Looking for a new headlamp to allow you to see and be seen on your evening runs as we push through until summer? The new BioLite 450 Headlamp may very well fit the bill. This is one of the lightest headlamps I’ve used and also one of the most comfortable. Weighing in at only 78g with a max output of 450 lumens, you’re not sacrificing brightness for weight.
Some of you may already be using the BioLite Headlamp 425 that has been out for a bit with excellent reviews, again, due to its high output, light weight, and relatively long battery life. Think of the BioLite Headlamp 450 as the upgrade to THAT upgrade.
Specs:
- Lumens: 450
- Modes:
- Red Flood + Dimming
- White Flood + Dimming
- White Strobe
- White Spot + Dimming
- Red Rear Strobe
- Burn Time: 40 at Low / 3 at High
- Battery: 1000 mAh
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Weight: 78g
As a runner in Oregon during the winter who works 10-hour days, most of the time that means I have to run at night after work or early in the morning beforehand when it’s still dark out. Having a headlamp is a necessity for both safety and visibility. Putting this one through the ringer would be an easy task.
My first thoughts when I took this out of the box were focused on how light the thing was. I have several headlamps from various manufacturers that I’ve used throughout the years, but this one is still shockingly light. Normally, losing weight equates to losing power due to a smaller battery, or lower output, or both. Not the case here. 
Adjusting the lamp is extremely easy (as it should be) and was relatively quick to fit to my head. If I’m wearing gear while running and I continue to notice it, it gets thrown in a drawer never to be seen or heard from again. The headlamp is not only adjustable both in fit, angle, and output, but the darn thing keeps going. They tout 3-hour battery life at full output and 40 hours on low.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t go on a 3-hour run at full output, nor did I test it for 40 hours on low. I will say though, it never died on any of my runs and maybe I’m not the norm here but I charge my gear the night before I use it so I can’t contest to the longevity of the battery other than I only used it at full output on multiple runs without any problems.
Final thoughts on the BioLite HeadLamp 450 are pretty positive. It has great battery life, great output, and is extremely lightweight. Cons would be the shorter battery life (I know, how is 3 hrs short?) for all of you ultra runners out there, and the cost – while worth it – is an investment over basic (and to be honest uncomfortable) headlamps you get from Amazon.
Honestly, I would much rather spend a few extra dollars for a more wearable and usable running headlamp that will continue to be used than skimp on price to end up buying something more expensive in the end.
BioLite Dash 450 $59.95
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