and just to do random tasks around the house. It has held up well for all these activities. We have even put it around our dogs’ neck to keep track of him one night while camping. He is a black Goldendoodle and at night he just disappears into the night.
One thing to consider when thinking about getting the HeadLamp 200. It is a rechargeable light, so if you are going on a long backpacking trip, this might not be the best headlamp for you as you cannot just swap out a spare set of batteries. But with that said, if you carry a solar panel or power bank, like a lot of people, do now, you could easily charge this light as well so that might not be a showstopper.
Final words: If you are looking for a lightweight headlamp that is comfortable all day the HeadLamp 200 is worth checking out. I also feel that if you and a partner or kids are switching off wearing the light often, the easily adjusted headband is a big plus. The biggest downside is also a big plus for me and that is that it is rechargeable. If you are big into backpacking for long stretches of time, this light might not be suited for you. But for me, I only think of how many batteries I am saving by not having to keep adding them to this light after a week of trail running.
MSRP: $44.95
Company Website: https://www.bioliteenergy.com/products/headlamp-200
REI: https://www.rei.com/product/171675/biolite-headlamp-200
Backcountry: https://www.backcountry.com/biolite-200-headlamp
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