“And that may be a … that may be a HEADLAMP. She’s blinding our cameras with it.”
Whereas the 2023 Western States 100 livestream commentators and digital camera operators could not have appreciated my Petzl Nao RL ($170) beaming into their drained eyes at 4:30 a.m. as I crossed the end line, I can’t consider a greater public endorsement for this headlamp. You’re welcome, Petzl. It’s no surprise this gentle was our prime decide for ultrarunning in our greatest working headlamps information.
With an precise weight of 5.2 ounces (146 grams) and producing as much as 1,500 lumens of cool, white gentle, this headlamp packs a variety of energy and brightness into a comparatively small, light-weight bundle. That’s why it’s our first alternative when our long term takes us via the night time. Though it’s a hefty funding, particularly in case you go for a further battery pack, this headlamp is price it in case you run 100 milers or embark on adventures that take you thru a number of nights.
Testing the Petzl Nao RL within the discipline. All photographs by Andy Cochrane, until in any other case famous.
Petzl Nao RL Options and Specs
The Petzl Nao RL is constructed with a chargeable 3,200-milliampere-hour lithium-ion battery. It was a bit tough to arrange the primary time, however the packaging consists of clear directions, and as soon as it’s set, it’s straightforward to recharge and swap the battery pack.
Petzl calls this battery R1 and sells particular person R1 battery packs individually for $70, if you wish to hold a back-up available or make a straightforward swap between prices. In line with Petzl, this battery takes about 3.5 hours to cost and can final via 300 charging cycles.
This headlamp has a number of totally different lighting modes, together with commonplace and Petzl’s Reactive Lighting. Reactive Lighting signifies that the headlamp’s brightness and beam mechanically regulate in response to surrounding ambient gentle — rising dimmer when there’s extra ambient gentle and brighter when there’s much less. This know-how permits the headlamp to self-optimize for each lighting and energy use, permitting the person to give attention to the path forward and never twiddling with headlamp changes.
The battery pack, which is positioned on the again of the pinnacle, has a crimson gentle that may be set to steady, strobe, or off.
A facet view of the Petzl Nao RL.
Inside every of those lighting choices, the Nao RL might be adjusted between three brightness ranges: max burn time, commonplace, and max energy. Whereas max burn time is enough round camp or on a quick daybreak patrol mission, it’s not vibrant sufficient for many ultrarunners’ drained eyes throughout the wee morning hours mid-100 miler. Then again, its max energy stage delivers as much as 1,500 lumens however gained’t final via the night time. The usual stage is the center vary of each burn time and energy, and the Reactive Lighting setting presents the longest burn time, though it’s a variety — 5 to 40 hours.
Though the Nao RL is a bit heavier than our favourite on a regular basis working headlamps, its 5.2-ounce (146 grams) precise weight is correct in the midst of the highest headlamps for ultrarunning. The important thing distinction between a every day headlamp and one which’s splendid for ultrarunning is the battery life. As a result of the very best ultrarunning lights have sufficient battery energy to final via the night time, they’ve greater battery packs and are subsequently barely heavier.
Whilst you can definitely use one gentle for each your on a regular basis pre-dawn or sundown runs and your subsequent 100 miler, some runners will go for a light-weight headlamp after they solely want gentle for a number of hours, after which hold a longer-lasting gentle available for in a single day missions and 100 milers. Among the many headlamps that may shine via the night time, the Nao RL is a lot light-weight.
A again view of the Petzl Nao RL.
Petzl Nao RL Efficiency
I wore the Petzl Nao RL for a whole bunch of early morning, late night, and in a single day miles throughout 2023 whereas coaching for and racing each the Western States 100 and IMTUF 100 Mile. In each races, I wore the headlamp over a backward cap or a folded-up gaiter. This headlamp was snug via the night time and by no means brought about any strain factors or rigidity complications.
The Nao RL is simple to regulate whereas working, utilizing the orange wire and a small orange tab that sits above the battery pack on the again of the headlamp. Merely flip the tab up, regulate the orange strap for the very best match, then push the tab again down. Additionally included with this lighting system is an elastic cable strap that may be added to the highest. This extra strap can assist diffuse strain in case you’re delicate to headlamp straps in your head, nevertheless I by no means felt the necessity for this extra strap.
In our greatest working headlamps article, we dinged the Petzl Nao RL for its consolation. Whereas it’s nonetheless our top-choice ultrarunning headlamp, its elastic cable development is a bit awkward, particularly in case you have a low ponytail or bun. That stated, with a gaiter-like headband or backward cap offering a bit padding, it’s straightforward to overlook you’re even sporting this headlamp.
A left facet, again view of the Petzl Nao RL.
Greater than something, I used to be impressed with the Nao RL’s battery energy. Throughout my in a single day races, I used the Reactive Lighting setting and normally set it at the usual stage to optimize the battery and to make sure it’d final via the night time. Nevertheless, in each the Western States 100 and IMTUF 100 Mile, I reached some extent the place I wished extra gentle via a technical part of path, and I switched to the max energy stage. I fearful about draining the battery, so I carried a backup (albeit, much less vibrant) gentle simply in case.
I used to be shocked to search out that the Nao RL’s battery lasted via the night time, not solely Western States’s roughly eight dead nights, but additionally IMTUF’s 11 dead nights. Whereas these numbers are throughout the up-to-24 hours listed on Petzl’s web site, and I used to be not utilizing max energy all the time, I didn’t absolutely belief the headlamp to final via the night time and was happy to search out that it did.
Runners could have totally different preferences for headlamp brightness, and their preferences will change based mostly on the terrain. After 5 100 milers and numerous adventures at midnight, I’ve discovered that I’m snug protecting my gentle as dim as potential on a gravel street, pavement, or different open and non-technical surfaces, however I like extra brightness on the path, particularly once I’m working alone.
Now that I’ve received some expertise with the Nao RL, I’ll doubtless set it at max energy with Reactive Lighting anytime I’m on singletrack within the forest at night time. I’ll proceed carrying a backup headlamp or, higher but, a second Petzl R1 battery pack that I can simply swap on the fly.
Lastly, whereas this gentle packs down small contemplating its battery pack, it nonetheless occupies a piece of area in my hydration pack. I observed that once I stashed it in a rear facet pocket (so I might entry it with out stopping or eradicating my pack), I had to verify it was positioned flush in opposition to my again, or I’d really feel its onerous plastic edges urgent in opposition to my low again. In fact, this was not a problem if I saved it in my vest’s bigger again pocket, however then I needed to take my pack off or get assist from a pacer to dig it out.
For these causes, I usually left the headlamp with my crew throughout races till I wanted it after which dropped it with them once more after dawn. Because of this, I gained’t essentially attain for this headlamp if I want simply an hour or two of sunshine at first of a long term, as a result of I’ve different lighting choices that pack all the way down to a few third of the scale.
The creator taking a breather throughout the nighttime part of the 2023 IMTUF 100 Mile, sporting the Petzl Nao RL. Photograph courtesy of Alli Hartz.
Petzl Nao RL Total Impressions
The Petzl Nao RL is a dependable gentle that’s each highly effective and compact. Whereas it’s costly, it’s a premium, feature-packed gentle that’s splendid for ultrarunning.
It has a variety of each brightness and battery energy, so runners can discover the right steadiness of sunshine and run-time for his or her particular person preferences and the calls for of the terrain, climate, and goal at hand. This gentle is simple to regulate, and the battery pack might be swapped out on the fly. The one draw back is that it’s costly, particularly in case you add on an additional battery pack.
That stated, it’s our favourite headlamp for ultrarunning in our greatest working headlamps information, and it’s well worth the funding for any runner who commonly runs for a number of hours at night time.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried the Petzl Nao RL? What do you suppose?
- For many who additionally ran with the unique Petzl Nao, what do you consider this second model?
- What’s your favourite headlamp for every day use and/or ultrarunning?
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
The creator sporting the Petzl Nao RL on the 2023 Western States 100 end line. Photograph courtesy of Alli Hartz.
