Petzl SWIFT LT Headlamp Overview

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At 1.5 ounces, the Petzl SWIFT LT is competitively light-weight. The lamp’s 100-lumen commonplace mode dealt with most of our path and camp use with no need to faucet into the very best “max energy” setting. Nevertheless, there are trade-offs to the minimalist design: The mounted extensive beam tops out at 230 toes (70 meters), the pink mild is pretty dim, cost time runs round 3 hours from empty, and there’s no pass-through choice if the battery dies mid-outing. 

Light-weight gear often comes with noteworthy compromises, and the SWIFT LT isn’t any exception. There’s a set extensive beam, no spot mode, IPX4 climate resistance, and a shock twine instead of a standard headband. Fortunately, most of those turned out to be much less problematic than anticipated in testing. For ultralight runners, thru-hikers, and backcountry skiers who’ve already dedicated to going mild, the SWIFT LT is price critical consideration. 

Take a look at our information to the most effective headlamps for extra prime picks, knowledgeable suggestions, and recommendations on choosing the right choices accessible.

How We Examined

We examined the SWIFT LT over a number of months in Colorado, together with pre-dawn path runs within the foothills, backcountry ski laps, and multi-night backpacking journeys. Our analysts targeted on the makes use of and situations it was designed for – high-output motion, sustained camp use, mild snow and rain – together with just a few it wasn’t.

Illumination & Gentle High quality

The SWIFT LT produces a large, uniform beam throughout three white modes: max burn time (low) at 7 lumens, commonplace at 100 lumens, and max energy (excessive) at 380 lumens. Max energy is meaningfully vibrant for a headlamp this mild, and commonplace mode at 100 lumens dealt with nearly all of our path and camp duties with out concern. The sunshine colour skews cool and is noticeably bluer than Petzl’s personal ACTIK CORE or the impartial output of the Black Diamond Spot collection. The cooler mild reads effectively on technical terrain, although we did expertise some eye fatigue after a number of hours of use.

The place the SWIFT LT falls a bit quick is its throw. The mounted extensive beam reaches 230 toes at max energy, which works positive for wooded singletrack and camp use. That mentioned, you’ll really feel the ceiling on open ridgelines or quick descents when trying farther forward is helpful. 

Burn Time

Battery life is stable given the SWIFT LT’s intentions. Max burn time at 7 lumens lasts 60 hours – helpful as a low-draw reserve however too dim for transferring on undulating trails or variable terrain. Normal mode at 100 lumens delivers 6 hours with an extra 2-hour reserve, which coated our path runs, night camp chores whereas backpacking, and most multi-day journeys with out concern. Max energy at 380 lumens lasts for two hours.

The charging scenario is a bit of murky. The SWIFT LT expenses by way of USB-C, nevertheless it persistently took our unit 3 hours to refill from empty. That’s fairly sluggish for a headlamp with an 880 mAh battery. For comparability, the equally intentioned Nitecore NU25 UL comes with a 650 mAh battery (which gives about 65% of the SWIFT LT’s the power capability) and expenses in beneath 1.5 hours. There’s additionally no pass-through charging, so an exterior battery received’t hold it working mid-objective. On longer adventures, you’ll must plan round that. 

Weight

At 1.5 ounces, the SWIFT LT is feathery mild with a barely there really feel to match. We by no means seen it on path runs, and it added nearly nothing to our pack weight on backpacking journeys. A number of the financial savings comes from the shock twine headband, which lacks the majority of a standard strap – the type of design determination that is sensible to those that noticed the deal with off their toothbrush. The twine requires two fingers to regulate – a minor inconvenience throughout setup that disappears when you dial within the match. For ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, path runners, and backcountry customers who prioritize retaining their equipment mild, the SWIFT LT is difficult to beat.

Consolation

Ultralight headlamps are hardly ever very snug. Designs with shock cord-style straps don’t defend towards plastic-to-skin contact, so most of the time, which means the plastic headlamp physique is resting towards your brow. These straps can also’t distribute the strain round your head in addition to thicker, extra conventional straps, which may generally result in discomfort or irritation. Fortunately, the SWIFT LT is pretty cozy regardless of its unapologetically streamlined design. 

By path runs, backcountry ski laps, prolonged backpacking outings, and sprinting after toddlers, the SWIFT LT held securely in place. The skinny twine breathes noticeably higher than a standard headband when the going will get sweaty. Adjustment requires two fingers to cinch, which is a small inconvenience, although we had our match dialed in after just a few seconds and didn’t give it some thought after that.

The lean operate added extra to consolation than we anticipated. When worn angled ahead across the neck on rocky path sections, the decrease mild place takes strain off the brow solely and improves depth notion sufficient that a number of of our analysts made it an everyday behavior. We did be aware minor strain from the twine throughout lengthy, low-intensity nights, nevertheless it by no means rose to the extent of being an actual criticism.

Ease of Use

The SWIFT LT makes use of a single-button interface that’s quite simple and intuitive out of the field. A single press turns the lamp on at max burn time (7 lumens), and extra presses cycle by means of commonplace (100 lumens) and max energy (380 lumens) earlier than returning to the bottom setting. Holding the button switches to red-light mode; a second press cycles to pink strobe.

To entry the lock operate, simply maintain the button till the indicator blinks. The battery cost indicator reveals remaining energy every time the lamp activates or off, which is useful. The one button cycles by means of all three white modes earlier than looping again to off, so in case you overshoot your most popular brightness degree, it’s a must to click on throughout earlier than beginning once more.

Options

The SWIFT LT’s function listing is brief, and most of what’s on it really works effectively. Three white modes cowl the reasonable vary of ultralight makes use of. The lean operate is effectively executed. Angling the lamp upward when worn round our neck was helpful sufficient on rocky terrain that it turned a behavior for us.

The lock operate is dependable, although it’s commonplace on most fashionable headlamps. Reflective threading woven by means of the headscarf improves visibility in low mild. The pink mild is the weak spot, comprising a 2-lumen slim beam that works positive for studying in a tent or finding gear in a pack however isn’t a lot assist for transferring rapidly on path. There’s no pass-through charging, no spare battery choice, no beam adjustment, and a middling IPX4 climate resistance ranking.

Ought to You Purchase the Petzl SWIFT LT?

The SWIFT LT is the proper headlamp if going mild is your prime precedence and you already know what you’re giving up. We suggest it for path runners, thru-hikers, backcountry skiers, and ultralight backpackers who want a feathery however dependable choice for transferring quick at nighttime. The strap holds securely at a dash, the low-profile unit is imperceptible on the transfer, and 100 lumens on commonplace mode covers most conditions with out hammering the battery.

Skip the SWIFT LT if beam throw issues. The mounted extensive beam tops out at 230 toes, which you’ll really feel on uncovered ridgelines and alpine begins. The pink mild is slim and dim, cost time is sluggish, and a lifeless battery mid-outing can’t be mounted with an exterior energy financial institution. For customers who want extra flexibility at nighttime, there are higher choices accessible.

What Different Headlamps Ought to You Contemplate?

In case you just like the SWIFT LT, you must also take a look at the fashions under and try our information to the most effective headlamps:

Nitecore NU25 UL Overview: The NU25 UL is 0.14 ounces heavier than the SWIFT LT however steps as much as 400 lumens, gives spot and flood modes, and has extra strong IP66 waterproofing. The SWIFT LT has a extra refined match and really feel on the top, although the NU25 UL delivers extra options and higher waterproofing for significantly much less.

Black Diamond Spot 400-R Overview: Transferring away from the ultralight area to a extra well-rounded headlamp, the Spot 400-R checks numerous packing containers for outdoor-goers of all types. It’s heavier at 3 ounces however throws to 328 toes, provides IP67 waterproofing, and incorporates a extra conventional strap.

Petzl ACTIK CORE Overview: If you wish to keep within the Petzl lineup however want extra output and battery flexibility, the ACTIK CORE is an effective guess. It delivers 625 lumens at max brightness, has a 377-foot throw, and could be powered by both its rechargeable battery or three AAAs. Weight jumps to three.1 ounces, however the efficiency acquire is price that trade-off for a lot of outside makes use of.