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“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 digicam 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 choose 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 package deal. That’s why it’s our first alternative when our future takes us via the evening. Though it’s a hefty funding, particularly if you happen to go for an extra battery pack, this headlamp is value it if you happen to run 100 milers or embark on adventures that take you thru a number of nights.
Testing the Petzl Nao RL within the discipline. All pictures by Andy Cochrane, except 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 somewhat 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 readily available or make a simple swap between costs. In keeping with Petzl, this battery takes about 3.5 hours to cost and can final via 300 charging cycles.
This headlamp has just a few completely different lighting modes, together with commonplace and Petzl’s Reactive Lighting. Reactive Lighting signifies that the headlamp’s brightness and beam robotically alter based on surrounding ambient gentle — rising dimmer when there’s extra ambient gentle and brighter when there’s much less. This expertise permits the headlamp to self-optimize for each lighting and energy use, permitting the person to concentrate on the path forward and never fidgeting with headlamp changes.
The battery pack, which is positioned on the again of the top, has a purple 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 adequate round camp or on a quick daybreak patrol mission, it’s not brilliant sufficient for many ultrarunners’ drained eyes through the wee morning hours mid-100 miler. Then again, its max energy degree delivers as much as 1,500 lumens however gained’t final via the evening. The usual degree is the center vary of each burn time and energy, and the Reactive Lighting setting affords the longest burn time, though it’s a variety — 5 to 40 hours.
Though the Nao RL is somewhat heavier than our favourite on a regular basis working headlamps, its 5.2-ounce (146 grams) precise weight is true in the course of the highest headlamps for ultrarunning. The important thing distinction between a each day headlamp and one which’s very best for ultrarunning is the battery life. As a result of the perfect ultrarunning lights have sufficient battery energy to final via the evening, they’ve greater battery packs and are due to this fact 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 just a few hours, after which hold a longer-lasting gentle readily available for in a single day missions and 100 milers. Among the many headlamps that may shine via the evening, the Nao RL is loads light-weight.
A again view of the Petzl Nao RL.
Petzl Nao RL Efficiency
I wore the Petzl Nao RL for a whole lot 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 comfy via the evening and by no means brought about any strain factors or rigidity complications.
The Nao RL is straightforward 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, alter the orange strap for the perfect 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 may also help diffuse strain if you happen to’re delicate to headlamp straps in your head, nonetheless 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 somewhat awkward, particularly you probably have a low ponytail or bun. That mentioned, with a gaiter-like headband or backward cap offering somewhat padding, it’s straightforward to neglect 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 often set it at the usual degree to optimize the battery and to make sure it’d final via the evening. Nonetheless, in each the Western States 100 and IMTUF 100 Mile, I reached a degree the place I wished extra gentle via a technical part of path, and I switched to the max energy degree. I anxious about draining the battery, so I carried a backup (albeit, much less brilliant) gentle simply in case.
I used to be stunned to search out that the Nao RL’s battery lasted via the evening, not solely Western States’s roughly eight dead nights, but additionally IMTUF’s 11 dead nights. Whereas these numbers are inside 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 evening and was happy to search out that it did.
Runners could have completely different preferences for headlamp brightness, and their preferences will change based mostly on the terrain. After 5 100 milers and numerous adventures at nighttime, I’ve realized that I’m comfy preserving my gentle as dim as attainable on a gravel highway, pavement, or different open and non-technical surfaces, however I like extra brightness on the path, particularly after I’m working alone.
Now that I’ve obtained 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 evening. 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 house in my hydration pack. I seen that after I stashed it in a rear facet pocket (so I may 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 exhausting 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 sometimes 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 would like simply an hour or two of sunshine in the beginning of a future, as a result of I’ve different lighting choices that pack right down to a couple of third of the dimensions.
The creator taking a breather through the nighttime part of the 2023 IMTUF 100 Mile, sporting the Petzl Nao RL. Picture 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 very best for ultrarunning.
It has a variety of each brightness and battery energy, so runners can discover the proper 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 straightforward to regulate, and the battery pack might be swapped out on the fly. The one draw back is that it’s costly, particularly if you happen to add on an additional battery pack.
That mentioned, 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 evening.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried the Petzl Nao RL? What do you assume?
- For individuals who additionally ran with the unique Petzl Nao, what do you consider this second model?
- What’s your favourite headlamp for each 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. Picture courtesy of Alli Hartz.
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