Brightness

It has three white bulbs, plus a red bulb that can be set to flash. For the main light, there are three brightness levels, each offering different distances and corresponding runtimes, and these line up neatly with the situations most outdoor folks actually face. The max setting – 115 m for about two hours – is what you’d rely on for short bursts when you need to see far ahead, like picking a safe line on rocky trails, scanning for waymarks in the dark, or dealing with an emergency where maximum visibility matters. I found it useful for spotting my border terrier who has a habit of pushing his boundaries when out on a walk.

The medium mode – 60 m for around seven hours – is the real workhorse: I’ve found it perfect for steady hiking after dusk, setting up camp, or night running where I need good visibility but don’t want to burn through battery too fast. The low setting – 10 m for up to 100 hours – shines in camp life, map reading, cooking, tent chores, or moving around without blinding your group; it saves power while giving you just the right amount of light for close-up tasks. Together, these three modes mean you can match your lighting to the moment, stretch your battery life, and stay prepared well into the night.

Best Head Torches for Hiking Reviewed

I recently used the Petzl Actik Core 625 while out in North Wales surveying routes for a hiking guidebook I’m working on. With the short late-November days, all three of my hikes ended up with me on the trail in the dark, and I was glad to have the head torch with me. Coming down off the hill, just ambling along, I found that the medium setting was easily bright enough to guide me along, and only on a few occasions did I need to call upon the brightest setting, just to spot things in the distance that were relevant to my route notes.

On this trip I was also camping out, and the lowest setting served me very well in the tent, giving easily enough light for reading and for cooking too. I sometimes camp in places where a low profile is helpful, and the lowest setting is good for these instances: bright enough but not too bright.

As already mentioned, I’ve also used this for trail running, and this is where the dual light comes into play. Basically, what this involves is a spotlight and floodlight combined, meaning you can see into the distance without feeling like you’re in a tunnel. In use, I found this allowed me to see both near and far at the same time, which is ideal when you’re running on tricky trails and need to be constantly switching from looking at your feet to looking a few metres ahead.

One thing I really appreciated when using it with the CORE battery is that the brightness stays consistent, even as the battery depletes. Unlike standard AAA batteries, which gradually dim, the CORE keeps light output steady through most of its rated runtime, then drops off near the end rather than fading slowly.

Comfort and Fit

While this doesn’t have a back-mounted battery to help create balance across the head, this doesn’t present any issues. I’ve found the Petzl Actik Core to actually be one of the most comfortable and stable head torches I’ve used. The band is easy to adjust, it doesn’t loosen when you don’t want it to, and the wide band negates the risk of any pressure points.

User-Friendliness

I’ve used head torches in the past that are infuriatingly difficult to use, with various buttons and styles in which you need to press them in order to get what you want (e.g. double tap for green, hold for three seconds for flash… etc). With the Actik Core, things are simple. Press once for the low setting, again for medium and again for max power, then press one more time to turn it off. Hold the button for two seconds and you’ll get the red bulb, and press it again to make it flash.

It also features a straightforward charge indicator (green, amber, or red to show battery status) – that’s something I always like a head torch to have. It also has a lock function to prevent accidental use – just press and hold the power button for five seconds. The importance of a good lock function can’t be overstated. On a number of occasions I’ve pulled a head torch out of my bag to find it totally out of power. I even once had a very powerful head torch burn a hole in my backpack, believe it or not!

Other Details

It’s not fully waterproof. In fact, its IPX4 rating means it’s only splashproof. From my experience, it’s totally fine to use in the rain. During one spell of using it in very heavy stuff, I had no issues. If you’re looking for something waterproof – for things like caving and kayaking, for instance – Petzl have other suitable options in their collection. Other things to know: it has reflective details in the headband – good for night safety on the road – and it uses recycled content in the headband and lamp housing.

A nice bonus is the included translucent storage pouch, similar to those supplied with other Petzl headlamps. You can use it to suspend the light like a lantern, producing a gentle, diffused glow inside your tent. The pouch is made entirely from recycled materials and is free from PFAS chemicals.

Verdict

I’ve found this to be a solid and dependable performer, with a bright and clear beam that creates good visibility. On my runs with it, it’s felt well balanced and I’ve appreciated its good battery life on trips that have lasted longer than a day. For me personally, as a bit of an ultralighter, it’s a little on the heavy side for some of the longer hikes and runs I go on, but I’ve been enjoying using it for shorter weekend adventures. I’ve recently received a Petzl Swift LT which, at just 43g, looks right up my street. Back to the point, the Petzl Actik Core’s blend of usable brightness levels, dual power system, and practical design add up to a head torch that’s bright and easy to rely on, whether you’re running through the woods or sorting out a dehydrated meal in your tent.

Buy the Petzl Actik Core 625 :  £65.50 at Alpinetrek.co.uk