I’ll admit it—I haven’t always been a fan of running with a headlamp. If I needed to head out before sunrise or after sunset, I’d usually grab a flashlight instead. Most headlamps I’ve tried have felt bulky, bounced around, or just weren’t comfortable enough to forget they were there. Add in constantly replacing batteries, and they were never something I looked forward to wearing.
The Knog Bilby 400 changed that. Here are a few things that stood out after spending time with it.
Compact Design
The first thing I noticed was just how streamlined it is. Rather than feeling like someone strapped a flashlight to your forehead, the Bilby looks like it was actually designed with runners in mind. In fact, my wife summed it up perfectly: “That actually looks like a headlamp made for runners.”
Nothing sticks out, nothing catches your attention while you’re moving, and the low-profile design makes it easy to forget you’re even wearing it.
Lightweight Comfort
At 90 grams, the Bilby isn’t the absolute lightest headlamp on the market, but it certainly feels that way. The weight is spread evenly across the silicone band instead of hanging off the front of your head, which makes a noticeable difference during longer runs.
Rechargeable Simplicity
One of my favorite features is the built-in USB charger. Instead of hunting down charging cables or swapping batteries, you simply pop the light pod out of the silicone band and plug it directly into a USB port. A full charge takes about four hours, and you’re ready for plenty more early morning or evening miles.
A Secure Fit
The medical-grade silicone band is surprisingly comfortable and grips just enough to stay put without feeling tight. Whether I wore it directly on my head or over a beanie, it never bounced or needed constant adjusting. Once I dialed in the fit with the simple rear toggle, I basically forgot it was there.
Plenty of Lighting Options
The Bilby packs five LEDs that each serve a purpose: a powerful main beam, wide and mid-range beams, a red light for preserving night vision, and downward-facing lights that are handy for reading maps or gear. Each lighting mode includes four brightness levels, with the brightest beam reaching up to 100 meters.
The only real downside for me is learning the controls. Two buttons handle everything, but different combinations of short presses and long presses unlock different functions depending on whether the light is already on or off. It’s functional once you learn it, but there was definitely a learning curve. I still find myself double-checking the instructions every now and then.
Color Choices
This might not matter to everyone, but it’s nice to have options. Instead of the typical “black only” approach, the Bilby is available in Fluoro Orange, Putty Grey, Violet Blue, and Black.
Final Thoughts
The Bilby 400 completely changed how I feel about running with a headlamp. Instead of avoiding them whenever possible, I actually find myself reaching for it before an early morning or evening run. It’s comfortable, thoughtfully designed, and solves many of the common complaints runners have had with traditional headlamps. If you’ve written off headlamps in the past, the Bilby 400 might just change your mind too.
