Post edited 1:52 pm – August 14, 2012 by admin

We’ve all done it. Taken longer on that climb than we anticipated, been slowed by injury or weather, or benighted by any number of factors. And I’d bet a good number of us have struggled back to the car in the dark, tripping over roots and rocks, because we were going "fast and light", and we wouldn’t need a headlamp weighing down our pack – there’s no way we would still be out after sunset. Reality check – stuff happens, and a headlamp is an essential piece of equipment. With today’s super small, super light lights there really is no excuse to not carry one.

Petzl is a world leader in headlamp technology and reliability. Most outdoorsy people probably have one of the bulkier, bright, long lasting ones with the colourful headbands and heavy battery packs somewhere in their gear closet. I wouldn’t blame you for not wanting to lug that one around, "just in case". The pocket-sized Tikka and Zipka lights, however, can be taken anywhere, and the new versions are every bit as bright, durable, and long-lasting.

Read the full review over here in our 'Off-Season' Gear Review section.