Weight:

2.8 oz.

Max lumens:

500

Batteries:

Rechargeable/AAA

What we like:

Trail runners will love the strong light, low weight, and versatile battery design.

What we don’t:

Expensive; somewhat polarizing headband design.



Petzl is pushing limits of strap designs for many years among their newest inventions is the exclusive Iko Core. The minimalist headlamp divides its weight between a battery pack in its rear, and an slim light on the forehead. It is linked by a semi-rigid strap that is tightened with an easy tightening. The design helps to keep weight under control and comes with 500 lumens of lightoutput, the Iko is an absolute choice for running on trails. You also get Petzl’s Core rechargeable battery which can be swapped into three AAAs, keeping you going during an adventure race , or ultramarathon.

It’s a great headlamp for mountain and trail running. Iko Core is somewhat pricey at $90 however we’ve experienced a tough time adjusting to its straps that are rigid (pairing this with a hat or headband aids). It’s hard to find a more snug-fitting headlamp with this luminosity, which is an ideal combination for serious mountain and trail athletes (the 500-lumen Sprinter weighs in at 2 12 oz. heavier). Furthermore, the Petzl’s ability for mixed and flood lighting is an impressive improvement in comparison to the Sprinter’s one spotlight. With a rather polarizing design that’s unsuitable for use in casual situations (not to not mention uncomfortable for those who wear) The Iko Core is still a very niche product. Most of the time, we’d choose a headlamp similar to that of the Sprinter or the more flexible BioLite above.

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