If you’re an outdoorsy person and love to go camping, you’re surely aware of the need for a camping flashlight. It’s very likely that wherever you’re going, there won’t be a power source nearby. 
To solve this problem, you’ll need to carry a flashlight with you. No one wants to wander around the woods in the middle of the night without a light source. Modern flashlights have advanced and are now a broad beam of light that will help you survive in the wilderness.

Types of Camping Flashlights

Depending on the specific circumstances of your camping trip, as well as the potential hazards involved, you may want to put some thought into the kind of device you bring along with you.

Hand-Held

These torches are one of the most common ones on the market. People love them and almost any household has one. They’re compact and easy-to-carry camping torches that are great for tasks around the camping site. As technology evolves, many of them got special features such as strobe lights, SOS lights, red lights, glass breakers etc.
They can range in lumen power a lot, anywhere between 200-2000 lumens. Most of them come with a rechargeable battery that lasts differently depending on the light’s brightness level you’re using. Depending on what you need it for, their beam distance can vary also. Some of them go only a few meters in front of you, and some go up to 800m in range.
The only thing that may become tiresome over time, is holding them. Even though they’re not heavy, it can be uncomfortable if you carry them around for a few hours. If you need both of your hands to be free, you may try to consider another lighting option. But overall, they’re a great addition to your camping essentials.

Headlamp

Just as the word suggests, these are lamps that are mounted on your head. They’re excellent if you need both hands for work around the camp such as setting up a tent, cooking, going to the bathroom or looking for some firewood. If you also like hiking and biking this is the right choice. Their lumen power may go up to 5,000 lumens and they usually come with different levels of brightness.
The only drawback of these lights is that they can get uncomfortable to wear after a while. Not everyone can have an elastic band on their head for a long time. Also, when you look directly at people, they’ll get light directly into their eyes. That’s why you should watch out for how you move your head when you’re talking to someone.

Lantern

Another camping lighting option is a lantern. This is a lamp that you don’t have to hold in your hands, you can just hang it on a tree branch or any nearby overhead object. They’re very practical and give out good lighting for many activities. You can cook, read, have your dinner or just sit by the fireplace and have a good time with your friends.
They’re often lightweight, easy to carry and practical to pack and take with you. Some of them may require more time to set up but in the end, it’ll be worth it. They create a nice ambience and illuminate around them like a nice ring. They’re pleasant on the eyes and you can find them in many shapes, sizes and styles with different features.

Heavy-duty Flashlights

A lot of campers and hikers that love a good adventure buy heavy-duty flashlights. This is a camping flashlight that comes with a powerful LED bulb. Some people even choose tactical flashlights to stay protected and have them running for longer periods of time. Heavy-duty flashlights are very durable and don’t produce heat because of the LED bulb. 
This means no energy waste and a longer lifespan. Their lumen power may vary, and the SOS light is often included as a feature. They’re also water resistant so you don’t have to worry about rain or snow.

Light Sticks

If you’re a beginner at camping and you don’t want to invest in a flashlight, some glow sticks are a good option. They provide a temporary light source. You’ll get 360 degrees of strong illumination. They’re around 15cm long, non-flammable and non-toxic. They’re also waterproof and have a loop or hook so you can hang them at the campsite.

What to Consider When Buying

Aside from the make and model of the flashlight, you need to pay attention to several other aspects that make up a good camping experience and keep you safe in the process.

Weight

This is one of the most important factors to consider. You don’t want to carry around an enormous, heavy torch while you’re climbing a hill, going to get some firewood or looking for a good place to set up camp. For this reason, you should go for a flashlight built from a strong yet lightweight material, like aluminium. It’ll still be durable and strong but less heavy. Most of the flashlights on the market weigh around 200g.

Strobe Feature

The strobe feature is also good to have on a flashlight. This can be useful if you need to call for help or frighten away any potential dangers. A flickering light will be seen from a lot further than a steady one. 
So, if you ever find yourself in an emergency, the strobe feature can assist you in catching the eye of any onlookers or close rescuers. Wild animals will run off because blinking lights are not something they enjoy. As a camper, this is a must-have for your next trip.

Lumen Power

Lumen power is essential. It shows how much light can a flashlight emit, which means how bright will the light be. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light and vice versa. A flashlight with 100 lumens, for instance, will be significantly brighter than one with 50 lumens. It’s crucial to remember that a flashlight isn’t always superior simply because it has more lumens. 
The minimum lumen power that you’ll need is 100. Anything above that is great. This choice depends on where you are camping and whether is there another light source with you.

Beam Distance and Type

The beam distance for hikers and campers is at a minimum of 100m. This will provide you with a clear view of the trail ahead and if there’s any danger. There are 2 types of beams: spot and flood. 
The spot one is more focused and can go further. This makes it a good choice if you’re looking for something. On the other hand, the flood beam is wide and illuminates a wider area. If you need a close-up illumination this is the type of beam you need.

Battery

The best camping torches run on rechargeable or disposable batteries. The most common type is the disposable ones. They’re cheap, simple to find and easy to replace. 
But you should have a lot of them at hand and replace them regularly. Rechargeable batteries on the other hand are a bit more expensive but you’ll use them for a long time. Their recharge time will vary from one flashlight to another, but it probably won’t go over 4h.