BioLite HeadLamp 750 Review

BioLite has in recent years produced some excellent lightweight, USB-rechargeable headlamps. The 1.7-ounce BioLite HeadLamp 200 is my absolute go-to. The company’s latest model, the BioLite HeadLamp 750, trades not so much on weight as it does on versatility, power, and sheer ability to light the darkness before you.

The BioLite HeadLamp 750 can illuminate your trail for an astonishing 150 hours at low power, and a whopping seven hours at high power. It’s got eight modes that can cast light some 75 feet ahead of you.

I received the headlamp in late summer and have taken it out at night several times, in the forest and on the beach, in hot, damp weather and pouring rain. There’s little question of the utility of the Biolite 750, but is it a realistic option for thru-hiking?

The author, sporting the BioLite HeadLamp 750 (and a COVID haircut). Clay Bonnyman Evans photo.

BioLite HeadLamp 750  At-a-Glance

Weight: 5.3 ounces
MSRP: $99.95
Battery life: 150 hours low; 7 hours high; 8 hours reserve
Lighting: 750 lumens max
Beam distance: 400 feet
Water resistance: IPX4 (protects from splashing water from any direction); rubber caps cover critical ingress points
Modes: Red flood; white spot; white flood; spot + flood; white strobe; 30-second burst; rear red strobe; rear red flood
Power: USB rechargeable 3000 megahertz battery

Photo courtesy BioLite.

Form and Fit

As with BioLite’s other models, the 750 has a super comfortable, easily adjustable, moisture-wicking headband. It’s snug without feeling bulky. But it differs significantly from BioLite’s less powerful models, in that it has not only a front-facing lamp but also a considerably heavier rear-facing lamp and battery pack. Given that the 750 is three times heavier than the 200, it’s not surprising that you feel the weight considerably more when wearing it.

BioLite HeadLamp 750. Clay Bonnyman Evans photo.

Controls

BioLite has developed a clean, intuitive system for changing modes and brightness and includes a very useful “lock” mode to prevent you from inadvertently draining the battery in your pack. The front unit is a single button used to turn the headlamp on and off. It switches between red flood, white flood, white spot, 30-second burst, and white strobe with a series of clicks. From any given mode, you can steadily press the button to dim or brighten the beam. To lock or unlock, press down for six seconds. The tail light works the same way but offers just two modes: red flood and red strobe.

Brightness

This, to me, is the top feature on the BioLite 750. If you’ve ever found yourself in the dark, wishing you could see more than 50 yards ahead, you can’t help but be impressed when you see that this beam on full power can extend well beyond the length of a football field. For comparison, a 750-lumen LED lamp is as bright as a 90-watt bulb. Even on low, the BioLite 750 shines ahead nearly 50 feet.

The BioLite HeadLamp 750 has both front and back panels. Clay Bonnyman Evans photo.

Battery

The next best, and related, feature is the beefy, USB-rechargeable battery that can keep you out of the dark for as long as 150 hours on low beam, even when the lamp is running constantly. In “regulated runtime” mode – the lamp automatically adjusts brightness downward as your eye becomes accustomed to the darkness – you’ve even got seven hours at high power, plus eight more hours of reserve at five lumens, enough to get you out of many sketchy situations. And I love BioLite’s USB charging feature, which means I don’t have to haul batteries around. Charging is easy and reasonably quick.

BioLite 750 HeadLamp Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • 750 lumens of power
  • Multiple modes, including lock mode
  • Front panel easily adjusted to tilt toward ground
  • Up to 150 hours of use between charges
  • USB rechargeable
  • Easy to use
  • Solid water protection
  • Comfortable headband
  • 1-year warranty

Cons:

  • Although 5.3 ounces isn’t much, those seeking to slim up their packs might question whether all that power is worth an extra three or four ounces.
  • At a nickel under $100, the BioLite 750 might stretch some hikers’ budgets.
  • Not as streamlined or comfortable as a lighter, less powerful headlamp.
  • Rear-lamp feature is great for biking or running, but many hikers will view it as extraneous.

The BioLite HeadLamp 750 back panel includes red-flood and red-strobe lights and battery.

Overall

I love headlamps, and I really love BioLite headlamps. The HeadLamp 750 is outstanding for packing a ton of gloom-cutting power and runtime into a relatively small package. The rear lamp certainly makes sense if you’re going to be road-walking, but ounce-sensitive long-distance hikers may question whether it’s worth the additional weight.

On the other hand, if you’re planning to be in the wilderness for any length of time, it would sure be nice knowing that you have such deep reserves of light. On the whole, the BioLite 750 is a great product, but perhaps more suited to ultrarunners and deep-wilderness adventurers that typical thru-hikers.

Shop the BioLite HeadLamp 750

Comparable Products

Black Diamond Icon

Weight: 8.3 ounces
MSRP: $99.95
Brightness: 700 lumens
Power source: 4 AA batteries

Silva Trail Speed 4XT

Weight: 9.5 ounces
MSRP: $250.00
Brightness: 1200 lumens
Power source: USB rechargeable

Light & Motion Vis Pro Adventure

Weight: 4.9 ounces
MSRP: $139.99
Brightness: 600 lumens
Power source: USB rechargeable

Biolite HeadLamp 200

Weight: 1.6 oz.
MSRP:
$44.95
Brightness:
200 lumens
Power source:
USB rechargeable

This product was donated for the purpose of review.

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