“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 mild was our high decide for ultrarunning in our greatest operating headlamps information.
With an precise weight of 5.2 ounces (146 grams) and producing as much as 1,500 lumens of cool, white mild, this headlamp packs a number of energy and brightness into a comparatively small, light-weight bundle. That’s why it’s our first alternative when our future takes us by means of the evening. 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 subject. All images 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 contains 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 preserve a back-up available or make a straightforward swap between costs. In accordance with Petzl, this battery takes about 3.5 hours to cost and can final by means of 300 charging cycles.
This headlamp has a number of totally different lighting modes, together with commonplace and Petzl’s Reactive Lighting. Reactive Lighting implies that the headlamp’s brightness and beam routinely regulate in keeping with surrounding ambient mild — rising dimmer when there’s extra ambient mild and brighter when there’s much less. This expertise permits the headlamp to self-optimize for each lighting and energy use, permitting the consumer to deal with the path forward and never twiddling with headlamp changes.
The battery pack, which is positioned on the again of the top, has a pink mild that may be set to steady, strobe, or off.
A aspect 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 short daybreak patrol mission, it’s not vibrant sufficient for many ultrarunners’ drained eyes through the wee morning hours mid-100 miler. However, its max energy stage delivers as much as 1,500 lumens however gained’t final by means of the evening. The usual stage is the center vary of each burn time and energy, and the Reactive Lighting setting provides 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 operating headlamps, its 5.2-ounce (146 grams) precise weight is true in the midst of the highest headlamps for ultrarunning. The important thing distinction between a every day headlamp and one which’s ultimate for ultrarunning is the battery life. As a result of the very best ultrarunning lights have sufficient battery energy to final by means of the evening, they’ve greater battery packs and are due to this fact barely heavier.
When you can actually use one mild 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 mild for a number of hours, after which preserve a longer-lasting mild available for in a single day missions and 100 milers. Among the many headlamps that may shine by means of 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 lots of 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 by means of the evening and by no means brought about any stress factors or stress complications.
The Nao RL is simple to regulate whereas operating, utilizing the orange twine 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 may also help diffuse stress in case you’re delicate to headlamp straps in your head, nonetheless I by no means felt the necessity for this extra strap.
In our greatest operating headlamps article, we dinged the Petzl Nao RL for its consolation. Whereas it’s nonetheless our top-choice ultrarunning headlamp, its elastic cable building is a bit awkward, particularly if 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 aspect, 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 by means of the evening. Nevertheless, in each the Western States 100 and IMTUF 100 Mile, I reached a degree the place I wished extra mild by means of 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) mild simply in case.
I used to be shocked to seek out that the Nao RL’s battery lasted by means of the evening, not solely Western States’s roughly eight dead nights, but in addition 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 by means of the evening and was happy to seek out that it did.
Runners may have totally different preferences for headlamp brightness, and their preferences will change primarily based on the terrain. After 5 100 milers and numerous adventures in the dead of night, I’ve discovered that I’m snug holding my mild 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 once I’m operating 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 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 mild packs down small contemplating its battery pack, it nonetheless occupies a piece of area in my hydration pack. I seen that once I stashed it in a rear aspect pocket (so I may entry it with out stopping or eradicating my pack), I had to ensure 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 would like simply an hour or two of sunshine initially of a future, as a result of I’ve different lighting choices that pack right down to a few third of the scale.
The writer 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 mild that’s each highly effective and compact. Whereas it’s costly, it’s a premium, feature-packed mild that’s ultimate for ultrarunning.
It has a variety of each brightness and battery energy, so runners can discover the right stability 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 mild 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 operating headlamps information, and it’s definitely worth the funding for any runner who frequently runs for a number of hours at evening.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried the Petzl Nao RL? What do you assume?
- 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 writer sporting the Petzl Nao RL on the 2023 Western States 100 end line. Picture courtesy of Alli Hartz.
