Head torch or chest torch?

[jojo57]

Dear all, I currently have neither but need one or the other. What are your preferences and why?

Many thanks

Jo

[AnnieW55]

I've recently switched from a head to a chest. Both options are good you just need to get good ones. Maybe also make sure your phone has a torch as back up.

If you get a head torch try and get one that has a strap going over your head as well as around it - this stops it falling down or needing to have it tight or wear it over a cap.

A chest torch could feel a bit restrictive if it is on the very snug side. But these do have a red light that sits on your back. (I used to wear a belt with a red light attached when wearing a head torch.

I've switched because my husband kept borrowing my head torch and it was tricky altering it from man size to little old lady size😀 And I thought Id try something different. One run in, on a very dark, not even moonlit trail, and it was bright enough to see. I'm happy with the switch

[jojo57 Half Marathon in reply to AnnieW55]

Thanks Annie.

[Tomas Marathon]

I ran with a head torch (led lenser) last winter and it gave brilliant light, but I found it somewhat annoying to wear the head torch while sweating.

So this year I bought a chest torch. It lasted for two brief outings and then ceased to work at all. Got a new one, that ran out of battery on my third outing, but lasted at least two hours on it's "medium" setting during my most recent outing. I'm going to chance it again but next time on the "high" setting to see if that will last at least two hours as well.

I think my bad experiences with chest torches is because the ones I've bought have been weird low-cost brands, but I wasn't able to find one manufactured by a recognisable brand name.

So my experiences to date are:

Headtorch gives brilliant light, lasts long, withstands whatever the weather throws at it. Annoying to wear.

Chest torch gives not so good light, doesn't last as long, doesn't appear to be weather proofed. Comfortable to wear.

[benwill Marathon in reply to Tomas]

Which chest torches ones did you buy Professor Tomas?

I found the decathlon/Kalenji one pretty good and bright, but only use it on 5 to 10k runs so never out for more than an hour.

[Tomas Marathon in reply to benwill]

Sadly Decathlon was out of stock both time I was shopping, so I went with Amazon. The first was branded Sgodde and the second that still seems to be working is branded Suptig.

I'm fortunate that I work from home, so I can normally squeeze runs under an hour into my lunchreak. So the chest lights have only come out on 10 milers that I try to do a mid week evening after work.

Thank you for the recommendation. I can see that Decathlon has stock again. So if torch #2 expires I know what to buy next time

[jojo57 Half Marathon in reply to Tomas]

I'll have a look at Decathlon then, Thank you Tomas and Ben

[mcgurranhouse Marathon in reply to benwill]

That is the one my husband has - We will probably be wearing them out at the same time so we can compare results!

[Tomas Marathon in reply to mcgurranhouse]

Comparative analysis sounds great!

[benwill Marathon in reply to Tomas]

More spreadsheets!

[jojo57 Half Marathon in reply to mcgurranhouse]

Can't see anything there Mrs MAc!

[mcgurranhouse Marathon in reply to jojo57]

The decathlon one jojo.

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Tomas]

My head torch has straps that go round and over and is stretchy and absorbant material so sweating is cool ( or rather ... hot!!)

alpinetrek.co.uk/lupine-neo...

[jojo57 Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Crikey Juju! Looks lovely buit had no idea they would be that much! May have to stick with running and holding a torch!

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to jojo57]

I know its expensive its also a cycling torch. However I have had it for 4 years and it just keeps going and is so easy to charge up. I do honestly think you get what you pay for and I use it everyday so I have got my moneys worth!!

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to jojo57]

PS when my son and I ran on Saunton sands in the dark 2 years ago, a woman coming from 2 miles away saw my light and asked me about it as she was so impressed....!!

[misswobble Marathon]

It’s a huge subject. I just posted about it somewhere else on here this morning 🙂

You buy according to purpose which determines what brightness you need. Running in forest is different to running on already lit streets. I was running in my headtorch last night in lit areas but some of that low sodium lighting still leaves no light at feet level. Black as Night in places

My Lenser Neon, for,the money is good,but in unlit areas you’d need more lumens. Silva, Petzyl, Alpkit, Lenser websites will tell all. silva has a big blurb on its website at the mo. Our local run shop sells those

[mcgurranhouse Marathon]

Having now tried both, chest torch - doesn't leave you looking like an alien with an implant on your forehead at the end of your run! Also - the head torch tends to hurt my head. I have just ordered a chest light from ebay - much cheaper than the one my daughter bought for her dad!

Other running friends have tried the cheaper one and have said it is fine.

[jojo57 Half Marathon in reply to mcgurranhouse]

Yes I think I would struggle too with something on my head - certainly can't run with a cap!

[Tomas Marathon]

Just to add, whatever you decide to get, don't skimp on getting a backup light of sorts (make that two backups - one red for on your back and one white for facing forward).

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Tomas]

mine does both

[Tomas Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

So does mine. But it doesn't solve the issue of running out of battery, reverting to using a mobile phone, and then being run over from behind by an articulated lorry... (assuming of course that one runs on roads where lorries drive... I can see that this is less of an issue on forest trails )

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Tomas]

Mine has an extremely long battery life ....( I win!)

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

From the list I posted a couple of days ago:

The best place to keep extra batteries for your headlamp is in another headlamp

[jojo57 Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I saw that and liked it! So I need two then!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to jojo57]

I must admit, although I think it's a very good idea, I still don't want to fork out for an extra head torch

[ju-ju- Marathon]

I have a super headtorch that has a number of settings. I can angle it so I can see really clearly and there is a light on the back too that has lots of settings. I cant imagine strapping something large on my front?

[jojo57 Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Especially as I am going to start running with my heart rate strap thingie - sounds like too much baggage.

[AnnieW55 in reply to jojo57]

My heart rate strap thingie 😀 Sits under my bra band and doesn't interfere with the chest light (which isn't that big - just as well as neither am I.

[jojo57 Half Marathon]

Thanks all for your replies x

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

I find head torches uncomfortable personally. I have a Kalenji chest light and love it!☺

[jojo57 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra, just googled it - looks good (and affordable!)