Head Torch Comparisons for 2025

As the evenings grow darker, it's time to think about running safely at night. Over the past month, we've explored the range of head torches available and tested several models ourselves. Below, you'll find a detailed comparison of all the head torches we found on SportsShoes.com that are suitable for off-road night running.

We've highlighted two standout options:

🟢 Best Value for Money

Silva Terra Scout XT – At just £23.99, this torch offers 350 lumens and a 65m beam for up to 5 hours. It’s an excellent choice that outperforms some pricier models. The only drawback is that 350 lumens may occasionally miss a tree root or rock on rough terrain, which could throw you off balance.

🔵 Top Pick for Performance

Silva Trail Runner Free 2 Ultra – This is the torch I personally use. It’s slightly heavier at 146g, but delivers 550 lumens for 5.5 hours with a beam reaching 80m. That’s plenty of light for any runner, and the long battery life is perfect for extended runs—or for those times when you forget to charge it!

Check out the full comparison below to find the right torch for your night runs.

Silva Scout 3

  • Price: £14.99
  • Water Resistance: IPX5
  • Weight: 84g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard
  • Lumens: Max: 220, Standard: 50
  • Discharge Time: Max: 6hr, Standard: 32hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 50m, Standard: 30m
  • Product Link: Silva Scout 3 Headlamp | SportsShoes.com

Silva Terra Scout XT

Silva Ninox 3

  • Price: £24.99
  • Water Resistance: IPX7
  • Weight: 86g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard, Blink, Red
  • Lumens: Max: 300, Standard: 300
  • Discharge Time: Max: 35hr, Standard: 55hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 75m, Standard: 75m
  • Product Link: Silva Ninox 3 Headlamp | SportsShoes.com

Silva Terra Scout X

  • Price: £31.49
  • Water Resistance: IPX5
  • Weight: 84g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard, Red
  • Lumens: Max: 300, Standard: 50
  • Discharge Time: Max: 3hr, Standard: 25hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 60m, Standard: 30m
  • Product Link: Silva Terra Scout X Headlamp | SportsShoes.com

Silva Terra Scout H

  • Price: £34.99
  • Water Resistance: IPX5
  • Weight: 84g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard, Red
  • Lumens: Max: 350, Standard: 50
  • Discharge Time: Max: 3hr, Standard: 25hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 65m, Standard: 30m
  • Product Link: Silva Terra Scout H Headlamp | SportsShoes.com

Silva Runner RC

  • Price: £49.99
  • Water Resistance: IPX5
  • Weight: 84g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard, Low, Blink, Red
  • Lumens: Max: 350, Standard: 150, Low: 50
  • Discharge Time: Max: 5hr, Standard: 10hr, Low: 18hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 75m, Standard: 50m, Low: 20m
  • Product Link: Silva Runner RC Headlamp | SportsShoes.com

Petzl Tikka Core

Silva Trail Runner Free 2

  • Price: £62.99
  • Water Resistance: IPX5
  • Weight: 122g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard, Low
  • Lumens: Max: 450, Standard: 200, Low: 50
  • Discharge Time: Max: 2hr, Standard: 9hr, Low: 20hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 75m, Standard: 50m, Low: 25m
  • Product Link: Silva Trail Runner Free 2 Headlamp - AW25 | SportsShoes.com

Petzl IKO Core

  • Price: £76.49
  • Water Resistance: IPX4
  • Weight: 79g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard, Low
  • Lumens: Max: 500, Standard: 100, Low: 6
  • Discharge Time: Max: 2.5hr, Standard: 9hr, Low: 100hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 100m, Standard: 45m, Low: 10m
  • Product Link: Petzl IKO Core Headtorch - AW25 | SportsShoes.com

Petzl Actik Core

  • Price: £76.99
  • Water Resistance: IPX4
  • Weight: 88g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard, Low, Blink, Red
  • Lumens: Max: 625, Standard: 100, Low: 7
  • Discharge Time: Max: 2hr, Standard: 7hr, Low: 100hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 115m, Standard: 60m, Low: 10m
  • Product Link: Petzl Actik Core Headlamp (625 Lumens) - AW25 | SportsShoes.com

Silva Trail Runner Free 2 Ultra

Petzl Swift RL

  • Price: £107.99
  • Water Resistance: IPX5
  • Weight: 100g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard, Red
  • Lumens: Max: 1100, Standard: 700
  • Discharge Time: Max: 2hr, Standard: 7hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 155m, Standard: 50m
  • Product Link: Petzl Swift RL Headlamp - AW25 | SportsShoes.com

Silva Free 1200 XS

  • Price: £116.99
  • Water Resistance: IPX5
  • Weight: 263g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard, Low
  • Lumens: Max: 1200, Standard: 500, Low: 80
  • Discharge Time: Max: 2hr, Standard: 6hr, Low: 25hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 150m, Standard: 100m, Low: 45m
  • Product Link: Silva Free 1200 XS Headlamp - AW25 | SportsShoes.com

Silva Free 3000 S

  • Price: £215.99
  • Water Resistance: IPX5
  • Weight: 293g
  • Light Modes: Max, Standard, Low
  • Lumens: Max: 3000, Standard: 1000, Low: 80
  • Discharge Time: Max: 1hr, Standard: 2–4hr, Low: 25hr
  • Light Distance: Max: 215m, Standard: 125m, Low: 45m
  • Product Link: Silva Free 3000 S Headlamp - AW25 | SportsShoes.com