Running Accesories

Featured review by Asher Krell

I recently went camping at Desoto State Park in North Alabama and got to try out the Ledlenser MH10 in exchange for a review as a member of another site. Overall I was really happy with the headlamp and impressed with how powerful and easy to use it was. At the brightest level it puts out some serious light and when focused can shine long distances even in the darkest conditions. We used the light around the campground and had to actually keep it on a lower setting so it wouldn’t blind anyone. It is very easy to adjust the focus of the beam with a single-handed twist of the lens. The light also has a nice tilt mechanism that makes it easy to change where the beam is pointing whether it is being used for hiking or laying in your tent and reading. Overall, I would highly recommend this light for anyone looking for a powerful and comfortable headlamp with a useful set of features.

First off, this is an incredibly bright headlamp and in the focused beam position, you can see extremely far. We tried to test it out by shining it at the tops of the trees and could make out every leaf while it was pitch black outside. The headlamp also has the advantage that it can be adjusted to give a focused or diffuse beam with a simple single-handed twist of the lens. They have built in a special mechanism that makes this adjustment without even a full turn so it can be done very quickly.

Read more: Ledlenser MH10 reviews (4)

Featured review by LoneStranger

Nothing nano about these spikes. When the trail turns to ice and you need traction that will stick to it, the Hillsound Trail Crampon delivers. Flexible enough to fit a variety of footwear yet securely attached for serious terrain.

The Hillsound Trail Crampon combines great traction with a harness that is easy to use and functions well. This is a testament to their design, which clearly took into account the issues less well thought out crampons can bring. Snug secure fit even on less bulky boots. Ease of Use: Anyone who hikes in real winter conditions knows that moment when you feel the trail start to get icy and the question of whether it is worth the effort of stopping to put on the traction device you're carrying. For me, the Hillsound Trail Crampons have made that question much easier because they require so little effort to get into and out of.

Read more: Hillsound Trail Crampon reviews (14)

Featured review by Alicia MacLeay

2020 UPDATE: For 13 winters and counting I've relied on Kahtoola MicroSpikes traction devices to keep me upright while running on snowy and icy trails and camp roads. The 12 stainless steel cleats under each foot provide confidence-inspiring traction on hard pack, ice, and snow; the devices are straightforward to use and easy to get on over my trail-running shoes; a pair is lightweight and small enough to take along for just-in-case use; overall MicroSpikes are durable and well made. That said, the stainless steel cleats will dull over time, depending on how often they meet rocks and pavement. They do not replace crampons for technical hikes. In the right (or rather wrong) conditions, I occasionally get snowballs underfoot. While overall quite durable, my current pair suffered a break in its harness after two winters. MicroSpikes are an essential part of my winter running kit that I take for granted. I recommend them as a solid, dependable choice for other winter trail runners, hikers, and walkers.

Overview I received my first pair of Kahtoola MicroSpikes way back in the winter of 2007-08, and quickly became a convert to the new, stretchy, red traction devices. I'm now on at least my fourth pair and have run and walked thousands of icy, snowy, winter miles with MicroSpikes underfoot.  MicroSpikes are super rugged, burly, and easy to use. Not only do they inspire confidence from the get-go, they deliver. I've recommended them to many people and bought pairs for myself and family members.

Read more: Kahtoola MICROspikes reviews (38)

Featured review by Angie O'Plasty

I have been very happy with this headlamp. It is bright enough for night hiking and the angle can be adjusted depending on what you need to see (or to keep from blinding your hiking partner when you turn toward them). The low-battery warning is a nice feature. I also like that this light is water resistant; this is important for a hiking headlamp because sometimes one ends up hiking in rain and it may happen to be dark out as well. My only complaint is that it is kind of hard to open the battery compartment. Maybe this part of the design is necessary for water resistance, but it does make battery changes a bit of a pain. The good news is that this light doesn't go through batteries very quickly.

Read more: Princeton Tec Quad reviews (10)

Featured review by Mike Mineart

The Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras are a really well made product that performs well on icy trails. These type of trail crampons really enable you to enjoy hiking whenever your favorite trails are icy and are really great to have and share with a friend to give them a little greater confidence in following you out on an icy springtime hike.

I have had a pair of these Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras and also a pair of the Hillsound FreeSteps6 and found them a great addition to my pack and have really enjoyed using them while hiking when trail conditions can be challenging. My medium pair of Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras weigh 15.9 ounces with the storage bag included and 14.8 ounces without. The storage bag is made from a heavy weight nylon that the crampon points will not poke through when the bag with the crampons are stored in your pack.

Read more: Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra reviews (15)

Featured review by Strahwk

I currently have two of these headlamps. One is used for hiking and the other I wear on my hardhat at work. For the price, weight, and size, I am very pleased. The lamp I use for hiking is roughly 3 years old and is as good as new. It throws sufficient light for any task in the woods, and I have used it for many night hikes, especially in the winter. As others have noted, the tilt adjustment for the lamp seems a little weak. For the lamp I use hiking this is not yet an issue, even after 3 years, partly because it is not used heavily.

Read more: Princeton Tec EOS reviews (13)

Featured review by Bill "L.Dog" Garlinghouse

A light, well-made headlamp with bright, focused beams, and a red light mode. An intelligent switching pattern becomes intuitive with use. Made in the USA.

I've had a few headlamps before this one. In my first section of the Appalachian Trail, I took my Black Diamond Cosmo LED headlamp. It had two side LEDs for a flood effect, and one central 0.5-watt LED with a conical reflector to focus the beam. It was a fine unit except for one thing. It didn't have a red light mode. Now, many like red light to protect night vision. But if one's hiking the AT, and  turns on a white light inside a crowded shelter after dark, they are often called names, have their sanity questioned, and are generally ostracized from the community of hikers.

Read more: Princeton Tec Fred reviews (4)

Featured review by Brian Chia

Overview: The Septor is a headlamp manufactured by Streamlight. It is powered by 3AAA batteries and features 7 5mm LEDs with 3 levels of brightness.Construction: The Septor is constructed of a tough ABS polymer and has a polycarbonate one piece bezel/lens with a black rubber shroud. It has a racheting attachment to an elastic head strap. The light uses 3 AAA batteries which are inserted horizontally with a plastic battery carrier. The battery compartment is sealed with a black plastic cap, which is a push and turn bayonet type lock.

Read more: Streamlight Septor reviews (3)

Reviewed by John Bumberger

Amazingly bright, low weight, long battery life—these are just some of the highlights of this light.

I received my Firefly headlamp today to test and review. Starting with the shipping, it was surprisingly fast. I had recently moved and even with the company shipping to the old address, I had product in hand in under a week. The packaging was very well done and the unit made it here with no issues whatsoever. The product's packaging is appealing to the eye, clean box, specs and information can be seen and understood with a glance. None of the information overload that many companies like to use to make a product seem like it's more than it is just to draw a purchase.

Read more: Fox Outfitters Firefly review (1)

Reviewed by Wolfed

Rugged, long run time, waterproof headlamp

  When doing anything, especially when I will be away from civilization where potential help if is far away if needed, I like to be as prepared as possible.  You will notice that this headlamp is not light by any means at almost half a pound. Then again, its not marketed as a backpacking light. What you get for this weight though is serious ruggedness, waterproofness, various choices in light output along with run time.  You also get something where if you use it mindfully, you shouldn’t have to charge it again while out even on your longer trips.

Read more: Fenix HM70R review (1)